Handle big batch prep with power and capacity. A true kitchen workhorse, a 12 cup food processor is the secret weapon for anyone who loves to cook in volume. It tackles those large recipes that make a stand mixer or tiny chopper just give up. You can finally make a double batch of pesto, shred a mountain of cheese for a party, or mix a huge bowl of cookie dough in minutes, not hours.
But it’s not just about brute force. This kind of appliance brings a beautiful precision to your prep, saving you so much time and effort. Let’s dive into what makes a great one tick and see if it’s the right fit for your counter—and your cooking ambitions.
Product Comparison Table: 10 Best 12 Cup Food Processor
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Ninja Food Processor, Professional XL, 1200 Peak-Watts, 4-in-1, Chopping,…
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9.9 |
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Ninja Food Processor, Professional Plus, 1000 Peak Watts, 4…
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9.7 |
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Hamilton Beach Stack & Snap Food Processor and Vegetable…
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9.5 |
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Cuisinart Food Processor, 14-Cup Vegetable Food Chopper for Mincing,…
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9.4 |
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BLACK+DECKER 3-in-1 Easy Assembly 8-Cup Food Processor, Stainless Steel…
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9.2 |
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Hamilton Beach Food Processor & Vegetable Chopper for Slicing,…
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9.0 |
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KitchenAid 13-Cup Food Processor – KFP1318
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8.8 |
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KitchenAid 13-Cup Food Processor – KFP1318
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8.7 |
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Cuisinart Food Processor, Pro Custom 11 Cup, Brushed Chrome,…
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8.5 |
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Breville BFP610 Sous Chef 9 Cup Food Processor, Small,…
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8.3 |
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Quick Review For Top 10 12 Cup Food Processor
Ninja Food Processor, Professional XL, 1200 Peak-Watts, 4-in-1, Chopping, Slicing/Shredding, Purees, Dough, 12-Cup Processor Bowl, 2 Blades & 2 Discs, Feed Chute/Pusher, Black, NF701
The Ninja Food Processor Professional XL NF701 is designed to be a central, hardworking appliance in your kitchen. Its core strength is a 1200-peak-watt motor, which provides the power to handle demanding tasks without hesitation. Whether your chopping dense vegetables, kneading a stiff bread dough, or pureeing soups, this motor delivers consistent performance.
It’s built to manage the tough stuff so you don’t have to.
This model simplifies complex food prep with its 4 Auto-iQ preset programs. These smart programs combine timed pulsing and processing to take the guesswork out of achieving perfect results. You can easily chop ingredients for salsa, slice cucumbers for a salad, shred a block of cheese, or puree ingredients for a smooth sauce.
There’s even a dedicated setting for mixing dough, which brings a stand mixer function into the food processor bowl.
Ninja’s specialized blade technology is key to its performance. The chopping blade is engineered for uniform pieces, while the dough blade is designed to mix and knead thoroughly for even rising. The included discs add tremendous versatility; the adjustable slicing disc lets you choose your thickness, and the reversible shredding disc offers both fine and coarse textures.
Ninja Food Processor, Professional Plus, 1000 Peak Watts, 4 Functions for Chopping, Slicing, Purees & Dough with 9-Cup Processor Bowl, 3 Blades, Food Chute & Pusher, Silver, BN601
The Ninja Food Processor Professional Plus BN601 is designed to be a central, hardworking appliance in your kitchen. Its core is a 1000-peak-watt motor that provides the power needed to tackle dense vegetables, nuts, and large batches without straining. You get consistent, smooth results whether your chopping onions or pureeing soups.
A standout feature is the Auto-iQ technology. This isn’t just a simple pulse button; it’s four intelligent preset programs.
You select the function—chopping, slicing, pureeing, or dough—and the processor uses pre-programmed patterns of pulsing and blending. It takes the guesswork out of timing, so you achieve the right texture everytime, even if you’re new to using a food processor.
The 9-cup processing bowl is a practical size for everyday cooking and entertaining. It lets you prepare large quantities of salsa, coleslaw, or batter in one go, which is great for meal prepping or feeding a crowd.
Cleanup is straightforward, as the bowl, lid, blades, and pusher are all dishwasher safe for convenience.
You receive three specialized blades for different tasks. The precision chopping blade handles general work, while the reversible slicing/shredding disc creates uniform pieces. Importantly, a dedicated dough blade is included.
