Blender vs food processor: What's the difference?

Will you be making protein shakes or soups, or 3-course dinners for your besties? Before you put your apron on, let’s look at the functions and benefits of each.

Blender vs. Food Processors: a quick look

Every blender and food pro is different, and you’ll get various handy accessories in the box. However, you can usually count on the following factors when thinking about which to use:

Ready to unlock the secrets of food processors and blenders? Read on for expert advice, discover the ultimate kitchen tool for your needs, learn when to grab either for great results, and get ready for some mouth-watering recipes. Let’s get cooking!

*Functions depend on the model of the food processor.

Ready to unlock the secrets of food processors and blenders? Read on for expert advice, discover the ultimate kitchen tool for your needs, learn when to grab either for great results, and get ready for some mouth-watering recipes. Let’s get cooking!

The similarities between blenders and food processors

First off, what’s the same? The main setup is surprisingly alike. You’ve got a motor housed in a base and on top of that, a container — a jar or work bowl— armed with blades or discs that swiftly whip up ingredients, sparing your arms the trouble. When dips, salsas, sauces, scrambled eggs or batters are on your to-do list, blenders and food processors are ideal. This is because they excel at fine processing and fast combining of soft or liquid ingredients. Lots of people reach for a blender if they want to make fluffy pancakes with bacon or berries, for example, as the batter ingredients are combined and aerated in moments. A food pro with the whisk attachment would work its magic equally well.

You could use either appliance successfully for fresh homemade pesto, or even a sweet crumble topping made out of flour, sugar and almonds.. Just pop in the ingredients and ‘pulse’ for a quick burst of power until the mixture is whooshed together.

Blenders and food processors both come in a selection of sizes to suit your habits and lifestyle. Think about how many mouths you’re feeding, as well as whether you like to make big batches and store some for later. The typical capacity of a food processor runs from about 800ml (like the Mini food chopper) up to more spacious models (like the Food processor 3.1L). Blender sizes start from around 500ml capacity for a personal blender up to 1.5L (like the K400 blender) or even larger for commercial models. 

Blenders vs food processors – 2 key differences

Now, let’s get down to the nitty gritty. Blenders tend to have one blade in a tall jar and are typically used for wetter recipes. Food processors, on the other hand, can have multiple blades and work bowls and can create neat results and specific textures. 

1. THE NUMBER OF BLADES

Blenders have one fixed blade

Traditional blenders have one blade at the bottom of the jar that can’t be switched out. This seriously hard-working blade may have multiple points at various angles to help thoroughly blend ingredients. It’s perfect for crushing ice for slushies and smoothies, finely puréeing even tough and fibrous ingredients, and liquifying foods with ease. 

KitchenAid blenders like the Blender K400, K150, and K130 have a unique asymmetric blade that blends at four distinct angles to pull ingredients towards the blade for speedy, smooth results. 

Food processors can have lots of blades

Food processors have several blades or discs to choose from. With these at your fingertips, you can effortlessly purée, chop, mix, knead, stir and whisk in a flash. Advanced processors like the Food processor 4L – Artisan take it up a notch with discs to allow you to precisely slice, shred, dice, cut fries and even citrus press too. 

2. WORK BOWLS VS JARS

Blenders have tall jars

A blender jar (sometimes called a jug or pitcher) has tall sides to help contain liquid recipes as they blend. The height and shape also helps keep ingredients swooshing around for lovely, even results. The jar usually has a handle and pouring lip or bevelled edges — ideal for neatly transferring liquid ingredients once you’ve finished. KitchenAid blenders are super robust and have jars made from either BPA-free plastic or hard-wearing glass. 

Food processors have wide work bowls 

You’ll notice that food processors have a broader work bowl that gives the appliance space to process whole or chunky ingredients like sweet potatoes, cucumbers, apples and so on. If you invest in a generously sized food pro, it may have a number of stackable work bowls so that you can batch cook, or scale to suit the job you’re taking on. A feed tube on the top is the place to push in ingredients towards the blade, from cheese to meat to courgettes. 

Now we’ve compared the advantages of blenders and food processors, let’s dive into the exciting part and get inspired by all the delicious things you can make. Prepare to be amazed by the wide array of delectable creations you can whip up.

What can I make in a blender?

When you think of blenders, you tend to think of milkshakes, healthy green soups, or your favourite gazpacho, right? That’s because blenders are heroes when it comes to liquid recipes or smooth results.

You can make soups, sauces, custards, frothed milk, nut milks and butters, or smoothies, smooth salsa, mousse and baby food. Results are fine and liquid-based.

Browse our recipes for ideas to make with a blender

What can I make in a food processor?

Food pros are your friend when it comes to dishes that require chopping, crushing, slicing or fiddling around. The blades may rotate slower than a blender and can produce precise cuts.

You can make pizza dough, bread dough, meringue, shredded cheese, chunky salsas, ground meat for burgers, and healthy rainbow salads depending on your food processor type. The results can be dry without the need for liquid.

Browse our recipes for ideas to make with a food processor

Level up your culinary game with the power of a blender or a food processor. These kitchen superheroes allow you to explore a whole new world of recipes, tastes and textures. Check out the top-notch KitchenAid blenders and KitchenAid food processors for a closer look at all the possibilities presented by these culinary wizards. Pick yours and cook up a storm! 😊