Toaster Oven Recipes: 16 Real Meals and Holiday Sides When the Big Oven Is Full of Turkey

Toaster oven recipes become the quiet heroes of every big holiday, because the moment the turkey goes into the main oven, there is no room left for rolls, stuffing or a pan of cookies. That little countertop box can do far more than toast bread. Videos of cooks making full three-course meals and whole roasted dinners in one have pulled millions of views, and home cooks keep sharing how much they lean on it in small apartments, dorms and busy family kitchens. It heats up fast, uses less energy and is perfect for one or two people. If you already love our air fryer holiday treats, this is the next small appliance to put to work. Here are 16 toaster oven recipes for holiday sides, easy breakfasts, simple dinners and small-batch desserts, each with what you will need and quick steps..

Toaster Oven Recipes Save the Day: Warm Dinner Rolls While the Turkey Rests

Here is the trick that makes every holiday easier: while the turkey rests for 30 minutes under foil, the toaster oven warms a whole tray of dinner rolls until the tops are golden and the middles are soft and steamy. Brush them with melted butter as they come out and they taste freshly baked, even if you bought them the day before. A small appliance like this is simply a compact electric oven with top and bottom heating elements, as the history of the toaster oven explains. For homemade dough ideas, see these soft Thanksgiving dinner rolls..

You will need: 8 to 12 dinner rolls (homemade or store bought), 2 tbsp melted butter, a pinch of flaky salt, 1 tsp chopped parsley (optional), a quarter sheet pan or the toaster oven tray, foil.

How to make it: 1. Heat the toaster oven to 350F while the turkey rests. 2. Set the rolls snugly on the tray and tent loosely with foil. 3. Warm for 6 to 8 minutes, then remove the foil. 4. Bake 2 to 3 minutes more until the tops turn golden. 5. Brush with melted butter, sprinkle salt and parsley and serve right away.

Small-Batch Stuffing in a Quarter Sheet Pan

When the big oven is full, a quarter sheet pan of stuffing fits perfectly in most toaster ovens and comes out with more crispy edges than a deep casserole dish ever gives you. Use day-old bread cubes, sauteed celery and onion, fresh sage and enough broth to moisten without drowning. Cover it for the first half so the middle stays tender, then uncover it so the top crisps. It is one of those toaster oven recipes that is ideal for small gatherings. For more flavor ideas, try the stuffing recipes everyone asks for.

You will need: 5 cups day-old bread cubes, 3 tbsp butter, 1 small onion diced, 2 celery ribs diced, 1 tbsp chopped fresh sage, 1 tsp thyme, 1 cup chicken or vegetable broth, 1 egg, salt and pepper, parsley.

How to make it: 1. Melt the butter in a skillet and cook the onion and celery for 6 minutes until soft. 2. Toss the bread cubes with the vegetables, herbs, salt and pepper. 3. Whisk the egg into the broth and pour it over, mixing gently. 4. Spread in a greased quarter sheet pan and cover with foil. 5. Bake at 350F for 15 minutes covered, then 10 to 12 minutes uncovered until golden and crisp on top.

Toaster Oven Recipes for Green Beans Almondine

Green beans almondine is the lighter cousin of the classic casserole, and it is one of the easiest toaster oven recipes for a crowded holiday menu. Fresh beans roast on a small tray with olive oil until they blister in spots, then get tossed with butter, lemon zest and toasted sliced almonds. The almonds toast in the same tray during the last few minutes, so you only wash one pan. If your family insists on the creamy version, keep these green bean casserole recipes for the main oven.

You will need: 12 oz fresh green beans trimmed, 1 tbsp olive oil, 1/4 cup sliced almonds, 1 tbsp butter, 1 tsp lemon zest, 1 tsp lemon juice, 1 small garlic clove minced, salt and pepper.

How to make it: 1. Heat the toaster oven to 425F. 2. Toss the green beans with olive oil, salt and pepper and spread on the tray in one layer. 3. Roast for 10 minutes, shaking the tray once. 4. Scatter the almonds over the beans and roast 3 to 4 minutes more until golden. 5. Toss with butter, garlic, lemon zest and juice while hot.

