Cooking Without an Oven: 15 Creative Ideas for Travelers and College Students

Have you ever had to live without an oven? Travelers and college students often find themselves living with limited cooking facilities, such as hotel rooms or dormitories, where their kitchen equipment may be limited to a coffee pot and microwave. However, this doesn't have to be a problem; cooking without an oven can be challenging, but it's entirely manageable.

Having experienced periods of living without an oven myself, I can attest to the fact that it can be done successfully with a bit of creativity and thinking outside the box. By making a few adjustments to your meal planning and utilizing alternative heat sources, you can prepare satisfying meals even without an oven.

When I first moved into my own place, I only had the coffee pot, microwave, and electric skillet to cook with. Everything else came later on as I could afford to buy more.

Even if you just have these three things you can cook for yourself and your family. You may also need to buy an extension cord or strip to plug in multiple appliances to cook more than one dish at a time, depending on your situation.

Using alternative cooking appliances in place of an oven can be a practical solution when you don't have access to an oven or want to try different cooking methods. Here are some common alternative appliances and how to use them:

1. Microwave:

   • Microwaves are excellent for reheating and cooking certain foods quickly.
   • To bake or roast in a microwave, use microwave-safe cookware and follow microwave-specific recipes. Microwaves work best for items like mug cakes, steamed vegetables, and reheating leftovers.

2. Toaster Oven:

   • A toaster oven is a versatile appliance that can bake, roast, broil, and toast.
   • You can use it to make smaller portions of casseroles, pizzas, baked potatoes, and even cookies. Follow conventional oven recipes but adjust cooking times and temperatures as needed, usually using slightly lower temperatures and shorter cooking times.

3. Slow Cooker (Crock-Pot):

   • Slow cookers are great for preparing stews, soups, and braised dishes.
   • You can also bake certain items like bread or cakes in a slow cooker by using appropriate recipes designed for this purpose.

4. Countertop Convection Oven:

   • Convection ovens have a fan that circulates hot air, which allows for even cooking and browning.
   • Use it for baking, roasting, and broiling. Follow traditional oven recipes, but you may need to reduce the temperature by about 25°F (14°C) and shorten the cooking time.

5. Electric Skillet:

   • Electric skillets are versatile and can be used for frying, sautéing, simmering, and baking.
   • You can bake casseroles, cornbread, or even cakes in an electric skillet. Just make sure to adjust the temperature and cooking times accordingly.

6. Stovetop:

   • Many recipes that require baking can be adapted for stovetop cooking. For example, you can make skillet lasagna, pan-fried bread, or stovetop pizzas.
   • Use a heavy-bottomed skillet or pan and closely follow stovetop-specific recipes.

7. Grill:

   • Grills are great for roasting and baking, especially for foods like pizzas, bread, and certain vegetables.
   • For indirect grilling, create a two-zone fire (hot and cool zones) and place your food in the cool zone. Close the grill lid to create an oven-like environment.

8. Instant Pot or Pressure Cooker:

• Instant Pots and pressure cookers can be used for cooking a wide range of dishes, including roasts, stews, and baked items.
• There are many recipes available that cater to these appliances, allowing you to create oven-like results.

9. Rice Cooker:

• Rice cookers are primarily designed for cooking rice, but they can also be used for steaming and simmering.
• You can make dishes like steamed vegetables, dumplings, and even certain types of cakes in a rice cooker. Use rice cooker-specific recipes for guidance.

10. Air Fryer:

• An air fryer is excellent for achieving crispy and healthier versions of fried foods.
• You can use it to make roasted vegetables, chicken wings, fish fillets, and even small batches of cookies or brownies. Follow air fryer recipes or adapt oven recipes, adjusting cooking times and temperatures.

11. Electric Kettle:

• Electric kettles are primarily used for boiling water, but they can be repurposed for some cooking tasks.
• You can use an electric kettle to prepare hot water for instant soups, noodles, and some instant oatmeal packets. However, it's limited in its cooking capabilities compared to other appliances.

