These oven alternatives will have you making homemade meals without breaking a sweat. (Amazon/Walmart)(Amazon/Walmart)
As a former professional baker, there are few things I enjoy more than mixing up a cake from scratch or delivering homemade cookies to my neighbors. Well ... that's the case when it's any season other than summer, anyway. The temps have been pretty brutal in my neck of the woods, and if you're also feeling less than inspired to turn on your oven lately, all hope is not lost. There are plenty of kitchen helpers that won't make you wonder whether you stumbled into the center of a volcano, like a top-rated Ninja indoor grill, a No. 1 bestselling Instant Pot pressure cooker and a nifty little Cuisinart ice cream maker (because dessert is a must no matter what temperature it is). Oh, and many of these appliances heat up more quickly than a full-sized oven, so win-win!
Keep scrolling for solutions that don't involve turning to takeout 24/7 — and stay cool!
Nothing tops a little treat after a long day — and ice cream is, perhaps, the sweetest of treats. Instead of shelling out for the store-bought stuff, she can churn her own with this top-rated ice cream maker. Just throw in the ingredients and get up to two quarts of ice cream in less than 30 minutes. Like the Ninja Creami, but way, way less pricey.
For the same price, you can get this morning superhero in a cheery red.
Make food nice and crispy (even if it's soggy leftovers) with Ninja's 4-quart air fryer. This multitasker can also bake, reheat and dehydrate food. The buttons are pretty intuitive, so you can use it right out of the box with no issues. Grab it on sale at Walmart, where Ninja is marking down a lot of its kitchen items ahead of the holiday season.
"I love the brand, the color, the price and the compact size!" said one Walmart reviewer. "It cooks so fast. It's very easy to clean in the sink, but also doesn't take up much room in the dishwasher. Highly recommend it."
Faster food, cooler kitchen — this compact cooker is a no-brainer, especially during the warmer months when turning on your oven is the last thing you want to do. I've used it for everything from cakes and brownies to baked pasta and even roasted tofu and vegetables. It heats up in no time, plus it can fit a decent amount of food: six slices of toast, a 12-inch pizza or even a 4-pound chicken. The LED display has six functions: Toast, Bagel, Bake, Broil, Keep Warm and Reheat, and I'm positive it'll be getting a ton of use this summer. This is as low as it's been all year!
Check out my full Cuisinart Deluxe Convection Toaster Oven review for more.
So, your outdoor space is too small for a grill, and you'd really like to avoid a house full of smoke — but you're still craving those charred foods of summer. This baby will sear proteins and veggies like a champ, but its smoke-control system means you won't be breathing in soot while you cook. In addition to a grill plate, it comes with a flat-top griddle (smash burgers, anyone?) and you'll be able to fit up to six steaks at a time on its roomy cooking surface. Bonus: It comes with a food thermometer for accurate results every time.
Check out our roundup of the best grills of 2024 for more.
We all scream for a holiday gift this delightfully decadent. The Creami takes any frozen solid base and turns it into ice cream, sorbets, milkshakes and more. Your loved one won't be able to stop creating homemade sundaes, boozy milkshakes and delicious smoothie bowls. Plus, all the components are top-shelf dishwasher-safe for easy cleaning.
The Beast's infuser bottle might also help you achieve your hydration goals this year.
And when all else fails? Just zap some leftovers in the microwave and call it a day! Oh, you need a new one? Well, this No. 1 bestseller has 1.2 cubic feet of space, six auto settings, 10 power levels, a smart humidity sensor, defrost, soften and melt functions, plus an eco-mode that can help cut down your energy bill. Frozen pizza sounds good right about now!
