Apple News+ Food Section: A Deep Dive into Features and Its Place Among Recipe Apps

In April 2025, Apple rolled out the Apple News+ Food section with the iOS 18.4 and iPadOS 18.4 updates, expanding its News+ subscription service to include a dedicated hub for culinary content. This new feature integrates recipes, restaurant reviews, kitchen tips, and food-related stories from top publishers, positioning Apple as a fresh contender in the crowded recipe app market. Below, we explore the features of Apple News+ Food, how it stacks up against existing recipe apps, and what sets it apart, all while keeping a neutral lens on its offerings.

Overview of Apple News+ Food

Apple News+ Food is accessible exclusively to Apple News+ subscribers ($12.99/month) or those with the premier tier of Apple One ($37.95/month), though select recipes and stories are available to non-subscribers. The section is integrated into the Apple News app on iPhone and iPad, with no current support on macOS Sequoia 15.4. It launched in the U.S., U.K., Canada, and Australia, featuring content from over 30 publishers, including Allrecipes, Bon Appétit, Food & Wine, Serious Eats, and Southern Living, among others. Apple claims the section offers “tens of thousands of recipes,” with new ones added daily, alongside curated stories on dining, healthy eating, and kitchen essentials.

Key Features of Apple News+ Food

1. Recipe Catalog and Search Functionality
   The Recipe Catalog is the heart of the Food section, housing a vast library of recipes. Users can browse by categories like “Weeknight Chicken Dinners,” “Popular Recipes,” or publisher-specific collections. A search bar allows queries by recipe title, ingredient, or keyword, while robust filters—such as “Dinner,” “Vegetarian,” “Under 30 Minutes,” or “Vegan”—help narrow results. Filters can be combined, and the app displays the number of recipes matching the selected criteria. However, searches are most effective with single ingredients or broad terms, as multi-ingredient queries (e.g., “kale, apple, dates”) may yield limited results.
2. Curated Content and Editorial Picks
   Apple News editors curate a daily featured recipe and food-related stories, displayed prominently in the Today feed or the Food section under the Following tab. These curated picks include restaurant reviews, kitchen tool guides, and healthy eating tips, adding depth beyond recipes. The editorial approach ensures a polished, clutter-free experience, contrasting with the often ad-heavy interfaces of recipe websites.
3. Cook Mode and Recipe Interface
   Recipes are presented in a clean, ad-free format with clear ingredient lists and step-by-step instructions. A standout feature is Cook Mode, which displays instructions full-screen, one step at a time, keeping the screen brightly lit to avoid unlocking during cooking. Users must swipe to advance steps, as voice commands via Siri are not supported, which could be inconvenient with messy hands. Additional interactivity includes tappable timers (e.g., clicking “30 minutes” to start a timer) and ingredient references that highlight quantities needed for each step.
4. Saved Recipes and Offline Access
   Users can save recipes to a dedicated Saved Recipes section, accessible via the Recipe Catalog or Following tab. Saved recipes are available offline, provided users enable automatic downloads in Settings > Apps > News > Automatic Downloads > Food & Recipes. This feature is handy for cooking without an internet connection, though there’s no integration with shopping list apps like Reminders.
5. Personalized Recommendations
   The more users interact with the Food section, the more tailored their recommendations become. Recent searches are logged for quick access, and the app suggests recipes based on browsing history. However, it lacks advanced personalization like AI-driven meal planning or dietary preference syncing seen in some competitors.

