Toaster oven vs. regular oven: How to bake, roast, broil and more

Many households now consider toaster ovens a must-have kitchen appliance since they can cook various dishes quickly and efficiently. They’re a great option, especially for people with small kitchens and those who want to cook fast and save energy.

A toaster oven can be a helpful tool in your kitchen, whether you’re a busybody or just love cooking. But can you use it like a conventional electric oven? Let’s find out!

What is a toaster oven?

A toaster oven is a compact kitchen appliance designed for cooking, baking, toasting, and reheating food.

Toaster ovens are much smaller than conventional ovens. They combine the functions of a toaster and a full-sized oven. They can toast bread but also bake/broil foods like chicken, casseroles, pizza bites, vegetables and more. Many features on conventional ovens are also available on toaster ovens, such as temperature dials/controls, racks and timers.

READ MORE: Don’t Get Burned! 14 Quick and Easy Oven Safety Tips

Toaster ovens vs. conventional ovens

If you’re planning on using a toaster oven, you’ll need to understand its advantages and limitations as well as how it compares to a conventional oven. Let’s see the similarities and differences between the two:

Size and capacity

Toaster ovens

• Smaller and more compact and come in more sizes, such as a countertop model, that can easily fit into small kitchens.
• Limited interior space, which restricts the quantity of food you can cook at once.
• Not ideal for large gatherings. Toaster ovens are best suited for small to medium-sized meals such as leftovers and snacks.
• Include a crumb tray, which can make cleaning easier.

Conventional ovens 

• Tend to be large and bulky.
• Have more interior space for large roasts, big batches of cookies, bread or multiple dishes.
• Practical for cooking for both large and small groups.
• Don’t include crumb trays.

Cooking time

Toaster ovens 

• Preheat quickly. While faster than full-sized ovens, they may still sometimes have longer cooking times than microwaves.

Conventional ovens

• Take a longer time to preheat, lengthening the cooking time for meals.

Temperature control

Toaster ovens 

• Some may have less precise thermostats, which can affect the accuracy of temperature-sensitive recipes.
• Include more basic controls

Conventional ovens

• Provide more accurate temperature control and consistent heating, especially during baking.
• Have complex programming for timed baking and roasting

Energy-efficiency

Toaster ovens

• Consume less energy and can lead to lower electric bills, especially for small-scale cooking.

Conventional ovens 

• Consume more energy.

Heating process

Toaster ovens

• Use a heating element
• Can bake, roast, broil, toast, warm and braise food.

Conventional ovens

• Use a heating element
• Can bake, roast, broil, warm, braise and toast food.
• The toasting process may take much longer than in a toaster oven.
• Offer more options like convection, steam, and proofing settings.

Cost

Toaster ovens

• Cheaper
• May only last a few years

Conventional ovens

• More expensive
• Have longer lifespans than toaster ovens

READ MORE: Cooking Efficiently In Your Oven: 10 Tips And Tricks

Can you use a toaster oven like a full-sized oven?

Good news – you can, at least for the most part! A toaster oven can be a very useful, smaller-scale alternative for many baking, broiling and warming tasks.

However, a toaster oven has some constraints, so you’ll have to use the right-sized dishes and have some patience.

Here are some general things to keep in mind when using a toaster oven in place of a conventional one:

• You’ll only be able to cook for 1-2 people at a time with a toaster oven since there’s a lot less interior space.
• Before planning to cook with a toaster oven, make sure your bakeware/pan size can fit inside.
• Be aware that your food may take longer to cook, since toaster ovens don’t typically get as hot as full-sized versions. They usually top out around 400°F.
• If you plan to do anything other than toasting, baking and broiling, you may not be able to use a toaster oven for that purpose. Basic models usually only have a few settings to choose from.
• Make sure to regularly check cooking food while using a toaster oven in place of a conventional oven. Recipes might need adjusted times or temperatures.

How to bake in a toaster oven

You can bake in a toaster oven and get great results, especially for small batches. Here’s how to make the most of your toaster oven for baking:

Baking basics

• Preheat your toaster oven to the desired temperature, following the recipe’s instructions. Many toaster ovens preheat quickly due to their compact size.
• Use appropriate baking pans or trays that fit comfortably inside your toaster oven. Mini loaf pans, muffin tins, and small baking sheets are great choices.
• Adjust the oven rack to the middle position to ensure even heat distribution during baking.
• Be mindful of temperature accuracy, as toaster oven thermostats may have slight variations. Consider using an oven thermometer to verify the actual temperature inside.

Temperature control and settings

• Most toaster ovens allow you to set temperatures up to 450°F (232°C), which works for baking a wide range of items, including cookies, muffins, and small cakes.
• If your toaster oven has a convection fan, consider using it for baking. A full-sized oven provides even browning and a faster cooking time.

Baking tips

• Monitor closely: Due to the faster cooking times in toaster ovens, you’ll want to keep a close eye on your baked goods to prevent a ruined batch.
• Use an oven thermometer: If you’re particular about temperature accuracy, place an oven thermometer inside the toaster oven to verify the temperature matches your setting.
• Rotate the pans: To evenly bake, rotate your pans halfway through the cooking time.
• Keep the door closed: Avoid opening the oven door frequently, as this can cause temperature fluctuations and negatively impact baking results.
• Test for doneness: Insert a toothpick or cake tester into the center of your baked goods after the cooking time. If it comes out clean, they are ready.
• Allow for cooling: After baking, allow your treats to cool on a wire rack. The toaster oven’s residual heat can continue cooking them if left inside.

Roasting and broiling with a toaster oven

Your toaster oven can also serve as a handy tool for roasting and broiling a variety of dishes.

Roasting involves cooking food, typically meats and vegetables, at high temperatures to achieve a crispy exterior and juicy interior. It’s best for items like chicken, fish filets, vegetables, and small roasts.

Broiling is a method where food is cooked directly under high heat, resulting in a browned and caramelized top. It’s great for melting cheese, achieving a crust on casseroles, or quickly cooking thin cuts of meat.

Here’s how to use your toaster oven for roasting and broiling:

General tips

• Choose appropriate roasting pans, baking sheets, or broiler-safe dishes that fit inside your toaster oven.
• Preheat for even cooking and browning.
• When roasting, baste meats or vegetables with their juices or marinades periodically. Rotate the pan to ensure even cooking.
• Roasting and broiling can happen quickly, so keep a close eye on your food to prevent burning.
• Allow roasted meats to rest before slicing. This helps them retain their juices and tenderness.

Temperature settings for roasting and broiling

• Roasting: Set your toaster oven between 350°F to 450°F (177°C to 232°C), depending on the recipe. Use the convection setting, if available, for even cooking.
• Broiling: Use the broil setting and select the desired temperature (usually high or low) based on the recipe’s recommendations. Place the food on the broil rack close to the top heating element for direct heat.

Additional information

Thanks for reading!  We hope this guide helped you feel more comfortable using a toaster oven.

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