Top 5 Must-Have Cookbooks for Summer 2025 — Flavor, Health & Hearty Eats
Delicious doesn’t have to mean complicated—these top cookbooks bring bold flavor, better health, and serious kitchen wins to every table.
📖 1. More Is More by Molly Baz
Molly Baz’s More Is More is a vibrant celebration of bold flavors and big-hearted cooking that invites you to enjoy every bite with confidence and joy. It’s perfect for those who want rich taste without complexity.
Why it's a hit:
Bold flavor, playful style: A Caterer review says she “takes something ordinary and makes it extraordinary,” like sassy dolmas or red-curry wings coated in peanuts & coriander
Fun formats: Readers love QR-code audio/video guides, and vibrant visuals encourage you to cook
Health angle: Encourages using real ingredients—fresh citrus, herbs, peppers—vaulting nutritional value; not about deprivation, but generous seasoning and real produce.
Appeals to men: Big proteins, bold spices, comfort-food riffs (like garlic bread and spiked mayo), and hearty, satisfying meals.
Get your copy here: More Is More by Molly Baz (amazon.com)
🍞 2. Bread Head by Greg Wade
Bread Head is a masterclass in artisanal bread baking, balancing tradition and science. Greg Wade makes sourdough approachable and rewarding, perfect for anyone wanting to dive deep into craft baking.
Why it's climbing the charts:
Artisanal, hands-on bread: Focuses on slow fermentation and regional grains—crafting loaves with live cultures for improved digestion.
Wellness perks: Sourdough techniques reduce phytates and gluten sensitivity; whole-grain options offer fiber and micronutrients.
Why bro-types love it: Fire up your inner baker—the kneading, scoring, and results-oriented process is satisfying and pleasantly manly.
Get your copy here: Bread Head by Greg Wade (amazon.com)
🥬 3. Tenderheart by Hetty Lui McKinnon
Tenderheart offers nourishing and comforting vegetarian dishes that feel hearty and satisfying, ideal for those who want to embrace veggies without sacrificing flavor or fullness.
Rave reviews:
Critically acclaimed: Called “a love letter to vegetables,” celebrated by Nigella Lawson, Molly Yeh, and Bon Appétit
Home cook successes: Goodreads reviewers say they “made three recipes in a week…and they’re all great”
Health benefits: Plant-rich focus reduces meat intake, improves satiety, and supports fiber and nutrient goals.
Guys dig it too: Comfort-forward veggie meals—like cheesy rice bakes and flavorful winter stews—offer hearty, satisfying wholesomeness without gimmicks.
Get your copy here: Tenderheart by Hetty Lui McKinnon (amazon.com)
🔥 4. Start Here by Sohla El‑Waylly
Start Here is a fantastic guide for home cooks eager to build kitchen confidence and master essential techniques, blending flavor, skill, and sustainability.
Praised for:
Kitchen-school in a book: Epicurious calls it a “choose‑your‑own‑adventure style of cooking” full of technique and personality
Real digestible reviews: Beginners post wins like “best fried egg ever” and “Hainanese chicken rice MASSIVE SUCCESS”
Smart & healthy cooking: Teaches low-oil searing, proper emulsions, vegetable-forward sides—and how to cook with less waste.
Why men will love it: Covers global comfort food, protein-centric recipes, and practical skills—plus the confidence-building appeals to anyone who loves mastery and flavor.
Get your copy here: Start Here by Sohla El‑Waylly (amazon.com)
🌍 5. Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat: Mastering the Elements of Good Cooking by Samin Nosrat
In Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat, Samin Nosrat reveals the essential elements that create delicious food, empowering cooks to understand and master these fundamentals for truly great cooking.
Why it stands out:
Foundational approach: Focuses on mastering salt, fat, acid, and heat to bring out the best flavors in any dish.
Health-conscious: Teaches balance and simplicity using fresh, whole ingredients that promote wholesome meals.
Universally loved: Samin’s warm storytelling and easy-to-follow guidance make it perfect for cooks of all levels, with recipes designed to please everyone at the table.
Get your copy here: Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat by Samin Nosrat (amazon.com)
✅ Summary Table
Title: More Is More
Flavor Vibe: Maximalist, bold, fun
Health Highlights: Fresh herbs, real fats, balanced seasoning
Why Everyone Loves It: Protein-rich & party-ready
Title: Bread Head
Flavor Vibe: Artisan, slow fermented
Health Highlights: Whole-grain fiber & gut-friendly sourdough
Why Everyone Loves It: Craftsmanship & hands-on process
Title: Tenderheart
Flavor Vibe: Veggie-first comfort food
Health Highlights: Plant-based nourishment, low in processed food
Why Everyone Loves It: Hearty without heavy meats
Title: Start Here
Flavor Vibe: Technical, global, confident
Health Highlights: Reduced waste, precise technique, balanced cooking
Why Everyone Loves It: Skill-building & flavor mastery
Title: Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat
Flavor Vibe: Balanced, foundational, versatile
Health Highlights: Fresh ingredients, mindful seasoning, balanced fats
Why Everyone Loves It: Empowers cooks with essential techniques for flavorful, wholesome meals anyone can master