Cooking without an oven: 5 baking, roasting and cooking ideas

If your oven requires a repair or replacement, there are several appliances that can sometimes serve as substitutes, such as microwaves, countertop ovens, toaster ovens, cooktops and slow cookers. The section below covers how they compare to a conventional oven, and the kinds of dishes they’re best suited for.

Whether you’re busy caring for your family and looking for a quick and easy way to cook or in need of a backup plan while you shop for a new oven, these appliances are a great way to get the job done.

*Capabilities depend on appliance type and model

Microwaves can heat food quickly and help you get dinner on the table fast. Some microwaves are equipped with features similar to conventional ovens, such as convection cooking, broiler-like heat, or low heat to maintain the temperature of the food. 

A microwave convection oven incorporates an additional heating element and a fan that helps to circulate hot air throughout the cavity. This feature allows you to bake and roast items like a casserole or a whole chicken directly in the microwave.

You can often use your microwave to reheat, boil, melt, steam and more. Select Whirlpool^® microwave models even offer Steam Cooking, letting you make foods like microwave eggs, rice, steamed vegetables and fish.¹

A countertop oven is a compact version of a traditional range or wall oven with similar capabilities and benefits in a smaller size, suitable for your countertop.

Use your countertop oven to bake pizza and small batches of cookies, heat sandwiches or roast vegetables. For more cooking options, consider a convection countertop oven that provides versatility and innovative techniques such as air frying.

Select countertop ovens have advanced features and settings, allowing you to take on the same and sometimes more tasks than a full-sized oven. However, they have less capacity for multiple dishes or large meals. Some countertop ovens include features normally found on regular, full-sized ovens, including:

• Temperature probes

• Preset cooking functions

• Convection

• Multiple racks

• Non-stick interiors

• Interior lights

Toaster ovens are another alternative if you don’t have a traditional oven. The main differences between the two are their size and functionality. Toaster ovens are usually a bit smaller and have a more limited range of settings.

The toaster ovens available today vary widely in their features and are often used for toasting slices of bread or reheating food, making them great for basic tasks and small kitchens. Toaster ovens typically lack convection capabilities, but they are still convenient tools for lighter meals. You can often use select toaster ovens for tasks like roasting chicken breasts, cooking bacon, baking fish filets, roasting vegetables and toasting your own flavored nuts. Some models allow you to bake and broil as well. Use the top rack of your toaster oven for broiling some meats, cookies and toast. The second rack may be used for most kinds of baking and cooking.

If you don’t have an oven or yours isn’t working, you can still make some of your family’s favorite dishes, such as pasta al dente, on your cooktop or stovetop. You can also mimic baking and make some casseroles, lasagna and other oven-baked dishes on your cooktop using a cast-iron skillet, Dutch oven or other cooktop-safe cookware. 

You can even use a stovetop griddle as an alternative way to cook familiar dishes. Your recipe instructions will likely change, so be sure to do your research before using this method.

If you have a Dutch oven, you can make some of your favorite dishes traditionally cooked in the oven on your cooktop. As long as the lid fits properly, the Dutch oven will maintain its heat and slowly cook your meal. Use your Dutch oven to braise, sauté, simmer, slow cook and more.

Another alternative to your oven is a slow cooker. Slow cookers allow for a true “set and forget” experience in the kitchen and can be a great substitute for your oven when making roasts, soups and stew recipes. Slow cookers can’t brown foods, so keep that in mind when determining if you can convert a recipe from oven to slow cooker. Use your slow cooker to make tender and juicy short ribs, pot roast with roasted potatoes, creamy mac and cheese and chili.  

Cooking time in your slow cooker depends on whether you set it on high or low and the recipe’s original cook time. Generally, the high setting cooks about twice as fast as the low setting. Slow-cooker recipes typically work best with recipes that are cooked at 350°F or lower in the oven since higher temperatures are used mostly to brown items, which slow cookers cannot do. Learn more ways to cook without a stove.

Explore the ideas below to help spark meal inspiration, even if your oven isn’t working or you don’t have one.

• Breakfast: You can make breakfast easily on your cooktop or with your countertop oven. Make eggs in a frying pan on your cooktop, and use your countertop oven to cook up crispy bacon. 

• Homemade bread: You can make bread in your air fryer, toaster oven or even on your stovetop in a Dutch oven. Use your homemade bread to get creative with sandwich flavors or to dip in your favorite soup.

• Casseroles: When you can’t use your oven, you can experiment with microwave and stovetop casseroles, or put a small casserole in a countertop oven.

• Beef or pork roast: Use your slow cooker to make fork-tender pork or beef roast that you can serve alongside hearty mashed potatoes or roasted vegetables.

• Roasted vegetables: Using your toaster oven or countertop oven, you can make flavorful roasted vegetables to add to your meal. 

• Soups and stews: Toss your favorite ingredients in your Dutch oven and let your soup or stew simmer all day for a flavorful one-pot dinner and easy cleanup.

• Frozen foods: Even though you might usually pop a frozen pizza in the oven, you can still make one when your oven isn’t working. If your pizza fits in the appliance, you can use your toaster oven, countertop oven or even microwave for similar results. Be sure to read the directions for your chosen method as they might differ from one appliance to the next.

Get answers to commonly asked questions about cooking without an oven, including specific alternatives.

1. Steam accessory available separately.