We'reall for supporting kids' cooking andbakinginterests as much as possible, but after playing with the idea of developing DIY mixes and recipes specifically for the iconic Easy-Bake Oven, our staffer had a revelation... The humble toaster oven is a far more efficient and versatile tool to introduce kids to the kitchen with. (Given, most toaster ovens aren'tpink, but hopefully your family can get past that detail.)
By Hayley Sugg and Hayley Sugg Updated March 08, 2017
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Photo: Hayley Sugg
| Credit: Hayley Sugg
It was the dream of every 90’s kid. An Easy-Bake Oven of their own to help them on their journey to mix, bake, and enjoy their very own treats. Alas, despite all the hubbub, my childhood baking projects with the Easy-Bake Oven didn’t always work out as smoothly as they appeared to in the glossy advertisem*nts. Burns, blown light bulbs, chalky cakes, and broken dreams were all I ever really received from mine.
Now there’s a new generation of children gearing up to explore their culinary interests with this hotter-than-the-sun plastic box and its accompanying overpriced mixes. While I’m all behind fostering a child’s cooking and/or baking interests as much as possible, might I suggest you save yourself (and your kid) some frustration by choosing a simpler route to easy kid-friendly cooking: your toaster oven. Here's why.
Ease of Use
Hands down, a toaster oven is a better choice all-around for beginner forays into the kitchen. True, it does get hot, and needs to be used by older children with adult supervision, but toaster ovens are significantly easier to use than an Easy-Bake. Opening the door to a toaster oven is a much simpler process than trying to shove the food in and out of a tiny gap with the plastic equivalent of an EZ Grabber. Plus, children learn about preheating, setting the correct baking temperature, and safely (with oven mitts firmly in place) creating meals.
Price
According to Amazon, the average Easy-Bake Oven costs a whopping $50. Not to mention the refill packs which ring in at nearly $7 a piece for just a few servings. A decent toaster oven, from name brands, will run you about $35. Toaster ovens are guaranteed to get more use from the whole family and you won’t have to worry about changing pesky light bulbs every other baking session.
Versatility
With adjustable heat settings, and usually built-in timers, a toaster oven can cook a much wider range of foods (both sweet and savory) than any Easy-Bake Oven, which runs at the same heat at all times. Also Easy-Bake’s tiny entrance for baked goods and snacks limits what you can place inside. A toaster oven is large enough to bake several items at a time, perfect for kids cooking together or those interested in sharing.
We wouldn’t suggest using a toaster oven for kid-friendly cooking without giving you delicious examples. Below are a few easy ideas that even the most novice cook can throw together. If you’re looking to create more traditional baked goods, baking up one or two pieces of your favorite cookie dough in the toaster oven will create made-to-order desserts. Here are a few other fun options to start with:
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Credit: Photo: Hayley Sugg
English Muffin Pizza
- 1/2 English muffin
- 2 tablespoons marinara
- 2 tablespoons mozzarella cheese
1. Spread the English muffin half with marinara. Sprinkle cheese on top and bake for 5 minutes at 350°F.
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Credit: Photo: Hayley Sugg
Quesadilla
- 1 6-inch corn tortilla
- 2 tablespoons shredded cheddar
- 1 tablespoon salsa
1. Evenly spread cheddar across the entire corn tortilla. Spread on the salsa and fold in half. Bake for 5 minutes, turning halfway through, at 350°F.
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Credit: Photo: Hayley Sugg
S’mores
- 1 graham cracker
- 3 small squares of chocolate
- 1 marshmallow
1. Break the graham cracker into two even parts. Set one piece aside. Top the other with the chocolate and marshmallow. Bake for 2 minutes 350°F, or until the marshmallow reaches desired doneness. Top with the remaining graham cracker piece.
By Hayley Sugg and Hayley Sugg
FAQs
Hands down, a toaster oven is a better choice all-around for beginner forays into the kitchen. True, it does get hot, and needs to be used by older children with adult supervision, but toaster ovens are significantly easier to use than an Easy-Bake.
Are toaster ovens safe for kids? ›
They are one of the safer kitchen appliances, although you'll still need to remind them about safety issues. They are also very easy to use and produce very satisfying results for a minimum of effort. Consider setting your child a series of cooking challenges to help them master the toaster oven.
