The 16 Best KitchenAid Mixer Attachments You Didn’t Know You Needed
We asked bloggers, professional bakers and pastry chefs which ones they love and use.
When it comes to the popular KitchenAid Stand Mixer, you probably think of it only as a tool that can help you mix ingredients for baking. But it turns out it has so many more uses than that.
In fact, there are quite a few cool KitchenAid mixer attachments you can buy to take your cooking to the next level...we’re talking everything from a pasta press to a spiralizer to a food processor. Yep, for real! Keep reading to learn all about KitchenAid mixer attachments so you can decide which ones are worth a spot in your kitchen.
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What Attachments Come With a KitchenAid Mixer?
The KitchenAid stand mixer typically comes with three standard attachments. “Most KitchenAid stand mixers will come with a whisk, a flat beater and a dough hook,” explains Kat Connor, co-founder of XO Marshmallow. “We use the whisk every day to make marshmallows and marshmallow fluff, but it can be used for anything that requires ‘whipping’ or ‘whisking.’”
Connor says the flat beater is best used for batters, like cookie doughs and brownie batters. “In general, the flat beater is the one I tend to use the most at home,” she says. Connor adds that the dough hook is used for making (you guessed it!) dough, while the hook-shaped attachment helps incorporate ingredients and yeast.
There are also plenty of other KitchenAid mixer attachments you can purchase as add-ons. Some of the most useful attachments include things like pasta presses, spiralizers, food processors and sifters and scales, says Connor.
How to Attach KitchenAid Mixer Attachments
Attaching the standard KitchenAid mixer attachments (whisk, beater and dough hook) is very easy. Just follow these instructions from KitchenAid:
Make sure your stand mixer is unplugged.
Unlock the tilt-head.
Raise and lock the tilt-head in place.
Slip the attachment upward onto the shaft.
Hook the attachment over the lock pin.
If you’re wondering how to attach non-standard KitchenAid mixer attachments (like food processors and pasta cutters), know that there’s a little more work involved. “Many attachments are connected through the front of the KitchenAid and will need to be screwed in securely,” notes Elisabeth Mincin, recipe developer and food blogger at Waiting for Blancmange. She specializes in desserts and breads and has been a KitchenAid user for years. “A loose attachment might make things a bit messy or wobbly.”
KitchenAid offers the following guidelines for attaching non-standard attachments:
Make sure your stand mixer is unplugged and that the speed control is set to “0.”
Turn the attachment knob counterclockwise to remove the attachment hub cover.
Insert the attachment into the attachment hub. Make sure the attachment power shaft fits securely into the square attachment hub socket. You might have to rotate the attachment back and forth. When it’s in the proper position, the pin on the attachment will fit into the notch on the hub rim.
Tighten the attachment knob by turning the knob clockwise until the attachment is completely secured to the stand mixer.
Read the instruction manual that came with your stand mixer for instructions on using the attachment.
How to Change KitchenAid Mixer Attachments
Changing the standard KitchenAid mixer attachments is super-simple. First, you’ll want to remove whatever is currently attached. To do this, make sure your device is turned off and unplugged, then unlock the tilt-head and raise and lock it into place. Press the attachment into the shaft, unfasten the pin and remove. Now you can use the instructions listed in the previous section of this article to attach another standard attachment.
To change attachments that are secured in the attachment hub, the instructions are slightly different. First, make sure your stand mixer is unplugged and that the speed control is set to “0.” Next, you’ll want to loosen the knob on the attachment hub and rotate the attachment until it’s loose. You can now gently pull on the attachment to remove it from the hub. Then you can go about attaching another attachment using the instructions listed in the previous section of this article.
How to Use KitchenAid Mixer Attachments
Ready to put those KitchenAid mixer attachments to good use? We’ve got you covered with some tips and tricks from experts.
For starters, you should always make sure whatever attachment you’re using is securely attached to the mixer before use, says Shelly Martin, professional chef and blogger from Easy Kitchen Guide. “Always follow the recipe or instruction manual when using an attachment as different attachments have different uses and functions,” she adds.
You should also be careful when handling attachments because some parts may be sharp or hot during use, explains Martin. Finally, “clean all attachments thoroughly after each use according to the instructions in the user manual,” she suggests.
