As an apartment dweller, I’m a proud member of the Anti-Clutter Club. So, two years ago, when my husband and I were creating our wedding registry, we had one rule: whatever we put on the list needed to be something we’d use at least once a month. That meant no single-use appliances (ugh, but I do still want an ice cream maker) and definitely nothing that would take up precious countertop real estate because it was too big to be stowed away. When it came to curating our dream kitchen gear, the KitchenAid Mini Food Chopper ($60) seemed to fit both criteria, so it went on the registry.

Fast forward to today, and I’m pleased to report that we use this little thing all. the. time. I use it to make pesto! Cashew butter! A really great pasta sauce from olive oil, cherry tomatoes, fresh basil, garlic, nutritional yeast, S&P, and red chili flakes! (Psst: put the aforementioned sauce over pan-fried gnocchi for a quick and delish mid-week meal. You’re welcome.) Read on to learn how KitchenAid’s small-but-mighty chopper quickly became one of my favorite tools in our kitchen.

KitchenAid 3.5 Cup Food Chopper — $60.00

Dimensions (with lid): 8.75″ x 6″

Capacity: 3.5 cups

Colors: 9

Pros: 

• Small footprint makes it easy to stow away
• Super easy to use and clean (dishwasher friendly!)
• Comes in a variety of colors to match your kitchen aesthetic
• Versatile

Cons: 

• 3.5 cup capacity might not be big enough for some recipes
• Lid can be tricky to get used to

What is the KitchenAid 3.5 Cup Food Chopper?

This little appliance from KitchenAid chops and purees food in a 3.5-cup work bowl. It has a dual-sided blade, two speed settings—you guessed it, they’re “chop” and “puree”—and a pulse button so you can control how, erm, choppy things get. The work bowl includes a spout so you can pour out the goods with ease, and there’s also a drizzle basin on the lid in case you need to distribute oil while you puree. Fancy!

As I mentioned earlier, there are plenty of uses for the KitchenAid Food Chopper, despite its smaller size. The sharp blades can tackle everything from liquids and soft fruits to nuts and tough greens. Whether you’re whipping up homemade nut butter or pureeing fruit or veg for a new recipe you’re trying, it’s up for the job.

Best of all, when you’re finished chopping, the work bowl, blade, and lid are all dishwasher safe. When you’re ready to put it away, the cord wraps up neatly around the base for easy storage. It also comes in a bunch of colors, so whether you prefer a basic black or a soothing baby blue, there’s an option that will match your kitchen’s vibe.

What I like (and don’t like) about the KitchenAid 3.5 Cup Food Chopper

I love that this appliance is so easy to use and can be used for so many different recipes. Easy clean-up (read: me rinsing and putting it in the dishwasher) is also a major win. Cord storage and its small footprint are for sure perks, too—I don’t have much cabinet space to spare but this little guy slides right in and doesn’t take up much room at all.

There’s really nothing I actively dislike about my KitchenAid chopper, but I will say that the lid is a bit finicky. Turning and locking the lid into place takes some getting used to (or maybe it’s just me?) and the appliance only works when you’ve locked the lid. Again, I use this thing weekly so it’s clearly not that hard, but it’s something to note.

All in, it’s a super compact, versatile kitchen appliance that performs really well. If you’re hoping to expand your arsenal of kitchen tools but are working with a smaller space, I highly recommend this tiny gadget that will last for years to come.