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Food Processor Attachments Guide: What Each Blade Does

Most food processors come with an S-blade plus one or two discs — but knowing which attachment to reach for makes a significant difference in results. This guide explains what each blade and disc does, when to use it, and what it cannot do.

Core Attachments (Included with Most Models)

⚙S-Blade (Multipurpose Blade)

The S-blade (also called the double-blade, chopping blade, or multipurpose blade) is the standard blade that comes with every food processor. It sits on a center post in the bottom of the bowl and rotates to chop, mince, purée, and mix.

Best for

  • ✓Chopping onions, garlic, herbs, and vegetables
  • ✓Making hummus, pesto, salsa, and dips
  • ✓Puréeing soups or sauces
  • ✓Grinding nuts, seeds, or bread crumbs
  • ✓Making pastry dough (pulse technique)
  • ✓Mincing meat (when partially frozen)

Not for

Slicing or shredding vegetables into uniform pieces — use the appropriate disc instead.

Tips

Pulse in short bursts for chopping to avoid over-processing. Add liquid sparingly when making dips — the bowl fills from the bottom up, so less liquid than you think is needed.

🔲Shredding Disc

The shredding disc is a flat, circular plate with small holes or slots. It sits on the disc spindle above the bowl. Food fed through the feed tube lands on the spinning disc and is pushed through the holes, producing shredded strands.

Best for

  • ✓Shredding cabbage for coleslaw
  • ✓Shredding cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, Parmesan)
  • ✓Shredding carrots, beets, zucchini
  • ✓Shredding potatoes for hash browns
  • ✓Shredding apple or pear for baking

Not for

Soft or very ripe ingredients that collapse under the disc pressure; very hard cheeses like aged Parmesan shred better when hand-grated.

Tips

Feed ingredients upright through the feed tube for longer, more uniform shreds. Keep a light, steady pressure on the pusher — let the disc do the work. Chill the cheese for 15 minutes before shredding to firm it up.

🔪Slicing Disc

The slicing disc is a flat plate with a curved blade slot. It cuts food into thin, uniform slices as ingredients pass through the feed tube onto the spinning disc. Slice thickness is fixed on basic models or adjustable on premium ones.

Best for

  • ✓Slicing cucumbers, tomatoes, and onions
  • ✓Slicing potatoes for gratin or chips
  • ✓Slicing peppers, mushrooms, and zucchini
  • ✓Slicing apples or pears for tarts
  • ✓Slicing salami or soft deli meats

Not for

Very large or irregularly shaped items that do not fit through the feed tube; irregular shapes produce uneven slices.

Tips

Cut ingredients to fit snugly in the feed tube — they should be upright and stable for the most even slices. Use the feed tube pusher at a slow, steady pace; rushing creates uneven thickness.

Additional and Optional Discs

These attachments come with some models or are available as separate accessories. Check your brand's compatibility list before purchasing.

Dough Blade (Plastic Dough Hook)

A shorter, rounded plastic blade designed to mix and develop bread or pizza dough without overheating it. The plastic construction prevents the blade from overworking gluten the way metal blades would.

Best for: Bread dough, pizza dough, soft pastry dough, pasta dough

Not all food processors include a dough blade — check your model. Even without it, the S-blade can make pie crust using a pulse technique to avoid overdeveloping gluten.

Julienne Disc

A shredding-style disc with elongated slots that produces thin matchstick-shaped strips. Creates consistent julienne cuts much faster than knife work.

Best for: Julienned carrots, zucchini, beets, and cucumbers; stir-fry prep; Thai papaya salad

Usually sold separately. Check compatibility with your bowl size before purchasing.

French Fry / Waffle Disc

Cuts potatoes or other root vegetables into fry-shaped sticks (French fry disc) or waffle-cut slices (waffle disc). Produces uniform cuts far faster than hand cutting.

Best for: Homemade fries, waffle fries, sweet potato fries, beet chips

Usually sold separately; less common as a standard included attachment. Works best with uniform-diameter potatoes.

Egg Whip / Emulsifying Disc

A flat disc with whisk wires or a plastic blade designed to incorporate air into liquids. Less efficient than a stand mixer or hand mixer for whipping, but useful when a single bowl is needed.

Best for: Whipping cream (soft peaks), emulsifying vinaigrettes and mayonnaise

Not included with most consumer food processors. A blender or stand mixer handles whipping tasks more effectively.

Citrus Juicer Attachment

A cone-shaped reamer that attaches to the bowl or lid and extracts juice from halved citrus fruit. The juice collects in the bowl below.

Best for: Juicing oranges, lemons, limes, and grapefruits

Usually a separate add-on accessory. Many brands sell citrus press bowl inserts; verify compatibility before purchasing.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the S-blade used for?

The S-blade (also called the multipurpose or chopping blade) is the most versatile food processor attachment. It chops, minces, purées, and mixes. Common uses include chopping vegetables, making hummus and pesto, grinding nuts, and pulsing pastry dough. It is the default blade for most food processing tasks and comes standard with every food processor.

What is the difference between a shredding disc and a slicing disc?

A shredding disc has small perforations or holes that grate food into thin strands — like shredded cheese or coleslaw. A slicing disc has a blade slot that cuts food into flat, uniform slices — like potato gratin or cucumber rounds. Both sit on the disc spindle above the bowl; food is fed through the feed tube and processed as it passes over the spinning disc.

Do you need a dough blade, or can you use the S-blade for dough?

For pie crust and pastry, the metal S-blade works well using a pulse technique — short bursts prevent overworking the gluten and keep the fat in small pieces. For bread dough, the plastic dough blade is preferred because it handles the heavier, stickier dough without overheating the motor or over-developing the gluten. Many home bakers skip the dough blade and use a stand mixer for bread; the food processor excels at quick pastry doughs.

Are food processor discs universal across brands?

No — food processor discs are not universal. Disc compatibility depends on the bowl spindle size and shape, which varies by brand and sometimes by product line within the same brand. A disc purchased for a Cuisinart may not fit a KitchenAid, and even within one brand, older models may not accept discs designed for newer ones. Always check your model number and the attachment compatibility list before purchasing aftermarket or additional discs.

Why does my food processor have a plastic blade and a metal blade?

The metal S-blade is the multipurpose chopping and puréeing blade. The plastic blade (sometimes called the dough blade or plastic dough hook) is designed specifically for dough — it kneads and mixes dough without overworking the gluten the way a metal blade would. Some models also include a plastic blade for mixing dry ingredients. When in doubt about which to use, check your manual; using the wrong blade for dense dough can strain the motor on smaller machines.

What can you do with a julienne disc?

A julienne disc cuts vegetables into thin, matchstick-shaped strips — the kind of cut used in stir-fries, Thai papaya salad, and French-style salads. It produces uniform julienne cuts far faster than knife work. The julienne disc usually must be purchased separately; it is not standard with most consumer food processors. Verify compatibility with your specific bowl and spindle before ordering.

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