Toaster ovens are not as popular as they used to be, and many households that own one don't know exactly what to do with it. If that is the case with you, here are some good suggestions on how to put your toaster oven to good use.

Prepare quick snacks such as garlic bread, pizza rolls, and even French fries. Because of their small size and quick heating, a toaster oven is a much better choice for this than a microwave, which can make food too soggy, or a regular oven, which has a longer cooking time. Also, using a toaster oven will not turn the kitchen into a sauna as would a regular oven, which is a big advantage in summer.

Use a toaster oven in place of your microwave for small frozen goods such as pot pies, personal pizzas, or cookie dough. A toaster oven will give you a crispy crust, which a microwave can't. A toaster oven cooks like a regular oven, just faster, so it's a great option for when you want to make food that tastes real but without spending the required time for it.

You can use a toaster oven as a second oven if you are cooking for a party or a holiday and run out of space in your regular oven. While you cannot put a large pizza in your toaster oven, you can certainly fit individual ones, snacks, and appetizers such as rolls.

A toaster oven uses very little electricity when compared to other appliances, including a microwave. Using your toaster oven often will actually reduce the amount of money you spend on bills every month. If you have an electric stove, using your toaster oven makes even more sense.

What else you can do with a toaster oven depends on the type of functions they include. Some offer "slow-heat" cooking, which is great for frozen food and even vegetables; others have a defroster option, although this is not as useful if you already have a microwave. Finally, a toaster oven usually comes with a broiler function, allowing you to bake without worrying about uneven cooking.