Constructing a dorm kitchen is a rite of passage in college. With limited space in your living arrangement, you may have found yourself trying to fit an air fryer into a closet or keep a pantry of food under your lofted bed. Making your dorm into a culinary haven is not easy, but the ability to cook a variety of food is certainly worth it.
Amazon’s Prime Big Deal Days are not until October 7 and 8, but the online marketplace already has plenty of deals to shop, including on kitchen appliances. Whether you just want to brew coffee or are looking to cook tasty meals daily, these budget-friendly, compact appliances will help you turn your dorm into a chef’s kitchen.
Ninja Air Fryer Pro 4-in-1 — $90
Air fryers allow you to cook your favorite meals in the comfort of your dorm in just a few minutes. With Ninja’s Air Fryer Pro, you can whip up classic appetizers like tater tots and french fries, roast vegetables, reheat dining hall leftovers, and dehydrate food — all in one device that is just 14.84 inches wide and 10.39 inches tall. “It cooks food quickly and evenly—everything comes out crispy on the outside and tender on the inside,” an Amazon customer said. The nonstick basket means this appliance is both easy to cook with and easy to clean.
Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 3 Quart — $55
If you want to be versatile in your dorm cooking, you need an Instant Pot. The compact pot, measuring 10 inches tall and slightly over 11 inches on both sides, offers seven cooking functions ranging from pressure cooking and steaming to sauteing and warming. “A must-have kitchen appliance for anyone looking to save time while cooking delicious meals,” a customer said. The possibilities are almost limitless with an Instant Pot — you can cook chicken, boil pasta, and even bake cheesecake. Ambitious dorm chefs who want even more cooking options can check out the Instant Pot Pro, which is also on sale and features expanded functions like sous vide and sterilizing.
Keurig K-Express Coffee Maker — $80
Being able to brew your roast of choice at any hour of the day is a luxury, but this deal makes it a luxury worth indulging in. The K-Express offers a quick, strong brew in a compact machine measuring 17.2 inches tall and 12.8 inches at its longest side — perfect for saving space in a dorm. You can pour coffee into your favorite mugs or into insulated tumblers up to 7.4 inches tall. “If you want a no-fuss coffee maker that’s reliable and fast, this little Keurig is a total gem,” one customer said in an Amazon review of the product. In addition to functionality, the K-Express can also provide a fun splash of color into your apartment or dorm with six color options including evergreen, lavender, and island berry.
Rubbermaid Set of 7 Assorted Brilliance Food Storage Containers — $30
Ready to ditch the dining hall food and cook your own meals? Food storage containers will be your best friend whether you are packing a lunch or meal prepping. Grab this set of seven airtight Rubbermaid plastic containers that range in size from 1/2 cup to 9.6 cups. You can pack anything from dipping sauces to hearty meals. If you have a specific size container in mind, Rubbermaid still has you covered with a variety of sizes on sale alongside this seven-piece set.
Ninja Blast Portable Blender — $50
A fruit smoothie is the perfect way to start the day and enjoying one is easier than ever with Ninja’s portable blender. The lightweight, cordless appliance allows you to blend up fresh fruit in your dorm and carry a delicious smoothie with you for the rest of the day. At under 11 inches tall, the blender can hold up to 18 ounces of liquid and fits easily into storage alongside water bottles. Many Amazon reviews mention that the blender needs to be charged frequently, but that it does have a quiet noise level and strong blending power compared to other portable blenders.
Zojirushi 5.5-Cup Neuro Fuzzy Rice Cooker — $194
The Zojirushi Neuro Fuzzy Rice Cooker may not be the sleekest-looking device, but the delicious rice it produces has led it to be recognized as one of the best rice cookers on the market. The 13-inch long and 8-inch tall machine can cook almost any type of rice from sushi rice to jasmine rice, allowing you to make sushi, pilaf, jollof rice, and much more from the comfort of your dorm or apartment. “This has become my all-time favorite kitchen appliance,” one reviewer on Amazon said.
Ninja Flip Toaster Oven & Air Fryer — $150
If you are lucky enough to have a larger space in your dorm available for your kitchen appliances, this multifunctional appliance is an efficient way to fill it. Encompassing many of the functions of other devices in this article, the Ninja Flip Toaster Oven & Air Fryer has eight features — air frying, roasting, broiling, baking, making toast, cooking pizza, making bagels, and dehydrating.
This appliance equips you to cook and bake to your heart’s content, but that wide array of functions means a simultaneously wide size. Measuring 17.01 inches in length, 15.75 inches in width, and 7.68 inches in height, the Ninja Flip Toaster Oven & Air Fryer is still a relatively small kitchen appliance, but may feel large in a small dorm. The device can be stored vertically when not in use to conserve space, making it a viable option for dorms and apartment kitchens.