Bacon-Wrapped Brussels Sprouts

Brussels sprouts wrapped in thin strips of bacon are a holiday appetizer that disappears in minutes, and a toaster oven crisps the bacon beautifully because the heat is so close to the food. Steam the sprouts for a few minutes first so the centers turn tender by the time the bacon is done. Line the tray with foil to catch the drippings, and set the pan in the center of the rack so it has room on every side. For more ways to serve them, browse these Brussels sprouts recipes.

You will need: 16 medium Brussels sprouts trimmed, 8 thin slices bacon cut in half, 1 tbsp maple syrup, black pepper, toothpicks, foil-lined toaster oven tray.

How to make it: 1. Steam or microwave the sprouts with a splash of water for 4 minutes and pat dry. 2. Wrap each sprout in a half slice of bacon and secure with a toothpick. 3. Set them on the foil-lined tray, seam side down. 4. Bake at 400F for 18 to 22 minutes until the bacon is crisp. 5. Brush with maple syrup, add black pepper and bake 2 minutes more.

Brown Sugar Butter Sweet Potato Wedges

Sweet potato wedges roast faster than a whole sweet potato and caramelize along every edge in a hot toaster oven. Cut them about half an inch thick so they cook evenly, toss them in oil and a little cornstarch for crispness, and finish with a spoonful of soft brown sugar butter. Like many toaster oven recipes, they make a lovely side for one or two people and a smart swap for a big casserole. For more ideas, try these sweet potato recipes beyond casserole.

You will need: 2 medium sweet potatoes cut into wedges, 1 tbsp oil, 1 tsp cornstarch, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp cinnamon, 2 tbsp soft butter, 1 tbsp brown sugar, a pinch of nutmeg.

How to make it: 1. Heat the toaster oven to 425F and line the tray with parchment. 2. Toss the wedges with oil, cornstarch, salt and cinnamon. 3. Spread them in one layer without crowding. 4. Roast 20 to 25 minutes, flipping halfway, until tender and browned. 5. Mash the butter with brown sugar and nutmeg and dot it over the hot wedges.

Toaster Oven Recipes for a Half Dozen Chocolate Chip Cookies

Sometimes you only want six warm cookies, not four dozen. That is where small-batch toaster oven recipes shine: scoop the dough, bake one small tray, and freeze the rest in balls so fresh cookies are always 12 minutes away. Because the heating elements are close, bake on the middle rack and lower the heat by 25 degrees if your model has a fan. Pull them when the centers still look slightly soft. For more flavor twists, see these chocolate chip cookies made many ways.

You will need: 4 tbsp soft butter, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 2 tbsp white sugar, 1 egg yolk, 1/2 tsp vanilla, 2/3 cup flour, 1/4 tsp baking soda, a pinch of salt, 1/3 cup chocolate chips.

How to make it: 1. Beat the butter and both sugars until creamy, then mix in the yolk and vanilla. 2. Stir in the flour, baking soda and salt, then fold in the chips. 3. Scoop 6 balls onto a parchment-lined toaster oven tray, 2 inches apart. 4. Bake at 350F for 9 to 11 minutes until the edges are golden. 5. Cool on the tray for 5 minutes so they set.

Fudgy Brownies for Two in a Loaf Pan

A small loaf pan fits in almost every toaster oven and makes four thick, fudgy brownie squares, just right for a cozy night in. Melting the butter and chocolate together gives a shiny crackly top, and pulling the pan while a few moist crumbs still cling to a toothpick keeps the middle gooey. Line the pan with a parchment sling so the brownies lift out cleanly. For shortcuts with a boxed mix, try these brownie mix hacks.

You will need: 3 tbsp butter, 2 oz dark chocolate chopped, 1/3 cup sugar, 1 egg, 1/2 tsp vanilla, 3 tbsp flour, 1 tbsp cocoa powder, a pinch of salt, a small loaf pan lined with parchment.

How to make it: 1. Melt the butter and chocolate together in a bowl in short bursts. 2. Whisk in the sugar, then the egg and vanilla until glossy. 3. Fold in the flour, cocoa and salt. 4. Pour into the lined loaf pan and bake at 325F for 18 to 22 minutes. 5. Cool completely before lifting out and cutting into squares.

Toaster Oven Recipes for Crispy Baked Chicken Thighs

Bone-in chicken thighs are forgiving, cheap and full of flavor, which makes them one of the best toaster oven recipes for weeknight dinners. Pat the skin very dry, rub it with a simple spice mix and roast skin side up on a small rack set inside the tray so the fat drips away and the skin crackles. Four thighs fit in most countertop models. Always check that the thickest part reaches 165F. For more ideas, see these juicy chicken thigh dinners.