How Apple News+ Food Compares to Recipe Apps

The recipe app market is highly competitive, with established players like Yummly, Allrecipes, Tasty, Paprika, and Kitchen Stories dominating. These apps, many of which are free with premium upgrades, offer features like meal planning, grocery list integration, and community-driven content. Apple News+ Food enters this space with a subscription-only model (except for limited free content), which may deter users accustomed to free alternatives. Here’s how it measures up:

• Content Scope and Sources
  Unlike apps like Yummly or Tasty, which aggregate recipes from across the web or user submissions, Apple News+ Food relies solely on its 30+ publisher partners. This curated approach ensures high-quality, professionally vetted recipes but limits variety compared to apps that scrape blogs or social media. For example, Tasty boasts over 10,000 recipes with video guides, while Cookpad emphasizes user-generated content. Apple’s focus on premium publishers aligns more closely with The New York Times’ recipe library, though the latter isn’t part of News+.
• Feature Set
  Apple News+ Food excels in its clean, distraction-free interface and Cook Mode, which rivals the step-by-step modes in Tasty or Kitchen Stories. However, it lacks features like grocery list syncing (available in Paprika and Yummly), adjustable serving sizes (found in Tasty and Kitchen Stories), or AI-driven recipe suggestions based on pantry ingredients (offered by Yummly and Tasty’s “Botatouille”). The absence of social features, like sharing creations or community tips, also sets it apart from apps like Cookpad or Allrecipes, which foster user interaction.
• Accessibility and Cost
  Most recipe apps offer free tiers with optional subscriptions for premium features (e.g., Yummly’s personalized meal plans or Cookpad’s Premium Search). Apple News+ Food requires a News+ or Apple One subscription, making it less accessible for users solely seeking recipes. However, for existing subscribers, it’s a value-add, bundling recipes with news, puzzles, and games.
• Integration with Ecosystems
  Apple News+ Food is tightly integrated into the Apple ecosystem, leveraging the News app’s infrastructure and offline capabilities. This contrasts with standalone apps like Paprika, which sync across platforms but require separate purchases for iOS and Windows. However, competitors like Yummly are advancing smart kitchen integrations (e.g., with smart ovens), an area where Apple currently lags.

What Sets Apple News+ Food Apart

Several elements distinguish Apple News+ Food from its competitors:

1. Publisher-Driven Content
   By partnering with reputable food publications, Apple ensures a curated, high-quality recipe library free of the “SEO slop” common on recipe websites. This focus on trusted sources like Bon Appétit and Serious Eats appeals to users seeking reliable, professionally crafted recipes.
2. Seamless News Integration
   Unlike standalone recipe apps, Apple News+ Food combines recipes with food-related journalism, such as restaurant reviews and kitchen tool guides. This holistic approach caters to food enthusiasts interested in both cooking and dining culture, similar to The New York Times’ bundled offerings.
3. Clutter-Free Design
   The ad-free, streamlined recipe interface, with features like tappable timers and ingredient highlights, prioritizes usability. This addresses a common pain point with recipe websites, where ads and pop-ups often disrupt the cooking experience.
4. Editorial Curation
   Apple’s editorial team handpicks daily recipes and stories, offering a guided experience that contrasts with the algorithm-driven feeds of apps like Yummly or Allrecipes. This human touch adds a layer of polish, though it may feel less dynamic for users who prefer endless scrolling.

Limitations to Consider

While Apple News+ Food offers a polished experience, it has gaps compared to competitors. The lack of grocery list integration, adjustable serving sizes, or multi-ingredient search limits its utility for meal planning. Additionally, its subscription model may not appeal to users who prefer free apps with optional upgrades. The absence of community features or video tutorials (common in Tasty and Kitchen Stories) could also disappoint users seeking interactive or visual guidance. Finally, its exclusivity to iPhone and iPad (no macOS or cross-platform support) restricts accessibility compared to apps like Paprika or Recipe Keeper.

Conclusion

Apple News+ Food is a compelling addition to the News+ ecosystem, offering a curated, ad-free hub for recipes and food content from top publishers. Its strengths lie in its clean design, editorial curation, and integration with the broader News app, making it a unique blend of culinary and journalistic content. However, it faces stiff competition from recipe apps like Yummly, Tasty, and Paprika, which offer more robust features like grocery syncing, AI-driven suggestions, and cross-platform support, often at a lower or no cost. For News+ subscribers, the Food section is a valuable perk, but standalone recipe apps remain more versatile for dedicated home cooks. As Apple continues to refine this feature, future updates could bridge these gaps, potentially reshaping its place in the recipe app market.