The Best Cookbooks Of All Time

Rawpixel.com/Shutterstock By Maria Scinto/April 12, 2022 5:23 pm EST

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links. When you’re looking for a new recipe, where do you go? In this day and age, most of us probably turn to the internet, whether we prefer simple lists of ingredients and instructions or elaborate video tutorials. Still, there’s something about an actual physical cookbook for when you’re not so much looking for what to make for dinner tonight, but are instead seeking new ideas that may spark future projects.

Other times, cookbooks may serve as a form of escape into a beautiful world where all the ingredients are fresh, all the meals are perfectly prepared, everything comes with the perfect garnish, and there are never, ever dirty dishes in the sink … Sigh. Many cookbooks tell a story, as well, whether it be that of the chef, a country and its cuisine, or a moment in history. There are also cookbooks that explain in great detail the actual science that underlies each cooking technique.  On the lighter side, there are some “just for fun” cookbooks where every recipe ties into a movie, a book, or even a special interest like astrology. There’s no one cookbook that’s going to be all things to all people, but on the other hand, there are cookbooks out there to fit practically every occasion. These are the absolute best cookbooks to suit every need and to keep at-the-ready on your kitchen shelves.

How we selected these cookbooks

Tijana Simic/Shutterstock

Cookbooks are hardly a one-size-fits-all experience. Beginning cooks may want advice about equipment and techniques, while more advanced cooks may prefer to skip straight to the slicing and dicing. Some want to use only the finest ingredients, while others have to pinch every penny. Many people may be cooking for themselves alone, while others have families to feed. Still other cooks may want to make food for their furry friends. And of course, there are dietary restrictions to take into account, as well as an entire planet’s worth of different cuisines and traditions to consider. While we couldn’t cover all contingencies in this list, we’ve tried to select titles that would speak to a wide range of needs and interests.

Whatever you’re looking for in a cookbook, whether it be practical advice, inspiration, or just a chance to dream, the books on this list are all standouts. Some are old classics, while others are notable new titles, If you’ll scroll to the end, you’ll also find a special “lagniappe”: our five most-anticipated cookbooks set to come out in 2022!

The Best Cookbooks Of All Time

Rawpixel.com/Shutterstock

By Maria Scinto/April 12, 2022 5:23 pm EST

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links. When you’re looking for a new recipe, where do you go? In this day and age, most of us probably turn to the internet, whether we prefer simple lists of ingredients and instructions or elaborate video tutorials. Still, there’s something about an actual physical cookbook for when you’re not so much looking for what to make for dinner tonight, but are instead seeking new ideas that may spark future projects.

Other times, cookbooks may serve as a form of escape into a beautiful world where all the ingredients are fresh, all the meals are perfectly prepared, everything comes with the perfect garnish, and there are never, ever dirty dishes in the sink … Sigh. Many cookbooks tell a story, as well, whether it be that of the chef, a country and its cuisine, or a moment in history. There are also cookbooks that explain in great detail the actual science that underlies each cooking technique.  On the lighter side, there are some “just for fun” cookbooks where every recipe ties into a movie, a book, or even a special interest like astrology. There’s no one cookbook that’s going to be all things to all people, but on the other hand, there are cookbooks out there to fit practically every occasion. These are the absolute best cookbooks to suit every need and to keep at-the-ready on your kitchen shelves.

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.

Other times, cookbooks may serve as a form of escape into a beautiful world where all the ingredients are fresh, all the meals are perfectly prepared, everything comes with the perfect garnish, and there are never, ever dirty dishes in the sink … Sigh. Many cookbooks tell a story, as well, whether it be that of the chef, a country and its cuisine, or a moment in history. There are also cookbooks that explain in great detail the actual science that underlies each cooking technique. 

On the lighter side, there are some “just for fun” cookbooks where every recipe ties into a movie, a book, or even a special interest like astrology. There’s no one cookbook that’s going to be all things to all people, but on the other hand, there are cookbooks out there to fit practically every occasion. These are the absolute best cookbooks to suit every need and to keep at-the-ready on your kitchen shelves.