Hamilton Beach Stack & Snap Food Processor and Vegetable Chopper, BPA Free, Stainless Steel Blades, 12 Cup Bowl, 2-Speed 450 Watt Motor, Black (70725A)
The Hamilton Beach Stack & Snap Food Processor and Vegetable Chopper (70725A) is designed to simplify your kitchen prep without the usual frustration. If you’ve ever struggled with complicated assembly on other models, the Stack & Snap technology here is a game-changer. You literally just stack the bowl, lid, and attachment, then snap them into place—no awkward twisting or forcing parts to lock.
It’s ready in seconds.
Its large 12-cup sealed bowl handles big batches, which is perfect for meal prepping or family recipes. The sealed center means you can process liquids without worrying about leaks, a common issue with some processors. Powering it all is a robust 450-watt motor that quickly powers through tough ingredients like hard cheeses or root vegetables.
Suction cup feet keep the unit stable on your counter during operation, so it doesn’t walk around while it works.
Versatility is key with the two included attachments. The chopping blade handles everything from coarse chopping onions to smooth purees for soups. The reversible stainless steel disc lets you instantly switch between slicing and shredding for salads or slaws.
Cuisinart Food Processor, 14-Cup Vegetable Food Chopper for Mincing, Dicing, Shredding, Puree & Kneading Dough, 720-Watt Motor, Stainless Steel, DFP-14BCNY
The Cuisinart DFP-14BCNY Food Processor is designed to handle the heavy lifting in your kitchen, so you don’t have to. Its powerful 720-watt motor provides the consistent power needed for everything from quickly mincing herbs to kneading a firm pizza dough.
Think of it as a versatile kitchen helper that combines the functions of a vegetable chopper, a blender, and a full food processor all in one compact unit.
With a large 14-cup work bowl, you can process significant quantities at once. This is ideal for big batch cooking, meal prepping for the week, or making party food like a large bowl of coleslaw or hummus.
The unit includes an extra-large feed tube, which lets you process whole fruits and vegetables like tomatoes or potatoes with less pre-cutting. You have simple “on” and “off/pulse” controls for precise results, whether you want a continuous mix or a quick, controlled chop.
This model comes with a set of essential accessories to get you started. You’ll recieve a stainless steel chopping and mixing blade, a standard 4mm slicing disc, and a medium shredding disc.
BLACK+DECKER 3-in-1 Easy Assembly 8-Cup Food Processor, Stainless Steel S-Blade, Easy-Clean, Touchpad Controls Black
The BLACK+DECKER 3-in-1 Easy Assembly 8-Cup Food Processor is designed to take the hassle out of kitchen prep. If you’ve ever been put off by complicated appliances, this model’s straightforward approach might change your mind.
Let’s start with assembly, because that’s where many processors get frustrating. Here, the smart design is genuinely simple. You just set the work bowl onto the base, and the lid itself acts as the locking mechanism.
There’s no awkward twisting or struggling to get things to click into place. It’s intuitive and gets you to the actual food prep faster.
You get a generous 8-cup work bowl to use. That capacity is practical for everyday cooking. It means you can make a sizable batch of salsa for a gathering, enough hummus for the week, or nut butter without having to stop and empty the bowl halfway through.
It handles family-sized tasks comfortably, giving you plenty of room to work.
The core of any processor is it’s blades, and this one includes a stainless steel S-blade for chopping and mixing. It’s sharp and durable, designed to give you fast and consistent results, whether you’re turning herbs into a paste or mixing a cake batter. For slicing and shredding, there’s a reversible metal disc.
Hamilton Beach Food Processor & Vegetable Chopper for Slicing, Shredding, Mincing, and Puree, 10 Cups + Easy Clean Bowl Scraper, Black and Stainless Steel (70730)
The Hamilton Beach Food Processor & Vegetable Chopper (70730) is designed to be your go-to helper for a wide range of kitchen prep tasks. Its 10-cup capacity bowl is large enough to handle big batches for meal prepping or family dinners, but it’s also practical for smaller, everyday jobs. The unit combines a black base with stainless steel accents, giving it a durable and classic look that fits in most kitchens.
One of the standout features is the built-in Easy Clean Bowl Scraper.
This clever design means the unit’s lid has an integrated scraper that continuously clears the sides of the bowl as you process. You don’t need to stop and use a spatula to push ingredients back toward the blades. This not only saves you time and a extra utensil to wash, but it also helps ensure your mixtures are more consistent, with everything getting evenly chopped or pureed.
