5 Meals You Can Make Right In Your Toaster Oven

Pixabay

Your toaster oven can wear many hats and it can do far more than just toast. We’re not talking about a toaster with two slots for bread, we’re talking about a real countertop toaster oven. When it’s the right size, most things that you bake in the actual oven will work just as well in your toaster oven. Here are five dinners that you should make.

1. Frittata

You can broil, bake or toast in your toaster oven, which means most things are possible. When it comes to easy breakfast foods that’ll feed a bunch of people, frittatas are always a good choice. You can make the egg-based dish with pretty much any ingredients you have. The way a frittata gets cooked sets it apart from an omelet or quiche.

Frittatas are usually cooked in a cast iron pan. If you have a small cast iron that’ll fit right into your toaster oven, it’s a no-brainer. All you have to do is beat some eggs, pour them into a cast iron, add in your fillings, let the edges set over low heat on the stovetop and then throw the cast iron into the toaster to finish baking.

2. Quesadillas

Pixabay

The toaster is perfect for making quesadillas. Lay your tortillas down and spread the ingredients onto half of each. Fold the bare half over the half with the veggies, protein, cheese and anything else you want and then transfer the tortilla to a toaster-safe pan. Bake it for about 10 minutes or so until the cheese is melted. Here’s a recipe for toaster oven chicken quesadillas that’ll serve two to four people and it’ll only take you about 10 minutes.

3. Stuffed Mushrooms

Your toaster was pretty much made for stuffed mushrooms. You can easily make these as an appetizer for any kind of dinner party or office potluck. You’ll want to saute your stuffing for the mushrooms ahead of time. Place your mushroom caps (stems removed) on an oiled pan, stuff them, sprinkle all of the cheese that you want and pop them into the toaster until the tops become golden brown and a little crispy. If you add Parmesan and some panko breadcrumbs on top toward the end, it’ll crisp up nicely. These stuffed portabella mushrooms are hearty enough to be a meal on their own.

4. Broiled Protein

Pixabay

Baking or broiling fish in a toaster oven is way more efficient than you might think. It requires basically zero effort. Line a toaster oven pan with foil and spread a little cooking spray or olive oil to coat it. Place your salmon, or whatever kind of fish you have, skin-side down, drizzle it with a little lemon juice, white wine, pesto or any other topping and let it marinade for about 10 minutes or so. Heat up your toaster to about 375 degrees. Set your toaster to broil and put your salmon in there, cooking it about six to eight minutes on each side, or until it’s cooked to your desired temperature.

Here’s a recipe for a quick miso-glazed salmon that you can make right in your toaster. These broiled lemon and sage chicken breasts are also easy to cook right on your countertop.

5. Pizza

Depending on the size of your toaster, you can make all kinds of pizza in there. You can use tortillas, pita bread, English muffins or bagels to make pizza in the toaster oven. If you’re going to use regular pizza dough, you’ll have to keep your toaster on a low heat or else the toppings will end up burning before the dough is cooked. Your best bet is to use a tortilla or large piece of pita bread as your crust so you don’t have to worry about that. Add your sauce, cheese and whatever toppings you want and bake your pizza until the cheese melts and the pita is golden brown.

When it’s summer and you don’t want to heat up your entire kitchen with your regular oven, the toaster is perfect for making all of your meals.