How we selected these cookbooks

Tijana Simic/Shutterstock

Cookbooks are hardly a one-size-fits-all experience. Beginning cooks may want advice about equipment and techniques, while more advanced cooks may prefer to skip straight to the slicing and dicing. Some want to use only the finest ingredients, while others have to pinch every penny. Many people may be cooking for themselves alone, while others have families to feed. Still other cooks may want to make food for their furry friends. And of course, there are dietary restrictions to take into account, as well as an entire planet’s worth of different cuisines and traditions to consider. While we couldn’t cover all contingencies in this list, we’ve tried to select titles that would speak to a wide range of needs and interests.

Whatever you’re looking for in a cookbook, whether it be practical advice, inspiration, or just a chance to dream, the books on this list are all standouts. Some are old classics, while others are notable new titles, If you’ll scroll to the end, you’ll also find a special “lagniappe”: our five most-anticipated cookbooks set to come out in 2022!

Whatever you’re looking for in a cookbook, whether it be practical advice, inspiration, or just a chance to dream, the books on this list are all standouts. Some are old classics, while others are notable new titles, If you’ll scroll to the end, you’ll also find a special “lagniappe”: our five most-anticipated cookbooks set to come out in 2022!

Best cookbook for beginners

If you’re a visual learner who likes to see how things are done, you may still find it impossible to learn from a TikTok cooking demo or even a YouTube video where the camera focuses on the chef’s face. In that case, you’re going to love Bittman’s “Basics.” Not only does this book have the usual pics of finished foods looking pretty, but it also includes photos showing you each step as the recipe is being prepared. One warning, though: according to Oregon Live, this weighty tome may require a few paperweights (cans could work in a pinch) to hold the pages open while it lies on your kitchen counter.

Best cookbook for old pros

In 2009, Saveur surveyed a number of food world professionals to find out which cookbooks they considered indispensable. One name that kept popping up was “The French Laundry Cookbook.” According to David Chang, himself a chef of no small influence, “Chef Keller’s book continues to inspire cooks from around the country to do things the right way.” If you yourself aspire to join the ranks of top chefs — or at least cook like a pro — then this book will set you on the right path.

2019’s “Joy of Cooking” may not be your granny’s cookbook, but we’re pretty sure she’d approve of the changes that have been made. Old favorite recipes remain, but they’ve been joined by welcome new additions like chocolate-walnut babka, chana masala, and beef rendang. It also has a number of vegan recipes as well as a larger selection of vegetarian ones in keeping with this century’s move towards more plant-based eating.

Best restaurant cookbook

Of course, “The Red Rooster Cookbook” also has plenty of recipes — and such recipes! Delightful spins on soul food, such as banana-pecan pie and blackened catfish with peanuts, join globally-inspired dishes like puerco in cerveza, an Ethiopian-spiced rack of lamb, and a Swedish dessert of caramel-sauced apple sorbet. There are even several delicious-sounding drinks like the pineapple/honey/ginger beer cocktail dubbed “Yes, Chef.”

Best technical cookbook

Cooking World says that “Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat” may be the most extraordinary cookbook they’ve ever reviewed, and they feel it has plenty to offer experienced chefs and beginner home cooks alike. That seems to be just what author Samin Nosrat intended, as she has taught her cooking techniques to audiences ranging from children to fellow cooking professionals. The best part about Nosrat’s approach, which she picked up at the legendary Chez Panisse restaurant in Berkeley, California, is that once you master it, you’re well on your way to creating your own recipes and may soon be flying cookbook-free!

Best cookbook for meal prep

So what kinds of meals are we talking about here? Well, this book comes from America’s Test Kitchen, so you know it’s going to be a lot more than “50 ways to reuse a rotisserie chicken” or a compendium of casseroles made with canned soup and elbow macaroni. Instead, the cookbook explains how to prep dishes like sausages with balsamic stewed tomatoes, herb-poached salmon, shiitake mushroom frittata, and beef lettuce wraps. As a bonus, you’ll also get advice on how to organize your fridge and pantry and how to substitute ingredients you have on hand rather than having to make unnecessary shopping trips. If you’re a fan of meal kits like HelloFresh and Blue Apron, this cookbook plus a few hours on the weekend could give you all of the same variety and convenience for a lot less money!

Best cookbook for families

What this cookbook does, it does very well, and it doesn’t limit itself to quick weeknight dinners, either — there are also nutritious, yet kid-friendly breakfast and lunch ideas, as well. Especially useful are the “blueprints” that allow you to customize the recipes to your own picky eaters’ preferences, even accommodating variations within a single meal. If your kids are on the younger side, there are also suggestions for how you can get them involved in helping to prepare the meal. (For older ones, bribery may still be required.)

