12 Cookbooks We Loved in 2025

It’s the most wonderful time of the year… you know, when we round up all of the fantastic books we’ve featured in our Cookbook Club since January.

We’ve had the pleasure of featuring books that span the globe, from Nigeria to India and back again. We’ve gotten into the art of sandwich-making, the art of entertaining and even the art of cooking over an open flame.

Looking for cooking inspiration for the holidays and into 2026? Look no further. These page-turners are bound to provide endless ideas, recipes and tricks. (And if you aren’t following our HexClad recipes Insta, you’re missing out. Find more inspiration and book info there.)

1. AfriCali: Recipes from My Jikoni by Kiano Moju

You won’t know where to start with this incredible book: It’s packed with mouthwatering recipes that blend the bold, comforting flavors of author and recipe developer Kiano Moju's Kenyan and Nigerian heritage with the fresh, sun-soaked influence of her California upbringing.

2. Classic Indian Recipes by Chetna Makan

This collection of 75 sumptuous dishes highlights the diverse cuisine of YouTuber Chetna Makan's home country, from snacky chaats like Smashed Alu Tikki (fried potato cutlets) to quick chicken dinners like Korma-Style Chicken Curry. 

3. All I Think About Is Food by Mamrie Hart

New York Times bestselling author, comedian and co-host of the popular podcast "This Might Get Weird" Mamrie Hart’s cookbook may be entirely meat-free–but it’s far from flavor-free. The recipes are favorites she’s honed over years of hosting dinner parties for omnivorous friends.

4. Sama Sama by Julie Lin 

In this highly personal cookbook, restaurateur and TV presenter Julie Lin celebrates all parts of her Malaysian, Chinese and Scottish heritage with the throughline that food is what unites all of us. Recipes like her Garlic Udon in Sesame and Chili Oil are as comforting as they are flavor-forward.

5. Best of the Bowl by Kirsten Deneka 

Twenty-five-year-old home chef, content creator and author Kirsten Deneka started cooking at 12 and taught herself new recipes she found on Pinterest. Her debut cookbook features her signature blend of comfort food with a healthy twist. 

6. Barbecue: Smoked & Grilled Recipes from Across the Globe by Hugh Mangum

Mighty Quinn’s Barbecue co-founder Hugh Mangum's “love letter to fire and smoke” is impressive in both breadth and depth, but for the uninitiated, it also offers plenty of approachable recipes to kickstart your grilling and smoking journey.  

7. Kitchen Kickstart by Sam Holland

Social media-famous chef Sam Holland’s cookbook is perfect for anyone moving out of home for the first time: It’s packed with simple, affordable and seriously delicious recipes like the ultimate cheese sauce for lasagna, a 15-minute Thai curry or even a last-minute birthday cake for your best friend. 

8. Eat Small Plates by Ben and Zikki Siman-Tov

Baker, cook and cookbook author Ben Siman-Tov (better known to his legions of social media fans as @BenGingi) and his wife Zikki Siman-Tov embrace the concept of eating small plates not as a restaurant fad, but as a traditional Middle Eastern way to host friends and family, with plenty of tips and tricks on how to throw a great dinner party.

9. Idiot Sandwich by Gordon Ramsay and Courtney McBroom

Chef Gordon Ramsay knows we’re in a golden age of sandwiches. He writes in his new cookbook, Idiot Sandwich, inspired by the YouTube show of the same name, “As a chef, I know there’s nothing–and I mean nothing–that tastes better than a sandwich you make yourself after service.” Here, he offers more than 100 recipes that taste great between bread.

10. What to Cook and When to Cook It by Georgie Mullen

Known to her social media fans as @georgieeats, chef Georgie Mullen worked in restaurant kitchens before striking out on her own and making simple, sustainable recipes online. Her plant-focused cookbook features 120 recipes that make eating seasonally a snap. (Think: peach panzanella salad, or leek and butterbean gratin.)

11. Party People: A Cookbook for Creative Celebrations by Brie Larson & Courtney McBride

Actor Brie Larson and former Momofuku Milk Bar culinary director Courtney McBroom are pals IRL and love nothing more than throwing a party. Their book is full of recipes and ideas for party menus, drinks of all sorts (including Jell-O shots) and festive snacks and mains that are actually doable.

12. Bubala by Marc Summers

Chef Marc Summers’s cookbook is inspired by his popular London restaurants of the same name. The 100 vegetarian recipes within take their inspiration from Middle Eastern flavors and sound just as delicious as they taste. (Burnt butter hummus, anyone?)

Ready to get cooking? Simply page through one of these books and your kitchen will be calling.