Is it better to use a toaster oven than an oven? ›
A toaster oven, however, saves energy. The smaller oven uses less than half the amount of energy as a full-sized oven, making it the greener choice.
Why did they discontinue Easy-Bake Ovens? ›
On July 19, 2007, Hasbro re-issued its voluntary recall of the Easy-Bake after learning that part of a five-year-old girl's finger had to be amputated because of a severe burn. The recall affected 985,000 ovens that had been sold between May 2006 and July 2007.
Do Easy-Bake Ovens get hot? ›
The Easy-Bake's poorly-kept secret, of course, is that it's just an oven, heating automatically to 375 degrees. It's easy to use ordinary Betty Crocker cookie and baking mixes in the oven, rather than the special Easy-Bake stuff, and Nina got a big kick out of cracking an egg into the batter and mixing it up.
What Cannot go into a toaster oven? ›
Most paper, including wax paper, wooden bowls or utensils, plastic wrap and storage containers, food packaged for microwaving, and dinnerware and dishes that are not oven-safe are all no-nos when it comes to the toaster oven, says DeWitt.
Why can't you use foil in a toaster oven? ›
The Owner's Manual for the countertop oven cautions against using aluminum foil to cover internal parts of the unit, such as the crumb tray, racks, etc. Covering internal parts of the oven restricts the natural flow of air through the unit and can cause the oven to overheat.
What age should a child use a toaster? ›
“In general, around kindergarten (age 5 or 6), a child should be able to pour milk and cereal for themselves. A slightly older child (age 7 or 8) could likely make toast or waffles in a toaster after being supervised initially,” Reshmi Basu M.D., a CHOC pediatrician, tells Romper.
Why not recommended for toaster oven? ›
Plastic, paper (excluding some brands of parchment paper), and other non-oven-safe materials shouldn't go into a toaster oven. It's easy to forget that some of the TV dinners you have in your freezer use materials that aren't oven-safe. This doesn't always mean the food itself can't be cooked in a toaster oven.
Why do some recipes say not to use a toaster oven? ›
Toaster oven heating elements sit very close to the food, and the entire oven can become very hot as you use it, meaning that fire is a real risk. You can reduce this risk, however, by using correct bakeware and knowing what it is about certain foods that could cause a problem.
The problems that toaster ovens may present are similar to those of other heating appliances. The electrical cord may need replacing. The main switch, the thermal fuse, and the solenoid may be faulty. The thermostat may be faulty or need recalibrating.
What company makes the best toaster oven? ›
Our Favorite Toaster Oven
The Breville Smart Oven was by far our Best Overall pick. Our test kitchen found that it has even heating and browning properties for a perfect cook every time. It's also super easy to clean, is sleek and modern in its design, and offers exceptionally high value for the price.
Do toaster ovens use a lot of electricity? ›
Power Consumption: According to industry representatives, a toaster oven uses about 1/3-1/2 less energy than a conventional electric oven for cooking small meals. Typical power consumption of a toaster oven during use is 1,200 to 1,400 watts.
Is an air fryer the same as a toaster oven? ›
TOASTER OVEN. An air fryer is usually limited to the convection-like air frying function, while a toaster oven or countertop oven can offer a wider range of functions such as broil, roast and bake. Some countertop ovens even feature an Air Fry setting, maximizing your appliance's functions.
What is the Easy-Bake Oven cooking competition? ›
Talented home cooks put their skills and creativity to the test making fast and easy dishes that are wildly delicious — and worthy of a big cash prize. Watch all you want. Antoni Porowski of "Queer Eye" hosts this inventive food contest for adult amateurs inspired by an iconic children's toy.
What is the difference between the Easy-Bake Oven and the Ultimate Easy-Bake Oven? ›
Answer: The Easy- Bake Ultimate Oven utilizes a heating element similar to a conventional oven and features a larger cooking chamber and bigger baking pan giving tweens the opportunity to bake more delectable treats than the EASY-BAKE Oven & Snack Center.
Do people still make Easy-Bake Ovens? ›
The truth is that, while it is true that certain models of the classic oven are being discontinued, they are still available in many stores.
Which oven bakes the best? ›
Gas ovens are ideal for baking and keeping recipes like roasts juicy on the inside. This fuel type also typically yields fast cooking times and can preheat slightly faster than electric models.