Best cookbook for dining solo

Like many of Americas Test Kitchen cookbooks, “Cooking for One” provides tips helpful for beginners (like how to select utensils or stock the pantry), but the recipes go beyond basic. There are “mains” like crispy-skinned chicken and pan-seared shrimp, but what really seals the deal is the mix and match condiments including tonkatsu sauce and blue cheese compound butter. There’s also an extensive selection of solo sides, soups, and desserts, but our favorite part is the “party for one” section with snack and drinks. After all, sometimes the happiest hours are the ones you spend in your own company.

Best cheap eats cookbook

So what kind of recipes are we talking about here? Pretty darn tasty ones like whole-wheat jalapeno-cheddar scones, sweet and savory pineapple salad, Filipino chicken adobo, and a coffee cake made with fresh peaches (though a note explains that to keep to the $4 cap, many recipes with fresh produce must be prepared when it’s in season). Even if you’re not livin’ la vida broka, you may still want to pick up a copy of this book. After all, for each copy you buy, another is donated to a person in need.

Best weight loss cookbook

Before you can adopt the Mediterranean eating plan, it helps to know not only which foods are permitted, but how you can prepare them without getting bored. Well, “The Complete Mediterranean Cookbook” from America’s Test Kitchen provides such a wide variety of recipes — 500 in all — that there’s bound to be something, in fact quite a few somethings, that appeal to everyone. What’s more, the step-by-step photos in this book make the directions easy to follow, and recipes such as pan-fried halloumi with garlic/parsley sauce and artichoke-lemon hummus seem to find a sweet spot between simplicity and complexity.

Best low-carb cookbook

Best gluten-free cookbook

Best plant-based cookbook

Terry specializes in vegan cooking, and he is also proud of the culinary traditions of his African ancestors. As a result, this book features vegan recipes from Africa and the diaspora, particularly the Caribbean and the American South. While the creative, flavorful recipes will no doubt delight vegans tired of the same old tempeh chili and stir-fried tofu, omnivo=-es will also be tempted by offerings such as za’atar-roasted red potatoes, coconut-cashew soup, pumpkin-peanut fritters, and an orange-glazed persimmon bundt cake. The book also provides menus for such occasions as a Juneteenth brunch and a party for Bob Marley’s birthday (February 6th, in case you were wondering). In a particularly charming touch, each recipe also comes with a suggested theme song, and some even have their own book suggestions.

Best barbecue cookbook

While the title may imply that “Praise the Lard” is a paean to swine, this barbecue bible is ecumenical enough to feature recipes for beef, chicken, turkey, oysters, and even a few fruits and veggies. Still, if you’ve ever wanted to learn how to cook an entire pig, there’s a whole chapter devoted to that. Even if you’re just using a kettle charcoal grill, though, you’ll be able to cook most of the recipes here. All you need to do is accept Mills’ “holy trinity” of seasoning, smoke, and sauce into your life and follow his step-by-step instructions for working backyard magic with even the most basic of equipment. Once you do so, you’ll be ordained into such mysteries as pork belly bites, pit-smoked prime rib, and barbecue chicken parfaits. Can we get an amen? 

Best Asian cookbook

Tila has Thai Chinese parents, but he himself was born and raised in L.A. In the intro to his cookbook, he says he lived within a few miles of Japanese, Korean, and Filipino neighborhoods, so he grew up familiar with those nations’ cuisine as well as that of China and Thailand. This book was obviously written with an American audience in mind, as it includes such American Chinese classics as General Tso’s chicken. Publisher’s Weekly notes, though, that Tila includes less familiar recipes, like a northern Thai braised beef curry with noodles and a salty-sweet Korean beef dish called chap chae, as well as fusion takes like a Thai-inspired barbecue chicken dish. The recipes, for the most part, are relatively easy to follow and don’t call for too many unfamiliar ingredients, but they’re nevertheless clearly the product of a professional chef with a deep love for the dishes he writes about.

