Best Things to Make In a Blender

Blenders make a great addition to any kitchen, but many of us aren’t using them to their full potential. Whether you’re using a jug blender or a ‘stick’ hand blender, these nifty kitchen gadgets can produce far more than baby food and morning smoothies.

When it comes to fuss-free family meals, drinks and snacks, Mumsnet users certainly know their stuff and are regularly putting their blenders to good use. We’ve collated a handy list of dishes and drinks that Mumsnetters have blitzed, loved and recommended to fellow parents on the forums. As well as some things to avoid.

If you haven’t got yourself a blender yet, check out our guides to the best blenders, the best blenders for smoothies and the best hand blenders to buy, all featuring recommendations from Mumsnet users.

What’s a blender good for?

From cocktails, smoothies and slushies, to simple and fuss-free soups and pasta sauces, a blender is extremely versatile

Whether you’re looking to make a stress-free midweek meal or a luxurious weekend treat for the whole family, a blender can help reduce prep time, remove lumps and ensure the perfect consistency every single time.

Here are the best things you can create at home in minutes using a blender, hand blender or immersion blender, including hints and tips from Mumsnet users.

1. Cocktails

Having friends around? Hosting a dinner party? Take your drinks to the next level by creating some smooth concoctions at home. Whether it’s a minty mojito, a strawberry daiquiri or something gin-based, simply throw in the ingredients (including plenty of crushed ice) and blend to your heart's content. The best part? Drinks take minutes to make, allowing you to top up your guests’ glasses in no time.

Top tips from Mumsnetters

“If you really want good cocktails, get a blender; add loads and loads of fruit, limes and rum to make daiquiris” - recommended by Mumsnet user deplorabelle

“Homemade daiquiris!! Cube and freeze a watermelon, then use a blender to mix the frozen cubes, add however much you want of Malibu (I used a blender full of watermelon cubes and 200ml Malibu) and then two tablespoons of lime juice and a little squidge of honey! It’s delicious!” - enjoyed by Mumsnet user Mojitomogul

2. Soup

Whether it’s a satisfying lunchtime treat, a comforting evening meal or simply a way to use up those leftover vegetables, homemade soup is incredibly quick and easy to make using a blender and often far healthier than shop-bought alternatives. While you can of course buy stand-alone soup makers, they can be expensive, with many Mumsnet users finding it just as efficient to use their blender.

Depending on your preferences, you can either blitz (once cooled) using a jug blender to create a silky smooth soup, or use a handheld immersion blender in the pan for a more textured winter warmer. It’s worth noting that most jug blenders aren’t designed to accommodate particularly hot liquids, so if you’re in a rush, adding a couple of ice cubes will help reduce the temperature before pouring into your blender.

Top tips from Mumsnetters

“I have a cheap stick blender and I love it. I make soup far more often now as it's so easy to use and wash afterwards.” - Method used by Mumsnet user FourChimneys

“I like my stick blender. It does get soup smooth and I enjoy pretending to be The Dark Destroyer chasing around a piece of stubborn potato so it can be squashed!” - Enjoyed by Mumsnet user rashalert

“You really don't need to invest in a soup maker, all you need is a large saucepan and a cheap-as-chips stick blender. That's it. I make soup every week using this method” - Tip from Mumsnet user DramaAlpaca

3. Smoothies

A blended combination of fruit and/or vegetables with a liquid base of either fruit juice, yoghurt or milk, smoothies are rich in vitamins and nutrients, particularly if consumed straight away. And it’s a quick and easy way to boost energy levels and increase your fruit and vegetable intake

Smoothies are also perfect for busy families, allowing you to quickly blend your favourite combination just before heading out the door. Mumsnet users love experimenting with different ingredients to find their perfect blend.

Top tips from Mumsnetters

“We use our blender every day and because you blend straight in the drinking bottle it means everyone can have the type they like with no fuss. I love love my green smoothie which is spinach, cucumber, Apple or pineapple with almond milk” - recommended by Mumsnet user milkysmum

“I love my blender. I use it every day! Quick and easy to make a range of smoothies. Great for blitzing hard & soft items alike. Frozen berries are whizzed up quickly & effortlessly and a quick rinse under the tap once used is all it needs” - experience of Mumsnet user partimelover

“The frozen fruit section of the supermarket is your friend. Tesco even does ready-prepared frozen smoothie mix - they had ones with spinach etc when I was there last. I whack in whatever’s going - pineapple, blueberries, avocado, blob of peanut butter, some fruit juice, plain yoghurt.” - tip from Mumsnet user NotAnotherJaffaCake

4. Hummus

In addition to mayonnaise and pesto, blending up smooth and creamy homemade hummus is a popular choice amongst Mumsnet users who love serving this dip on a charcuterie board with sliced peppers, carrots and cucumber. With just a handful of ingredients and the magic of a blender, you’ll find yourself dipping in your crudites in no time.

Top tips from Mumsnetters

“You can make hummus with a stick blender - the trick is to use the liquid that is in the tin of chickpeas, a little at a time to get the consistency you want.” - tip from Mumsnet user milkmoustache

"So worth making your own! Take a tin of chickpeas (reserve a couple of tsps), a good glug of extra virgin, tbsp tahini or peanut butter, a pinch of salt, half tsp of garlic powder or a clove crushed, couple of tsp lemon juice. Whizz in a blender, check taste and texture, stick in a bowl, put the unused chickpeas on top and a drizzle of oil.” - suggestion from Mumsnet user AnneLovesGilbert

5. Pizza Sauce

A fun way to sneak more vegetables into your family’s diet without resistance, blenders can help create a rich and nourishing tomato sauce for your pizza bases that’ll be enjoyed by even the fussiest of eaters. Alternatively, you can add herbs, spices and seasoning for a more authentic Italian taste.

