The oven is an essential appliance in any kitchen, but most of us only use it to bake or roast our favorite dishes. However, there are many other creative ways to use your oven that you might not have thought of. In this post, we'll share ten oven hacks that will change the way you cook and make your life in the kitchen easier.
Use your oven to proof bread dough. If you're making bread at home, you can use your oven to provide a warm, draft-free environment for the dough to rise. Simply turn your oven to the lowest setting, then turn it off and place your covered dough inside. The residual heat from the oven will help it rise perfectly.
Roast garlic in your oven. Roasted garlic adds a sweet, caramelized flavor to any dish. To roast garlic, simply slice off the top of a head of garlic, drizzle it with olive oil, wrap it in foil, and bake at 400°F for 30-40 minutes.
Make dried fruit in your oven. If you have fresh fruit that is about to go bad, don't throw it away. Instead, slice it thinly and place it on a baking sheet. Bake at 170°F for 4-6 hours or until it is completely dried.
Reheat pizza in your oven. Instead of microwaving your leftover pizza, which can make it soggy, place it in your oven at 375°F for 10-15 minutes. This will give you a crispy crust and perfectly melted cheese.
Use your oven to make homemade granola. Making your own granola is easy and delicious. Simply mix oats, nuts, seeds, and dried fruit with honey and oil, then bake at 325°F for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.
Make roasted nuts in your oven. Roasting nuts in your oven enhances their flavor and gives them a crispy texture. Simply spread them out on a baking sheet, drizzle with oil and sprinkle with salt, and bake at 350°F for 10-15 minutes.
Use your oven to melt chocolate. Melting chocolate can be tricky, but using your oven makes it easy. Simply place your chocolate in a heatproof bowl and put it in the oven at 200°F for 5-10 minutes or until it is melted.
Make homemade potato chips in your oven. Homemade potato chips are healthier and tastier than store-bought ones. Simply slice your potatoes thinly, toss them with oil and salt, and bake at 400°F for 15-20 minutes or until crispy.
Use your oven to cook perfect bacon. Cooking bacon in the oven is less messy and more hands-off than frying it on the stovetop. Simply place your bacon on a wire rack over a baking sheet, and bake at 400°F for 15-20 minutes or until crispy.
Make herb-infused oils in your oven. Infusing oils with herbs gives them a delicious flavor that is perfect for cooking or drizzling over salads. Simply place your herbs and oil in an oven-safe dish, and bake at 200°F for 1-2 hours.
These oven hacks are just a few examples of how you can make the most out of your oven. Try them out and drop feedback if these tips worked for you. I'm keen to know.
