Step away from the energy-inefficient, hard-to-clean oven, people – the toaster oven is where it’s at! These nifty little ovens may be small, but they are mighty.
Not just for magicking bread into our favorite breakfast edible (toast), what if we told you that you could cook in it, too? From breakfasts to baked goods – even a Sunday roast! – the toaster oven does it all.
Cooking has never been easier! Don’t believe us? Check out these 12 recipes to prove we’ve got your back.
Before You Start…
Before delving into the wonderful world of toaster oven cooking, there are a few things you should know.
Proper-Sized Pans
For one thing, these ovens are mini, so they ain’t going to fit your big ol’ sheet pan. Look out for mini sheet pans, baking dishes, and roasting tins. 1lb loaf tins are a great buy, and half-batch muffin tins are a must-have.
Hacks and Tweaks
These mini ovens are just that – a compacted regular oven. But they’re smaller, thinner and lighter, and sit on your countertop. Make sure you keep little ones far away while in use and be careful – the casing will be red hot.
Your bakes will also be closer to the cooking element, which you’ll need to watch out for. Too close for too long, and your toaster oven recipe could end up burnt on top.
But don’t worry, there’s an easy solution to counter a potentially overdone mix. If your bake is golden brown but there are still a few minutes left on the timer, quickly take it out. Cover the top in foil, and then put it back in for the full time.
A Toaster Oven
You might have clicked this post because you’re cooking for one (or two). Or maybe you’re setting up your tiny kitchen in your tiny home. Whatever the reason, another thing you’ll need is your trusty toaster oven.
If you don’t already own one of these babies, check out some of the best affordable toaster ovens today, so you can bust it out and get cooking.
1. Oven-Baked Sweet Potato Toast
Healthy toaster oven recipes are easy to come by, and one of our favorites is this sweet potato toast. Whether you’re gluten-free, paleo, or simply feel like a healthy snack, just top these little slices with whatever you like, and enjoy!
2. Homemade Pizza
If you thought homemade pizza would be impossible to make in a toaster oven, then… you’d be wrong. It’s actually easy as pie to whip up these, er, pies in your mini oven.
Just cut the quantity of dough in half, and bake your pizza in 2 batches.
3. Garlic Fries
Fries really don’t take up much space in the oven, so it’s kind of a waste to heat the whole thing up for a single side. Why not try these toaster oven garlic fries instead?
They’re easy and quick, plus they’re slathered in garlic – what’s not to love?
4. Tidy Sourdough Bread
Thought the toaster oven was too tiny for bread? Guess again! We’re very happy to tell you that baked bread is definitely back on the table if all you’ve got is a toaster oven.
And this tidy sourdough bread is both beautiful and delicious – a must-try!
5. Italian Baked Eggs
If you’ve seen all the baked eggs recipes springing up across the internet, you’ll know how excited we are about these Italian baked eggs. Combine your ingredients into ramekins to bake these single-serve breakfast delights.
6. 5-Minute Miso-Glazed Salmon
Not only could salmon lead to weight loss, but it’s absolutely delicious to boot! And with this 5-minute miso-glazed salmon, you’ll have dinner ready in no time at all. Simply pop your marinated salmon in the toaster oven for 5 minutes, et voila!
7. Roast Chicken Breasts
Okay, here comes the Sunday roast we hinted at earlier! These roast chicken breasts will form the meat element of your toaster oven meal.
Remember to use bone-in, skin-on for the juiciest roast chicken around.
8. Roast Potatoes
Of course, you’ll need some roast potatoes to go with your chicken. Both baby potatoes and large potatoes work great in this dish – just be sure to pierce the baby potatoes before roasting, for minimal mess and disappointment.
9. Roasted Brussel Sprouts
Love ’em or hate ’em, roasted Brussel sprouts make up a part of the traditional Sunday lunch ritual. The worst thing you could do is boil these little guys.
They’re much happier – and tastier – fresh out of the toaster oven.
10. Small Batch Cupcakes
If you’re desperate to get baking and only cupcakes will do it, then we’ve got you covered. These small batch cupcakes come in 3 flavors and are perfectly designed for your toaster oven.
11. Cinnamon Rolls for One
This clever hack has got to be one of our favorite toaster oven recipes. These cinnamon rolls for one will get your mouth watering and hit you right in the feels.
Bake in ramekins or small trays for a home-baked cinnamon roll to die for.
12. Chocolate Chip Cookies
Chocolate chip cookies easily have to be the nation’s favorite, so what better chewy baked delight to whip up in your toaster oven? For warm gooey cookies fresh out of the oven, divide your dough into smaller batches and simply bake on demand.
13. Carrot Cake
How about those times when you’re having guests over, and only a full-blown, moist and decadent cake will do? Then this toaster oven carrot cake recipe is the one for you.
Use your favorite extras, and bake up this deliciousness in 25 minutes.
Mouthwatering Toaster Oven Recipes
So, did we convince you that toaster oven cooking is the new best thing since sliced bread? If you’re looking to make something small, a toaster oven meal is an easier and cheaper alternative to cooking in a regular oven.
From cupcakes and cookies to roast chicken and potatoes, you’re certain to find a ton of recipes that’ll be perfectly cooked in your toaster oven.
But should those potatoes be organic? How about the chicken? If you’re on the fence about going organic, here are 7 things you need to know.
