Can You Use Nutribullet as a Food Processor? (And as a Blender?)
NutriBullet is an infamous name in the world of handy personal blenders. They’re compact, fast, easy to use, and affordable.
In this article, we answer the most common Nutribullet questions – from whether a Nutribullet can be used as a juicer, to the foods and drinks you shouldn’t blend in a Nutribullet and some interesting Nutribullet recipes.
Is it Ok to Use Nutribullet as a Food Processor?
Functionally speaking, a Nutribullet is more of a blender than a food processor. Though the blades of Nutribullet – the extractor and the milling blade – are very similar to those found in a food processor, there are limitations.
- Capacity – Food processors can handle bigger capacity; more than three cups of either wet or dry ingredients. However, if you want a small batch of onions, tomatoes, or peppers done up finely, then yeah you can use a Nutribullet.
- Built-in pulse function – more difficult in a Nutribullet
- Hot food danger – Hot liquids or ingredients shouldn’t be put in a Nutribullet. Because steam expands the sealed container and may explode.
So, can the Nutribullet be as a food processor? Not entirely!
Nutribullet vs Food Processor – Difference Between Both of Them
Both food processor and Nutribullet look and function similarly, but differ in the task they are designed to do. Food processors perform food preparation tasks and Nutribullet liquidify food items.
Features
A Nutribullet usually has a single-serve pitcher with an extractor blade, a milling blade, and an extremely powerful motor. The extractor blade is the core of the Nutribullet and helps pulverize the whole of whatever you put into it whereas the milling blade helps powder dry ingredients. Certain models like the Nutribullet Select comes with three pre-programmed settings and variable speeds.
The food processor has different types of ridged and razor-sharp blades, each one for a specific function.
Functions
As we have seen, a Nutribullet is primarily used to blend down everything from veggies to fruits and nuts. It is best suited to make sorbet, soups, and smoothies, or dips, and sauces. A food processor on the other hand is versatile. It does so many things – chopping, slicing, grating, mixing, pureeing, or even kneading dough – efficiently.
Capacity
The capacity of a Nutribullet is less than most food processors, usually 24 to 64 oz. Most food processors usually have a capacity of over 9 cups, though there are 3 to 4-cup mini food processors. The largest capacity food processor comes with a 16-cup bowl.
Form and texture of processed food
Nutribullet blends frozen fruits, bananas, mixed greens, and nut butter well. So the end product would be runny and creamy. The food processor recipes usually have a definite form according to its function. Slices, diced, and shreds, for example.
Price point
Take any brand, a food processor is slightly more expensive than a Nutribullet.
Can You Use Nutribullet as a Blender?
When you first take a look at the NutriBullet, you’ll understand it is a smaller, modified, single-use blender. Unlike the conventional tabletop blenders where ingredients are added from the top, the food is loaded into the upright chamber of Nutribullet.
The main difference though is in the blade design. Nutribullet’s blades are designed in such a way that the wider containers can move fruits and veggies around better compare to a conventional blender.
The cyclonic action of Nutribullet’s extremely powerful motor ensures fruits, veggies, and the tough nuts, and seeds are pulverized thoroughly, releasing all the hidden essential nutrients. In short, Nutribullet is perfect to make healthy blended drinks.
Can a NutriBullet be Used as a Juicer?
No, a Nutribullet cannot be used as a juicer. Because it is designed to crush up the whole fruit or vegetable. Whereas, a juicer always separates the pulp from the juice.
This can make a whole difference in terms of the final output of both these appliances. The blended mix is thicker due to the inclusion of pulp meanwhile the juice is thinner and often partially clear.
That said, you could blitz different fruit juices in a Nutribullet. Just keep in mind that too much blitzing can introduce heat into the juice mix and alter the taste.
Can the Nutribullet Overheat?
Each Nutribullet model comes equipped with a powerful motor for quick and fast-action blending. Because the extractor blade is extremely efficient, you need to run the blender for 30-40 seconds.
If you need to blend hard vegetables for longer than a minute, pause Nutribullet to give the motor a rest, and then resume blending. Always ensure, the motor isn’t running more than a minute at a time.
Overheating the motor can permanently damage your blender. Keeping the motor cool is a great way to prolong the life of your Nutribullet.
What are the Foods and Drinks You Shouldn’t Blend in a Nutribullet?
Once you get the hang of it, your hands might itch to put anything and everything in the Nutribullet. But the truth is, not all foods and drinks are Nutribullet-friendly. For example, hot liquids such as soup, coffee, or team.
As such, you should be sure that any food or drink added to the Nutribullet is cooled in advance.
Also, you should never add seltzer and sparkling water to the blender. Carbonation inside these drinks will be released when you blend them. This can cause the lid to become pressurized, which may lead to injury.
How Long Does a Nutribullet Last?
Nutribullet is guaranteed for 1 year of performance. However, if used properly it can last well over 4 or 5 years.
Many people use lots of ice, blend hot things, overfill the bowl, or blend too long that they wear out the appliance.
You will need to occasionally replace the blade if you Nutribullet is your weapon of choice for breakfast.
For extending your Nutribullet’s longevity,
- Blend under one minute
- Ensure enough liquid is there to blend
- Do not overfill; fill it only 1/3rd or 1/2 full
- Ice should be no more than 20% of the ingredients that go into the blender
- Do not blend hot liquid in a Nutribullet. With cups sealed, the pressure has nowhere to escape, which could result in an explosion, causing severe injury. The same rule applies to carbonated drinks, as well.
What Can a Nutribullet be Used For?
Smoothy is an obvious answer. Wondering if Nutribullet is good at a couple of other things? Here are some tried-and-tested suggestions.
- Raw pasta sauce: Add fresh tomatoes, garlic, onions, and herbs to the cup, blitz them until smooth, then heat until warm.
- Mixed fruit ice cream: Add frozen fruits – banana, mango, apple, or anything you love, 3-4 dollops of Greek yogurt into the blender. Blitz for 2 seconds, then stop, then again blitz for another 2 seconds. Repeat this until smooth. It’s quick and easy.
- Protein Shake: For a quick, healthy protein shake, take four to five ounces of milk, a scoop of your favorite whey powder, a handful of diced apple or banana, and water. Add them into your Nutribullet and blend it.
- Pancake batter: Fancy healthy vegan pancake for breakfast? You will need 1 ½ cups of almond milk, one cup of flour, 1 tbsp. granulated sugar and coconut oil. Put everything in the pitcher and blend well. It couldn’t be easier!
- Granola bars: Add nuts, seeds, dried fruit, and nut butter into the Nutribullet, give them a quick blitz and you’re all set to shaping and baking into tasty bars.
- Salad dressings: Shaking the salad dressing is the old-y blending them in a Nutribullet is new age-y. Blending will better emulsify the ingredients and they last longer without separating.
- Soup: If you have a Nutribullet RX, you can make your favorite coriander soup and fully heat it in the blender itself. If you have a regular Nutribullet at home, you can blend the ingredients, and then heat them on the stove.
- Baby food: The Nutribullet is perfect to make vegetable purees and mixtures for your baby. Try creating different consistencies with different fruits and vegetables.
- Ground coffee: The milling blades are there for a reason. The Nutribullet 600 series come with milling blades for you to freshly ground coffee. Just pop a cup of dried beans into the cup and powder them with the milling blade. In 2-3 minutes, you have ground coffee ready to be brewed. Breadcrumbs: Making breadcrumbs in the Nutribullet is super easy. Lightly toast the bread until golden brown, chop them roughly and blitz away.
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