How to Bake Without an Oven: 7 Nifty Ways from NewGen Baker

Whether its gas or electric, an oven is a kitchen staple worldwide, especially for those who love baking. Now this may come as a surprise, but did you know you can make delicious cakes and pies without one? It’s true! And NewGen Baker’s got seven nifty ways on how to bake without an oven.

These methods include other kinds of ovens as alternatives to the typical range found in the modern kitchen. 

1. Using a Cast Iron Skillet 

One way to bake without an oven is to use a cast iron skillet, and a gas, electric, or induction stove will do for this purpose. Cast iron skillets are popular because they are durable and literally made of solid iron. They heat your food evenly and can be used on a stove top or an oven. 

Using a cast iron skillet for baking lets you observe the baking process from start to finish. Another benefit is you won’t need as many kitchen utensils to complete one dish. Just use the same pan over and over!

One amazing recipe you can try are Easy Lasagna Rolls. No oven? No problem! Simply fill your skillet with crushed tomatoes and lay your prepared rolls on top. Drizzle with white sauce and cheese, cover with a lid, then cook over medium heat until baked.

2. Large Pot Over a Stove Top 

Now, stove tops aren’t ordinarily used for baking cakes. But that doesn’t mean you can’t! With the right kitchen tools, you’ll be surprised at what some of the wonderful things you can whip up. Large pots are ideal for this purpose, because you’ll be placing your baking tin inside. Viola! A stone top oven!

One thing you need to watch out for with this method is burning the underside of your cake. Just place a small wire rack to add some space between the pot and the bottom of your baking tin. Sand and rocks will also work, as long as the spacer you’re using is heat proof (but maybe stick to a wire rack for starters). You can try this method with our simple but delicious recipe for No Oven Chocolate Chip Hotcake Cereal.

3. Baking with a Rice Cooker

Our humble rice cooker can be used for more than just rice. And the best part is that it’s found in many Filipino households as an affordable and considered appliance.

But if you’re thinking of making something complex, this may not be the right tool for the job. However, you definitely use it to make a “simple cake.”

One of the benefits of a rice cooker is it reduces cooking time. But be aware that the texture of cakes baked in a rice cooker differs from that of an oven. Finally, we recommend you mix your ingredients before putting them in the rice cooker. 

There are many rice cookers that feature a bake setting, but setting a timer will do. It can take two to five minutes for a cake to bake in a rice cooker.

Check out our recipe for Rice Cooker Chocolate Cake to test this method. It’s another easy way to bake without an oven.

4. Baking with a Palayok

A palayok or Philippine clay pot is a traditional means of baking using a wood or charcoal fire. Think hibachi used by the Japanese.

This method opens up a variety of baked goods, including bread. The palayok ‘s porous and natural material quickly absorbs liquid. An indicator that your food is done cooking is if the palayok has dried up. That’s why it’s best to rinse your palayok versus washing it with dish soap. It can absorb the chemicals. 

While this method isn’t as widely used as it was in the past, it’s still a preferred cooking method in the provinces. It is said that food cooked or baked in a palayok is safer and more nutritious compared to modern-day kitchen appliances.  

5. Refrigeration 

The opposite of heating, chilling through refrigeration is a way of making delicious cakes, pies, and floats. No-bake cheesecake, ice box or ice cream cakes, and pies are still very much popular today. The key to making these delicious no-bake goodies lies in the kind of ingredients used. When cooled, they set and become stiff or firm enough to hold together. However, there’s also a need to refrigerate leftovers, otherwise they’ll melt.

Cream and fresh fruit are common ingredients. Crust made from Graham crackers is also preferred as it will also serve as a base and hold the ingredients together. Try our recipe for Mango Graham Float to see what we mean.

6. Baking with a Microwave  

Yes, the microwave is a type of oven. But, unlike its gas or electric counterparts, it’s more affordable and uses thermal radiation. It’s another easy-peasy way of baking without an oven.

Always remember that if it isn’t labeled “microwave-safe,” don’t risk using them. Unless you’re using a convection microwave, make sure to use containers made especially for this appliance. You can even use stoneware or ceramic dishes.

Second, check your goodies for doneness often. The great thing about baking with a microwave is its easy to stop the appliance at any given time. Stick a toothpick in the center of your cake and if it comes out clean, you’re good to go.

Finally, know that you have a lot of microwave baking mixes at your fingertips. One product we love is Maya Happy Mug Cake Mix. It comes in caramel and chocolate flavors. Try out these recipes and see how easy it is to bake something scrumptious in your microwave:

• Unicorn Mug Cake
• Caramel Apple Mug Cake
• Cherry Chocolate Mug Cake
• Ube Mug Cake
• Buko Pandan Mug Cake
• Chocolate Banana Mug Cake
• Peanut Butter Chocolate Mug Cake
• Sweet Corn Mug Cake
• Triple Mango Mug Cake
• Butter Blueberry Mug Cake
• Cinnamon Roll Mug Cake

7. Baking with a Toaster 

Even if you own a basic toaster, it’s still possible to turn out yummy baked goods using this tiny contraption. Of course, if your toaster is capable of longer baking times, then you have more flexibility. 

This baking method was especially popular during the earlier months of quarantine, as buying or replacing range ovens was close to impossible. For a complete guide on how to bake without an oven using a toaster, read this post. It also includes recipes for you try.

We hope this post helped teach you how to bake without an oven range. If it did, share this post with friends and family who need tips. If you don’t own this kitchen appliance, there’s no need to give up on baking.