The best Macy's Big Home Sale kitchen deals, according to a pro baker — up to 65% off

This rainbow-hued knife set might look whimsical, but it means business. It comes with an 8-inch chef's knife, 8-inch slicing knife, 7-inch santoku knife, 5.5-inch serrated utility knife, 3.5-inch paring knife and blade guards for all. The stainless steel blades are encased in a nonstick ceramic coating to help keep food from sticking while you chop, and you'll get a manufacturer's lifetime warranty for peace of mind. At 65% off, this is a price slash worth snagging!

"How can looking at knives be fun?" mused a reviewer. "I don’t know, but these great colors make me happy. [The] knives are lightweight but very sturdy and do their job."

Good luck finding another air fryer for under $40 — much less one that's $22. This baby has circular heat technology and a stainless steel nonstick pan and crisping tray for oil-free frying. It's ideal for two to three people and can fit in the smallest of kitchens. 

"I absolutely love this air fryer. It is so easy to operate and clean," said a reviewer. "Food tastes amazing too. It's very lightweight and the size is perfect for leaving on the counter. It comes with a booklet with recipes as well. Food cooks amazingly fast, I would say in half the time."

I will keep buying Nordic Ware sheet pans until they stop making them; though they're so durable, it'll be a long time before I need to restock. My baked goods always come out evenly browned, and I've never experienced warping, thanks to their sturdy steel rims. Because they're made of aluminum, they're excellent heat conductors, but also cool very quickly once out of the oven. Plus, they won't rust! 

"I did research before buying these, and they were top-rated," wrote a content customer. "So far, I have been very happy. My cookies are coming out evenly baked and look so much better."

Whether you don't have the space for a large stand mixer, or would just rather not spend a ton of money on one, I'm here to tell you that most home baking tasks can be accomplished with an electric hand mixer. This one has beaters with a unique helix design, which provides more surface area for efficiency. Plus, it comes with two dough hooks for kneading bread, as well as a whisk attachment for whipping cream. Everything can be kept in the included storage case — so convenient!

"I am a big home baker, and my hand mixer finally died and [I] needed a new one," shared a reviewer. "This was a great choice. Love the coated beaters and the additional dough and whisk blades. Storage of everything is a great convenience and makes keeping everything together really easy. Got it and used it immediately. Absolutely meets all my baking needs, highly recommend!"

Is there anyone who embodies "effortless chic" like Ina Garten? (We all know the answer is no.) I can't tell you how many recipes from the Barefoot Contessa have become staples of mine, and who among us hasn't swooned over her impeccably stocked kitchen? The woman has excellent taste. The downside? Her gear often comes with a high price tag. That's why I was stunned to find that she's a fan of Anchor Hocking glass mixing bowls. This 15-piece set for just $33 includes one of the bowls, plus tons of other cooking essentials — baking dishes, pie dish, measuring cup and so much more. 

"I love Anchor Hocking glassware. I have used it for many many years. So far it is the best I’ve seen. It cleans easily and is durable for glass. I bake almost everything in it. My mom and grandmother always used it so I’m carrying on the tradition," wrote a shopper. 

Save space on your counter with this nifty 2-in-1 appliance, which is nice and compact, yet roomy enough to fit six slices of bread or a 12-inch pizza. Now you'll be able to enjoy your favorite crispy foods with little to no oil, and without having to wait for your big oven to preheat. Oh, and the sleek stainless steel design isn't too shabby, either. 

"Having the air fryer and the toaster oven in one appliance is handy," wrote an impressed buyer. "The air fryer isn’t as loud as our previous air fryer. And the cleanup for this air fryer is easier. It’s a good-looking unit ... All in all, this appliance works well."

Ninja blenders are incredibly sharp and powerful (and much less expensive than, say, a Vitamix). This one has 1100 watts of power, and there are two cups you can use to blend up all sorts of tasty concoctions. Use its 72-ounce blender jar for big batches of smoothies, soups and sauces; its 16-ounce Nutri Ninja Cups are ideal for smaller, personal-sized drinks (just pop on the lids to take them to go).

"I love my Ninja Blender," said one Macy's customer. "The motor is strong enough to last for years, and the blades are able to handle just about anything edible. It didn't hurt having the extra Ninja Cups included with the sale price!"

Serious home cooks looking for an all-encompassing knife set crafted by a highly respected brand won't do much better than this 14-piece stainless steel Henckels collection. It comes with 3-inch paring knives, a 5-inch serrated utility knife, 6-inch utility inife, 5-inch santoku knife, 8-inch bread knife, 8-inch chef's knife, six 4.8-inch steak knives and kitchen shears, as well as a sleek knife block for keeping everything stylishly contained. According to the brand, these blades never need sharpening!

More than 1,500 shoppers have given them five stars. "Best knives I've ever owned," gushed a fan. "I’m a home cook and let me tell you these knives are just simply amazing — and a fraction of the cost of other big brand knife companies and better quality. Henckels, you have a new lifelong customer."

If you prefer non-stick cookware, this cool-colored beauty is just begging to be displayed in your kitchen. The ceramic coating is made without PFAS and PFOA, and you'll get 1- and 2-quart saucepans, a 3-quart sauté pan, 5-quart casserole, 8- and 9.5-inch frypans and lids. The contoured stainless steel handles give everything a luxe appearance, but don't be fooled by their elegant looks — these pieces are oven-safe up to an impressive 600° F.

One happy home cook called this set a "cooking game-changer," adding, "I hadn't replaced any of my pots or pans in years and had no idea how old and outdated they were. Since I've been using this, I've haven't had to scrape or spend hours soaking to get my pan clean. If you're on the go and want something that's going to save you cleanup time, this is your pan!"

Our Yahoo Life senior editor— who happens to be an alum of the French Culinary Institute — went in search of the best cookware sets. Which one took the gold? That would be this Cuisinart stainless steel favorite, which happens to be marked down big-time at Macy's. Who doesn't love a sizzlin' sale? With two skillets, three pots and a steamer insert (hello, broccoli), you're ready for almost any cooking task. And at $260, it's truly a steal. All the pieces can go from stovetop to oven and can even withstand a blast under the broiler.

"I haven’t used stainless steel cookware in many years and recently decided to replace my entire cookware set with this product. It’s everything I expected. Sturdy construction, easy to handle, looks great and is very easily washed up if done according to care directions," shared a shopper. 

Le Creuset is pretty much the gold standard in bakeware, beloved by renowned chefs (including one Barefoot Contessa!) for durable, enameled cast iron cookware that stands up to high heat and the test of time. The Round Wide Dutch Oven, now $150 off, is one of my regular go-tos for perfecting saucy pastas, chicken dishes and stews — and it adds a pop of color to my counter, stove and tabletop.

"Le Creuset may be expensive, but take it from experience, nothing compares to the quality and beauty of Le Creuset," said a loyal fan. "I have many pieces and the round-wide Dutch oven is special. I love the width because I can brown more food at one time without crowding, and overall it gives me a wide-open view of what's going on inside.