Can I Use My Ninja Blender As Food Processor?

If there was ever a confusing question to be asked in this era, then it would be “can you use a blender as a food processor?”. This is largely due to the many similarities shared between a blender and a food processor. Food processors and blenders are so identically built that if you don’t ask the right questions, you might end up mistaking one for the other.

Can I use my Ninja blender as food processor? YES, you can use blenders as food processors, but this doesn’t mean they perform the same function, or were built to perform the same function.

Food processors are designed for heavier tasks while on the other hand, blenders are simply designed for blending items into fine smooth items. It doesn’t end there though, below are the major difference between a food processor and a blender.

Shortly, I shall discuss the major differences between a food processor and a blender but first, lets take a little description of the items:

What Is A Food Processor?

Contents

A food processor is what I call the “big brother” of a blender. They can carry out the activities of a blender and so much more.

Chefs would prefer to have a food processor in their kitchen compared to a blender because of their versatility in handling different food items with ease.

With food processors, you can change the blades, switch the disc, and also adjust the speed to your desired need.

The pulse function also lets you have total control of the item in the container when grinding. It has a wider container compared to a blender and the blade is usually shaped in an “S” format which makes it very ideal for grinding spices and herbs.

While you might be scared of blending some food items in your blenders such as carrot and other hard vegetables, food processors will do the job before the thought of worrying even come to mind.

What Is A Blender?

Blenders on the other hand have some limitations to what they can handle when compared to a food processor. The container of a blender is small compared to a food processor; and just like the food processor, they have blades that cut food into tiny bits and spin them around to form very smooth produce.

If you want consistency and smoothness, then I suggest you go for blenders over food processors. If a liquid is involved in your grind, blenders are the perfect kitchen equipment for you – from making omelets to preparing whip creams, you couldn’t have used something better.

Major Differences Between A Food Processor And A Blender

1. The blades

Blenders are known to have blades that are located at the bottom of the container. The blade can be either fixed to the motor or removable depending on the manufacturer. Blender blades have two types: The X-shaped blades and the wing blades.

i. X-shaped blades

Also known as the star-shaped blades, these blades are the most common among the two and can come with four blades or six – depending on the model. If you were to make a choice, I would suggest you go for the six-blade option since they make more contact with the food they blend, however, the four-blade option is the most common amongst the standard blenders used at home.

ii. Wing blades

Wing blades are designed to crush hard ingredients such as ice and frozen foods due to their blunt edges. They are designed to move up and down when spinning and are very ideal when making cold smoothies.

Some blenders can come with either the X-shaped blades or the wing blades, but this NutriBullet blender gives you the option to switch between both blades when you deem necessary.

Food processors are designed with S-shaped blades that sit on the bottom of the container just like their blender counterparts.

The blade of a food processor can either be saw-toothed or plain-edged; plain blades are very ideal for grinding meat and other heavy vegetables such as carrots and cucumber, while the saw-toothed blades are very good for frozen food items such as ice and the likes.

2. Their Accessories

Blenders

One of the major differences between blenders and food processors is in the size of their containers. Blenders are typified to have smaller containers or jars that have lids for their coverage.

Some can also come with extra cups to pour in your smoothies or mix, each having its own covering.

Food processors

Food processors will usually come with a different set of blades having their own specialties such as mixing solvents, sauce, among several others.

Some brands come with a cutting disk which is usually located at the top of the lid or bowl; the uses of this cutting disc can vary such as shredding, slicing, among several others. Depending on the make of the disc, some can even cut vegetables.

Having said all that, I can say that food processors are very ideal for dry ingredients, while blenders are very ideal when combining wet and dry ingredients.

Food processors can also be used ruggedly in the sense that you can fill them up to the brim and still get the same result as long as the lid remains covered.

While blenders will require you to put your ingredients to at least ¾ of the container if you want the best result, a model that can take up your time especially if you are in haste.

Portability And Beauty

blenders will give your kitchen countertop a more befitting look compared to a food processor because of their slick design.

Also, blenders are now produced in smaller handheld versions unlike food processors which are known for their monstrous looks, but then, their performance in the kitchen covers up for that lapse.

Which Should I Prefer: Blender Or A Food Processor?