12. Coffee Maker:

• Coffee makers are designed for brewing coffee, but they can be used for creative purposes.
• You can use a coffee maker to make hot water for instant oatmeal, soups, and even hard-boiled eggs in some cases. Ensure the coffee maker is thoroughly cleaned before and after using it for non-coffee items.

13. Hot Plate:

• A hot plate is a portable electric cooking surface that can be used for various cooking methods. It may have one or two burners.
• You can cook almost anything that requires stovetop cooking on a hot plate, including frying, sautéing, boiling, and simmering. Simply use appropriate cookware and follow stovetop recipes.

14. Propane Camp Stove:

• Camp stoves are designed for outdoor cooking but can be used indoors with proper ventilation.
• They can be used for grilling, frying, and boiling. You can even bake items like biscuits or bread on a camp stove using campfire-style cooking techniques.

15. Rocket Stove:

• Rocket stoves are particularly popular in off-grid and sustainable living situations, as well as for outdoor cooking.

Remember to adjust cooking times and temperatures as necessary when using alternative appliances, and always follow safety guidelines for each specific cooking method. Additionally, some dishes may not translate perfectly to alternative appliances, so experimenting and adapting recipes may be required for the best results.

Throughout history, people have displayed remarkable ingenuity in the realm of cooking, often mastering methods that didn't involve modern conveniences like stovetops and ovens.

Think about the ancient Romans, who honed their culinary skills over open flames, or medieval Europeans who relied on hearths and spit-roasting for their gastronomic creations.

Even in the present day, resourceful individuals around the world continue to craft delectable dishes without traditional appliances. In India, street vendors skillfully utilize tandoor ovens to produce fragrant naan bread and tandoori chicken. They also use flat griddles to make dosas and parathas.

In Mexico, street food vendors often rely on open grills or griddles to cook dishes like tacos al pastor, quesadillas, and elote (grilled corn on the cob).

Thailand street vendors use portable gas stoves and woks to whip up dishes like pad Thai, stir-fried noodles, and green curry right on the street.

Meanwhile, in Japan, tempura chefs expertly fry delicate morsels using nothing more than a deep pot of oil and finesse. Japanese street vendors often use teppanyaki griddles to cook dishes like okonomiyaki (savory pancakes) and yakisoba (stir-fried noodles).

Your situation may be different. You may not have the ability to cook over an open fire unless you're camping. However, you can still use the same ingenuity to create culinary masterpieces in your kitchen, no matter how small.

An electric skillet is a versatile appliance that can be used to cook a wide range of meals. Pretty much anything you want to cook can be made in an electric skillet. if you're curious to see what that looks like, here are some ideas for meals you can prepare in an electric skillet:

1. Stir-Fry: Whip up a quick and healthy stir-fry by sautéing your favorite vegetables, protein (chicken, beef, tofu), and a flavorful stir-fry sauce. Serve over rice or noodles.

2. Breakfast Hash: Make a hearty breakfast hash with diced potatoes, bell peppers, onions, and your choice of breakfast sausage or bacon. Top it off with fried or poached eggs.

3. Pasta Dishes: Cook pasta dishes like spaghetti or fettuccine Alfredo directly in the skillet. Add your sauce, protein, and vegetables for a one-pan meal.

4. Panini: Create delicious panini sandwiches by assembling your choice of ingredients between two slices of bread, then press and grill them in the skillet until golden brown.

5. Quesadillas: Make cheesy quesadillas by filling tortillas with cheese, vegetables, and protein (chicken, beans, or beef) and cooking until the cheese melts and the tortillas are crispy.

6. Burgers: Cook homemade burgers in the skillet and serve them with your favorite toppings. Don't forget to toast the buns for extra flavor.

7. Fried Rice: Transform leftover rice into a tasty fried rice dish by sautéing it with vegetables, soy sauce, and your choice of protein.

