5 Delicious Foods You Can Cook in Your Toaster Oven

If you've recently spring cleaned your home, you may have found a few miscellaneous items around that you can probably donate to Goodwill. While this is a beautiful gesture, and it certainly will help those in need – think twice before giving away your old toaster oven. Even if it seems like it’s taking up far too much counter space for something that is barely used, do not blame the oven! Your toaster oven is capable of way more than just toasting a bagel. Here are five of the most delicious meals that you can cook in it. After all, a toaster oven is just a mini version of a full-sized oven so should be utilized accordingly.

1. Tuna Melts
Lightly toast a slice of your favorite bread at 400 degrees F for around 3 to 5 minutes, or until it gets a golden and crispy glow. Roughly combine tuna, chopped green onion, mayonnaise, and celery, add it to the top of your toasted bread and top with a slice of cheese. If you like, pop on a few slices of dill pickle as well. Add salt and pepper to taste and then pop it back in the toaster oven for 8 to 10 minutes – or until the cheese has melted perfectly.

2. Grilled Cheese
Grilled cheese is one of the easiest things to make in your toaster oven and it will save on electricity, helping you to live a more sustainable life. Preheat it to 400 degrees F with the baking tray inside. Butter the outside of thick slices of bread generously and add cheese. Pop it on the preheated baking sheet and cook the first side for around 5 minutes. The second side will take half the time to toast so keep an eye on it while it’s toasting. Season and enjoy!

3. Baked Eggs
Baked eggs make a delicious dinner option for when you are short of time or an inclination to cook a full-on meal. To make perfect baked eggs in your toaster oven, be sure to use a ramekin. Crack an egg into a clean ramekin, add butter and cheese, and a splash of milk, then pop into your oven. Serve with bacon or sausage for breakfast, or with fried rice for an Asian-style supper.

4. Mushroom Burgers

While your toaster oven is perfectly capable of making traditional hamburgers, why not mix things up and embrace a “meat-free Monday”? A meaty portobello mushroom cap works well when you roast it. It makes a juicy and delicious alternative to meat, and you can even pop on a slice of cheese for added flavor. Toast the buns or bread first, then cook your mushroom. Add a slice of cheese and allow it to melt like a dream before adding to your toasted bun. Add your toppings and slather your burger with the condiments of your choice, such as ketchup, mustard or mayonnaise.

5. Roast Chicken
Surprise, surprise! Your toaster is perfectly capable of cooking an entire chicken. Do not go overboard and try stuff in a giant turkey – but a reasonably sized chicken will work perfectly. The process is the same as roasting in your regular oven - add your favorite spices and a drizzle of olive oil and add to your toaster oven tray. Cook the chicken until it reaches an internal temperature of 170 degrees F.

Most people do not give toaster ovens enough credit. Before you kick yours to the curb, try out any of these recipes above for an inspiring reason to keep your little kitchen buddy right where it is!

This is a contributed post.

Photo: Scott Eckersley on Unsplash