You will need: 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, 1 tbsp oil, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1/2 tsp onion powder, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, lemon wedges.

How to make it: 1. Heat the toaster oven to 425F and set a small rack inside the tray. 2. Pat the thighs dry and rub with oil and the spices. 3. Place them skin side up on the rack without touching. 4. Roast 30 to 35 minutes until the skin is crisp and the meat reaches 165F. 5. Rest 5 minutes and serve with lemon wedges.

Lemon Salmon With Asparagus on One Small Tray

A two-portion salmon dinner cooks in about 15 minutes in a toaster oven, and the asparagus roasts right next to it. Use thin asparagus spears so they finish at the same time as the fish, and season everything with lemon, garlic and a little olive oil. The salmon is ready when it flakes easily but still looks slightly glossy in the very center. Pickled red onion or a few pomegranate seeds make it look restaurant-worthy. For more fish nights, try these easy salmon dinners.

You will need: 2 salmon fillets (5 to 6 oz each), 1 bunch thin asparagus trimmed, 1 tbsp olive oil, 1 lemon (zest and slices), 1 garlic clove minced, salt, pepper, fresh dill.

How to make it: 1. Heat the toaster oven to 400F and line the tray with foil. 2. Toss the asparagus with half the oil, salt and pepper and arrange around the edges. 3. Set the salmon in the middle, brush with the remaining oil, garlic and lemon zest. 4. Top with lemon slices and roast 12 to 15 minutes. 5. Finish with fresh dill and a squeeze of lemon.

Toaster Oven Recipes for Cheesy Baked Penne for Two

Baked penne is a comforting toaster oven recipe that turns half a box of pasta into two hearty portions. Undercook the pasta by two minutes, toss it with marinara and ricotta, then bake it in a small dish with mozzarella on top until bubbly. The compact oven browns the cheese quickly, so keep an eye on it during the last few minutes. Leftovers reheat beautifully the next day. For more cozy ideas, see these Italian baked pasta dishes.

You will need: 6 oz penne or ziti, 1 1/2 cups marinara sauce, 1/2 cup ricotta, 3/4 cup shredded mozzarella, 2 tbsp grated parmesan, 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning, fresh basil, a small baking dish that fits your toaster oven.

How to make it: 1. Boil the pasta 2 minutes less than the package time and drain. 2. Mix with marinara, ricotta and Italian seasoning. 3. Spoon into the small greased dish and top with mozzarella and parmesan. 4. Bake at 375F for 15 to 18 minutes until bubbling and golden. 5. Rest 5 minutes and top with torn basil.

10-Minute Tortilla Pizza

A large flour tortilla becomes a thin, crackly pizza crust in a toaster oven, and it is ready faster than delivery. The secret is to crisp the plain tortilla for two minutes first, then add a thin layer of sauce so it does not turn soggy. Kids love building their own, and it is a great way to use up leftover cheese and toppings after the holidays. Cut it into wedges with kitchen scissors. For more fun ideas, browse these homemade pizza night ideas.

You will need: 1 large flour tortilla, 3 tbsp pizza sauce, 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella, 8 to 10 pepperoni slices, a few fresh basil leaves, a pinch of dried oregano, olive oil.

How to make it: 1. Heat the toaster oven to 425F. 2. Brush the tortilla lightly with oil and bake on the tray for 2 minutes. 3. Spread with sauce and top with mozzarella and pepperoni. 4. Bake 5 to 7 minutes until the cheese bubbles and the edges brown. 5. Add basil and oregano and cut into wedges.

Baked Egg and Cheese Breakfast Cups

A six-cup muffin tin fits most toaster ovens and turns a few eggs into grab-and-go breakfast cups. Whisk the eggs with milk, stir in cheese, spinach and diced peppers, and bake until just set. Holiday guests can help themselves while the main oven is busy with a ham or casserole, and leftovers keep in the fridge for four days. Reheat for a minute or two at 300F, which is why cooks who love toaster oven recipes make a batch every weekend. For more make-ahead mornings, see these make-ahead egg bites.

You will need: 6 eggs, 1/4 cup milk, 1/2 cup shredded cheddar, 1/2 cup chopped spinach, 1/4 cup diced bell pepper, 2 tbsp chopped green onion, salt and pepper, a greased six-cup muffin tin.

