Whether you’re a professional pastry chef or an amateur baker, there is one thing we can agree on: pastry blenders make the entire process easier.
For any baking task, there are tools that can help make the process easy, and when it comes to pastry, a pastry blender is an essential tool. These metal cooking utensils make blending butter and lard with flour an easy task, removing the need of manually blending by hand, or the mammoth task of cleaning the food processor after, instead these little utensils can easily blend the ingredients and be easily cleaned after completing the task.
The hunt for the perfect pastry blender can be a difficult one. Not only because they can be called so many interchangeable names, from pastry to dough to pie blenders, but also because there are so many different options on the market.
With so many different sizes, different colors, and different brands available, it can be hard to tell which is the best for you.
But worry no more because we’ve put together this great guide to the best pastry blender money can buy, packed full of helpful tips and suggestions of how to find the perfect pastry blender for your kitchen.
In a hurry?
If you just can’t wait to get to pastry making, why not check out our top pick?
We think the Spring Chef Dough Blender is the best pastry blender on the market, and here are all the reasons why:
- It is available in 2 sizes (large and medium) making it the perfect for choice for any hand size.
- It has sturdy and durable blades which are twice as thick as its competitors providing heavy-duty output while still remaining lightweight to hold.
- It has a comfortable and soft-grip handle that fits perfectly to your hand to reduce tiredness and fatigue after use.
- It is perfect for a variety of other tasks as well as pastry blending, including chopping fruit and vegetables, mashing potatoes, mashing other solid foods into baby food, and other baking tasks.
Top 5 Best Pastry Blenders
OUR TOP PICK
Our favorite pastry blender is the Spring Chef dough blender.
This top of the range utensil is available in 2 sizes, medium and large, allowing you to pick the perfect size for your hand size. It is designed with durable and sturdy blades which are double the thickness of its main competitors, making it an excellent choice if you want versatility from the device.
This device may be lightweight but it provides heavy-duty results and significantly reduces the preparation time for any bake. It has a thick rubber handle giving excellent control to the user, while also providing comfort and reducing the fatigue of your joints after the task is completed.
Whether it be preparing pastry, mashing potatoes, or even just chopping fruit, the Spring Chef dough blender can provide assistance for so many different tasks and it is clearly one of the best on the market.
Pros:
- Available in 2 sizes: medium and large
- Sturdy and Durable blades, double the thickness of its competitors
- Heavy-duty results but lightweight to hold
- Reduces the time and effort required and makes the preparation of ingredients a quicker process
- Thick rubber handle for safety, comfort, and reduced fatigue after use
- Excellent for those who suffer from arthritis
- Versatile: Can be used for other tasks including chopping fruit and vegetables, mashing baby food, and other baking tasks
Cons:
- No notable drawbacks
EDITORS CHOICE
The next best pastry blender on the market is the Kitchen Innovations Pie Blender.
While this device is only available in one size, it has 2 different color options so you can buy the one that is best suited to the color scheme of your kitchen. This device is amazing quality and provides excellent function as it has a 98% approval rating from the Cooking Club of America.
With excellent quality construction, this utensil is the perfect choice for amateur bakers and professional pastry chefs alike, and with a design that is built to last it is a great choice for your kitchen. It has hand-welded stainless steel blades which can easily be washed in the dishwasher after use, and an ergonomically designed handle for comfort and to reduce the risk of slipping when using the device.
There is no doubt that this utensil can provide excellent results and make the baking process easier, so there’s no surprise that it is one of the best pastry blenders on the market.
Pros:
- Available in 2 color options: red and black
- 98% approval rating from the Cooking Club of America
- Perfect for amateurs and professionals alike
- Quality construction ensures a long life for the utensil
- Solid stainless steel blades for an excellent function that is also dishwasher friendly
- Comfortable and ergonomically built handle for perfect results, excellent control, and no risk of slipping
- Versatile: Can be used for a variety of other tasks as well as pastry blending
Cons:
- Only available in one size option
BEST VALUE
Another excellent choice is the Zulay Kitchen dough blender.
This device is very similar to the Spring Chef Dough Blender, however, it is only available in one size option so it is essential you check the measurements and that it will fit to your hand. Zulay Kitchen advertises a supreme quality build in this device which can achieve excellent texture and taste in pastry.
Its blades are built with durable stainless steel providing a thick and sturdy device to cut through and blend ingredients, perfect for a variety of different cooking tasks from cutting fruit to mixing ingredients for pastry. The handle of the device is designed with thick rubber for comfort and provides a soft grip allowing excellent control of the utensil in any situation.
With all these excellent features there is no question as to why we’ve rated this as one of the best pastry blenders on the market.
Pros:
- Available in 4 color options: black, red, pink, and blue
- Thick and sturdy stainless steel blades which are extremely durable
- Heavy duty results with a lightweight design
- Comfortable handle with a soft grip ensuring no wrist aches, pains, or fatigue after use
- Reduces the preparation time for pastry significantly
- Versatile: Can be used for lots of tasks including pastry blending
Cons:
- Only available in one size and not appropriate for large hands
RUNNER UP
You should also consider the Orblue Dough Blender Pro, as this is another excellent pastry blender.
This is another device that comes in 2 different size options, allowing you to choose between a 4.5 or 6-inch device, depending on your hand size and the quantity of ingredients you want to blend. The main feature of this device is the handle which has been specifically focused on by the company.
The handle is 100% non-slip with indented grips to offer extra control over the device and a stronger grip than with its competitors, it also has an ergonomic design for extra comfort and increased precision in your tasks.
Additionally, the blades of this device are designed with the company’s no-flex innovative technology which means they can cut through a variety of different ingredients with no risk of bending or flexing, making the device extremely durable.