There are also some hacks you can try to really up your attachment game. “When making candy, you can end up with sticky sugar syrup that hardens when it dries, so I recommend keeping a large bowl or container with hot water handy to throw your attachment into directly after using,” says Connor. “It will soak while you finish baking and make cleaning up a breeze.
Connor says another hack is to chill your bowl and whisk in the fridge to make whipped cream in a snap. “And likewise, you can actually use a kitchen torch to lightly heat a stainless-steel KitchenAid mixing bowl — an easy hack when working with chocolate,” she says.
Where to Buy KitchenAid Mixer Attachments
When it comes to buying KitchenAid mixer attachments, you have a lot of options. For starters, you can buy KitchenAid mixer attachments directly from KitchenAid’s website. You can also find plenty of options on Amazon as well as at stores including Sur La Table and Williams Sonoma.
The Best KitchenAid Mixer Attachments
Remember: “All the attachments serve a specific purpose,” says Noah Whritenour, executive pastry chef at Stevedore Bakery at Thompson Savannah. “In my pastry department, we use them all very regularly. It’s hard to choose a favorite. It's important to do your research on what each attachment does and what it is used for so you use the right tool for the job.”
Ready to get shopping? Here are the best KitchenAid stand mixer attachments to have on hand for all your cooking and baking needs.
1. KitchenAid Wire Whip, $24.99 on Amazon
“I actually recommend purchasing duplicate attachments if you plan on baking a lot,” says Connor. “Whisks and beaters can be found relatively cheaply and save you a lot of time when tackling many projects at once.” This replacement whisk is made from stainless steel and has been designed, engineered and tested by KitchenAid. KitchenAid Wire Whip, $24.99 on Amazon
2. KitchenAid Tilt-Head Flex Edge Beater, $29.95 on Amazon
Short on time? “I recommend the flex edge beater because I hate having to stop mid-cookie mix just to scrape down the sides of the bowl,” says Connor. This coated beater has a flexible edge that thoroughly scrapes ingredients into the bowl to cut down majorly on mixing time. KitchenAid Tilt-Head Flex Edge Beater, $29.95 on Amazon
3. KitchenAid Dough Hook Replacement, $19.99 on Amazon
“I couldn't make my breads without the dough hook,” says Mincin. “Hand kneading is not for me. The KitchenAid dough hook helps to knead all of my doughs, from standard loaf breads, to sourdough, brioche and all things in between.” This replacement dough hook is made from coated metal and is ideal for mixing and kneading yeast doughs. KitchenAid Dough Hook Replacement, $19.99 on Amazon
4. KitchenAid Sifter + Scale Attachment, $99.95 on Amazon
“The sifter and scale is a great tool because it contains flour and powdered sugar while sifting, keeping my surface clean and scaling out the right portions,” says Connor. It allows for hands-free sifting, which gives you more consistent mixing and fluffy baked goods, and it measures ingredients by weight for more precise baking. KitchenAid Sifter + Scale Attachment, $99.95 on Amazon
5. KitchenAid Food Processor Attachment, $159.99 on Amazon
“One of the most useful attachments is the food processor, which can handle everything from chopping nuts to mix into brownies to dicing onions for savory cooking,” says Connor. “I love it because I don't often need a food processor, and when I do, it's to make something sweet.” This food processor attachment has a wide tube to accommodate food of various sizes, resulting in less prep work for you. Plus, the innovative slicing system ensures precise slicing. KitchenAid Food Processor Attachment, $159.99 on Amazon
6. KitchenAid Spiralizer Attachment, $74.95 on Amazon
“The spiralizer is a great tool to inspire healthy eating, so after a long day of making marshmallows—or baking—I am ready to just throw on the attachment and make a nutritious dinner,” says Connor. This spiralizer attachment comes with blades for medium and fine slicing as well as a blade for peeling. It’s made from premium metal for excellent durability. It even comes with a storage case. KitchenAid Spiralizer Attachment, $74.95 on Amazon
7. KitchenAid 3-Piece Pasta Roller & Cutter Set, $169.95 on Amazon
