Air Fryer Baked Apples
Air fryer baked apples filled with cinnamon, brown sugar and butter.
What measuring spoons are for (and what they can’t do)
A standard set is designed for small volumes that are awkward to measure in cups: spices, salt, baking powder and soda, dried yeast, extracts and concentrated liquids. In baking, these small measures can have an outsized effect on rise and flavour, so accuracy is practical rather than fussy. Measuring spoons are less helpful for ingredients that do not level cleanly, such as honey, syrups and nut butters, unless the recipe is tolerant. They also do not replace tasting and adjusting when you are seasoning a soup or dressing, where ingredients and personal preference vary.
Top picks in Measuring spoons
Arroz Doce (Portuguese Rice Pudding)
Portuguese rice pudding with cinnamon, egg yolks and lemon zest
Chilli con Carne (Minced Beef and Kidney Bean Stew)
Spiced minced beef and kidney bean chilli served with rice
Air Fryer Panko Chicken Tenders
Crispy panko chicken tenders cooked quickly in the air fryer.
Arabic Cardamom Coffee (Gahwa)
Arabic coffee gently brewed with green cardamom
Tahini Sauce
Smooth tahini sauce with lemon, garlic and water
Using them efficiently, with less mess
For dry ingredients, fill the spoon and level it with a straight edge for consistency. For sticky ingredients, a small spoon can be lightly oiled or dipped in neutral oil first, which helps the ingredient slide out more cleanly. If you are measuring several spices, it is often quicker to measure into your hand or a small bowl and tip them in together, rather than stopping to wash and dry each spoon. When you do not have measuring spoons, a small set of kitchen teaspoons can work in a pinch, but the volume is not standardised, so treat it as approximate and adjust carefully.
All recipes in Measuring spoons
Arroz con Leche (Mexican Rice Pudding with Cinnamon)
Creamy arroz con leche made with whole milk, cinnamon and vanilla
Chirashi Sushi (Japanese Scattered Sushi Bowl)
Chirashi sushi with seasoned rice, salmon and tuna, finished with nori, soy sauce and wasabi
Paneer Do Pyaza (Paneer Curry with Onions)
Paneer simmered in a spiced tomato-onion gravy and finished with lightly cooked onion petals
Bhindi Masala (Okra Curry)
Indian dry-style okra curry sautéed with onion, tomato, ginger and spices
Portuguese-Style Vegetable Stew with Chickpeas and Tomatoes
Portuguese-style vegetable stew simmered with chickpeas, tomatoes, paprika, garlic and bay leaf
Hachee (Dutch Braised Beef and Onion Stew)
Slow-cooked Dutch beef and onion stew flavoured with bay, cloves and vinegar
Homemade Sloppy Joes
Sloppy Joes with minced beef simmered in ketchup and mustard, served in buns
Marzipankartoffeln (German Marzipan Potatoes Rolled in Cocoa)
German marzipan potatoes shaped by hand and finished with a cocoa dusting
Fusion Pork Noodle Bowl
Stir-fried pork and rice noodles topped with cucumber, carrot and coriander.
Low Carb Poke Bowl
Low carb poke bowl with prawns, salad leaves, avocado and radishes.
Mixed Seafood Poke Bowl
Mixed seafood poke bowl with sushi rice, soy dressing, avocado and cucumber.
Salmon Mango Poke Bowl
Sushi rice topped with salmon, mango, avocado, cucumber, and soy dressing.
When to measure exactly and when to cook by feel
Measure precisely when the ingredient is powerful or functional: chilli powder and cayenne, salt in a small-volume sauce, and especially baking powder, bicarbonate of soda and yeast. Those are hard to correct once mixed in. Measure more loosely when the recipe invites adjustment, such as spice blends, dressings and marinades, where you can taste and rebalance. If you are scaling a recipe up or down, measuring spoons help keep ratios sensible, because “a pinch” does not scale reliably. For very small amounts, a set that includes smaller spoons can be useful, but careful pinches can also be effective when the recipe is forgiving.
Where to look next
Cooking method can help you judge how much precision matters: baking and quick breads often rely on exact small measures, while many stovetop dishes allow tasting and adjustment. Difficulty is another useful lens, because recipes with more steps or tighter timing often benefit from having measurements nailed down early.
No cook
Sprouted Moong Salad with Chaat Masala
Sprouted moong salad with lemon, chaat masala and vegetables
Pan fry
Trucha a la Plancha (Griddled Trout with Salsa Criolla)
Griddled trout topped with salsa criolla, lime and coriander
Simmer
Slow Cooker Beef Brisket with BBQ Sauce
Slow-cooked beef brisket finished with glossy BBQ-style sauce
Boil
Thai Pumpkin and Tofu Red Curry
Thai red curry with pumpkin, tofu and coconut milk
Easy
Prawn Cocktail Lettuce Cups
Prawn cocktail in crisp lettuce cups with chives
Medium
Biscotti di Prato (Twice-Baked Almond Biscuits)
Twice-baked almond biscuits with orange zest
Easy
Prawn Marie Rose Sandwich
Prawn sandwich with Marie Rose sauce and crisp lettuce
Medium
Sopa de Maní (Bolivian Peanut Soup with Beef)
Bolivian peanut soup with beef and potatoes
Frequently asked questions
Do I need measuring spoons if I don’t bake?
They are still useful for spices, salt, and concentrated flavourings, but many savoury dishes can be adjusted to taste, so exact measuring is less critical.
Should I use level or heaped spoons?
Unless a recipe says “heaped”, assume level. Heaped spoonfuls vary a lot and can easily double the intended amount.
How do I measure sticky ingredients like honey?
A light coating of neutral oil on the spoon helps, or you can measure by weight if the recipe provides it. Scraping with a small spatula also reduces waste.
Are teaspoons and tablespoons the same everywhere?
Not always. Spoon sizes can vary by region and by the cutlery in your drawer, which is why standard measuring spoons are more consistent.
What’s the difference between a pinch and a measured amount?
A pinch is inherently variable and depends on your fingers and the ingredient. It works best in recipes where you can taste and adjust.
Keep them for the moments that matter
Measuring spoons earn their keep when small amounts have a big impact. Use them for raising agents and potent seasonings, and feel free to cook more intuitively when the recipe gives you room to adjust.