8. Sautéed Chicken or Pork Chops: Brown and cook chicken breasts or pork chops in the skillet, then make a flavorful sauce with broth, wine, or cream.

9. Vegetable Frittata: Prepare a vegetable frittata by whisking eggs and mixing them with sautéed vegetables, herbs, and cheese. Cook until set for a satisfying brunch or dinner.

10. Homemade Pizza: Create personal-sized pizzas by assembling your favorite pizza toppings on individual tortillas or flatbreads and cooking them in the skillet until the cheese is bubbly.

11. Curries: Make a quick and easy curry by sautéing onions, garlic, and spices, then adding your choice of protein and simmering in coconut milk or tomato sauce.

12. Ratatouille: Cook a rustic ratatouille by sautéing eggplant, zucchini, bell peppers, and tomatoes with herbs and olive oil until tender and flavorful.

13. Shrimp Scampi: Sauté shrimp with garlic, butter, white wine, and lemon juice for a classic shrimp scampi. Serve over pasta or with crusty bread for dipping.

14. Taco Skillet: Create a taco skillet by browning ground beef or turkey with taco seasoning, then adding beans, corn, and diced tomatoes. Top with cheese and serve with tortilla chips.

15. Omelets: Make fluffy omelets by whisking eggs and filling them with a variety of ingredients like cheese, vegetables, and ham. Cook until set and fold in half.

These electric skillet meal ideas cover a wide range of cuisines and can accommodate various dietary preferences, making it easy to cook up a tasty and satisfying meal with this versatile appliance.

I already posted my favorite recipe for Electric Skillet Pizza on my blog and don't want to rehash it here, so if you want the recipe just visit the link to my post. I can add here that you can bake store-bought pizza in the skillet, though. Just get a pizza that will fit in your skillet and oil the bottom of the pan. Heat the skillet to 350 degrees. Place the frozen pizza in the bottom and cover with a lid or aluminum foil. Time it according to the directions, approx. 10-15 minutes or so, and bake.Watch the bottom of your pizza, if it starts to burn, turn down the heat and cook a little longer.

I have cooked some store-bought pizzas this way, the small individual ones cook really quick. You can always start at 300 degrees and increse the heat during the last few minutes of cook time.

As you can probably tell I don't have a lot of counter space, but it works.I make a lot of our meals in this skillet. Fried rice, chicken terryaki, spaghetti, ramen noodles, cornbread, chicken and dumplings, and macaroni and cheese just to name a few dishes I make in my skillet. this type of cooking is perfect for college students and people with studio apartments. Just about any kind of recipe can be adapted to an electric skillet, as long as you add any breadings or toppings last. Dumplings and biscuits need to be added during the final moments of cooking. Dumplings need about 20 minutes to cook and must be covered during the ;last 10 minutes.

Note:

When making anything with a sauce over it like BBQ chicken, pork chops or ribs, be sure to cook the meat thoroughly first and then add the sauce last to avoid burning and sticking. I once burnt some sauce in my pan and it took pouring soda in the bottom while it was hot to melt the burned sugar from the BBQ sauce.

I make all kinds of meals in my slow cooker. I make rice, pinto beans for chili, pulled pork and beef stew in mine. Tough cuts of meat do great in a slow cooker, by the way. If you have a medium-sized roast, you can put it in the crock pot or slow cooker on high and cook for 6 hours and have the tenderest meat ready in time for supper. Make sure to cover the meat with enough liquid ( water, juice, broth, gravy, etc) to cover it and check levels frequently. Low and slow cooking will make cheap cuts of meat taste delicious and be very juicy. I love this method of cooking too.