How to make it: 1. Heat the toaster oven to 350F and grease the muffin tin well. 2. Whisk the eggs, milk, salt and pepper. 3. Divide the cheese and vegetables between the cups. 4. Pour in the egg mixture until each cup is three quarters full. 5. Bake 18 to 20 minutes until set in the center and cool 3 minutes before removing.

Open-Faced Leftover Turkey and Cheese Melts

The day after the big feast, the toaster oven makes the best leftover lunch. Toast thick slices of bread, layer on sliced turkey, a thin spread of cranberry sauce and plenty of cheese, then broil until it melts and bubbles. Thin red onion rings and fresh herbs on top add color and crunch. Among all the toaster oven recipes here, it is the quickest, faster than heating a skillet, with almost nothing to clean. For more ways to cook turkey, see these turkey breast recipes.

You will need: 2 thick slices sourdough or country bread, 4 oz sliced leftover turkey, 2 tbsp cranberry sauce, 3 slices cheddar or Swiss, thin red onion rings, a little butter, fresh basil or parsley.

How to make it: 1. Butter the bread lightly and toast it on the tray at 400F for 3 minutes. 2. Spread cranberry sauce on each slice and pile on the turkey. 3. Top with the cheese and onion rings. 4. Broil 3 to 4 minutes until the cheese melts and turns golden in spots. 5. Finish with fresh herbs and serve warm.

Toaster Oven Recipes for Reheating Pie So the Crust Stays Crisp

The microwave turns leftover pie crust soft and chewy, but a toaster oven brings back the flaky, crisp layers in about 10 minutes. Set a slice on a small tray, cover the filling loosely with foil so it does not dry out, and warm it gently. Fruit pies like apple and cherry reheat best, while custard pies such as pumpkin are better served cold. Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream and it tastes freshly baked. For pies made for a crowd, see these easy slab pies.

You will need: 1 or 2 slices of leftover fruit pie, foil, a small toaster oven tray, vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for serving.

How to make it: 1. Heat the toaster oven to 350F. 2. Place the pie slice on the tray and tent the filling loosely with foil. 3. Warm 8 to 10 minutes until heated through. 4. Remove the foil for the last 2 minutes to crisp the top crust. 5. Rest 2 minutes and serve with ice cream.

Sweet and Spicy Roasted Mixed Nuts

A tray of warm spiced nuts makes the whole kitchen smell like the holidays, and the toaster oven is the perfect size for a batch. Toss mixed nuts in a little egg white, brown sugar, cinnamon and a pinch of cayenne, then roast them low and slow so the coating dries into a crunchy shell. Stir them every few minutes because small ovens toast quickly. They keep for two weeks in a jar and make sweet little gifts, one of the most giftable toaster oven recipes of the season. For more flavors, try these spiced nuts holiday recipes.

You will need: 2 cups mixed unsalted nuts (cashews, almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts), 1 egg white, 1/3 cup brown sugar, 1 tsp cinnamon, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp cayenne, parchment.

How to make it: 1. Heat the toaster oven to 300F and line the tray with parchment. 2. Whisk the egg white until foamy and toss the nuts in it. 3. Mix the sugar, cinnamon, salt and cayenne and coat the nuts. 4. Spread in one layer and bake 20 to 25 minutes, stirring every 7 minutes. 5. Cool completely on the tray, then break apart.

Toaster Oven Recipes Work Best With These Simple Tips

A few habits make every recipe in this gallery turn out better. Use pans that fit with about an inch of space on every side so hot air can move around the food. If your model has a convection fan, lower the temperature by 25 degrees and check early. Keep the crumb tray clean, keep paper towels and plastic away from the heating elements, and never leave the oven unattended while it is on. For more small-kitchen meal ideas, try these dump and bake dinners for two.

You will need: A quarter sheet pan, a small loaf pan, a six-cup muffin tin, an oven-safe rack that fits the tray, parchment, foil, oven mitts and an instant-read thermometer.

How to make it: 1. Measure the inside of your toaster oven before buying pans and leave about 1 inch of clearance. 2. Preheat fully, just like a big oven. 3. Lower the temperature 25F when using convection. 4. Rotate the pan halfway through for even browning. 5. Unplug and clean the crumb tray after it cools.