Top 8 Toaster Oven Recipes For Any Mood

Benefits of Using a Toaster Oven for Cooking

Toaster ovens have become a staple in many households across North America over the years. You may even have fond memories of your mother using this small appliance to heat up a nice treat for you and your siblings when you arrived home from school on a cold winter day. However, these cooking appliances are much more than just a glorified toaster.

Modern-day toaster ovens include features such as defrost and reheat options, touchpad controls, easy-clean interiors, a convection option, and much more. These machines serve a lot more purposes than just heating a bagel or getting that expertly toasted slice of bread. In fact, this appliance is perfect for cooking everything from muffins, casseroles, and even roast chicken. 

Below are some of the top benefits that you can receive by using a toaster oven for cooking:

• Less Energy Over a Regular Oven - Toaster ovens are considerably more energy-efficient than a regular oven. These small cooking appliances use between 1200 and 1800 watts which is half of that of conventional ovens. That means a cost-saving on electricity - perfect for those looking for a greener cooking option. 

• Heats Up Your Kitchen Less Over a Regular Oven - Due to their size toaster ovens produce less heat than larger ovens. Many prefer to use a toaster oven during hotter months of the year for cooking so that the kitchen does not become overheated. 

• Small Batches - Their convenient size is also another benefit that many people praise. Not only is this cooking appliance designed to fit comfortably on even the most cramped of countertops but it is also ideal for cooking smaller batches of food such as cookies, bread, omelettes or pizza. 

Our Favorite Recipes 

We have to admit that we love using toaster ovens when cooking new and much-loved recipes. So, we thought that we would share a list of our favorite toaster oven recipes that you can try yourself at home. We guarantee that you’ll be drooling by the time you finish this article. 

1 - Toaster Oven Baked Eggs

Who doesn’t love eggs first thing on a Saturday morning to start the weekend off on a bright note? We love this recipe for baked eggs with marinara, parmesan cheese and butter toast by Mountain Mama Cooks. Note: This toaster oven baked eggs recipe serves 4 portions - adjust ingredient measurements as needed.

Ingredients

• 8 eggs
• 1 cup marinara sauce
• 1 tablespoon of capers (optional)
• ¼ cup of whipping cream
• ¼ cup of parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper
• Chives to garnish 

Cooking Instructions

1. Start by buttering four ramekins.
2. Pour ¼ of the marinara sauce into the base of each ramekin dish and sprinkle with capers, if using.
3. Crack two eggs into each ramekin dish.
4. Place 1 tablespoon of whipping cream and one tablespoon of parmesan cheese on top of each egg.
5. Sprinkle with salt and pepper for seasoning.
6. Place in a toaster oven that is heated to 400° F degrees (204° C degrees) for 10 - 15 minutes until the white of the eggs are cooked.
7. Serve with butter toast and sprinkle with chopped chives. 

2 - Toaster Oven Roast Vegetables

Vegetables are a great way to get your daily nutrient requirements and they can easily brighten up a plate of food.  Roasting vegetables in a convection toaster such as the Black and Decker Countertop Convection Toaster Oven is simple, fast, and hassle-free. We particularly like this toaster oven roast vegetables recipe by Weight Watchers. 

Ingredients

• 3 small uncooked red potatoes
• One medium red onion cut into 8 wedges
• ¼ teaspoon of table salt
• ? teaspoon of black pepper
• ¼ cup of chicken broth
• 2 tablespoons of fresh, chopped thyme
• 2 teaspoons of olive oil

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat the toaster oven to 400° F degrees (204° C degrees).
2. Place the potatoes and onion in a shallow, 9-inch baking dish and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
3. Pour in the chicken broth and sprinkle with the fresh thyme.
4. Cover the dish lightly with heavy duty aluminum foil and roast for 20 minutes.
5. Remove foil and toss the vegetables then drizzle with oil.
6. Roast for another 20 - 30 minutes until the potatoes are tender.

3 - Toaster Oven Potatoes

Our team loves this toaster oven potatoes recipe by Food Fanatic. The crispy baby potatoes combined with fresh sprigs of aromatic rosemary make them the ideal side dish especially around the holiday season. 

Ingredients

• 1 pound of baby potatoes
• 1 tablespoon of olive oil
• 1 teaspoon of granulated garlic
• 1 tablespoon of chopped fresh rosemary
• Fine sea salt
• Black pepper

Cooking Instructions 

1. Using a toaster oven like the Black & Decker 4-Slice Toaster Oven, select the Bake function, preheat to 400° F degrees (204° C degrees) and lightly oil a baking sheet.
2. Cut the potatoes into halves or quarters depending on their size.
3. Combine the potatoes, garlic, olive oil, black pepper, rosemary and salt in a medium-sized bowl.
4. Toss all the ingredients and make sure that each potato is coated well.
5. Transfer the potatoes to the baking sheet and arrange facing cut side down in a pan
6. Roast potatoes for approximately 30 - 45 minutes, flipping occasionally, until golden and crispy.

4 - Toaster Oven Chicken

Preparing a chicken in a toaster oven isn’t as daunting as you may think and is a great choice if you’re looking to whip a delicious dinner for family or friends. This recipe featured on Food.com can easily be cooked in a convection toaster oven or an Avanti Rotary Toaster Oven & Broiler.

