If you love to eat toast, but don’t have a toaster, use a pan instead.
It’s easy, and it can give you that perfect crunch that a toaster cannot. There are other alternatives to this appliance as well.
You can slow-roast a bread in the oven, over a roaring campfire, and more!
In this article, we will cover how to toast bread in a pan and some alternatives.
Choosing the Ideal Bread
Before we get into each method, the first thing you should do is determine the type of bread you need.
Here are some options that you can try out:
Sandwich Bread
Soft, traditional sandwich bread feels heavenly in the mouth.
Whether you use wheat, white, or rye, the pre-sliced bread offers a uniform toast that results in crunchy and fresh sandwiches. It can also be used as a side dish for several breakfast staples such as bacon and eggs.
The bread toasts faster than other varieties, so make sure you keep an eye on it. Burnt toast has a really bitter flavor (and sometimes a bitter feeling too).
Dense Bread
If basic white bread is too dull for you, try the denser variety.
The bread that has a thick crust offers a chewier toast complete with a crisp edge. You can find these in your local bakery.
Search for round loaves that can be sliced easily. Some of them include raisin loaves, challah, brown bread, multi-grain bread, or baguettes.
Pre-Sliced Bread
The best toast is made from pre-sliced bread. Slicing bread in uniform shapes can be difficult. Pre-sliced ones can be bought in a store.
In fact, you can ask the loaves you get from the bakery to be sliced as well.
The bakers will slice it more evenly than you can because of years of training and practice. You can also slice the bread using a bread knife.
Make sure that the slices are about ¾ inches thick. The size is perfect for a toaster and will not feel overwhelming either.
Old or Stale Bread
Don’t throw away old or stale bread! Make toast out of it. Just throw a few slices in the toaster to revitalize it. It is not an uncommon practice.
In ancient Egypt, pyramid builders were often paid in old bread. They would toast the bread over an open fire before eating it.
How to Toast Bread in a Pan
Just because you don’t have a toaster doesn’t mean you cannot enjoy toasted bread.
Here is how you can toast bread in a cooking pan:
- Spread margarine or butter on both sides of the bread.
- Lay the bread on a heated pan and allow it to fry for a few minutes.
- Press the bread with a spatula gently to ensure an even toast.
- Flip the bread and repeat on the other side.
- Allow the bread to toast till it turns a golden brown in color.
- Remove the toasted bread from the pan and serve immediately.
You can choose to toast an entire slice of bread or you can further slice it up into smaller pieces and toast these.
How To Toast Bread Without A Toaster and Pan
And in case you don’t have a toaster and don’t want to toast the bread in a pan, here are some other easy options:
Use an Oven
Follow these steps to broil toast in an oven:
- Move the oven rack to the topmost rung, i.e. near the broiler.
- Set the oven to broil and allow it to preheat for 5 minutes.
- Place the bread slices on an ungreased baking sheet and place it on the grates.
- Flip the bread using tongs after a minute or two and keep a close eye on it at all times. The high heat of the broiler may burn the bread if it is kept in too long.
- Take the baking sheet with the bread once the time is up.
- Remove the toasted bread from the oven using tongs and enjoy with your favorite spread. You can also get creative and top the bread with some avocado, ham, salami, walnuts, etc.
Use a Fire Grill
If you are going camping, take some bread with you.
Toasting it over an open fire can result in a crisp texture.
Just follow these steps to toast it over a campfire rack (make sure you clean the rack beforehand):
- Add some olive oil to the slices and place the bread directly on the grill rack. Use French bread- it has a nice crunch and won’t fall off the rack either.
- Leave the lid off the grill, or the bread may toast too fast. You may burn it or may not get the texture you need. Standby close by.
- Don’t wait for one side to get toasted. Keep flipping the bread, or it will catch fire. Imagine you are toasting a marshmallow over an open fire. Don’t worry if it gets scorched a bit. It will taste delicious anyway.
You can do what the ancient Romans did. Lay-out the bread slices on hot rocks right next to the open fire. You can control the toast that way.
Use a Pudgy Pie Maker
Use a pudgy pie-maker to make toast over an open fire or grill sandwiches.
It is a metal clamp that has long handles. Just follow these steps to use it:
- Add oil or butter to both sides of the bread.
- Place the slices in the maker and clamp it close.
- Hold the clamp over the open flame for a few minutes for each side. Check the bread regularly to ensure it is not burning.
- Take out the toasted slices on a plate and enjoy hot.
Important Note: If you use an open fire to toast your bread, make sure you put it out before leaving. Dump a bucket-full of water over it. Stir the embers with a stick to ensure all of the wood is wet. If you don’t hear the hissing sound of steam, you can leave without worry.
Use a Microwave
If you only have a microwave, follow these steps to toast bread in it:
- Place the piece of bread on a paper towel in the microwave.
- Set the microwave to 30 seconds.
- Once time’s up, take out the bread and check if it is done.
- If the bread is not done, pop it back in for another 30 seconds.
- Once it is done, you can enjoy it with any topping.
Microwave toasted bread will not have the golden-brown crust that a toaster or a pan can give.
However, the technique can still make stale bread taste delicious.
Toppings That Take Toasted Bread To The Next Level!
What makes toasted bread a versatile ingredient is that it can be enjoyed with a range of toppings. Here are some you can try out:
Mozzarella Toast
Add some mozzarella cheese on toasted bread, pop it in the oven, and you are done!
Add some tomatoes or greens for texture and enjoy with a glass of wine.
Masala Chicken on Toast
Add cooked, marinated chicken on a piece of toast and enjoy it as a light lunch staple.
You can also add it to your daily diet if you are trying to lose weight. Just don’t go overboard with the spices.
Bacon and Mushroom Toast
Crisp bacon and buttered mushrooms go well with bread that is toasted to a crisp.
Replace boring old eggs and bacon with this breakfast, and you will never skip this important meal.
Prawn and Sesame Toast
Great as an appetizer, add some chopped prawns and sesame seeds on toasted bread, and bake to a crisp.
Mushroom and Cheese Toast
Add mushrooms, some sliced tomatoes, cottage cheese, and some spices to toasted bread and transform this simple ingredient.
Eggs in a Blanket
Cut out a heart-shaped piece from the middle of your toast.
Toast it in a pan and crack an egg in the hole. Astound your family with your culinary skills!
Nutella and Banana Toasted Bread
Spread Nutella or any chocolate spread on your toasted bread.
Top with banana slices and salted peanuts for a kick of flavor.
Berries and Cream Toasted Bread
Spread cream cheese on toasted bread and add berries of your choice on top.
You can use raspberries, blueberries, and even strawberries. Add some chopped walnuts on top for extra flavor and texture.
Peanut Butter and Banana Toast
Who says you cannot have peanut butter with other toppings.
Add some caramelized banana slices to this breakfast staple and feel your taste buds dance with joy.
The list is far from exhaustive. You can add almost anything to toasted bread and make it taste delicious.
Just make sure that the bread is crisp and not soggy or burnt to a crisp. It will provide the perfect foundation for those toppings.
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