Can A Toaster Oven Replace An Oven? What You Need To Know

Content Summary

Are you looking for a way to cut down on energy costs during meal prep? Can a toaster oven replace an oven?

In this blog post, we'll walk you through the different cooking methods and dishes you can use a toaster oven for, and compare them to using an oven. So let's get started!

We've written another detailed blog post comparing the main differences of features, pros and cons of each appliance in this article: Toaster Oven vs Regular Oven. Explore if you are interested in.

While a toaster oven can be a convenient alternative to a regular oven, it may not be suitable for all situations. Toaster ovens are great for things like toasting bread, baking and roasting small items.

However, if you're looking to cook larger items or looking to achieve a specific cooking method, a regular oven may be your best choice.

Toasting

1. Sliced Bread

A toaster oven is a best option for toasting regular size bread while an oven is great for larger items.

In a toaster oven, the heating elements are closer together which allows for more even heating. This makes it ideal for thin slices of bread as they will toast quickly without burning.
If you’re looking to toast thicker slices of bread, a toaster oven might not be the best option as it can lead to uneven heating.
In an oven, the heat is more spread out and less concentrated. This makes it easier for thicker slices of bread to toast without burning. However, you may need to adjust the temperature and timing depending on how thick your bread is.

2. Buns & Bagels

Buns and bagels need to be heated quickly, so a toaster oven is ideal for this job.

In a toaster oven, the heat will be concentrated on the top and bottom of the bagel which will help crisp it up without burning it. Plus, you can easily adjust the temperature and timing depending on how you like your bagels.
In an oven, it can be difficult to achieve the same results as a toaster oven. The heat won’t be concentrated, which can lead to uneven heating and potential burning. The best way to toast bagels in an oven is at a low temperature for an extended period of time.

3. Waffles

Toasting waffles can be best achieved in a toaster oven.

In a toaster oven, the heat is concentrated which allows for faster and more even heating. This means that the waffle will toast quickly without burning or becoming soggy.
In an oven, you need to be more careful as the heat won’t be concentrated. To avoid burning or over-toasting, you should use a low temperature and watch it closely.

The toaster oven is ideal for toasting slice bread, bagels, waffles, and other small baked goods. It is faster, more energy-efficient and makes perfect toast.

The larger oven takes time to preheat and is not energy efficient when it comes to toasting small baked goods. So, if you're just looking for a quick toast, the toaster oven is better.

Baking

1. Pizzas

Pizzas and baked breads require more time and heat to cook properly. This is where a regular oven can be a better choice than a toaster oven.

Toaster ovens do not get hot enough or bake for long enough periods of time to bake large items such as fresh pizza or breads. Yet, they do well when baking frozen pizza.
Ovens, on the other hand, are designed to reach higher temperatures and can be adjusted depending on what you are baking. This allows for more even heating and better results. Especially, when using a pizza stone.

Italian Focaccia Pizza & Tomato Galette Tart Pie

2. Casserole, Tortilla & Lasagna

Due to the limited size of a toaster oven, it is not ideal for baking larger dishes such as casseroles, lasagna, and tortillas. This is where a regular oven can be a better choice.

Ovens, in order to achieve desired results with these types of items, it would be best to use an oven as the heat will evenly spread over the dish.
Toaster ovens are great for smaller dishes and individual servings but are not able to achieve the same even heat and long baking times that regular ovens offer.

3. Cookies, Brownies & Mini Cakes

For small baked goods such as cookies, brownies, muffins, and mini cakes, a toaster oven can be as good. However, for large batches and large size items, an oven is better.

Toaster ovens are great for small batches of baked goods as they can reach the necessary temperatures in a relatively short amount of time. Plus, they provide even heating and less energy consumption than regular ovens.
Ovens are better for larger items such as cakes, large cookies, and full sized brownies. The heat will evenly spread out over the entire dish which ensures that it is properly cooked through without burning.

While a toaster oven can be convenient and energy-efficient, it is not a viable replacement for an oven when it comes to baking larger items.

For pizzas, casseroles, lasagna, other baked dishes, cakes and cookies, a regular oven is a better choice.

The conventional oven provides more space, a consistent temperature, and proper airflow to cook evenly.

Roasting

1. Roasted Vegetables

Roasted vegetables can be cooked in both a toaster oven and a traditional oven, though a toaster oven is better suited for smaller portions.