Top tips from Mumsnetters

“Mine is super easy - with a stick blender mix 1 can of tomatoes (decent quality) 1 clove of garlic, 2 teaspoons of dried oregano and a good pinch of chilli flakes. Spread it on, no precooking required.” - Recommendation from Mumsnet user Snog

6. Pancake batter

Pancakes are far too tasty to only be enjoyed on Shrove Tuesday. Whether it’s a weekend treat breakfast or the ultimate after-dinner treat, a high-quality blender can mix up the ingredients for a lovely lump-free pancake batter in minutes.

Depending on your preferences, you can throw your mixture into a traditional jug-style blender for the smoothest mixture, or for larger portions with less washing up, use an immersion stick blender directly into the bowl.

The hardest part will be deciding what toppings to add.

Top tips from Mumsnetters

“They are great for making speedy pancake batter!” - rated by Mumsnet user Blondie1984

“Use a stick blender to make pancake & Yorkshire pudding batters in the jug so can pour straight into the pan. Less washing up!” - tip from Mumsnet user pengymum

Read next: The best pancake pans to buy

7. Pasta Sauce

Blenders can easily blitz hidden vegetables into your kids’ favourite family dinners, ensuring they get a healthy dose of their five a day while tucking into spaghetti bolognese or yummy tomato pasta.

For a super smooth consistency, especially when adding chunky vegetables like broccoli and leeks, a jug blender may be best. Alternatively, pop the hand blender below the surface of the sauce whilst on gentle heat in the pan to blend without creating sauce splatters.

Top tips from Mumsnetters

“I make creamy veg sauces. You can make them with any veg you like. I usually do courgette and also sometimes butternut squash. Sautee onion and a few cloves of garlic, toss in the sliced courgette, sautee together a bit, add some veg stock so that it's not quite enough to cover the veg, cook til soft enough to blend then chuck it all in a blender and blend until smooth” - method used by Mumsnet user Mindutopia

8. Slushies

If you’re a child of the 80s or 90s, the chances are a Mr Frosty made an appearance on your Christmas wish lists. The good news is, you don’t need to grab that cheeky little snowman from your loft to mix up some fresh and fruity slushies at home.

Combining fruit juice, cordial or fresh fruit with plenty of crushed eyes, simply blitz and add water until you get the perfect slushy consistency, before adding a reusable or paper straw. Slushies are perfect for hot summer days and are sure to be a big hit at your kids’ parties too.

Top tips from Mumsnetters

“Add ice and cordial (I use elderflower) and a tiny bit of water and blend and you get exactly the right texture. I like the fact it is small and no faff at all.” - advice from Mumsnet user Gingerkittykat

“I love making strawberry slush drinks in my blender: a handful of strawberries, a handful of ice cubes, a good squeeze of lemon juice, a good glug of apple juice......blitz in the blender or smoothie maker and serve! Soooo good on a hot day!” - enjoyed by Mumsnet user emmafifema78

9. Ice Cream

There’s nothing quite like a generous helping of ice cream for dessert, but what if you could pick any combination of flavours you like, no matter how unique they may be?

Thanks to a blender you can do just that, creating a wide range of creative flavours and smooth textures in the comfort of your own kitchen. Simply combine double cream and fresh or frozen fruit before adding sugar to sweeten and popping it back in the freezer to solidify.

Top tips from Mumsnetters

“Do the banana ice cream thing: freeze chunks of banana and then blend with a touch of milk in your blender. It's almost the consistency of Mr Whippy and is awesome.” - Tip from Mumsnet user thethoughtfox

“I do lots of variations. I might add a few tablespoons of cocoa powder and a pinch of salt for chocolate ice cream. I blend in my high-speed blender. Usually, I use probably 3-4 sliced bananas for big servings of banana ice cream. I might also add frozen blueberries to the banana for blueberry ice cream” - enjoyed by Mumsnet user WahineToa

What should a blender not be used for?

Despite their versatility, there are a few foods that are not recommended for use in a blender - this includes anything with bones, dried fruit (which can catch in the blades) and large ice cubes (ice should ideally be crushed or chipped before throwing in the blender).

Here are some recommendations from Mumsnet users on what to avoid:

Hot liquids

Most jug blenders are made from plastic, and as such, aren’t designed to withstand boiling hot temperatures. If you’re mixing ingredients on the hob, you should allow the mix to cool slightly before adding to the blender, which will prevent the risk of explosions or liquid overspill. You can alternatively stick to using an immersion blender directly in the pan, taking off the heat before you do so.

What Mumsnet users say:

“If you put soup in too hot it can crack so you have to wait for it to cool before blending.” - advice from Mumsnet user TheFuckingDogs

“I use a soup maker instead - it saves having to wait to down to cool to liquidise and reheat the soup and it blends brilliantly” - alternative used by Mumsnet user woodhill

Potatoes

While it may be tempting to blend your potatoes to create a smooth and lump-free mash, it’s far better to stick to your best potato masher or potato ricer instead. Blended potatoes can not only get stuck in the blades but can also release too much starch, creating a gloopy or sticky texture which may taste ok but is somewhat less appealing for your palette.

What Mumsnet users say:

“You can't really use a blender for mashed potatoes - turns them into a gluey, sticky, rubbery mess.” - advice from Mumsnet user joashiningstar

“Uuuurgh NO. I did this & it was utterly disgusting, like wallpaper paste. Ruined a perfectly OK veggie shepherd's pie!” - experience of Mumsnet user Cinderellascarrieg