Best Middle Eastern cookbook

Chef and cookbook author Anissa Helou comes from a Lebanese/Syrian background, but has lived in and traveled extensively throughout the Middle East, South Asia, and Northern Africa. The recipes she presents in this book come from countries ranging from Egypt to Pakistan and Indonesia. (While we typically think of the last-named as an Asian country, it actually has the world’s largest Muslim population.) What’s more, she delves into the history of these regions and their foodways. What we like best, though, is how her book is packed with luscious photos of dishes such as manaquish jreesh, a za’atar-topped Lebanese version of pizza, the Saudi meat pies known as aish bil-lahm, and a sweet-savory Moroccan pie called b’stilla.

Best African cookbook

“In Bibi’s Kitchen: The Recipes and Stories of Grandmothers from the Eight African Countries that Touch the Indian Ocean,” is the product of Somali chef Hawa Hassan in collaboration with food writer Julia Turshen. The recipes themselves, though, come from the women of Comoros, Eritrea, Kenya, Madagascar, Mozambique, Somalia, South Africa, and Tanzania, with one chapter devoted to each country. Vogue, while acknowledging that the book is coffee table pretty, also called it 2020’s “most important cookbook” due to the fact that it highlights cultures and recipes that may not be familiar to many of us. Among the book’s highlights include an Eritrean chickpea stew called shiro, a vegetable-based flatbread from Zanzibar known as ajemi, and a Kenyan mango-chile sauce.

Best Latin-American cookbook

Cookbook author Maria Baez Kijac comes from Ecuador, but studied cooking in France and Spain, and taught cooking in Chicago for many years. Latin American cuisine is her specialty, and this book takes her back to her roots. The dishes she includes are as varied as the continent’s geography (a subject she also touches on in her intro), as they range from an Ecuadorian fish soup with yuca and plantains to a Uruguayan beef stew with fruit and a Brazilian cheese tart.

Best Italian cookbook

The recipes in “La Cucina” were collected back in the 1950s by the Italian Academy of Cuisine, a group dedicated to visiting every small village in Italy and seeking out traditional recipes before they could vanish into pre-internet history. They were able to rescue some 2,000 of these recipes, ranging from the salami and provolone-stuffed brioche of Campania to the meat-stuffed onions of the Piedmont and the black truffle frittata of Umbria. Basically, any recipe you have vague memories of your nonna’s nonna cooking way back when, or that delightful dish you experienced on an Italian vacation (or dreamed of eating when doing some armchair traveling), is something you’re likely to find here.

Best French cookbook

In these two volumes you’ll find Julia’s greatest hits, including coq au vin, vichysoisse, and pain de mie. You’ll also discover many more classics, enough to last you a year or more if you attempt to “Julie & Julia” your way through Child’s entire oeuvre. While making it through her magnum opus may not land you a movie deal, you’ll receive an unparalleled education, and  have some fun along the way. According to the International Culinary Center and other online sources, Child allegedly once claimed that “The best way to execute French cooking is to get good and loaded and whack the hell out of a chicken.” While these cookbooks don’t include that quote, they still offer plenty of great advice delivered in Child’s inimitable voice.

Best U.S. regional cookbook: Southern

Lewis, whom the National Women’s History Museum calls the “Grande Doyenne of southern cooking,” was one of the first female African-Americans to publish a cookbook without having to conceal either her gender or skin color. “The Taste of Country Cooking,” which was published in the Bicentennial year (and is still in print over 4 decades later), not only shares recipes incorporating fresh seasonal produce, such as blackberry cobbler, skillet-fried asparagus, and watercress with pork, but also tells the story of a remarkable woman. Lewis, who grew up in a farming community of freed slaves, worked for years to achieve her dream of opening a restaurant, but unlike Princess Tiana, this queen did it all without the aid of a magical talking frog.

Best U.S. regional cookbook: Southwest

“The Border Cookbook” came out in 1995, and the following year it won the James Beard American Award for regional cooking. The 300 recipes included combine to tell a story of all the different influences that shaped both the region and its cuisine: Mexican, Native, Spanish, and Anglo. Among the recipes included are the puffy sopaipillas of New Mexico (which bear little resemblance to the cinnamon-dusted tortilla chips that many recipes attempt to pass off as a reasonable facsimile); chicken cooked in green pipian, which is a sauce known to the Aztecs; and piñon pancakes that were inspired by the indigenous Pueblo peoples.

