13 Magical Ways to Use a Food Processor

Posted by Brent Furdyk. Last updated on July 9, 2020

You already know your food processor can chop and mix, but have you ever made butter? How about ice cream? These are just some of the things you can make with absolute ease and a little creativity, to harness the power of your food processor and put it to work.

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Butter

 Unless you're Amish, you've probably never churned your own butter. By using your food processor, however, you can skip the churning and turn heavy cream into fresh, homemade butter in just 10 minutes.
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Breadcrumbs

Instead of throwing away that hard, <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/everyday-cooking/photos/genius-ways-to-use-stale-bread/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">stale piece of bread</a>, throw it into your food processor — you'll never have to buy bread crumbs again! For added flavour, toss in some herbs and seasoning.
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Salsa

Fresh, zesty salsa is right at your fingertips. Add some fresh tomatoes, peppers, cilantro or whatever else you'd like and let your food processor do the rest — as fine or chunky as you'd like.
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Shredded Potatoes

The next time you're craving some yummy potato latkes, keep your cheese grater in the drawer and use your food processor to shred all those potatoes. Your knuckles will thank you! Get the recipe for <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/potato-latkes/17331/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Potato Latkes</a>
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Veggie Burgers

Whether you use <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/healthy-eating/photos/20-chickpea-recipes-to-make-your-heart-happy/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">chickpeas</a>, black beans or some other type of base, you can whip up your own veggie burgers in a jiffy. Add your own spices to ensure they taste exactly the way you'd like. Get the recipe for <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/black-bean-veggie-burger/13643/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Anna Olson's Black Bean Veggie Burger</a>
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Ground Meat

If a non-vegetarian hamburger is more to your liking, why not kick it up a notch by grinding your own beef, using whatever cut you'd prefer.
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Easy Sorbet

Cut up some ripe fruits and puree in your food processor. Freeze the pureed fruits and whip up in the food processor and enjoy the frozen result anytime you like. Get the recipe for <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/crushed-strawberry-pomegranate-and-elderflower-cordial-sorbet/14668/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Crushed Strawberry, Pomegranate and Elderflower Cordial Sorbet</a>
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Ice Cream

Bet you didn't know you could make ice cream in a food processor, did you? Well, it's true! First, freeze your base (heavy cream if you're more concerned with flavour than calories) in a freezer bag. Once frozen, blend in the food processor until smooth and creamy. Add flavour — anything from fruit, to peanut butter, to chocolate syrup — to create your own unique flavour. For an even healthier option, try <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/blueberry-frozen-yogurt/19629/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Giada De Laurentiis' Blueberry Frozen Yogurt</a>
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Cookie Dough

Mixing up a batch of homemade cookie dough can be time-consuming and messy — so let your food processor do the heavy lifting instead.
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Nut Butters

Add peanuts and press the button. Making peanut butter is just that simple. Do the same thing with almonds, pecans or any nut of your choosing to create your own homemade, gourmet nut butter.
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Hummus

That can of chickpeas in the back of the cupboard can easily become a delicious bowl of hummus. Just add some fresh garlic and spices, and get ready to dip! Get the recipe for <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/healthy-eating/recipe/creamy-homemade-hummus/22082/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Creamy Homemade Hummus</a>
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Pesto

Blend fresh basil with garlic, pine nuts, olive oil and pecorino cheese, and voila! Instant fresh and flavourful pesto. Get the recipes for the <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/everyday-cooking/blog/best-pesto-recipes-without-basil/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Best Pesto Recipes Without Basil</a>
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Mayonnaise

Food processors are ideal for emulsifying, the process that transforms any type of oil (olive oil and canola oil are natural choices) into fresh, creamy mayo.
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