My new obsession: vegetable spiralizers! My friend Cheri from The Watering Mouth introduced me to this amazing recipe for Zucchini Pasta with Creamy Avocado Sauce and ever since we’ve been pulling out all my different spiralizers that I’ve collected and we’ve finally done a really thorough comparison.
You can get a great idea of what they all do and which one might fit your needs. Below are some affiliate links below so you can purchase one yourself if you’ve found one that you’d like to try!
Spiralized vegetables like carrots, zucchini, radishes or potatoes are a really great way to get in your vegetables in a much more creative way. (Sometimes we need all the help we can get!) You can substitute these for pasta in your favorite recipe to make a lower carb, lower calorie, more nutritious version, or you just deep fry them for a naughtier, fun treat!
Spiralizer Comparison Video
Update: Paderno just released a new spiralizer – called Paderno 4-Blade Spiralizer. Watch this video first and I’ll give you my thoughts on the new version below.
Spiralizer Product Update
10/1/14 update: The new Paderno 4-Blade Spiralizer just came out and I had a chance to demo it my Daytime TV segment yesterday. It works similarly as the 3-blade version, but comes with an extra rod that lets you make those fancy potato chip spirals that you buy at carnivals.
- Includes four blades that cut flat ribbons or spiral noodles in three widths, from thin angel hair spirals to thick spirals, plus a piercing rod to make accordion-style cuts
The price on Amazon is $49.95 (vs. $34.95 for the 3-blade version). This one is just as easy to use wastes less vegetable. Before, when you made zucchini noodles “zoodles” the core of the zucchini would be wasted (see in the video above).
The new 4-blade version has a different vegetable holder at the end (right next to the blade to hold the zucchini still) so there is very little waste – the core is used in the spiral. However, smaller vegetable holder means the zucchini slips out very easily. The older version has a larger holder – it grabs the zucchini better.
Is this new Paderno 4-Blade Spiralizer worth an extra $15?
- Do you like skinny spirals? The extra blade is the “angelhair blade” great for carrots, daikon and cucumber to eat raw in salads or toss in a stir-fry.
- Do you like carnival spiral potato chip thingies?
If yes, then get the Paderno 4-Blade Spiralizer.
- If no, then one more question. Fat or skinny zucchini? If you are lucky to find fat zucchini, the older, 3-blade version holds the zucchini in place better with its wider holder (next to blade). However, the wider holder means the core of the zucchini ends up as waste (see the video above). It’s no big deal for me, I just eat it or chop the core for a salad. The core that’s wasted is about 1/2″ diameter. Get the Paderno 3-Blade.
- If you normally use skinny zucchini (less than 2″ diameter) then it might be worth it to get the Paderno 4-Blade machine, so you don’t get any core waste.
Types of Spiralizers
The new Paderno 4-Blade Spiralizer:
The Paderno 3-Blade Spiralizer:
NEW: Mastrad Veggie Spiral Slicer
Makes thinner spirals, works just like a “pencil sharpener” but I don’t think it cuts as well as the Paderno. The zucchini noodles are wide, but too thin.
Yummy Spiralized Veggie Recipes
Pad Thai Zoodles by Steamy Kitchen
Lemon Cucumber Noodles with Cumin from the Civilized Caveman
Zucchini Pasta with Sweet Pepper Marinara from OhSheGlows.com
Garlic-Zucchini Pasta from Kansas City Mamas
Roasted Carrot Pasta with Beets from ATX Gluten Free
Raw Pad Thai from Fragrant Vanilla Cake
Zucchini Noodles with Pesto from Green Plate Rule
Zucchini Pasta with Creamy Avocado Sauce from The Watering Mouth
Drunken Noodles would be great with veggie spiralizer! Spicy, sweet, sour, delish!
Would very much like to find an Asian Spiralizer cookbook. Planting a seed.
Love that idea Craig! I started a few recipes for a cookbook, but haven’t had time to finish it out. What recipes would you like to see?
