A sandwich maker can be a treasure for people who prefer simple cooking techniques. Turns out you can cook pretty much anything with it. Not soup, but still. Check these out!
The first time I had a sandwich maker I was living in a rented apartment and I fell in love with it right away. The trouble is that, when you have a sandwich maker and you love making crispy sandwiches, you end up eating a lot of bread. And so did I. After a couple of years I realized I should eat less bread and I gave up on the sandwich maker until recently, when I bought a new one to make delicious sandwiches for my daughter. It turns out she doesn’t like toasted bread that much, so my sandwich maker quickly became a decorative piece I was only touching when I cleaned the dust. But then I realized I can make so many different things using just the sandwich maker, and without turning on the stove.
If you have a sandwich maker with interchangeable plates, you can use both the grill or triangle toaster. There are also machines that have waffle plates, and yes, we warmly recommend them.
So, lazy and creative people, using the sandwich maker for other things than sandwiches is for you! Here’s what I’ve tried until now:
7 things to do with a sandwich maker, other than sandwiches
1. Fritters
To make fritters in your sandwich maker, you need to first whip up the mixture, like you usually do, only you won’t use the stove and way too much oil this time. So, you might say cooking with the sandwich maker is healthier, at least sometimes.
Use the triangular-shaped plates and don’t forget to grease them before adding the fritter mixture inside. We made potato fritters, but you can try other veggies too.
2. French toast
You don’t need the stove to make French toast. This delicious breakfast can be easily made in a sandwich maker. Don’t forget to butter the sandwich maker. Just do the same: make the egg mixture (with beaten eggs, milk, salt, sugar, and maybe cinnamon) and dip the bread slices in it, on both sides. While doing that, preheat the sandwich maker. When it’s hot, grease with butter on the toasting surfaces. Use a flat spatula to lift each egg-coated bread slice gently and place it into the open sandwich maker. Close it and cook until ready. It can take about 5 minutes, depending on your machine. In the beginning, you’ll need to check the French toast often, but then you’ll get used to it and know when your breakfast is golden and well-done. You can serve your French toast with sweet or salty toppings.
3. Pizza pockets
You can make pizza pockets in the sandwich maker. In fact, it’s a really quick, easy, and delicious dinner or snack idea. Just take pizza dough and roll it into squares of dough about the size of your sandwich maker plate’s size. Bigger if you use the grill, smaller (about a square slice of bread) if you use the triangles.
Spread sauce and add shredded mozzarella and salami on one square, place it into the sandwich maker, cover with the second square, close the sandwich maker and let it do its job. The secret is not adding too many toppings!
4. Pastries
Toasting pastries in your sandwich maker is quite similar to making pizza pockets. If you have some puff pastry in your fridge, thaw it and use it as we did. We chose bacon, Cheddar cheese, and spring onion for the filling, but you can be creative with ingredients! You can even add sweet fillings, such as grated apples. You’ll get something similar to apple pie in terms of taste.
5. Omelet
You can make an omelet in your sandwich maker if you use the triangle-shaped plates. You can also add vegetables to your quick and easy omelet.
Heat up your machine before adding the eggs to it. Add small pieces of butter, to grease the sections and, when the butter melts, pour the beaten egg into the triangles. If you’re adding cheese or vegetables, that’s the moment. Make sure they’re shredded or thinly sliced. Then close the lid and allow them to cook for a minute or two until the surface shows some browning.
6. Fried eggs
You don’t want sunny side up eggs because you want to avoid frying them in too much oil, but you also aren’t in the mood for boiled eggs? How about frying the eggs in your sandwich maker? All you need is spray oil, a spatula, and eggs. Crack the eggs in the triangular holes (you should use the plates with edges to prevent the egg from running out the sides) and cover. The eggs will be done faster than in a skillet, just make sure you preheat the machine before adding the eggs!
You can make 4 eggs at a time or make 2 eggs and 2 sandwiches. What a delicious breakfast you’ll have!
7. Sandwich maker donuts
But salty dishes aren’t the only ones you can prepare with a sandwich maker. You can make donuts even if you don’t have a donuts maker. Just make the batter by beating eggs, then add butter, vanilla, and milk. Also, add flour, baking powder, sugar, a pinch of salt, and your favorite spices. Make sure you get the right consistency.
As we always say, remember to preheat the machine first. You can spray some oil on the plates, then pour batter in the sandwich maker, using the plates with edges. Close and bake your sandwich donuts for about 3 minutes, after which you can open and check to see if they are done.
They will turn a golden brown when ready, and when you cut into them they will have a light and fluffy texture. Serve the donuts the way you like, with icing sugar, melted chocolate, honey or Nutella. Just eat them warm!