Celebrities usually rise to fame thanks to their talents in acting, music, athletics, comedy, or art. Some stars even have multiple talents—think of all the wrestlers who have gone on to have successful acting careers or EGOT winners who have conquered stage, screen, and song. 

Those enviable talents can also extend to the kitchen. There are an astounding number of celebrities who have their very own cookbooks. Many of these star-studded recipe collections also include personal stories and fun anecdotes, adding some entertainment to the instructions. Since variety is the spice of life, our list of the best celebrity cookbooks includes a diverse selection of celebrities and cuisines.

Let’s start with a chef who needs no introduction—but I’ll give him one anyway. Gordan Ramsay opened his first restaurant back in 1998. Since then, he’s earned 17 Michelin stars, written 26 books, hosted 15 reality TV shows (and appeared in many more), and currently owns or operates 90 restaurants around the world. He even has three video games to his name. 

Though he’s well known for his fiery personality and penchant for creative insults, Gordon Ramsay is an excellent teacher to those just learning how to cook and those wanting to improve their kitchen skills. This shines through in his cookbook “Gordon Ramsay Quick and Delicious” with his realistic approach to delicious food with everyday ingredients. It’s a great resource for home cooks with limited time, as each of the 100 recipes is designed to be made in just half an hour. In addition to plenty of tasty dishes, the book includes practical tips and tricks to ensure that you won’t have a kitchen nightmare. 

The Details: 100 recipes; published in 2020; 377 pages; available in hardcover and e-reader formats

Many celebrities have awards and accolades, but few have a storied career spanning over half a century—and fewer still have their very own theme park. Dolly Parton is an American icon with a singer-songwriter career so successful that she’s been inducted into 18 different Halls of Fame for her music. 

Along with her sister Rachel, Dolly brings that wonderful Southern charm to her cookbook, “Good Lookin’ Cookin’.” True to the title, the eye-catching hardcover book is worthy of a prime spot on the coffee table. Of course, the recipes are the true stars here. You’ll find plenty of American comfort foods in the collection, as well as multi-course menus, hosting tips, and even more of that famed Parton wit. 

The Details: 80+ recipes; published in 2024; 272 pages; available in hardcover, spiral-bound, e-reader, and audio-book formats

It should come as no surprise that an actor who played Julia Child’s husband in a film is quite the foodie off-screen, too. Stanley Tucci has two cookbooks (“The Tucci Table” and the “Tucci Cookbook”), a memoir called “What I Ate In One Year,” as well as a whole cookware line. 

Tucci’s Italian heritage is front and center in the collection of family-friendly recipes. There are classic Italian dishes, including pasta alla bottarga and risotto cakes, and some American favorites, such as barbecue chicken wings and chicken noodle soup. Tucci even includes recipes from some of his famous friends. It’s a clean and informative cookbook ideal for any foodie family. 

The Details: Published in 2014; 256 pages; available in paperback, hardcover, spiral-bound, and e-reader formats

Ina Garten made her mark on the American culinary scene under the name of the Barefoot Contessa, which was the name of her specialty food store in New York. Over the years, she’s used the Barefoot Contessa name as the title of several bestselling cookbooks, her Food Network cooking show, and even her own food line. 

“Modern Comfort Food” is one of her most popular cookbooks (which is saying something since she has a dozen of them). “Comfort foods are often the dishes that transcend cultures and borders,” Garten says in the book’s introduction. As such, you’ll find a delightful variety of food in the cookbook, including shrimp and linguine fra diavolo, cheesy chicken enchiladas, split pea soup with crispy kielbasa, and English roasted potatoes. 

The Details: 85 recipes; published in 2020; 256 pages; available in hardcover, spiral-bound, and e-reader formats

After I showed my mother the video of Snoop Dogg narrating a scene from “Planet Earth,” she became obsessed with him. So much so that she got me his cookbook for Christmas. It’s a colorful and punny book filled with Snoopisms, very approachable cooking tips, and pantry staples. 

