Quick answer: Tap Add (+) → Scan recipe image, choose Automatic (AI) or Manual, snap or select up to two photos, then Save. CookBook reads the images, fills in the title, ingredients, and steps, and lets you edit anything before saving.
What you can scan
- Cookbooks and magazines
- Hand-written family recipe cards
- Phone screenshots or photos
- PDFs (pick which page)
- Drag-and-drop images (Web App)
Automatic AI scan 📸
- Add (+) → Scan recipe image → Automatic → Scan recipe
- Pick Camera, Library (max 2 images), PDF, File, or Drag & drop (web app only)
- After a few seconds you’ll see a preview (title, servings, times, ingredients, instructions).
- Happy? Tap Save → edit any details → Save again.
- Want to start over? Tap Delete and rescan.
Manual scan ✂️
Choose Manual if you need total control:
- Add (+) → Scan recipe image → Manual
- Pick Camera, Library (max 5 images), PDF, File, or Drag & drop (web app only). Tap the
button in the bottom left corner to add more
- Tap the Select Text button to add a new recipe section. Resize or move boxes as needed.
- Do this for all sections you wish to select for your recipe. NOTE: If you have ingredients or steps in two columns, you will need to make two selections (one of each column)
- Once you have finished selecting all areas, tap Scan → preview appears → Save or Delete to tweak selections.
- Finish edits, add tags or photos, and tap Save.
Quick tips for crisp results
- Lay pages completely flat (without any bow/bend) and shoot a straight, well-lit photo - shadows and curves confuse the scanner
- The scanner stores original images in the recipe for reference.
- Ingredients in two columns? Make two separate selections in Manual mode.