Now there is the Veggeti which is about $15 at Walmart and other discount stores. Works like the pencil sharpener and we use it all the time. We love to make Asian Zoodles (spiral Zuchini with ginger, fresh pepper, but of salt and tbs of soy sauce sauted in just a bit of olive or coconut oil) to serve with fresh seared Ahi Tuna sashimi.
I was wondering about the Veggeti! I can’t afford a fancy one, but my mom has one she’s wanting to get rid of and I wasn’t sure if it was the same thing or not!
Yes, the vegetti works too, it’s the same as the one I showed, just with a different brand name and label.
Just watched your spiralizer comparison video and bought the Paderno Spiralizer! I can’t wait to use it! Thanks for making it easier for me to pick out the right one! =)
Great video! I was surprised you didn’t review the Joyce Chen one.
Not that there’s anything wrong with it. I’m sure there are a lot of others out there:) Hope it didn’t sound weird.
I have the paderno and am disappointed in it. Too much waste, can’t handle carrots.
Thank you for this great collection of recipes. I am going to dig out my machine and put it to good use once again.
Jaden,
Thanks for putting this video together. I’ve been dying for a spiralizer specifically for zucchini pasta. I’m totally going for the Paderno. I love those spirals. Thanks again!!
Diana
Uh oh….new kitchen toys that I must have.
I have one that’s similar to your favorite one, but it’s green plastic. I got it at an Asian farmer’s market in my town. My FAVORITE use for it is making onion rings! I use it without the spiral blade because onions are already in layers. Makes great, thin, loooooong, onion rings. Dunk them in buttermilk with black pepper, dredge in flour and fry! Yum!
Thanks saw one on open sky but it was sold out. I appreciate the time you put in to giving us a more educated choice. Love your site-the recipes are awesome!
i have one that has differend sprial blades. t makes great onion strings. also some of the vegies i use it for makes them east to cook and serve
Helpful video, thank you!
Awsomeness!! After watching, I have to have one. I just went to Amazon and bought the Paderno one!!
I actually got the Benriner spiralizer, which I think I like better than the Paderno (I don’t have that one): the Benriner “Cook Help” (or “helper”) is simple and compact, and it seems like a good spiralizer–I’ve been enjoying using it! It also doesn’t have as many parts to clean. All of the amazon reviews recommended it over the Paderno, and while I can’t compare, I’m pretty happy with it.
This video is so well put together. I don’t know how you do it. This is brilliant and though I didn’t even know I wanted one, now I am considering which model is best. I am totally getting one of these.
Couldn’t find a place to comment on your corn patch posting, so will comment here instead (sorry). Corn must be planted in larger groups of plants than five plants in order to get polinated. You should plant a big square patch or at least a number of rows next to each other and you’ll have better luck.
Signe
So cool! I have never heard of these gadgets!
already had the oxo, my frined just surprised me with the paderno. I wish it had an automatic advance feature like an apple corer has, but I’m getting the hang of it
My daughter and I attended a raw cooking class a few years ago and we loved the spiralizer. It was so easy to use. She bought one, but I completely forgot about it until your post. I’m off to Amazon to pick one up. Thanks for the comparison!
I have a mandolin that has the little tiny shreds. If you do the veggies lengthwise it works just as well, they aren’t curly but they are thin and delicate.
Great video Jaden!! I am so buying the Paderno!! Thanks for sharing I have been looking for something other than my julienne peeler!
I saw one it was basically a corkscrew that you insert and turn and it makes like a “slinky” out of a carrot, zucchini, etc. Does that make sense?
The video is private…
Very cool gadgets. Looks like a healthy option the kids might enjoy.
Too bad the video is “private”, because I’d love to know your thoughts about these gadgets. I admit I bought one of the Spiroolis, but I’ve used it once and have no real desire to give it room in the kitchen. I have a mandoline that can cut julienne strips. Of course, I’m willing to be convinced that I should keep my spiralizer….
Aahhh, must stop doing that!! Video is public now! 🙂