What is a food processor?

A food processor is a powerful yet versatile kitchen tool that can chop, shred, mix and knead ingredients with just the touch of a button. Designed with adjustable discs and blades, food processors can finely dice vegetables, grind meat and knead dough consistently – saving you valuable time in the kitchen.

This versatile appliance is your best friend in the kitchen, designed to handle various tasks quickly and efficiently. Whether prepping veggies for a stir-fry or blending ingredients for a smooth and creamy soup, using a food processor makes it easy.

They come with a range of attachments, each tailored for specific tasks. The main workhorse is the S-shaped blade, perfect for chopping and pureeing. Then, there are shredding discs for cheese and vegetables, slicing discs for uniform cuts, and even dough blades for baking.

Now, let’s look at whether a blender and a food processor are the same.

What is a blender?

A blender is the perfect appliance for making liquids and smooth mixtures. Use it to make smoothies, soups and sauces. 

Blenders are powerful, capable of crushing ice and blending frozen fruits. With various speed settings, you control the texture. They come with a jug, lid, and sharp blades. Some models even offer extra attachments for chopping or grinding.

There's also the immersion blender, a handheld tool that can blend directly in pots or bowls. It’s great for puréeing soups right on the stove or making small batches of sauces.

Use our blender comparison to find the right match and turn solid ingredients into liquid delights. Just toss in your ingredients, press a button, and let the blades work their magic.

So, is a blender and a food processor the same? No. It’s more limited than a food processor.

Can you use a blender as a food processor?

Food processors and blenders serve two different purposes. While some functions can be done in both, they’re two quite different appliances. 

A food processor is great for all your food prep – chopping, mincing, dicing, slicing, kneading, grating, pureeing and more. If you can imagine it, your food processor can probably help (and save you time while it does). 

Soups, stews and salads are a breeze. And you’ll whip up a batch of burger patties faster than you can say “It’s a try!”. Small pizza bases and basic cake mixes come out perfectly every time.  

In short – a food processor makes the perfect kitchen hand. 

A blender is typically used for liquids, like blending soups and sauces and making smoothies. Some blenders, like our K400, can tackle tougher jobs like nut butters and frozen treats with the included tamper, which helps push tough ingredients into the blades for that perfectly smooth consistency. 

So, can you use a blender instead of a food processor? Well, at the risk of sitting on the fence, sometimes you can and sometimes you can’t. If you’re whizzing up liquids like the perfect pasta sauce or nutritious breakfast smoothie, yes, you can use a blender instead of a food processor. But for anything more solid, you should use your food processor.

Unless, of course, you split the jobs up between different appliances like a… 

• hand mixer
• stand mixer
• food chopper
• grinder
• an immersion blender…

…or even a good old-fashioned knife. Oh…? There’s more to consider? We hear you. Don’t worry – it’s simple. Let’s look at when to use each one.

When to use a hand blender as a food processor

This compact appliance will blend right in the bowl, pan, or pot you’re already using. You can use it instead of a food processor for a few tasks – ones that involve liquefying your ingredients, like pureeing, emulsifying and blending. It doesn’t get much quicker or simpler than this. Of course, like all blenders, you shouldn’t use it to knead, slice, or shred solid ingredients.

When to use a stand mixer

A stand mixer is your classic kitchen bench mixer. The type you might’ve used in your nan’s kitchen to whip up a mouth-watering carrot cake with cream cheese icing. 

Today, you can use the beater accessories in your stand mixer to mix, whip, knead and mash foods in the mixer bowl. 

But we’re thoughtful about our attachments at KitchenAid so that you can go the extra mile – choose from 10+ attachments to power through your food prep tasks like grating, grinding, shredding and slicing. We even developed our ExactSlice™ System so that you can slice from thick to thin with a simple lever. Easy.

When to use a hand mixer

The hand mixer is another classic. A compact, handheld appliance with two beater attachments. Use it to whip, mix and stir. Don’t use it to puree, chop, grate, grind, slice, or shred. 

Some of our hand mixers come with extra attachments, so they’re more versatile. Use our Artisan 9-Speed Hand Mixer to whip, knead, mix, blend and so much more. Marvel at how your new pro whisk, dough hooks, and liquid blending rod make light work of feeding the masses (or spoil yourself with an indulgent meal for one).

When to use a food chopper

A food chopper is usually smaller than a food processor – handy for smaller spaces or to hide away in a cupboard. It uses one blade to chop, mix and puree. It won’t shred, slice or dice like your food processor because it can’t usually make multiple cuts.

But our 5-Cup Food Chopper has a whisk attachment and a clever drizzle basin, so you can make smooth and creamy mayonnaise, punchy sauces and delicious dressings.

When to use a grinder

Grinders are typically used to grind and mince protein for sausages and patties. But if you have the right attachment—like our Metal Food Grinder attachment for your KitchenAid Stand Mixer—you can choose between fine, medium and coarse to grind a wide range of other ingredients. Pack veggies into your ragu, or quickly process hard cheese, nuts and breadcrumbs to dial up the flavour (and the nutrients).

