If your kitchen counter looks like an appliance showroom—with an air fryer, a Crockpot, and maybe an Instant Pot all lined up—you’re not alone. These kitchen heroes promise fast, easy meals with minimal cleanup, and for busy moms, they’re more than just gadgets. They’re sanity savers.
But if you’ve ever stood in front of one of them thinking “What do I even make tonight?”—you know the problem.
You don’t need another Pinterest scroll session. You need a cookbook that knows how to take your favorite appliance and make it work for your real life. Quick recipes. Kid-friendly meals. One-dish wonders. Time-saving hacks.
This guide features the best cookbooks for air fryer, Crockpot, and Instant Pot cooking—especially for moms who want healthy-ish meals without hours of prep or a pile of dirty pans.
Why Appliance Cookbooks Are a Game-Changer for Busy Moms
Here’s why specialized cookbooks for your appliances matter more than you might think:
- Time-Saving: Most recipes are hands-off after minimal prep.
- One-Dish Meals: Fewer pots to clean = more time for you.
- Kid-Approved Options: Plenty of easy-to-modify meals.
- Smart Use of Leftovers: Helps stretch food (and money).
And the best part? These books are designed for real people with limited energy—not food bloggers trying to impress.
📘 Best Air Fryer Cookbooks for Busy Moms
1. The Skinnytaste Air Fryer Cookbook by Gina Homolka
Why it’s a must-have:
This book is a favorite among moms because it’s packed with healthy, family-friendly air fryer recipes that actually taste good. Think crispy chicken tenders, roasted veggies, and even desserts—all made with less oil and more nutrition.
What makes it mom-friendly:
- Simple ingredients
- Clear instructions
- Includes freezer-friendly and meal prep tips
📖 Busy Mom Bonus: Many recipes take 30 minutes or less and are picky-eater tested.
2. The Essential Air Fryer Cookbook for Beginners by Laurie Fleming
Why it works:
If your air fryer is still sitting in the box—or you’re not sure how to use it beyond fries—this book will change that. It’s loaded with affordable, easy-to-follow recipes like chicken thighs, crispy tofu, and veggie-packed sides.
What moms love:
- Clear air fryer basics section
- Recipes that don’t assume you have time or fancy ingredients
- Comfort food classics made lighter
📖 Quick Win: Includes time and temperature charts for all major ingredients.
3. The Air Fryer Cookbook for Moms by Sherry Flanagan
Why it’s special:
Written specifically for moms, this cookbook focuses on fast meals with minimal cleanup and maximum kid appeal. It covers breakfast, snacks, dinners, and even quick desserts.
What makes it stand out:
- Every recipe is designed to be done in under 30 minutes
- Great for meal planning on busy school nights
- Includes tips on saving leftovers and batch cooking
📖 Real Mom Feature: “Quick Fix” tags on recipes that can be made in under 20 minutes.
📘 Best Crockpot (Slow Cooker) Cookbooks for Busy Moms
4. Fix-It and Forget-It Big Cookbook by Phyllis Good
Why it’s a classic:
Over 1,400 slow cooker recipes, all tested and contributed by real families. This is the holy grail of Crockpot cooking, covering every kind of dish imaginable.
Why moms trust it:
- Clear format (ingredients + basic steps—no fluff)
- Everything from weeknight dinners to holiday sides
- Uses pantry staples—no obscure ingredients
📖 Mom Hack: The book is spiral-bound and lies flat on the counter—kitchen win.
5. Skinnytaste Fast and Slow by Gina Homolka
Why it’s versatile:
Half the recipes are made in a slow cooker, the other half in under 30 minutes—perfect for moms who alternate between “prep ahead” and “last-minute panic.”
What stands out:
- Nutritional info included (great for mindful eating)
- Easy to customize for dietary needs (gluten-free, low carb, etc.)
- Recipes feel fresh, not 1980s cream-of-soup casseroles
📖 Best Use Case: Sunday slow-cooked chili that turns into Monday night nachos with zero effort.
6. Crockpot for Moms: Family Favorites Made Easy by Danielle Allen
Why it’s mom-made magic:
Specifically written for time-strapped mothers, this book includes a 4-week meal plan, weekly grocery lists, and practical advice for managing dinner time when your brain is already fried.