This food processor is built for versatility.
It comes with a standard S-shaped blade perfect for chopping, mincing, and making purees. You also get separate discs for slicing and shredding. That means you can quickly grate a block of cheese for pizza, thinly slice cucumbers for a salad, or shred potatoes for hash browns. It handles a variety of textures, from soft fruits to harder vegetables, making it a truly multi-purpose appliance.
Cleanup is often a concern with kitchen gadgets, and Hamilton Beach has considered this.
KitchenAid 13-Cup Food Processor – KFP1318
The KitchenAid 13-Cup Food Processor (KFP1318) is designed to handle your everyday kitchen prep with a focus on convenience and control. It’s a versatile tool that aims to simplify the process of getting meals ready, from start to finish. A key feature is the all-in-one storage solution. All the blades and discs store directly in a caddy that fits inside the work bowl. This means everything you need is in one place, saving you from searching through drawers.
The set includes a multi-purpose blade, an adjustable slicing disc, a reversible shredding disc, and a specific dough blade. Having a dedicated dough blade is great for anyone who likes to make pizza or bread doughs at home. You can easily adjust your slicing thickness without stopping to change discs. The externally adjustable Exact Slice disc lets you turn a dial from thick to thin slices while the processor is running.
This is useful for everything from thick potato wedges to thin cucumber slices. The 3-in-1 Feed Tube adds to this flexibility. Its design lets you process whole tomatoes, long cucumbers, or smaller pieces of cheese without a lot of pre-cutting, which really can reduce your prep time. Setting up and cleaning is straightforward. The Snap and Go bowl assembly clicks into place without twisting, and the lid latches securely.
KitchenAid 13-Cup Food Processor – KFP1318
The KitchenAid 13-Cup Food Processor – KFP1318 is designed to be a central, time-saving tool in your kitchen. It handles a huge range of tasks, from chopping fresh veggies to kneading bread dough, making sauces, or shredding cheese. With a 13-cup capacity, it’s versatile enough for both small daily meals and larger prep sessions for gatherings. A major focus of this model is simplifying the entire process, from setup to cleanup. The Snap and Go bowl assembly is a key feature.
You simply click the bowl into place—no twisting or forcing required. The latched lid secures easily, giving you confidence during operation. Cleaning is also streamlined; the leak-resistant work bowl allows you to add warm water and a drop or two of dish soap right in the bowl, pulse it a few times, and rinse. It’s a quick way to clean both the bowl and the blades without much fuss. Organization is another strong point. This food processor comes with a clever in-bowl storage caddy.
All the blades and discs—the multi-purpose blade, dough blade, adjustable slicing disc, and reversible shredding disc—store neatly inside the work bowl itself. This keeps your counter or drawers clutter-free and ensures every accessory is right where you need it, when you need it. The externally adjustable Exact Slice disc is a standout for precision. You can adjust the slicing thickness from thick to thin without ever removing the disc or opening the bowl. Just turn the dial on the lid.
Cuisinart Food Processor, Pro Custom 11 Cup, Brushed Chrome, DLC-8SBCYP1
The Cuisinart Food Processor, Pro Custom 11 Cup, Brushed Chrome (DLC-8SBCYP1) is designed to be a central, hardworking appliance in your kitchen. Its core is a powerful 625-watt motor, which provides the consistent performance needed for a wide range of tasks, from chopping hard vegetables to kneading dough.
This motor platform is the foundation for a system that can grow with your cooking needs, offering various functions and the option to add attachments later on.
One of the key benefits of this model is its thoughtful design for everyday use. The work bowl is a generous 11-cup capacity, letting you prepare larger batches for meal prepping or family dinners.
The extra-large feed tube is a significant time-saver, as it can accomodate whole tomatoes, potatoes, and other sizable fruits and vegetables, reducing the amount of pre-cutting you have to do. You get precise control with the simple on/off and pulse buttons, allowing for everything from a coarse chop to a fine puree.
Out of the box, this food processor comes well-equipped for most common jobs.
Breville BFP610 Sous Chef 9 Cup Food Processor, Small, Brushed Stainless Steel
The Breville BFP610 Sous Chef 9 Cup Food Processor is a compact powerhouse designed for smaller kitchens that don’t want to compromise on performance. It brings professional-level precision to your countertop without taking up to much space. The heart of the machine is its updated heavy-duty induction motor, backed by an impressive 30-year warranty.
