Many of us may be resolving to eat healthier or cook at home more often. While saving money by not eating out can really help the wallet, it can also be more time-consuming to come up with ideas and clean up the messes from big meals.
A toaster over is a nice meal prep alternative to traditional cooking with multiple pans on a stovetop or in an oven. Toaster ovens can be useful for many different occasions. Lauren Rezende, M.P.H., R.D. and director of nutrition at Healthy Dining Finder, notes that making healthy meals doesn’t have to take lots of time. “Prep ingredients such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins ahead of time and keep them on hand for a quick mix-and-match meal,” Rezende says. “Try topping a whole-wheat tortilla with marinara and pre-chopped veggies and toasting it for a tasty pizza. You can even broil pre-sliced fruit topped with a dash of sweet cinnamon for a tempting dessert.”
Read on for five of our favorite recipes that will inspire you to make better use of your toaster oven.
Cheesy Bacon Kale Potato Skins
These Cheesy Bacon Kale Potato Skins from A Pinch of Yum feature kale, the ever-popular super food. For a quick, easy snack, fill them with your favorite toppings and pop them in the toaster oven.
Veggie Nachos
Toaster Oven Love’s Veggie Nachos are a great healthy option for your toaster oven. These can be made quickly and easily and are much healthier than the traditional alternative.
French Dip Sandwiches
Another delicious toaster oven option is to make these French Dip Sandwiches from Snappy Gourmet. They are easier to make than the traditional sandwich, but just as full of flavor.
Puff Pastry Breakfast Pizzas
Menu Musings created these Puff Pastry Breakfast Pizzas in her toaster oven, and they’re not only simple to make, but gorgeous to look at. These will add a wow factor the next time you host brunch.
Sticky Spicy Honey Chicken Wings
Kick it up a notch with something sweet and spicy like these Sticky Spicy Honey Chicken Wings from One Two Simple Cooking. They can be cooked in a conventional oven, but they make a convenient game day snack when made in your toaster oven.
Now you’re ready to get creative with your cooking and save yourself time and clean-up by using this economical and affordable option in your kitchen.
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Abbey DeHart is a working mother of two who crunches numbers during the day and blogs by night. A widely-published blogger on sites like HomeRight and Angie’s List, Abbey also writes for Home Depot about everything from DIY projects to cooking projects. For an array of toaster oven choices, you can visit the Home Depot website.