Best U.S. regional cookbook: Midwest

This is not to say that Thielen’s recipes are all trendy, though. Fellow Minnesotan Andrew Zimmern described her book as “danc[ing] on a wire with one foot in the twenty-first century and the other in the nineteenth.” In non-blurb speak, we think he’s talking about how the recipes range from dishes like iced cucumber soup with grilled honey eggplant that wouldn’t be out of place in a hipster bistro, to supper club classics such as deviled eggs with bacon, to traditional German and Scandinavian recipes, and only-in-the-Midwest offerings like roast pig’s head and bear stew.

Best cookbook for breads

The Hot Bread Kitchen is an artisanal bakery in NYC with a range of offerings somewhat more diverse than most, ranging from bialys to baguettes and na’an to conchas. The reason for this diversity is because the bakery not only employs immigrant women, but looks to them as the source of its recipes. This book shares those recipes, but what’s even more fascinating are the bakers’ backstories. As a bonus, there’s even a scattering of non-bread recipes such as a Bangladeshi beef and potato curry that pairs well with chapatis, and a mint tea meant to be served with the Moroccan flatbread known as m’smen.

Best cookbook for pastries

As Kitchn points out, Berenbaum’s “bible” isn’t really a beginner-level book, although a cook without much experience but with a lot of patience could get quite an education from the step-by-step directions she provides. Most of the recipes do involve multiple steps and will take some time, although the directions aren’t difficult to follow and the results you’ll achieve will be impressive. Berenbaum, after all, is the ultimate perfectionist, and she tries her best to make sure her directions allow you to achieve baking perfection every single time. While it’s hard to pick a favorite, among the recipes we can’t wait to try are the savory stilton baby blue cheesecakes, the rhubarb upside-down cake with strawberry meringue, and the flaky cream cheese scones with raspberry butterscotch lace.

Best desserts-only cookbook

Rather than coming up with newer, wilder concoctions using the latest, greatest trendy ingredients, “BraveTart” focuses on (as its subtitle proclaims) “Iconic American Desserts” such as Boston cream pie, hot fudge sundaes, and snickerdoodles. There are also homemade versions of favorite store-bought treats such as Oreos, Thin Mints, Twinkies, Pop Tarts, Snickers, and even Magic Shell ice cream topping. Not only does this book supply the definitive recipes for these delightful desserts, but it also delves deep into the history behind them. You’ll even learn some of the kitchen wizardry that allows homemade treats to turn out just as good (or even better!) as the ones from your nostalgia-tinged, sugar-coated memories.

Best air fryer cookbook

As to why we picked this particular title out of all the air fryer cookbooks available, it’s because an air fryer is supposed to be something that makes your life simpler. Well, quick and easy recipes with minimal fuss and limited ingredients are author Robin Fields’ wheelhouse, and that’s just what she delivers here. Her book has 175 different recipes, many for the kinds of things you wouldn’t necessarily have thought to make in your air fryer: blueberry scones, ribeye steak, bacon-blue cheese burgers, and a layered ravioli bake. There are also plenty of tips such as how to clean your air fryer, what types of cooking spray to use, and even how to choose an air fryer should you feel compelled to purchase another one when Black Friday rolls around again.

Best Instant Pot cookbook

If you’re a new convert, you could probably use some tried-and-true advice from a pressure cooking pro, since, as Tom’s Guide points out, Instant Pots really aren’t as user-friendly as they’re cracked up to be. (Spoiler: the word “instant” may be an oversell.) One such expert is Jeffrey Eisner, host of the popular YouTube series “Pressure Luck Cooking.” Eisner’s “The Step-by-Step Instant Pot Cookbook” brings you those same tips, tricks, and recipes, only without having to press pause and rewind.

“The Step-by-Step Instant Pot Cookbook,” as its name implies, really does walk you through each step in the process of cooking its 100 recipes. There are plenty of pics included, so if you have an Instant Pot-branded pressure cooker instead of a knockoff, you’ll see exactly what button to press. The recipes in the book include such Instant Pot standards as chili, pot roast, and lasagna, but we’re particularly partial to the not-so-basic dishes like lobster rolls, chicken shawarma, and bananas foster.

Best slow cooker cookbook

“Not Your Mother’s Slow Cooker Cookbook” authors Beth Hensperger and Julie Kaufmann are well-established food writers, and the info provided here is clear, concise, and comprehensive. The recipes, however, are definitely not the same old retro retreads that have been making the rounds for years. The 400 dishes included in this book are far more in tune with modern tastes, ranging from a breakfast risotto with almond and coconut milk to braised beef in espresso, Moroccan chicken with chickpeas, and jasmine rice pudding.

