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Lately if I can’t make dinner outside on the grill, I’m looking for ways I can cook inside without heating up the kitchen. It might not be Florida, but here in the Midwest it still gets HOT in the summer.
No-cook meals like salads always come in handy, but here are some kitchen appliances from Amazon that will help you get a hot meal on the table without warming up your house in the process!
Toaster Oven
With Instant Pots and air fryers all the rage, we often forget about our trusty little toaster ovens! Their smaller size means they heat up much faster than a traditional oven. And while they might not fit an entire Thanksgiving turkey, you can make a main dish or side for a small family in it. To save counter space, I love this Cuisinart model, which doubles (triples?) as an air fryer and indoor grill.
Use it to make:
Air Fryer
Whether you get the toaster oven/air fryer combo listed above or the ever popular Ninja, an air fryer has become a must-have in the modern kitchen. It cooks with less oil so it’s healthier and the convection heating makes it faster than a regular oven too. What’s not to love?!
Use it to make:
Instant Pot
The Instant Pot keeps all the heat inside the pot, not in your kitchen! (As long as you stand clear when you’re releasing the pressure, of course.) I love using my Instant Pot to make everything from pasta dinners to shredded chicken for meal prep. And if you’re cooking tough cuts of meat like pork shoulder, it does an awesome job of transforming it into fall-off-the-bone tender meat.
Use it to make:
Slow Cooker
You may associate your slow cooker with cozy fall and winter cooking, but don’t put it away come summertime! It’s a great method of cooking that will keep your kitchen from heating up. Soups and stews may not be on the menu, but I’ve got some other ideas here on the blog that are a little more appropriate for summer!
Use it to make:
Rice Cooker
If you have an Instant Pot, you can use that to make rice, but if not, you may want to invest in a rice cooker. They’re much less expensive than Instant Pots and they do a great job cooking rice, grains, and beans.
Use it to make:
More Summer Cooking Essentials
- If fresh local corn is the highlight of your summer, check out these 21 Best Corn Recipes You Will Love.
- My collection of 38+ Simple No-Bake Desserts are all guaranteed crowd-pleasers!
- Planning an al fresco get-together? Here are 65+ Easy Picnic Recipes For A Crowd.
- These Farmer’s Market Finds are the best summer has to offer.