Designed for both amateurs and professionals, this device promises excellent results with minimal effort throughout, as it is also dishwasher friendly which makes the cleanup process easier.
With the only downfall of this otherwise excellent product being that it is only available in one color, it is clear to see why this is one of the best pastry blenders on the market.
Pros:
- Available in 2 size options: 4.5-inches or 6-inches
- Ergonomic handle for extreme precision and enhanced comfort when using the utensil
- Non-slip handle with grips for your fingers ensuring a strong grip and excellent control over the device
- The blades are designed with no-flex technology ensuring their cut through ingredients without bending or flexing
- An excellent tool for both amateurs and professionals
- Stainless steel design is dishwasher friendly for an easy clean-up process
Cons:
- Only available in one color
RUNNER UP
The final pastry blender on this list is the OXO Good Grips Dough Blender.
This device could be considered more basic than its competitors on this list but it is still an excellent choice that is worthy of its place as one of the best pastry blenders available. This device is part of the OXO Good Grips range which is the company's line of products that are designed with comfortable, non-slip handles.
It is only available in one basic color and one size option, measuring 12 x 6 x 5.5-inches and weighing only 0.15lbs. The blades of this device are designed with stainless steel to make them dishwasher safe and promising a long life of use, which efficiently cut and blend ingredients to produce a uniform dough.
As mentioned, it features OXO’s specially designed “good grip” handle to absorb pressure and reduce slipping, as well as being softer on your hands while using it.
On occasion, this device can clog with ingredients, but the design of its handle and blades makes it clearly one of the best pastry blenders on the market.
Pros:
- The lightweight design weighs only 0.15lbs
- Built with stainless steel meaning the device is dishwasher-friendly
- Non-slip handle absorbs pressure for excellent control over the device
- Built to last
Cons:
- Only available in one size and one color option
- The blade can sometimes clog
Best Pastry Blender Buying Guide
Pastry blenders are a real lifesaver in the kitchen. Despite their name, these devices are extremely versatile and can aid all manner of cooking tasks.
From blending pastry to chopping fruit and vegetables to mashing potatoes and even mixing the perfect salsa dip for your nachos. There really is no baking task that can’t be helped by a pastry blender.
There are so many different brands, models, sizes, and colors of pastry blenders on the market that make it difficult to pick the right one for you. But we’re here to help with this handy buyer’s guide packed full of all the essential tips you need for buying a pastry blender, with an additional FAQ section to clear up any unanswered questions. Just follow this guide and the process of buying the best pastry blender will be made easy.
The Blades
Perhaps the most important part of the pastry blender is the blades. A good quality blade is essential for control, preparation, and results from the pastry blender, so there are some things you should definitely consider when on the hunt for the perfect one.
Firstly, you should consider the material of the blades. They will almost always be made out of metal, and very commonly be made out of stainless steel which is always a good choice. You should also look for a pastry blender that has strong and sharp blades as these are essential for optimum performance, as well as wide spaces between the blades to allow the device to really dig into the ingredients. This is the standard design for most pastry blenders, however, they will all differ slightly and some will have stronger blades or larger spaces than others.
Additionally, if you want versatility from your pastry blender you should look for devices that have extra thick blades as this will allow the device to easily chop through fruit and vegetables as well.
The Handle
Another vital component of the pastry blender is the handle as this is what gives you, as the user, control over the device.
You should be able to get a good grip on the handle as this will reduce the risk of it slipping while in use, and you should also buy a device that fits well to your hand as this will allow you to apply more pressure while using it.
Additionally, you should consider the material of the handle, including the softness of the material as this will reduce pressure on your hand/wrist, and also whether or not it is textured as these can provide extra control if your hands are wet or damp from the baking process. Features to look out for a good handle are ergonomic design, soft materials, and indents for better grip of the device.
Cleaning
Without a doubt, cleaning up after baking is the worst part of the process, so you should definitely consider this when buying a pastry blender.
As mentioned before, most pastry blenders are made with stainless steel which is excellent as this means they are probably dishwasher-friendly. However, you should always check the product instructions to see if it is dishwasher safe as if it is not it could cause damage to the utensil.
If the pastry blender you buy is not dishwasher safe you can wash it by hand, however, you should take extra care with this as the blades are extremely sharp and could cause injury if caution is not taken.
Weight and Durability
Finally, you should consider the weight of the device and its durability when buying a pastry blender. A durable device will be made with materials that will ensure it often lasts longer than its competitors, and it is always good to check the reviews section of a product to assess its durability.
You should also consider the weight of the device. A heavier utensil will be faster to use and make the process easier, however, lighter models can be easier on your hand and wrist when you are using them. The perfect device will depend on your personal preferences and whether you want a blender that will complete the task quicker or one that will put less stress on your joints in the process.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of a pastry blender?
A pastry blender is a cooking utensil that mixes hard fats and butter into dry ingredients, such as flour, by cutting the butter and blending it into the other ingredients with every press down.
The metal blades press into the ingredients and blend with pressure put down manually by the user through the handle.
What can I use a pastry blender for?
Primarily a pastry blender is primarily designed for cutting up fats and mixing them with flour to create pastry, however, they are extremely versatile tools that can be used for a variety of other tasks.
These tasks include, but are not limited to, chopping fruit and vegetables, mashing potatoes or other types of food into baby food, creating pizza dough, and even for other baking tasks including making biscuits and cakes.
How do you clean a pastry blender?
The method you should use to clean a pastry blender depends on the material the tool is built of. If you have a stainless steel pastry blender this is excellent as most stainless steels are dishwasher friendly, whereas if you have a pastry blender made with a different type of metal it may require being washed by hand.
If this is the case, take extra care when washing these devices as their blades are extremely sharp and could potentially cause injury if caution is not taken.