Mom-loved features:
- Easy prep the night before or in the morning
- Kid-tested meals with make-ahead instructions
- Includes vegetarian and allergy-friendly options
📖 Family Favorite: Crockpot BBQ chicken sliders—5 ingredients, feeds the whole crew.
📘 Best Instant Pot Cookbooks for Busy Moms
7. The Step-by-Step Instant Pot Cookbook by Jeffrey Eisner
Why it’s ideal for beginners:
This book is loaded with photos for every step, which makes it great for moms new to pressure cooking or feeling intimidated by the Instant Pot.
Why it’s a hit:
- Kid-friendly meals like mac and cheese, pot roast, and chicken soup
- Visuals that show exactly what to do
- Clear timing charts
📖 Confidence Booster: You’ll finally feel like you get your Instant Pot.
8. The Instant Pot Electric Pressure Cooker Cookbook by Laurel Randolph
Why it’s reliable:
One of the best-selling Instant Pot cookbooks on the market—and for good reason. It has over 100 solid recipes, most of which can be made with minimal prep.
Why moms keep using it:
- Covers everything from oatmeal to full dinners
- Every recipe includes serving size and cook time
- Works with all Instant Pot models
📖 Dinner Hero: Chicken tortilla soup you can make from frozen chicken. Yes, really.
9. Instant Pot Miracle 6 Ingredients or Less by Ivy Manning
Why it’s a time saver:
When you only have six ingredients and 20 minutes of mental bandwidth left, this cookbook steps in.
Why moms recommend it:
- No fancy spices or steps
- Minimal chopping (because you’re holding a toddler with the other hand)
- Tons of dump-and-go recipes
📖 Zero-Brainpower Recipe: Salsa chicken burrito bowls with three ingredients.
📘 All-in-One Cookbooks (Covering Air Fryer, Crockpot, and Instant Pot)
10. Busy Mom’s Cookbook Bundle: Air Fryer, Slow Cooker & Instant Pot Meals by Cora Fleming
Why it’s made for you:
This multi-appliance cookbook is all about simplicity, speed, and sanity. Whether you’re batch cooking for the week or surviving dinnertime chaos, this all-in-one guide gives you options depending on what you’re in the mood to use.
What moms love:
- 150+ recipes across all three appliances
- Built-in meal plans and shopping lists
- Family-friendly, budget-conscious meals
📖 Mega Win: Includes tips on cleaning and storing your appliances between uses.
11. From Freezer to Table by Polly Conner & Rachel Tiemeyer
Why it’s freezer gold:
This isn’t a dedicated appliance book, but it includes freezer-to-Instant Pot and freezer-to-Crockpot meals—which is huge if you want to prep in bulk.
What makes it mom-approved:
- Preps meals ahead so you can “set and forget”
- Saves serious time on chaotic evenings
- Great for new moms or busy seasons (like school year or postpartum)
📖 Batch It Tip: Make two—one for tonight, one for the freezer.
Which Appliance Is Right for Which Night?
| Need | Best Appliance | Go-To Cookbook |
|---|---|---|
| Forgot to thaw meat | Instant Pot | Instant Pot Miracle 6 Ingredients or Less |
| Want crispy food without oil | Air Fryer | Skinnytaste Air Fryer Cookbook |
| Need dinner ready when you get home | Crockpot | Fix-It and Forget-It Big Cookbook |
| Only 10 minutes to prep | Instant Pot | Step-by-Step Instant Pot Cookbook |
| Have energy to plan ahead | Crockpot | Crockpot for Moms |
| Want a healthy meal kids will eat | Air Fryer | The Essential Air Fryer Cookbook |
Final Thoughts: These Cookbooks Make Life Easier—Not Busier
You already have the appliances. Now it’s time to actually use them to make your life easier—not more overwhelming.
Whether you lean on the Instant Pot for last-minute rescues, the air fryer for quick sides and snacks, or the Crockpot for slow-simmered comfort, these cookbooks turn your appliances into reliable helpers—not countertop clutter.
More than just recipes, these books give you:
- Permission to simplify
- Systems that work even when you’re tired
- Meals your family will actually eat
So go ahead. Pick one cookbook. Choose one appliance. Start with one recipe.
Let your kitchen tools do the work—so you don’t have to.
