5 Things You Didn't Know Your Coffee Grinder Could Do

Turns out your countertop coffee grinder is pretty useful around the kitchen; it can be used to crush, chop, and grind lots of things. I did some testing using a KRUPS F203 coffee grinder, and here are my picks for five of the best alternative uses for your coffee grinder.

The only thing to know? If you use your grinder for anything other than coffee beans on a regular basis, it's a good idea to invest in a second, inexpensive grinder — that way you won't run the risk of flavoring herbs, breadcrumbs, and flour with coffee.

Don't let fresh herbs go to waste. Dry the extras and then give them a quick chop in your countertop coffee grinder. That way, you can save and use the dried herbs all winter long.

Add lots of flavor to your cooking by toasting whole spices (like cardamom pods or cumin seeds) in a pan, allowing them to cool completely, and then grinding them in a coffee grinder.

Whether you're making cookies or crusting chicken tenders, many recipes call for chopped nuts. If you only need a small amount, toss the whole nuts into the grinder and pulse until ground.

If you run out of breadcrumbs, there's no need to make a special trip to the store. Toast a piece of bread, break it up into smaller pieces, and then grind it in your coffee grinder — it's an easy way to make a small amount of breadcrumbs in a pinch.

Have you ever wanted to try a recipe and then noticed that it calls for a small amount of a flour that you're unlikely to use again? Instead of purchasing a bag of non-wheat flour and letting it go to waste, mill your own in your coffee grinder; it's perfect for everything from almond flour to oat flour.

Looking for a coffee grinder with a powerful motor, a sharp blade, and a large capacity? Click here to learn more about the coffee grinder that I used.

Kristie Collado is The Daily Meal's Cook Editor. Follow her on Twitter @KColladoCook.