Best mixology guide

Here’s the secret the “Cocktail Codex” reveals: There are just 6 basic drinks. Once you master the formula for the daiquiri, flip, martini, old-fashioned, sidecar, and whiskey highball, you can learn to mix and match ingredients to create your own unique cocktails. Set up a sweet basement bar, invite all your friends over, then charge them $15 a pop! Okay, don’t do that, since it’s not neighborly (and probably a violation of your local zoning restrictions). Instead, you can have tons of fun experimenting with new drinks and seeing who can come up with the craziest names for your creations.

Best celebrity chef cookbook

As for the recipes in “Guy Fieri Family Food,” for the most part they’re not overly complex and “chef-y,” but neither are they dull and basic. As the book is geared towards families, it includes plenty of kid-friendly menus like kebab night and an interactive chili bar. Fieri also dives into meal prep, providing a chapter’s worth of recipes that can be cooked on a weekend and repurposed throughout the week. Many recipes are typical Flavortown fare such as a po’boy/jambalaya mashup and bacon-jalapeno popcorn, but there is a chapter with healthier, plant-based options. Once you finish your greens ’n grains, though, you deserve a little dessert, and Guy doesn’t disappoint with recipes for fried ice cream, homemade waffle cones, and a 7-layer chocolate whiskey cake.

Best non-food world celebrity cookbook

Some of the recipes in “The Tucci Cookbook” come from the Tucci family, while others come from friends such as New York chef and restaurateur Gianni Scappin. All, however, are molto bono, as are the photos and anecdotes Tucci shares. His fried pasta is a must-try, as is his basil and tomato-topped bruschetta (the secret lies in keeping the bruschetta topping separate, then having everyone top their toasts right before eating). And yes, “Big Night” fans, there is a recipe for timpano, the monster stuffed pasta that was the real star of that show. You’ll find it in the index under “drum of ziti and great stuff,” and the actor admits that the production of this dish tends to be rather drama-filled. For non meat-eaters, he also provides a slightly smaller vegetarian version filled with eggplant, onions, and peppers.

Best kids’ cookbook

This cookbook had us right from the get-go. Instead of all the boring stuff usually found in the first few pages, it’s got pics of sprinkle-topped toasts and kids dressed in food costumes. The recipes, too, are fun, creative, and definitely kid-friendly — who wouldn’t love an egg cooked inside a donut or a sausage/pepperoni pizza taco? 

Aspiring Cake Bosses and “Kids Baking Championship” contestants will really flip for the “fake-out cakes” meant to look like hamburgers, strawberry crunch bars, and even cereal with milk. There are also “choose your own adventure” recipes for kids way too young to remember the books … meh, who needs to fight a dragon when you can customize your own French toast, instead? There are also fun facts, quizzes, and coloring pages that can keep the kids entertained while they wait for their creations to come out of the oven.

Best cookbook for pets

Sadly, the OG domestic diva has yet to pen a doggie cookbook. Until she does, our pick is “Feed Your Best Friend Better: Easy, Nutritious Meals and Treats for Dogs.” Author Rick Woodford began cooking for his Malinois mix when the dog received a terminal cancer diagnosis. He wanted to make his best buddy’s final days happy by fixing him “people food,” but that homemade doggie stew perked his pal up so much that the pooch survived a few more years. 

This book, the product of Woodford’s extensive research into canine nutrition, provides helpful info about portion size and supplements along with recipes for healthy dog food and cute treats like gingerbread mailman. Our favorite part, though, covers treats that you and your pet can share. 

Best pop culture cookbook

This book is a real feast for the eyes, featuring gorgeous pics of super-cute foods. It’s not just a novelty cookbook, however, as the recipes aren’t just there for show. They range from a Mulan-inspired traditional Chinese congee to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles-themed pizza gyoza and Harry Potter-esque pumpkin tarts. That said, we particularly like the interesting spin on Chex mix known as Avatar (the Last Airbender, not the movie with the blue-faced whatsits) Fire Flakes. 

There are also beverages ranging from a Sponge Bob kelp shake to the Trekker’s favorite, Romulan Ale. Our only complaint is that the book came out before the Feast of Fictioneers had created their 10th anniversary Skyrim menu, but we’re hoping it makes the cut for volume 2 (and that we don’t have to wait another almost-decade for this already overdue sequel).

