What can I do with my hand blender?

What is an immersion blender?

An immersion blender, or hand blender, is the baby cousin of the bigger countertop blender. Only it can be picked up. It's smaller, longer and ‘stick-like’, hence its other name, stick blender. And it certainly delivers the goods when it comes to whizzing up dreamy smooth recipes. You hold the handle in your hand, while the blending arm, with its blades on the end, gets to work on your ingredients. Their design means you can either use them in the blender jar or straight in the pot or saucepan, while you’re cooking. So that’s less washing up. Just make sure to choose one with a pan guard to protect your pots and pans. With different speeds, you can start off gently, then speed up when you need some oomph. With our ergonomic KitchenAid Go Cordless hand blender, for example, you can control the variable speed easily with one hand with just the squeeze of the button.

What can I make with a hand blender?

With a shiny new hand blender, you can mix, purée and emulsify just about anything that a regular countertop blender can. We’re talking soups, dips, vinaigrettes, salsas, sauces, milkshakes, nut butters, even jams. So let’s start with what hand blenders are perhaps best known for:

Homemade soups

Some would argue you can turn pretty much anything into a soup for a hearty, healthy meal. On busy days you can simply fling veggies into a pot with stock, seasoning, pop your stick blender into the pan and pulse to get just the consistency you want. Job done! On days when you want to impress, how about this Thai-inspired carrot curry and coconut soup, or creamy chestnut soup? Be as adventurous as you like with flavours and textures.

Fresh sauces

If you love pasta, then an immersion blender is a must. Anything from basic tomato – aka marinara – sauce, to cheese sauce, to pesto is so easy. In fact, all of your favourite sauces are quicker and simpler with a stick blender. Homemade BBQ sauce, Hollandaise, you name it. We love this fragrant satay sauce, perfect for stir fries or for dipping – just watch your hand blender whiz through those peanuts for the smoothest texture.

Delicious dips

Delve into the world of dips to elevate even the most basic snacks – like breadsticks dunked into homemade hummus, or pitta breads with tzatziki. And where would Taco Tuesday be without salsa and guacamole? Step forward the hand blender. This chunky guacamole blender recipe works just as well with your handheld blender, as does this homemade mayo.

Speedy salad dressings

Whip up perfectly-emulsified vinaigrettes and salad dressings, bursting with flavour, in a matter of seconds. Choose your favourite oils, vinegars, herbs and spices to transform that samey salad. You’ll be surprised at the tastes you can experiment with here, like this fruity raspberry vinaigrette recipe.

Dreamy desserts and super smoothies

Don’t worry, we haven’t forgotten the sweet treats. With an immersion blender, you can rustle up mousses, cheesecake (that’s the topping and the biscuit base), fruity purées, jam, coulis, pie fillings and loads more. Go Italian with this pistachio and lavender semifreddo, or take your tastebuds to Japan with matcha pancakes. And, of course, you can absolutely use your hand blender for smoothies and throw in fresh and ripe fruits, coconut water or milk and perhaps a little honey, for a healthy breakfast or snack.

First baby blends

When it’s time to wean your baby, many parents love to use their stick blenders as baby food blenders. You can choose the taste, ingredients and serving quantity that's just right for your baby. You’re also in total control of the texture, from the first super-smooth baby purées, to thicker, chunkier ones when your little one is ready to move on.

What else are hand blenders good for?

Your immersion blender can take the hard work out of scrambled eggs, chopped nuts, whipped cream, pancake batter, mash and gravy. Did you know you can even make your own butter? And the great thing about a stick blender (or, rather, another great thing) is that you get fabulous results, even with small amounts of ingredients.

Should I buy a cordless immersion blender?

There are cordless hand blenders available today that give you even more freedom to move. If you’re already a handheld blender fan, like to keep the worktop clear, or have a shortage of sockets, cordless may be the way to go. You can blend wherever you like, without being tied to one place. Whether that’s to safely blend over your hob, without a dangling cord, or simply to work in your favourite spot.

Should I buy a hand blender with accessories?

Hand blenders aren’t just sticks with a whirring blade at the end. Some are more versatile, with a choice of attachments. A hand blender with a whisk helps you to whip cream or egg whites and whiz up airy puddings. Or pop the base onto a chopper attachment and let it handle meal prep, cutting through meat, veggies, onion or garlic, just like a mini food processor. An extra jar can also allow you to make and store more. Check out our range of hand blenders that come with nifty accessories.

Which hand blender is the best one for me?

Let’s take a quick look at what's the difference between a hand blender without accessories and the one that comes with two additional tools. Accessories cannot be purchased separately.

Ready to take the plunge into the world of hand blenders?

Stick blenders are like the superheroes of the kitchen – ready to swoop in and save the day with a quick blend or purée. From whipping up velvety soups and creamy sauces to crafting perfect smoothies and tasty dips, these handy gadgets make cooking look easy. Plus, they're all about fun and creativity, letting you experiment with new recipes and flavours without the hassle. And, if you really want to level up, cordless immersion blenders offer the ultimate convenience, giving you the freedom to blend anywhere. So, if you haven't already, it's time to give the hand blender a whirl and see how it can shake up your kitchen game. Happy blending!