In Snoop’s own words, he’s not “the most adventurous, Anthony Bourdain-type when it comes to grub.” The recipes in this collection draw on the rapper’s love of Jamaican, Southern, and Americana foods that are easy to prepare but still bursting with flavor. Highlights include Cinnamon Rollin’, Hot Like a Skillet Pizza, Baby Got Back Ribs, and, of course, Go Shorty, It’s Your Birthday Cake. It’s a fantastic gift for any Snoop Dogg fan or new cooks who don’t want hoity-toity recipes. If you love it, be sure to check out his follow-up cookbook—“Goon with the Spoon.”

The Details: 50 recipes; published in 2018; 192 pages; available in hardcover and e-reader formats

Reba McEntire has done it all—she has a country music legacy, a successful acting career, owns a few businesses, and is a beloved TV personality. Now, the Queen of Country is also an author. “Not That Fancy” is part cookbook, part memoir. There are over 60 country recipes in the book sourced from her family, friends, and her own restaurant—Reba’s Place. There are appetizers, mains, sides, desserts, and even delicious cocktails. Each recipe even has a difficulty rating scale, so you know what you’re getting into. 

The feel-good book contains behind-the-scenes tidbits from her professional life, as well as heartwarming stories from her time growing up in Oklahoma. Who would love this book? Reba herself has the answer in the intro: “So if you’re looking to slow down, get back to basics, and have a heckuva lot of fun, I think we’re going to have a good time together in these pages.”

The Details: 60+ recipes; published in 2023; 288 pages; available in hardcover, audio book, and e-reader formats

My brother introduced me to the “Queer Eye” reboot, and we bonded over the show instantly. When he graduated college and started cooking his own meals, I knew exactly what to get him. Food and drink expert Antoni Porowski brought his trademark encouragement from the screen to his cookbook “Antoni in the Kitchen.” 

The warm and enthusiastic narration guides cooks through 104 recipes, ranging from simple (like pasta with sausage, lemon, and parsley) to upscale (such as rosemary pork tenderloin with maple-bourbon onion jam). The following Christmas, I gave my brother Antoni’s second cookbook—“Let’s Do Dinner.” I genuinely think these books made him quite the talented home cook. 

The Details: 104 recipes; published in 2019; 272 pages; available in hardcover, spiral-bound, and e-reader formats

When you look at Danny Trejo, what do you see? A badass Hollywood actor who’s been in more than 300 films? A former boxing champion? How about a tough but compassionate NA and AA sponsor? Be sure you add “savvy restauranteur and chef” to that impressive list. 

There are 75 recipes in “Trejo’s Tacos,” many of which are, of course, tacos, but there are also instructions for burritos, donuts, sauces, cocktails, and more. In between the delicious dishes and colorful photography, Trejo writes candidly about his life in LA and how Mexican food plays a big part in his memories. If you want to double up on a gift, the star also wrote “Trejo’s Cantina,” which is all about cocktails, mocktails, and snacks. 

The Details: 75 recipes; published in 2020; 224 pages; available in hardcover, paperback, and e-reader formats

There’s something incredibly warm and wholesome about a homecooked meal, and few people exude that same energy quite like the Pioneer Woman. Ree Drummond started her blog on a whim back in 2006; since then, she’s written several cookbooks, hosted a Food Network TV show, and launched a successful line of home and kitchen products. 

“The Pioneer Woman Cooks—Dinner’s Ready” is an ideal cookbook for those who love to cook at home but may not have that much time for it. The recipes focus on speed and simplicity without skimping on flavor. It’s broken down into chapters, each with fun titles, including Flavorful Fridge Grabs, Pasta for President, Winner Winner Chicken Dinners, and Spiffy Sides. 

The Details: 112 recipes; published in 2023; 384 pages; available in hardcover and e-reader formats

Chrissy Teigen is known for many things: her signature wit, her modeling career, co-hosting Lip Sync Battle, being married to John Legend, and the list could go on and on. She’s also incredibly well-known for being a big foodie. 

“All Together” is the third installment in her “Cravings” cookbook series. There are over 80 recipes inside, including savory soups, party-pleasing snacks, an entire chapter dedicated to potatoes, Thai favorites, hearty dinners, and delicious desserts. 

The Details: 80+ recipes; published in 2021; 256 pages; available in hardcover and e-reader formats

While many of the celebs on this list rose to fame through traditional media like films, television, or music, Claire Saffitz made her mark on the internet. Her “Gourmet Makes” YouTube videos recreated beloved candies and treats in an upscale test kitchen. Audiences fell in love with her determination and humor.