Ingredients

• 1 5lb roasting chicken
• ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
• ½ teaspoon of black pepper
• Fresh herbs - rosemary, thyme, oregano, marjoram
• 1 garlic clove
• 1 small onion
• 4 slices of lemon zest
• 1 tablespoon of extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice 

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat the toaster oven to 400° F degrees (204° C degrees) and place the oven rack to the lowest position.
2. Remove the giblets and neck from the cavity of the chicken and rinse chicken with cold water before drying.
3. Place a baking rack into the broiling pan and add a ¼ cup of water.
4. Place the chicken on the baking rack by tucking the wings under. 
5. Combine the salt and pepper and rub half of the mixture into the cavity of the chicken. Then place the herb sprigs, garlic halves, onion quarters and lemon zest into the cavity.
6. Tie the legs together loosely and rub the chicken with olive oil and the remaining salt and pepper. Drizzle with the lemon juice.
7. Place the chicken in the toaster oven and roast for approximately 20 - 30 minutes, then lower the temperature and continue to roast for an additional 12 minutes per pound. 
8. Your chicken should have an internal temperature of 170° F when tested in the breast, and 180° when tested in the dark meat. 
9. Turn off the oven and remove the chicken, letting it stand for 15 minutes before carving. 

5 - Toaster Oven Steak

If you are more of a red meat lover then we are sure that this broiled steak recipe by Spark Recipes will be to your liking. The meat is juicy, tender and seasoned to perfection. 

Ingredients

• ¼ cup of melted margarine
• 1 tablespoon of worcestershire sauce
• ½ teaspoon of mustard
• ¼ teaspoon of salt
• ? teaspoon of coarsely ground black pepper

Cooking instructions

1. Set the toaster oven to 400° F degrees and put on the broil function.
2. Mix together the melted margarine, worcestershire sauce and the mustard.
3. Season the steak with the salt and pepper and brush the margarine mixture on to one side of the steak.
4. Broil for 15 minutes. 
5. After this, flip to the other side and brush with the remaining sauce mixture. Broil for another 15 minutes or longer until the steak is cooked to your desired liking. 

6 - Toaster Oven Cookies

These indulgent and heavenly double chocolate cookies by Toaster Oven Love are the perfect dessert recipe for toaster ovens. Just be careful you don’t eat them in one sitting - it’s hard, trust us.

Ingredients

• 1 ½ tablespoons of unsalted butter
• 3 tablespoons of brown sugar
• 1 large egg yolk
• ¼ teaspoon of vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder
• ¼ cup of white whole wheat flour
• ¼ teaspoon of baking soda
• Sea salt
• 3 tablespoons of chocolate chips

Cooking instructions

1. Beat the butter and sugar in a medium-sized bowl using a hand mixer until light and fluffy.
2. Beat in the egg yolk and vanilla extract.
3. Place the mixer on the lowest speed and add in the cocoa powder, flour, baking soda and salt. Mix until combined and add in 2 tablespoons of chocolate chips.
4. Chill the cookie dough for 10 minutes and preheat your toaster oven to 350° F degrees (176° C degrees).
5. Lightly oil your baking sheet and roll the chilled dough into tablespoon-sized balls. Place at least 2-inches apart and gently press the remaining chocolate chips on top.
6. Bake for 5 to 7 minutes until the cookies are set. The centers should be puffed and soft. 
7. Allow to cool before serving. 

7 - Toaster Oven Brownies

Another recipe that is suitable for baking in small cooking appliances is this toaster oven brownies recipe by Just a Pinch Recipes. Aptedly named ‘Death by Chocolate’ these brownies are heavenly decadent and the perfect small batch bake. 

Ingredients

• ½ cup of butter
• 6 tablespoons of cocoa powder
• 1 cup of sugar
• 2 eggs
• ? cup of flour

Cooking instructions

1. Preheat toaster oven to 350° F degrees (176° C degrees).
2. Melt the butter in a saucepan over a medium heat.
3. Beat the eggs until combined.
4. Remove the saucepan with the butter and stir in  the sugar.
5. Add the egg mixture and flour, stir well.
6. Spoon evenly into a toaster oven muffin tin.
7. Bake for 12 minutes before allowing to cool.  

8 - Toaster Oven Banana Bread 

Looking for the perfect toaster oven banana bread recipe? This is it. Another recipe that we love by Toaster Oven Love is their popular banana bread recipe. This sweet banana bread is the ultimate treat you can enjoy morning, noon and night. 

Ingredients

• 1 cup plus ½ cup of all-purpose flour
• ½ cup of organic pure cane sugar
• 1 teaspoon of baking soda 
• ¼ teaspoon of sea salt
• 1 cup of mashed banana
• 1 large egg
• ¼ cup of melted coconut oil
• ½ cup of low-fat buttermilk
• ½ teaspoon of vanilla extract 

Cooking instructions

1. Preheat your toaster oven to 325° F degrees (162° C degrees) and set to the Bake setting.
2. Grease the bottom of a 8 ½ x 4 ½ inch loaf pan (adjustments made need to be made depending on the size of your appliance.)
3. Whisk the flour, sugar, baking soda and salt togehter in a large mixing bowl. In another bowl, combine the banana, egg, oil, buttermilk, and vanilla.
4. Pour the batter into the loaf pan and bake for approximately 40 to 50 minutes or until a skewer or toothpick comes out clean when inserted into the bread mixture. 
5. Allow the pan to cool and then carefully tip out the loaf on to a cooling rack. 
6. Serve and enjoy. 

Here at Vacuum Cleaner Market, we stock a large range of essential small cooking appliances from toaster ovens to blenders, juicers and slow pressure cookers. Browse our range of baking and cooking essentials today.