No Toaster? No Problem. Toss Your Bread On The Stove Instead

Making toast transforms bread into a warm, crisp, and comforting snack. Whether you're toasting your bread for a classic PB&J, a cream cheese bagel, or just to improve your lunch sandwich, it's always worth that extra step. Using a toaster is not the only way to toast bread — so, if you don't own one, there's really no need to buy a toaster. In fact, all you need is your stove.

Toasting your bread in a pan on the stovetop is a great way to control the level of crispiness you're after since you can easily monitor the bread's progress. (We all know that with a toaster, there's a very fine line between it being golden and burnt.) Plus, if you have a thicker piece of bread which might not fit in your toaster, using the stove is a handy alternative. Toasting your bread on the stove is as simple as heating up a non-stick pan or skillet and toasting your bread for a few minutes on each side until it's crisped to your liking.

Toasting on the stove is perfect for when you're looking for an even layer of crispiness on your bread as the whole slice is directly touching the pan. If you want every part of the bread to be consistently browned, even if it is unevenly cut, you can place a heavy lid or plate on top of it while it is toasting. Dry toasting will achieve the classic toasted flavor, although you can also add some butter to the pan before adding your bread for a richer taste and crispier finish. This might be closer to grilling than toasting, but it's the perfect flavor boost for a fancier sandwich. If you're working with thicker bread, toasting on the stove will also allow you to achieve a crisp outer layer while the inside remains soft. No matter what option you use, always remember to flip the bread halfway through.

The stove-top method might not be ideal if you need to make a big batch of toast as quickly as possible. In this case, toasting your bread in an air fryer or oven is a great alternative. And, if you have a busy morning, both of these methods are slightly more hands-off. Ultimately it's up to you, but if you want perfectly crispy toast, using the stove might be the technique for you.