Best historical cookbook

Author Jaya Saxena not only gives some backstory for each restaurant, but also shares the reasons why these restaurant are worth remembering. Recipe purists might be put off by the fact that she’s needed to update some of the recipes, but we’d count it as a plus since who needs the hassle of having to figure out what a “#2 can of tomatoes” might be? (Vintage cookbooks are super-cute, but can be a real pain to cook from.) 

Among the dishes included here are a ghost-endorsed pork roast from New York’s Planter’s Hotel, once-celebrated steamed oyster’s from Harvey’s Famous Restaurant in the District of Columbia, and peanut soup from the Century Inn in Scenery Hill, Pennsylvania, that may have been based on a recipe from Thomas Jefferson’s kitchens.

Best book about cookbooks

While “The Jemima Code” is a useful reference work that belongs in any library, it deserves a place in the kitchen as well. Tipton has included a representative selection of recipes from the books she covers. Within these pages you’ll find recipes for Aunt Jemima’s Lightnin’ Waffles, beans and hambone, lobster bisque, creole eggs, Welsh rarebit waffles, and watermelon ice cream, to name a few dishes created by women of color.

Most-anticipated celebrity chef cookbook

If you’re familiar with Onwuachi’s story, you’ll know that he’s lived in a number of different places, including New York, Nigeria, and Louisiana. The recipes in “My America” cover all these areas, and also much of the African diaspora including the Caribbean. Some of the highlights include jollof from Nigeria, red bean sofrito from Puerto Rico, Trinidadian callaloo and Louisiana-style jambalaya, but it seems likely that every dish in the book will be worthy of acclaim.

Most-anticipated zero-waste cookbook

Author Alexis deBoschnek, who hosts BuzzFeed Tasty’s “Chef Out of Water” video series, walks readers through a step-by-step process of becoming more mindful about food purchasing and preparation, but the best part of “To the Last Bite” is, of course, the recipes that illustrate how to re-purpose every last scrap. While Publisher’s Weekly notes that deBoschnek’s recipe selection tends to be pretty heavy on vegetables, there are meat dishes as well, including spatchcock paprika chicken (the bones are saved for stock) and butter-basted lamb chops (the marinade includes herbs left over from a salad). Best of all are the recipes like her greens skillet pie as it allows you to use up any herbs in your fridge that need saving before they start growing mold.

Best low-ABV drinks book

Some of the recipes in “Drink Lightly” are based on liqueurs, some on wines, and some on low-proof spirits. Others are entirely alcohol-free. Each one, however, is flavorful, fun, and very photogenic, and we predict that this may be the breakout book that makes staying (relatively) sober something all the cool kids will be doing. As musician-turned-Oscar-winning filmmaker Questlove says of David’s book, it “does the perfect thing, which is to show us how to make our lives a little better, and it does it over and over again.”

Most-anticipated astrology-themed cookbook

“Margarita in Retrograde” features 4 different drinks for each sign, including a concoction of gin and lychee liqueur called the Miss Piggy Fan Club for sociable Geminis and a tequila/honey/pear drink called Sorry I Ghosted You for relationship-shy Sagittarians. We’re not sure how useful this book will be for home bartenders, since some of the drinks are made with trendy ingredients like star anise and liquid CBD in addition to fairly uncommon liqueurs. Still, this seems like the kind of cookbook that will make for a fun read, and it will look super-cool on your coffee table even if you never take it into the kitchen.

Most-anticipated anime-themed cookbook

As “The Unofficial Studio Ghibli Cookbook” means to recreate actual dishes featured in the films, it’s heavy on Japanese dishes such as gyoza dumplings, chicken yakitori, and katsudon. There are also a number of desserts, many of them inspired by the movie “Kiki’s Delivery Service” (Kiki, as you may recall, spent some time in a bakery.) As this movie is thought to be set in Sweden (or a Swedish-appearing setting, at any rate), the recipes include Swedish and other European pastries as well as Japanese ones. The cutest dish in the book is the shortbread decorated to look like Kiki’s black cat, Jiji, but even the dubious-sounding pumpkin and herring pie looks absolutely gorgeous. Even if you never cook a single dish, you’ll want to get lost in the lovely photos as you reminisce about your favorite Ghibli films.