Your best friend in the kitchen, Amazon Alexa offers a helping hand to both novices and expert chefs. Some of the best uses for Alexa come straight out of the box, but there is also a wide selection of Alexa kitchen skills for you to enable and make the most out of your device. Wondering how to use Alexa to make your kitchen experience that much better? Discover our top 10 Alexa kitchen skills below.

1. Start a grocery list

One of the most popular ways to use Alexa in the kitchen. Keeping a grocery list is a great way to make sure you get everything you need from the store, and to avoid the dreaded feeling of having to “nip” back out for those forgotten items. Say goodbye to the paper and pen and let Alexa keep your grocery list for you. This feature doesn’t even require a specific Alexa kitchen skill either, which is what makes it so great. Simply say “Alexa, add … to my shopping list” and she’ll take note of it for you. Then, as you pull up to the grocery store, bring up the Alexa app and you’ll find all the items you need under the Lists section – it’s as simple as that!

2. Set more than one timer

Save yourself from jumping between your cooker and phone timers, and set all of your alarms in one place with Alexa. So say goodbye to the egg timer and hello to this handy Alexa kitchen skill. To have more than one timer running at the same time, just give them each a name. For example, “Alexa, set a pasta timer for 15 minutes” and “Alexa, start an oven timer for 10 minutes”.

3. Make a fresh cup of coffee

Struggling to get out of bed before your morning coffee? Pair your Amazon Alexa device to your smart coffee brewer and have everything done for you. Simply wake up and ask Alexa to get the coffee brewing. Better yet, prepare the machine the night before and save yourself a quick trip downstairs in the morning to fill up the water or coffee.

With the right set-up, you can also control other smart appliances, like ovens, slow cookers and refrigerators. 

4. Try out new recipes
Getting bored of the same old dinners? Want to try out a fun, new bake? This Alexa kitchen skill is particularly useful for those who dare to try out more, or the beginners who need a little extra help. And it’s also another one of the most well-known ways to use Alexa in the kitchen. Start by searching for “recipe” in the Skills section of your app and browse the options to find your favorites. Some offer new daily recipes, and some even offer catered recipes to the ingredients you have in the cupboard. You’ll find some of these Alexa kitchen skills from Food Network, Allrecipes and Betty Crocker.

5. Convert units

Struggling to follow a recipe? Can’t figure out how many cups are in 250g? Save yourself the trouble and cut the math out of the equation with one of the best uses for Alexa in the kitchen. Simply ask Alexa to convert the units for you, making life that little bit easier.

6. Find alternative ingredients

You know that feeling of getting halfway through dinner prep and realizing you’re out of eggs? Or you’re baking a last-minute cake, but you accidentally picked up the baking soda instead of the baking powder? We’ve all been there. That’s where this particular Alexa kitchen skill comes in handy. Simply ask what you can use in place of the missing ingredient and Alexa will give you a list of potential alternatives. Then, add the missing ingredient to your grocery list for later!

7. Check cooking times

Cooking up a family roast? Trying out a new recipe? If you’re not sure how long something takes to cook, you can ask Alexa. Whether it’s a 20-pound turkey for the holiday season or a fresh cut of steak, this Alexa kitchen skill can provide cooking information for various types of food – including chicken, seafood and vegetables.

8. Get the best wine pairings

Hosting a dinner party and want to find the best wine pairing for your recipe? There are Amazon kitchen skills available to tell you which wines pair with certain dishes – possibly one of the lesser-known ways to use Alexa in the kitchen. Wow your taste buds by enabling the Wine Pairing Alexa kitchen skill and ask which wine goes best with your dish. Your guests will be impressed, and you’ll be the perfect host!

9. Control your smart photo frame

What better way to spend your time in the kitchen than with your favorite family memories? Whether you’re home alone or you’re off to college for the first time, keep your family close with a Nixplay Smart Frame. Experience the latest Alexa software on your digital photo frame, making it that much easier to share your treasured moments with family and friends – all with the sound of your own voice. When you’re cooking in the kitchen and your hands are full, simply ask Alexa to display any of your playlists on your frame. Pair with your favorite music and you’re set for a great time!

And that’s how to use Alexa in the kitchen! Our top 10 Alexa kitchen skills are sure to make your cooking experience that little bit easier, and much more special. Looking for more of the best uses for Alexa? Check out our top 10 fun things to do with Amazon Alexa for more inspiration, and pick up your Nixplay digital photo frame today to make the most out of the experience.

Create new moments with the family at home with Nixplay.