How Do You Bake Instead of an Oven? Effective Alternative Methods Explained

If you don’t have an oven, you still have options. You can bake using stovetop skillets, microwave ovens, toaster ovens, slow cookers, or even countertop ovens.

These alternatives each bring their own quirks but generally mimic the heat and cooking style of a conventional oven. Sometimes it’s not perfect, but you can still get pretty tasty results.

A heavy skillet or two stacked cast iron pans can create an oven-like environment right on your stove. You might also try an air fryer or slow cooker, since both offer controlled heat for baking certain dishes.

With these tools, you can make bread, cakes, and even roasted meals. Is it exactly like an oven? Not quite, but sometimes you just have to work with what you’ve got.

If you’re looking for more ideas, the Whirlpool blog has a handy post about cooking without an oven.

Alternative Baking Methods

You can bake without an oven by using common kitchen tools that apply heat in their own ways. Each method suits different baked goods and might need some tweaks to times or temperatures.

Stovetop Baking Techniques

Stovetop baking uses your burner instead of an oven. Just set a heavy skillet or cast iron pan on low heat.

Place your cake pan or cookie dough inside the skillet, then cover it with a tight lid or even an inverted pan. This traps heat and cooks your food more evenly.

Stick with low to medium heat and check often—burning happens fast if you’re not careful. This method works for small cakes, bread, and cookies. Cast iron holds and spreads heat best.

If you have two skillets, try inverting one over the other as a makeshift lid.

Air Fryer Baking

An air fryer uses hot air to cook food quickly. You can bake cakes, muffins, and cookies in it, though you’ll need small pans or silicone molds.

Preheat the air fryer, then pour your batter into the molds. The basket is smaller than a regular oven tray, so you’ll probably bake in batches.

Baking times are shorter—try reducing the usual oven time by about 20%. Check doneness with a thermometer or poke it with a toothpick.

Air fryers give baked goods a crisp outside and a soft inside. They’re quick and don’t use much energy.

Microwave Baking

Microwave baking cooks food fast by heating water molecules inside the batter.

Use microwave-safe containers, like glass or silicone. Cakes or brownies in the microwave only take a few minutes.

The texture is different—microwave cakes are moist but don’t brown. Use recipes made for the microwave, or cut back a little on liquid and sugar if you’re adapting a regular recipe.

Don’t use metal pans. Cover your batter with a microwave-safe lid or wrap to avoid splatters.

Microwaves work best for single servings or small portions. Adjust times carefully to avoid overcooking or ending up with soggy results.

If you want more tips, check out ways to bake without an oven.

Choosing the Best Equipment for Ovenless Baking

To bake without an oven, you’ll want equipment that mimics even heat and holds moisture. It also needs to stand up to high temperatures on a stovetop or open flame.

Pick your gear based on what you want to bake and what heat source you’ve got.

Using a Dutch Oven

A Dutch oven is great for ovenless baking because it traps heat and moisture. The heavy cast iron spreads heat evenly, whether you’re using a stovetop or a campfire.

Put your dough or batter inside and cover it tightly with the lid. The lid keeps the heat in, acting like an oven.

You can even put coals or a heat source on top of the lid for more even cooking.

Make sure your Dutch oven is well-seasoned so food doesn’t stick. It’s awesome for bread, casseroles, or even cakes.

Just watch your heat—cast iron holds onto it, and things can burn if you’re not careful.

Selecting Nonstick Skillets

A nonstick skillet comes in handy for simple baked goods, especially if you don’t have a Dutch oven. Pick a heavy, flat skillet with a lid that fits well.

That lid? It’s important because it traps heat and steam—pretty much essential for baking anything in a skillet.

To bake, just prepare your batter and spread it evenly in the pan. Cover it up with the lid or clamp down a piece of foil.

Keep the heat low to medium. Too high and you’ll scorch the bottom before the top even sets.

Nonstick skillets shine with thinner baked treats like pancakes, flatbreads, or brownies. They heat up fast, so you’ll want to keep an eye on things.

And honestly, nonstick makes cleanup way less of a headache.

If you’re only baking small portions and don’t want to drag out extra gear, this method works great.

For more ideas on cooking without an oven, you might want to check out this guide on baking without an oven.