This brushless motor delivers high torque for direct drive power, meaning it can tackle tough doughs, hard cheeses, and dense vegetables without straining or slowing down. One of the smartest features is the integrated onboard storage caddy. Instead of hunting through seperate cabinets for attachments, everything has a dedicated home. The caddy neatly houses the dicing kit, S-blade, reversible shredder, adjustable slicer, and dough blade right inside the bowl.
You can access each piece independently, which keeps your kitchen organized and the processor ready for action. All these premium attachments are part of what Breville calls the Chef’s Armoury, and they’re color-coded. This makes them intuitive to use and simple to put back correctly, ensuring you always get consistent results. Consistency is key for even cooking and great presentation, and the Sous Chef 9 is built for it.
12 Cup Food Processor Buying Guide
A 12-cup food processor handles big jobs; assess motor strength and feed chute size. But to find the right one for your kitchen, you need to look a bit deeper. This guide will help you compare the key features that make a real difference in daily use, from power to clean-up.
Motor Power and Performance
Is the motor strong enough to handle dense dough or tough nuts? Look for a motor rated at least 600 watts. A weak motor will struggle, overheat, and leave you with unevenly chopped ingredients. A powerful one powers through tasks quickly, giving you smooth nut butter and perfectly kneaded bread dough without a fuss. It’s the heart of the machine.
Feed Chute and Pusher Design
Frustrated by having to pre-slice every carrot or potato? A wide feed chute is a game-changer. It lets you fit whole tomatoes, large chunks of cheese, or entire potatoes with ease. Some models even include a separate, narrower chute pusher for smaller items like garlic cloves, which helps prevent them from just bouncing around on the blade.
Blade and Disc Variety
What do you plan to make most often? Standard S-blades are great for chopping and pureeing, but specialized discs save huge amounts of time. A reversible shredding/slicing disc is essential for slaws or gratins. A dough blade is gentler for bread. Check what’s included—having the right attachment for the job means you’ll use your processor way more often.
Bowl and Lid Safety Features
Nothing is more annoying than a processor that won’t start. Modern saftey interlocks are crucial; the machine only runs when the bowl is locked and the lid is correctly secured. This prevents messy accidents. Also, look for a bowl with clear markings—it’s helpful for checking volumes as you work, especially for liquid-heavy recipes.
Frequently Asked Questions About 12 Cup Food Processors
What can I make with a 12 cup food processor?
You can make a huge variety of foods. It’s great for big batches of dough, like for bread or pizza. You can chop veggies for soups or salads in seconds. It also makes nut butters, purees sauces, and shreds cheese quickly. It’s a real time-saver for large recipes.
Is a 12 cup size too big for small jobs?
Not usually. Most 12 cup models come with a smaller mini bowl or a mini chopper attachment. You use the main bowl for big tasks and the smaller one for things like mincing garlic or making a small sauce. It gives you the flexiblity for any cooking job.
How is it different from a blender?
They are different tools. A blender needs more liquid to work well and is best for smoothies and soups. A food processor uses little to no liquid. It’s designed for slicing, shredding, and mixing drier ingredients. You’ll find it much better for dough or chopping nuts.
What features should I look for?
Look for a strong motor, around 600 watts or more. A wide feed tube saves you from pre-cutting veggies. Multiple blade options are key—an S-blade, a dough blade, and slicing/shredding discs. Pulse control is also very important for getting the right texture.
Is it difficult to clean?
Most parts are dishwasher safe, which makes cleanup easy. The bowl, lid, and blades usually go on the top rack. You just need to wipe the motor base with a damp cloth. Always check the manual to be sure about your specific model.
Can it replace other kitchen gadgets?
It can replace many, but not all. It often takes the place of a mandoline, grater, and dough mixer. However, it won’t fully replace a good blender for silky smooth soups or a stand mixer for intricate baking. Think of it as your main prep helper.
Conclusion
This powerful unit tackles large food prep tasks efficiently. It saves you a ton of time in the kitchen. You can make big batches of dough, slice piles of vegetables, or create smooth sauces without a fuss. It’s a real helper for family meals or entertaining guests.
For anyone who cooks regularly, a 12 cup food processor is a smart investment. It handles the jobs that are tedious by hand. You’ll find yourself using it more than you might think. It simplifies cooking and helps you get great results, making your kitchen time much more enjoyable and a lot less stressful.