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Oven? Microwave? I don't know her.
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Toaster ovens are great. They heat up faster than conventional ovens, use less energy, and are perfect for smaller recipes or batches!
This compact toaster oven fits perfectly on your countertop, but has a curved interior to hold way more than you think. Get it on Amazon for $30.
But that's not all. There are tons of amazing recipes and uses for your toaster oven you should know about. Check them out below!
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1. Reheat your leftovers (especially fried food or dishes with bread/crust like pizza) without them getting soggy.
Maria Jeffs / Getty Images
Check out a great list of foods to reheat in the toaster oven here.
2. Toast up a batch of granola, using only the ingredients you ACTUALLY like.
It's cheaper than store-bought, too. Learn how to make it here.
3. Toss some drumsticks in your favorite marinade and pop them in the toaster oven for an easy entree or appetizer without a lot of fuss.
Get the recipe here.
You can also roast a whole Cornish hen, if that's your thing.
4. Satisfy a last-minute dessert craving with a mini recipe that makes 1-2 peanut butter cookies (they bake in just eight minutes).
5. Ditch boring bread for slices of sweet potato that make perfect avocado toasts — the sweet potato will be ready in your toaster oven in 20 minutes.
Get the whole recipe here.
6. Celebrate weekend mornings with an easy baked egg dish that's perfect for dipping toast in (and you won't have to wait forever for your oven to preheat).
7. Whip up some lovely miso-glazed salmon in FIVE MINUTES (seriously).
J. Kenji Lopez-Alt / seriouseats.com
Hello every weeknight dinner you've ever wanted!
Take a look at the recipe here.
8. Enjoy your favorite side dish even in the middle of summer by cooking a fluffy-on-the-inside, crispy-on-the-outside baked potato right on your toaster oven rack.
Check out a handy guide here.
9. Bake your very own kale chips using your favorite toppings and flavors — these are sea salt and vinegar.
Even more delicious than potato chips? Possibly.
Check out the instructions here.
10. Quickly whip up homemade biscuits for two (or one) using just THREE INGREDIENTS.
Flour, baking powder, and half & half. It doesn't get any easier.
Learn more here.
11. Take the campsite indoors with quick & easy s'mores — no mosquito bites when you use your toaster oven instead of a firepit.
Get all the details here.
12. Take a grapefruit breakfast to the next level by adding a little sugar or maple syrup and sticking it under the broiler setting for 4-5 minutes.
Check out the instructions here.
13. Use your favorite donut or cake recipe and pop a mini donut pan in your toaster oven to whip up the perfect breakfast snack.
These cinnamon-glazed pumpkin donuts are giving me ~feelings~.
Get a mini donut pan from Amazon (makes 12 donuts) for $6.68.
14. Turn snack time into a healthy and fun activity you can do with your kids (or by yourself) with these easy bell pepper pizzas.
Less preheating time = quicker after school snack. Use the broiler setting at the end for perfectly bubbly cheese.
Get the recipe here.
15. Roast potatoes and other delicious veggies in the summertime without breaking a sweat.
Get the recipe for these herb roasted potatoes here.
16. Transform the pita you have on hand into customizable pita chips — just add your favorite seasonings.
Learn more here.
17. Pull a Kristen Wiig in Bridesmaids and throw together one vanilla cupcake that bakes right up in the toaster oven.
Get the perfectly-proportioned recipe here.
18. Make a diner classic in the comfort of your home. The resulting perfectly crisp and gooey tuna melt will be so tasty, you might even tip yourself.
Learn how to make one here.
19. Make several slices of French toast all at once; just soak it in your egg and milk batter and bake.
Get the recipe here.
20. Crisp up taco shells by bending a regular old tortilla around your toaster oven rack.
It's time your taco Tuesday got an upgrade. Check out the method here.
21. Keep your food from getting cold so quickly; just pop the plates in on the lowest setting.
You can also do this in the oven, but the toaster oven uses less energy!
Learn more about warming plates here.
22. Defrost foods right in the toaster oven — many versions (like this one) even have a setting specifically for it.
amazon.com / BuzzFeed
23. Recyle broken crayons and crayon stubs into cool rainbow crayons; just melt them in silicone molds and let cool.
The original tutorial uses a conventional oven, but several commenters have used a toaster oven with success!
So which toaster oven should you use?
For a budget-friendly option that's highly reviewed, try this Oster Four-Slice Toaster. It has a 30-minute timer function, heats up to 450°, and has adjustable racks so you can bake something tall.
Get it from Amazon for $20.99.
Promising review: "Oster has always been a reliable brand for value, durability, and function. This little oven is great. The racks allow a lot of adjustment options. The controls are, thankfully, simple and straightforward. The oven heats quickly and cooks evenly when baking, broiling, or just making toast. It's not a big oven, but the size is ample for most small jobs. It comes with a little aluminum pan. It has a removable crumb tray. The timer has a good bell to let you know when time's up. The oven is built sturdily, no rough edges, things fit together as they should. It is made in USA. Overall, this toaster oven is both a good deal and a useful/practical purchase." —John Smith
Or this mid-sized Six-Slice Black & Decker version with convection heating and a 60-minute timer — it will fit a 12-inch pizza.
Get it from Amazon for $41.12.
Promising review: "I use this toaster oven every single day. To make toast, to cook frozen items like french fries or frozen dinner rolls, to cook meatloaves, snacks like small pizzas, etc. I would rather use this than turn on my full-sized oven which runs on 220 electric. This toaster oven, of course, runs on 110, which is better on my electric bill. Also, it is super easy to clean. Love that too! It was a little confusing to learn how to operate at first, but it's fine now." —Cindy M.
Or try this large capacity Oster model with digital controls and tons of settings — it will even hold and bake a 13x9 pan.
With a 4.5-star rating and over 2,300 reviews, this is an excellent bet.
Get it from Amazon for $79.99.
Promising review: "I use toaster ovens every day. Love them. Love the convenience and energy-saving aspects. However, ours seldom last more than a few years, and I'd give them all mediocre ratings. Last year I bought this Oster toaster oven and, I must say, it's the BEST toaster oven I've ever owned or used! It's true to heating temps, cooks everything evenly, and is large enough to hold a casserole dish. In fact, I cannot find one thing about this unit that I can complain about. SO REFRESHING to actually, as a consumer, buy a product that lives up to it's promises. I highly recommend this toaster oven, and I would buy nothing but this!" —Drobbins
And for even more great ideas, check out The Gourmet Toaster Oven, which is chock-full of ideas perfectly sized for one or two portions.
Just always make sure to use pans and materials that are safe in your toaster oven!
Not sure what is an isn't safe? Check out this handy guide from Toaster Oven Love.
Soon you'll be shading people for not having a toaster oven, too.
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