Science & Tech · AI · 33 mins ago
NYT Cooking’s AI assistant offers recipe changes, with some risks
NYT Cooking has introduced an AI assistant in its recipe app.
At launch, the feature is available to subscribers using iOS.
It can answer questions about adapting recipes, including ingredient substitutions, equipment alternatives and serving sizes.
The assistant was trained on reader comments, which can offer practical tips from people who have cooked the recipes.
In testing, it helped with changes to a chicken dish, but nearly suggested using half the required butter in a cake, showing that its advice needs checking.
It creates a modified recipe without changing the original, so users can keep the tested version intact.
NYT Cooking introduced an AI assistant that lets subscribers adapt recipes in the iOS app.
The assistant can suggest ingredient substitutions and cooking guidance, and can create a modified recipe without changing the original.
A Verge reviewer found it useful for adapting a chicken recipe but said it nearly led her to use too little butter in a cake.
The tool was available to subscribers on iOS only at launch.
Some NYT Cooking users and recipe purists are skeptical of the feature.
- Who
- The New York Times introduced the assistant for NYT Cooking subscribers.
- What
- An AI assistant offers changes to recipes, including substitutions and adjustments for dietary needs or serving sizes.
- When
- It was available at launch by November 7, 2026. The exact launch date is not stated.
- Where
- In the NYT Cooking app on iOS.
- Why
- It is intended to help users adapt recipes to their needs, including by suggesting ingredient substitutions.
NYT Cooking assistant supporters
NYT Cooking users and recipe purists skeptical of the assistant
Practicality
NYT Cooking assistant supporters
The reviewer found the assistant helpful for substitutions and cooking guidance.
NYT Cooking users and recipe purists skeptical of the assistant
Some users and recipe purists are skeptical of the tool.
Reliability
NYT Cooking assistant supporters
The reviewer said it provided practical advice, while noting it nearly suggested using half the required butter in a cake.
NYT Cooking users and recipe purists skeptical of the assistant
The source does not give specific reasons for the skeptics’ concerns.
NYT Cooking introduced the assistant for subscribers on iOS only.
A Verge reviewer tested the assistant and found it useful, though it nearly led her to use half the required butter in a cake.
The reviewer used the assistant while adapting a chicken and rice recipe.
- Availability
- Subscribers on iOS only at launch
- Recipe changes
- Creates a new modified recipe and leaves the original unchanged
- Training
- The assistant was trained on user comments
- Example request
- Scale a recipe to feed seven people and make it vegan and gluten-free
- Reviewer’s cake concern
- The assistant nearly led her to use half the required butter
What people are saying
It doesn’t change the existing recipe; it leaves it as is and creates a new one for you
I’ve used several AI tools in my kitchen and have found them mostly helpful.