A spatula is a kitchen staple that plays a role in most dishes. Whether you’re mixing ingredients for the next morning’s muffins, flipping a burger on the grill, or putting the finishing touches on a newly iced cake, a spatula is every chef’s trusty aid. But not all spatulas are built the same, nor do they all serve the same purpose. This isn’t a list of the spatula you have on hand in your kitchen, but instead, the spatulas.
The most common type of spatula that comes to mind when discussing these kitchen essentials is the silicone-head design, which is ideal for scraping the sides of bowls when mixing dips and baked goods. Their curved finish makes them ideal for hugging bowls and pans and ensuring no food is wasted. There are also steel and wooden spatulas that have a similar curved head design and can be used to clean bowls, flip crepes, or maneuver other delicate foods.
Then there is the flipper-style spatula. Like its name suggest, the flipper spatula is used to flip food. Flipping a delicate piece of salmon is much different than flipping a steak or even a pancake and requires its own spatula with a unique set of features.
Even though the world of spatulas is wide, all the items on our list have a few key items in common. They are made with food-grade materials, they are easy to clean, they are durable and they will help to ensure your dish turns out as you intended it to. All that’s left for you to do is eat and enjoy.
1. DI ORO Seamless Series 3-Piece Silicone Spatula Set
BEST OVERALL
For a spatula set that will become one of your most-used items in the kitchen, we recommend the DI ORO Seamless Series 3-Piece Silicone Spatula Set. Appropriate for baking and for cooking, all three spatulas are made from BPA-free and LFGB-certified silicone. The award-winning spatulas are dishwasher safe for easy cleaning and can withstand heat up to 600 degrees Fahrenheit, which means no melting when dealing with food fresh out of the oven. This set includes a traditional spatula, a spoonula and a mini spatula. All three items are made from a solid piece of silicon, which means there are no crevices where food can get stuck and build up bacteria. We also like that all three spatulas are safe for use with nonstick cookware and will not scratch or dent other items in the kitchen.
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2. UpGood Silicone Spatula Set
FLEXIBLE TIP
For times when you don’t want to miss a single morsel of food inside a bowl, jar or pan, we like the UpGood Silicone Spatula Set. The flexible tip on each of the four silicone spatulas makes it easy to ensure that bowls are wiped clean when baking and cooking. The set includes four of the most commonly used spatula sizes, including one large, one small, one spoon-design spatula and one jar spatula that is ideal for getting into tight spaces. Like the Di Oro set, the UpGood is BPA-free and safe for use up to 600 degrees F. The set is available in four color options and can be purchased as a three-piece set.
3. Rubbermaid Commercial Products Cold Temperature Scraper Spatula
BEST FOR COLD BAKING
While cooking allows for amateur chefs to take several liberties with their measurements, spices and ingredients, baking is a science. An important part of science is temperature and when it comes to baking, specifically mixing ingredients while they are still cold, having a spatula that is strong and flexible enough to move the contents while keeping them at their correct temperature is imperative to a successful outcome in the kitchen. The Rubbermaid Commercial Products Cold Temperature Scraper Spatula is designed specifically for cold ingredients, including icing, butter, dough and batter. The firm and flexible blades are strong enough to remove ingredients from the side of mixing bowls even when dealing with cold and heavy food items. The NSF-certified spatula has a strong handle it is designed with a clean rest shape that keeps the blade off countertops and decreases the chance of contamination.
4. M KITCHEN WORLD Heat Resistant Silicone Spatulas Set
BEST STARTER SET
If you are new to cooking and aren’t quite sure how often you are going to use a spatula, or you just need a set that is affordable and dependable, we recommend the set from Kitchen World. The BPA-free spatulas are flexible, nonstick, and made from silicone that is heat resistant up to 480 degrees F. The set is available in bright orange or green, making it easy to find the spatulas even in the messiest of kitchen drawers. The variety of the four sizes of spatulas provide versatility and the odor and bacteria resistant finish of the kitchen essentials add to their longevity.
5. MANNKITCHEN Professional Grade Stainless Steel Spatula
BEST FOR GRILLS
For a spatula that can handle the heat, we like the professional-grade stainless steel option from Mannkitchen. The hardened stainless steel spatula has a beveled straight edge for ease-of-use when picking up hot items on the grill or cast iron skillet. The heat-resistant wooden handle keeps users safe and comfortable. The wide design of the spatula and use of heavy gauge steel makes it ideal for cooking smash burgers or scraping burned items off the grill.
6. OXO Good Grips Jar Spatula
BEST FOR TIGHT SPACES
If you’re like us and hate waste, you are going to want to purchase the OXO Good Grips Jar Spatula. The narrow silicone covered spatula head is ideal for getting into tight spaces, whether you are trying to get the last bit of peanut butter out of a jar or cleaning out a mayonnaise bottle that needs to be recycled. The OXO spatula is rated for use up to 600 degrees F, can be placed in the dishwasher, and is safe for nonstick cookware and bakeware. The firm but flexible head and nonslip silicone grip make it comfortable and easy to use.
7. Global Stainless Steel Icing Spatula
BEST FOR BAKERS
Do your kitchen goals include making a cake that is almost too pretty to eat? Then you need the Global Stainless Steel Icing Spatula. Available in four, six, eight and 10-inch options as well as straight and offset styles, the Japanese made, highly durable stainless steel icing spatulas will give your cake a professional-looking finish. The spatulas are designed with a dimpled handle for a secure grip and have weighted sand inside the handle to create a perfect balance when icing a cake. The straight style is ideal for traditional icing while the offset helps to smooth frosting around or lift cookies and cakes off pans.
8. Flexible Stainless-Steel Slotted Spatula
BEST FOR DELICATE ITEMS
When it comes to flipping delicate items like salmon and potato latkes, a spatula that is designed to turn foods and keep them in one piece is a must-have. The Flexible Stainless-Steel Slotted Spatula has a 3-inch wide beveled head that slides under food with little effort and is large enough to flip even big pieces of food in one turn. The flexible and strong spatula can adhere to the contours of a pan and the slotted openings help to keep even delicate food items in one piece. Not only is the dishwasher-safe spatula ideal for meat and fish, but it’s also useful for easing cookies and other desserts off baking sheets without breaking them.
9. Littledeer Omelette Spatula
BEST WOODEN SPATULA
For a spatula that is not only wonderful to use in the kitchen but also looks beautiful on any countertop, we like the Littledeer Omelette Spatula. Created by Canadian designer Tom Littledeer, the spatula is made from solid North American maple and designed to mimic a canoe paddle. The durable handcrafted spatula is perfect for delicate items like omelets and hugs the curves of pans and bowls, making it a kitchen essential that can be used for a variety of dishes. The wooden spatula is safe for use on nonstick dishes, as well as glass and porcelain.
10. Staub Cast Iron Crêpe Pan with Spreader & Spatula
BEST FOR CREPES
If you’re looking for a spatula that can help turn your kitchen into a Parisian cafe, we like the Staub Cast Iron Crepe Pan with Spreader & Spatula. The set comes with an 11-inch crepe pan as well as a wooden spreader and spatula. Crepes are notoriously difficult to make without the right type of pan (the Staub and has a rough surface that is necessary for creating a golden brown crepe) and the spreader and spatula ensure an even and perfectly flipped crepe every time.
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