Recipe for Chicken and Dumplings

Wash and cut chicken into pieces. Place in crock pot with chicken or vegetable broth to cover meat. Cook on high for 6 hours or low for 10 hours. Exact timing will be determined by crock pot size. Check chicken for doneness about halfway though. Remove the meat and shred with fork, return to the pot. Add a can of cream of chicken soup, chopped celery, green onions to meat and broth. Mix your dumpling mix and drop dough by spoonfuls onto simmering meat. Cook uncovered for 10 minutes and cover for 10 minutes. Serve immediately and freeze any leftovers for another meal.

Hint:

If you don't like making dumplings you can use biscuit dough like they did in the video below. :)

1. Beef Stew: A classic slow cooker dish with tender chunks of beef, carrots, potatoes, and a flavorful broth.

2. Chicken Tacos: Cook chicken breasts or thighs with taco seasoning for delicious taco fillings.

3. Chili: Make a hearty chili with ground beef, beans, tomatoes, and spices. Perfect for a cozy meal.

4. Pulled Pork: Slow-cooked pork shoulder with barbecue sauce makes fantastic sandwiches.

5. Vegetable Soup: A healthy option with various vegetables, broth, and seasonings.

6. Pot Roast: Tender pot roast with potatoes, carrots, and onions in a savory gravy.

7. Chicken and Rice: Chicken, rice, vegetables, and seasonings cooked together for a one-pot meal.

8. Spaghetti Sauce: Simmer your favorite spaghetti sauce with meatballs or Italian sausage.

9. Lentil Soup: A vegetarian option with lentils, vegetables, and spices for a hearty soup.

10. Balsamic Glazed Chicken: Chicken breasts cooked with a sweet and tangy balsamic glaze.

11. Mac and Cheese: Creamy and cheesy macaroni and cheese, a kid-friendly favorite.

12. Cabbage Rolls: Stuffed cabbage leaves with ground meat and rice in a tomato sauce.

13. Sweet Potato and Black Bean Chili: A vegetarian chili with sweet potatoes, black beans, and spices.

14. Butter Chicken: A flavorful Indian dish with tender chicken in a creamy tomato-based sauce.

15. Beef and Broccoli: Sliced beef and broccoli florets in a savory sauce, served over rice.

16. Jambalaya: A spicy Cajun rice dish with sausage, chicken, and shrimp.

17. Beef Tacos: Cook beef with taco seasoning for versatile taco fillings.

18. White Chicken Chili: A creamy chili made with chicken, white beans, and green chilies.

19. Teriyaki Chicken: Chicken cooked in a sweet and savory teriyaki sauce.

20. Beef and Barley Soup: A hearty soup with beef, barley, and vegetables.

21. Sausage and Peppers: Sausage links with bell peppers and onions in a tomato sauce.

22. Creamy Tomato Basil Soup: A comforting tomato soup with a creamy twist, perfect with grilled cheese.

23. Buffalo Chicken Dip: A crowd-pleasing dip made with shredded chicken and buffalo sauce.

24. Honey Garlic Chicken: Chicken thighs cooked in a sweet and garlicky sauce.

25. Mexican Chicken Casserole: Layers of chicken, tortillas, cheese, and salsa for a Tex-Mex delight.

Remember that slow cookers vary in size and cooking times, so be sure to follow your specific appliance's instructions and adjust cooking times as needed. Slow cooking allows flavors to meld, resulting in delicious, tender meals with minimal effort. Enjoy experimenting with these recipes and adapting them to your taste preferences.

This is not my recipe, I found it online when searching for a way to cook ribs in my crock pot. I tried it and they came out wonderful. I'll share it here if you'd like to give it a try. This recipe calls for 2 racks of ribs, they can be placed at the bottom or stood up around the sides of your slow cooker. You can also cut them to fit your pot if necessary. There is no right or wrong way to do it, that is what makes it so easy.

These are just a few ideas to show you that there are many ways to cook without an oven. You can come up with your own recipes through trial and error, adapt or exchange recipes with friends. Pinterest has a board for Electric Skillet Meals and Slow Cooker Recipes. There are numerous ways to get recipes to try. If you have any favorites already, list them in the comments below and thanks for reading!