Are you feeling a bit of information overload? Let’s make it really simple. Here’s when to use each one.

What to use if you don’t have a food processor 

There are six main tools you can use instead of a food processor.

*With separate KitchenAid attachments or as a separate model.

Is a food processor worth it? Why?

Even though you know it will ultimately save time, mastering the use of your food processor (and all the other great kitchen appliances that sit in most Aussie kitchen cupboards) can feel like an effort. 

But is it worthwhile? Absolutely.

They make it simple and fast to make recipes from scratch – using fresh, whole ingredients and avoiding the additives and preservatives in most store-bought staples. Look after your family’s health with food that packs a nutritional punch and often tastes better, too. 

Let’s look at some examples. Here are the seven different ways to use a food processor.

Chopping

Chopping ingredients for your weeknight dinners has never been this fast or easy. Use perfectly chopped tomatoes and cucumbers for a fresh salad. Or, toss in carrots, onions and celery for a quick mirepoix base to make a warming soup or stew.

Grinding or Mincing

Ever tried making your own mince? It’s a game-changer. Grind your preferred cut of meat and know precisely what’s in it. Do you enjoy a good curry? Mince garlic and ginger effortlessly for an aromatic base.

(Note: Food processors don’t technically grind – they mince using a sharp blade. But the result is very similar to grinding, with no need for a separate appliance.)

Pureeing

Create a rich, velvety soup or whip up a smooth puree for your baby’s meals. Blend ingredients to your desired consistency with the press of a button. Imagine homemade hummus – just blend chickpeas, lemon juice, garlic and tahini for a delicious and healthy dip.

Mixing or blending

Perfecting your pastries or making dough for bread? For batters, it’s a quick blend to smooth perfection. Mix ingredients to a perfect consistency in minutes. Let your food processor do the heavy lifting. 

Shredding or grating

Shredding cheese for pizza night? Do it in seconds. Grate veggies like carrots and zucchini for fritters or salads. It’s fast and your hands are safe, too.

Slicing

Slicing is a breeze with a food processor. You get uniform slices every time, making your dishes look as good as they taste. Make picture-perfect potatoes for a gratin, or enjoy crunchy cucumbers in a salad. 

Kneading

Whether for a delicate pastry or crusty bread, get perfectly kneaded dough in no time.

What size food processor is right for you?

At KitchenAid, we have a great range of food processors. Whether you only need our 3.5 and 5-cup food choppers or our larger 7, 9 and 13-cup food processors, you’ll find your perfect match. They’re easy to use, clean and store and there’s a size to suit everyone. 

Are you wondering which size is right for you? Use our food processor comparison to make it easy.

Small (3.5-5 cups)

Smaller food choppers that fit 3.5 or 5 cups are perfect for small tasks like chopping nuts or making small batches of pesto. 

Medium (7-9 cups)

This size can handle most kitchen tasks, from slicing vegetables to mixing dough and is great for families. Our 9-cup food processor has a four-bladed multipurpose blade that makes easy work of the toughest ingredients – great for pureeing and mincing.

Large (13 cups)

This one is best if you entertain often or have a large family. It can handle batches of food big enough to make your nonna’s eyes shine with pride. Our 13-cup food processor has an ExactSlice™ System, which allows you to slice six thicknesses with one disc.

Recap: Can you use a blender as a food processor?

A food processor is a time-saving kitchen appliance that uses blades and discs to chop, grate, puree, mix and knead your ingredients. It’s your kitchen all-rounder – an electronic sous chef of sorts. 

A blender is more specialised and will help you whizz up liquids to creamy perfection every time. Whether you use your food processor or a blender, save your time and effort so you can get creative and set out a feast the whole family will enjoy.

Have you still got questions? Learn more in our article about food processors vs blenders.

FAQ

What can I use if I don’t have a food processor?

If you don’t have a food processor, there are a few alternatives. You can use a blender as a food processor for liquids and smooth mixtures. Hand blenders are excellent for pureeing soups and sauces directly in the pot. Other options include hand mixers for mixing and whisking or a stand mixer with attachments for more versatility. For chopping and slicing, try a small food chopper for even slices in seconds. 

Is it worth getting a food processor?

Yes. It saves time and effort by quickly chopping, slicing, grating, mincing, pureeing, and kneading. This versatility makes meal prep faster and easier. You can make dishes from scratch using fresh, whole ingredients (and avoid many additives and preservatives). Serve up easy-to-cook food that tastes better and packs a nutritional punch.

Can I use a hand blender instead of a food processor?

A hand blender can replace a food processor for certain tasks, like pureeing soups directly in the pot or making small batches of sauces. But you shouldn’t use it for tasks that require precision chopping, slicing, grating, or kneading dough. For these functions, a food processor is more effective and efficient.