Can I Use My Cuisinart Food Processor As A Blender?

Many home cooks have a food processor like the Cuisinart in their kitchen but often wonder if it can double as a blender for smoothies, shakes, and other blended drinks. While a food processor isn’t designed to fully replace a standalone blender, it can be used to make certain blended beverages in a pinch. In this blog post, we’ll explore when it works, tips for success, and why you may still want a real blender.

When Can You Use a Food Processor as a Blender?

The blades and container of a food processor differ from a countertop blender, but this versatile appliance can still whip up some blended drinks. Here are some instances when breaking out your Cuisinart makes sense:

• Thick smoothies: A food processor can blend up smoothies containing hardy veggies and fruits like carrots, spinach, mangoes, bananas, and avocados. The consistency may not be perfectly smooth, but it works fine.
• Milkshakes and frappes: While a blender excels at incorporating air for a light, frothy texture, a food processor will blend up classic diner-style milkshakes and frappes no problem.
• Nut butters: A food processor easily makes homemade nut butter from peanuts, almonds, cashews, etc. The blender jar of many blenders is not ideal for this thick mixture.
• Hummus and dip: The food processor is a hummus making machine. Its bowl shape and blades allow it to effortlessly puree chickpeas and tahini into smooth hummus or blend up creamy dips.
• Pesto and herb sauces: Whether basil pesto, cilantro sauce, or chimichurri, the food processor is perfect for combining fresh herbs, garlic, oil, and other ingredients into a texture-friendly sauce.
• Baby food: Parents often use a mini food processor or full-sized model to prepare homemade baby food like purees, fruit sauces, and well-blended cereals.

Tips for Using a Cuisinart Food Processor as a Blender

While your food processor can tackle a range of blended drinks and foods, there are some tips to get the best possible results:

• Use the metal “S” blade, not the shredder or dough blade. The S-blade is designed to chop, grind, and blend ingredients.
• Work in smaller batches. A full blender jar capacity won’t translate well to a food processor bowl. Fill it no more than halfway.
• Add liquid ingredients first. Then add solid ingredients on top before processing. This helps liquids circulate.
• Pulse first, then process. Quick pulses help break down solid pieces before blending into a smooth liquid.
• Scrape down the sides. Stop the machine to scrape ingredients from the sides back into the bowl as needed.
• Strain for super smooth results. If your drink isn’t as smooth as you’d like, pour through a fine mesh strainer.
• Consider a smaller bowl. Some brands sell mini bowls that give blended drinks extra circulation.
• Chill ingredients first. Blending already chilled ingredients helps achieve a thicker, creamier texture.

Why You May Still Want a Standalone Blender

While a Cuisinart food processor can occasionally double as a blender, there are reasons why you may still want a dedicated countertop blender:

• Frothy texture: Blenders infuse more air into drinks for lighter smoothies, whipped cream texture non-dairy milks, frothy frappes, and foamy cocktails. Most food processors can’t match this light and frothy blending.
• Finer blending: The shear power and blade design of good blenders like Vitamix break down ingredients into finer particles for the smoothest texture imaginable. Food processors produce a coarser blend.
• Larger batches: Blenders accommodate much larger volumes, often 64 ounces (2 liters) or more. Food processor bowls max out around 14 cups.
• Blender jars: The tall, narrow jars are designed to circulate and blend ingredients into liquids far better than a wide, shallow food processor bowl.
• Precise speed control: Variable speed dials allow better control over your desired texture, from pulsing to mixing to pureeing at different speeds.

So while it’s handy to know you can make a decent smoothie in a Cuisinart food processor, the best results will come from a dedicated blender designed expressly for turning solid ingredients into liquid. Powerful models like Vitamix offer optimal blending performance and versatility.

Conclusion

A food processor isn’t a perfect substitute for a blender, but it can work in a pinch for thicker smoothies, milkshakes, dips, and other blended foods. Follow the tips above to get the best possible results. However, a quality standalone blender has distinct advantages for blending light, airy beverages and ultra-fine purees. While a food processor offers multi-functionality for chopping, shredding, and dough making, get yourself a good countertop blender if silky smoothies and creamy blended drinks are a regular part of your diet.

FAQs

Can I make a green smoothie in a food processor?

Yes, you can make green smoothies containing leafy greens like spinach and kale in a food processor. The results may not be perfectly smooth like a blender, but it will get the job done. Add some liquid first, then leafy greens and other ingredients.

Can I crush ice in a food processor?

Crushing ice into fine pieces or snow-like texture is not an ideal task for a food processor. The blades don’t have the power and speed to efficiently break down ice like a blender. Use bags and a mallet instead.

Can I make mayonnaise in a food processor?

Making homemade mayonnaise is a breeze in a food processor. The bowl shape and blade motion create the smooth emulsion required for mayo better than a blender. Just drizzle in the oil slowly while the machine runs.