Her debut cookbook, “Dessert Person,” is an award-winning New York Times bestseller, and it’s easy to see why. In addition to the scrumptious recipes, eye-catching photography, and clean layout, Saffitz includes difficulty ratings and time expectations for each entry. Some highlights include cranberry-pomegranate mousse pie, double-apple crumble cake, oat and pecan brittle cookies, honey tahini challah, and walnut-maple buns.

The Details: 100+ recipes; published in 2020; 368 pages; available in hardcover, spiral-bound, and e-reader formats

Long before Gordon Ramsay arrived on the scene, the “bad boy” of the culinary world was Anthony Bourdain. In fact, Bourdain once called himself a “bad-tempered Ina Garten.” Despite his legendary standing in the wide world of food—spanning TV shows, documentaries, and memoirs—the chef only wrote two cookbooks: “Les Halles” and “Appetites.” 

“Appetites” contains 115 recipes from around the world, allowing you to enjoy a variety of cultures in your own home kitchen. Bourdain writes with his trademark bluntness and dry humor (with a peppering of profanity), focusing on practicality without shying away from quality or adventurousness. 

The Details: 115 recipes; published in 2016; 304 pages; available in hardcover, spiral-bound, and e-reader formats

You could say this next cookbook is a slam dunk. Basketball superstar Shaquille O’Neal has his very own cookbook, focused on feeding a whole family or a gathering of friends. The Hall of Famer guides readers through 80 comfort food recipes while giving helpful advice along the way. Shaq encourages the cooks to make each recipe their own. 

Some tasty highlights include slow-cooker mac n’ cheese (aka Li’l Shaq’s Easy Mac), sheet pan barbecue chicken thighs with sweet potato bake, smash burgers with jalapeño-pimento cheese, loaded potato waffles, and Shaq’s favorite dessert of all time, banana pudding. 

The Details: 80 recipes; published in 2022; 240 pages; available in hardcover, spiral-bound, and e-reader formats

Millions of people fell in love with Nadiya Hussain during her run on “The Great British Bakeoff.” After being crowned the winner, she was launched into baking superstardom. Hussain has hosted several culinary mini-series and has written a whopping 17 books—nine of which are cookbooks. 

“Nadiya Bakes” is based on her BBC series of the same name, and features a delightful variety of baked goods—both sweet and savory. Want a few samples? There are recipes for upside-down key lime cupcakes, orange and lemongrass meringue pie, raspberry amaretti cookies, rose harissa rugelach, and spicy chickpea crispbreads. 

The Details: 100+ recipes; published in 2021; 256 pages; available in hardcover and e-reader formats

It should come as no surprise to see Rachael Ray on this list. The iconic television personality has been teaching people how to cook since the late 90s, encouraging anyone and everyone to develop skills in the kitchen. Her trademark charm and enthusiasm come across well in her cookbooks—all 27 of them.

Part memoir, part cookbook, “Rachael Ray 50: Memories and Meals from a Sweet and Savory Life,” reflects on half a century of her busy life, sharing both personal stories and professional anecdotes. There are 25 heartwarming essays and 125 all-new recipes (think about that for a second: 27 popular cookbooks, and her latest has 125 all-new recipes.) Whichever dish you decide to make, you’ll certainly say, “Yum-o!” 

The Details: 125 recipes; published in 2019; 336 pages; available in hardcover and e-reader formats

Ayesha Curry hit the ground running at 12 and hasn’t slowed down since. She’s been an actress, blogger, spokesperson, businesswoman, YouTube cook, TV host and judge, and philanthropist—among more personal achievements such as marrying basketballer Steph Curry and being a mom of four. 

“The Full Plate” feels like an incredibly appropriate title given her busy (and impressive) schedule. The cookbook focuses on practical tips, quick dishes, and family-friendly recipes for people with hectic lives. 

Why Take Our Word for It?

Allison Wignall is a writer for Allrecipes and someone who greatly appreciates a good cookbook. When she first started cooking for herself, she would just throw ingredients together all willy-nilly, and rarely broke outside her culinary comfort zone. After she received a few cookbooks as presents, her cooking skills and palate greatly expanded.