Choosing between a blender and a food processor should depend on what you intending achieving at the end of your task. Below are some kitchen tasks where either a blender or a food processor will shine for you.

i. Making purees:

Purees like nut butter, hummus, and pesto will turn out well in either a blender or a food processor, but the shape of the food processor gives it an advantage over the blender with the slightest of margins.

This is because using a slender container like the ones owned by blenders means you have to include more oil than necessary if you want it to turn out well, and as some have experimented, it doesn’t always turn out to be so.

ii. Making Salsa:

In terms of making the best salsa, a food processor should be your preferred option. This is because a food processor will better help you control the size of the ingredients than a blender.

However, if you own a blender you can still enjoy your salsa, but not as well as you should have if you had used a food processor.

ii. Making Soups:

Like I stated earlier in this article, blenders are the best when it comes to turning substances into liquid form, and soups are not left out in this category.

In making soups, your blender should be your first and most preferred option. The only caution you should take is that you shouldn’t fill it to the brim of the container. Blenders also can turn cold soups into hot and steaming delicacies in a matter of seconds thanks to the fast-rotating blades.

iii. Making Smoothies:

The same goes for all your smoothie recipes; a blender is definitely your best bet. Generally speaking, any chef would recommend a blender for smoothies, and there’s hardly a conversation on this subject where the thought of a food processor comes to mind.

iv. Making Pie Crust:

The food processor has this one in its entirety. Many chefs around tend to agree that the best pie crust recipe is best made in a food processor. This is because using food processors will quickly cut cold butter which is an important ingredient in the recipe, compared to blenders.

v. Making Icy Drinks:

Just like with other liquids, a blender takes the lead here. Icy teas and drinks are best made with blenders, but that’s not to say you can’t use a food processor either. As a matter of fact, your food processor should be used if the cocktails will involve you blending a large amount of ice. However, simple icy drinks such as milkshakes, and frozen strawberries can be crushed in a blender without having any problem.

vi. Making Baby Food:

I wouldn’t know what recipe of home baby food you intend to make, but whatever recipe you decide on using, a food processor will always give you the best result than a blender.

Be it fruit and vegetables or other ingredients, food processors are equipped with the right amount of blade set up to help you get things done quickly and effectively.

In my opinion, I will rather have a food processor than a blender because food processors – although very expensive – are known to have longer shelf life compared to blenders.

Is It Worth Getting A Food Processor/Blender?

While there is a downside to these things which might be the money used in purchasing them, one cannot deny their relevance in any way.

Take, for instance, you just moved into a new apartment and the pangs of hunger happen to catch up with you; rather than busy yourself in a kitchen you haven’t even set up completely, you can simply bring out your blender or food processor as the case might be and prepare something quick such as soups without having to even light your gas.

How about persons who have a penchant for injuring themselves when using knives and other sharp objects in the kitchen, having a blender will be very ideal.

Blenders and food processors are known to help reduce the rate at which knives and other sharp objects are being used in the kitchen.

The only set of people who might look like they don’t need a blender or food processor are those ones who dash out of the house in the morning and come back very late at night – but what happens when they are off a day’s work or at home?

However, if you happen to spend some time with friends and family, then it’s only a matter of time before you are being asked by some to prepare a recipe that would require you to use a blender, and if you don’t have any by then, what would you do?

Even when baking, your food processor will come in handy when it comes to slicing effortlessly through hard or cold butter into a flour-like substance. Is there really an end to what one can achieve with a blender or food processor?

In conclusion, every family is better off with at least a blender or a food processor, or you can even choose to have both. You would be doing yourself a great favor.

Other FAQs:

Can I Puree In My Ninja Blender?

Yes, you can. Not just puree, but a host of many other things you probably never thought was possible. Ninja blenders come with two cups you can choose from depending on what you intend to prepare. This also means that you don’t have to bother about cleaning a container before proceeding to use it.

Can You Put Dry Ingredients In A Ninja?

Yes, you can put dry ingredients in a Ninja, but you are advised to do so with liquids to get the best result.

Can I Chop Nuts In My Ninja?

The Ninja blender is one of the powerful blenders we have around and a straightforward answer to this question is a resounding Yes! you can ground nuts and proceed to make your peanut butter recipe in a Ninja blender or food processor without having any problems.

Can You Chop Nuts In A Magic Bullet?

Yes, you can definitely chop nuts in a magic bullet thanks to the blades that are mainly designed to tear down nuts and vegetables as though they were nothing.