“I really enjoy the pasta roller for certain projects,” says Whritenour. “It allows you to use both hands to hold the dough instead of the traditional pasta roller where you need one hand to crank it.” This set comes with spaghetti and fettuccine cutters as well so you can easily create handmade pastas at home. KitchenAid 3-Piece Pasta Roller & Cutter Set, $169.95 on Amazon
8. KitchenAid Slicer/Shredder Attachment, $44.99 on Amazon
Take the hassle out of slicing vegetables and cheese with this slicer/shredder attachment. It comes with a 3mm blade to slice vegetables like cucumbers and carrots; a 4mm medium blade for thinly shredding cheeses and firm vegetables; and a 6mm coarse blade for shredding potatoes, cabbage and more. KitchenAid Slicer/Shredder Attachment, $44.99 on Amazon
9. KitchenAid Food Grinder Attachment, $44.95 on Amazon
Did you know you could grind food with your KitchenAid stand mixer? This attachment makes the task as simple as possible. It comes with a variety of tools so you can grind meat, hard cheeses and even breadcrumbs. Fresh burgers and sausages, coming right up! KitchenAid Food Grinder Attachment, $44.95 on Amazon
10. KitchenAid Gourmet Pasta Press Attachment, $169.99 on Amazon
This stand mixer pasta press can help you make homemade pasta in a whole slew of shapes, including spaghetti, bucatini, rigatoni, fusili and macaroni. It has a built-in wire cutter so you can seamlessly control the length of your pasta. It also comes with interchangeable pasta discs, a dough pusher and a stainless steel cleaning tool. KitchenAid Gourmet Pasta Press Attachment, $169.99 on Amazon
11. KitchenAid Vegetable Sheet Cutter, $79.95 on Amazon
Interested in making zucchini lasagna or apple roll-ups? Then you need to get your hands on this fruit and vegetable sheet cutter. It comes with two blades — one for thick sheets and one for thin sheets—so you can switch things up depending on your preferences or the recipe you’re using. KitchenAid Vegetable Sheet Cutter, $79.95 on Amazon
12. KitchenAid Juicer and Sauce Attachment, $259.87 on Amazon
If you want to enjoy fresh juices but don’t have room to store a separate juicer, then this KitchenAid mixer attachment may be exactly what you need. It slices and processes soft, hard or leafy fruits and vegetables and allows you to choose between three different levels of pulp. You can also use it to make sauces and jams. KitchenAid Juicer and Sauce Attachment, $259.87 on Amazon
13. KitchenAid Fruit and Vegetable Strainer Attachment, $47.85 on Amazon
Straining fruits and vegetables no longer has to be such a tedious task, thanks to this attachment. Designed specifically to work with the KitchenAid food grinder attachment, it helps you puree and strain fruits and vegetables for a variety of uses, including jams, sauces and even baby food. KitchenAid Fruit and Vegetable Strainer Attachment, $47.85 on Amazon
14. KitchenAid Ice Cream Maker Attachment, $91.99 on Amazon
“I have a KitchenAid ice cream maker attachment,” says Mincin. “This is a bowl that fits in place of the KitchenAid mixing bowl and a mechanical attachment to churn ice cream.” With this attachment, you can make up to two quarts of ice cream, gelato or sorbet in a half hour. KitchenAid Ice Cream Maker Attachment, $91.99 on Amazon
15. KitchenAid Shave Ice Attachment, $72.70 on Amazon
Ice cream isn’t the only cold treat you can whip up with your KitchenAid stand mixer. You can make shaved ice too! This attachment allows you to make more than a pint of fine shaved ice in just one minute. Once you have your shaved ice, you can top it with syrups, sauces and any other topping you can imagine. KitchenAid Shave Ice Attachment, $72.70 on Amazon
16. KitchenAid Hammered Stainless Standard Mixer Bowl, $69.95
While a bowl isn’t technically an attachment, it pays to have a backup for your KitchenAid mixer. This stainless steel bowl has the capacity to mix dough for up to nine dozen cookies in one batch. Plus, it’s dishwasher-safe for easy clean-up. KitchenAid Hammered Stainless Standard Mixer Bowl, $69.95 on Amazon
Sources
Kat Connor, co-founder of XO Marshmallow
Elisabeth Mincin, recipe developer and food blogger at Waiting for Blancmange
Shelly Martin, professional chef and blogger from Easy Kitchen Guide
Noah Whritenour, executive pastry chef at Stevedore Bakery at Thompson Savannah