In a toaster oven, the heat is concentrated, allowing the vegetables to cook faster without burning. Plus, you don’t have to worry about crowding the tray as much due to the limited space.
In an oven, if you’re looking to roast a large batch of vegetables, it is a better option as it will provide more even heating and has much more capacity.

2. Roasted Meats

When roasting meats, an oven is always the preferred choice.

In an oven, the heat is evenly spread out which allows the meat to cook thoroughly and evenly without burning. Plus, you can adjust the temperature depending on how well done you would like your meat.
Toaster ovens are not as capable of achieving the same consistent heat level due to their small size. This means that they are more likely to burn or undercook the meat. Note: when the toaster oven has a convection fan, it can perform air frying duties, which allows it to do a decent roast.

3. Roasted Seafoods

For seafood, it is best to use an oven. The larger space will allow the heat to evenly spread out around the fish or shrimp and cook it through without burning.

Toaster ovens are better suited for smaller portions of seafood as their size limits. You will also need to be more careful with the temperature and timing to avoid overcooking or burning the seafood.
Ovens provide more even heating and more capacity, which allow you to cook a variety of different sized items without worrying about them burning or undercooking. This makes it ideal for cooking seafood dishes.

Roasted Salmon With Tomatoes & Roasted Shrimps With Vegetables

While a toaster oven can be a great choice for small batches of roasted vegetables, it is not ideal when it comes to roasting seafoods and meats.

Conventional ovens will provide more even heating and more control over the cooking temperature, which is essential for proper roasting seafoods.

Grilling & Broiling

1. Grilling & Broiling Chicken

Grilling and broiling chicken in a toaster oven is an efficient way to cook small portions of chicken quickly.

In a toaster oven, the heat is concentrated which allows chicken portions to cook quickly without burning or drying out. Plus, it uses less energy than a conventional oven.
An oven is better for larger portions of chicken (including whole chicken) or if you would like a more even cooking result. The heat will spread out evenly over the surface of the chicken which allows it to cook through without burning.

2. Grilling & Broiling Steaks

Grilling and broiling steaks in an oven can provide better results than in a toaster oven.

A regular oven has a larger size and better heat distribution, resulting in more even cooking. You can adjust the temperature depending on how well done you want your steak to be.
Toaster ovens are better suited for smaller portions of steaks as their size limits them when it comes to achieving the desired results. Plus, they are not able to reach the same high temperatures as an oven would.

Grilled Pork Tenderloin & Grilled Beef Steaks

3. Grilling & Broiling Seafoods

When it comes to grilling and broiling seafoods, an oven is the best choice. The larger space will allow more even cooking and better control over the temperature which is essential for achieving desired results.

Toaster ovens can be used to grill small portions of seafood, however they are not able to reach the same high temperatures or provide the even cooking that an oven can.
Ovens, on the other hand, are better suited for larger portions of fish or shrimp and will provide more consistent heating which is essential for proper cooking.

Broiling is a quick and easy way to get that crispy, caramelized effect on meat and seafoods. A toaster oven is not the best choice when it comes to grilling and broiling meats and seafoods.

An oven will provide more even cooking, larger capacity, and better temperature control which is essential for proper broiling and grilling results.

Making Italian Focaccia Pizza In An Toaster Oven

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Tips & Tricks

Reheating leftovers works best in a toaster oven.
Many toaster ovens nowadays enable convection cooking. Circulating hot air may significantly improve cooking results.
Consider your kitchen area: a toaster oven (like an air fryer) will fit on a counter space, while a standard oven requires a much larger space, below the counter.
You should not put paper or plastic materials, or woods in an oven as that can be a fire hazard. Exception: baking paper.
Additionally, aluminum foil should only be used if the manufacturer explicitly permits it.
You should avoid putting any wet or damp items in an oven as that can also be a fire hazard.
You should not put anything flammable in the oven, such as alcohol or aerosol cans.
Lastly, you should not put any items that have strong odors or fumes in the oven as this can contaminate the food.

INSANELY DELICIOUS THINGS YOU CAN MAKE IN YOUR TOASTER | SAM THE COOKING GUY

In conclusion, can a toaster oven replace an oven? Ultimately, both appliances have their strengths, and it depends on what you are using the oven for.

If you're someone who frequently cooks for a large family with varieties of large dishes or needs to cook at high temperatures, then a regular oven is the best choice.
If you have limited space or want to save money on your energy bill, a toaster oven can handle most of your basic cooking needs.