How to Toast Bread in a Conventional Oven

Believe it or not, some of the easiest ways to make toast don't necessarily involve a toaster. You can make toast in a convection oven or conventional oven. All you need to make great toast are a standard oven of your choosing and a baking sheet. By using this simple process, you can have great-tasting toast in no time at all.

Do you have a large family gathering or a brunch with friends? Making toast in an oven is a great way to make a large batch all at once. It will also ensure that all the toast is done at the same time, helping you better plan the timing of your meal. With this method, you won't have to wait for individual slices to pop up from your toaster. How convenient is that?

To make toast in a conventional oven, first heat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Then, evenly space your bread slices on baking sheets. When the oven reaches its temperature, slide all of the baking sheets onto oven racks. If you're only using one sheet, position it on the middle rack. After four to six minutes, remove the baking sheets from the oven and flip the bread. Then, bake for an additional four to six minutes or until the toast is done to your liking.

The amount of time that you bake the bread depends on the temperature and settings of your particular oven. More often than not, it's better to check your toast to ensure that it doesn't burn in the oven. After all, slightly underdone toast can always be baked for longer, but you can't save burnt toast.

In a convection oven, food cooks faster. You also need to space food further apart so that the air of the convection oven can circulate properly. If you have a convection oven, there are two ways to adapt the above instructions to make crispy, perfectly browned toast. The first option is to reduce the heat of the oven to 325 degrees and bake it for the same amount of time: eight to 12 minutes while flipping it at the halfway point. The second option is to bake the bread for seven to eight minutes instead of eight to 12. You can also use a convection microwave to defrost any frozen bread and then stick it into your convection oven for the final toast.

Using a broiler is an even faster way to make toast at home. First, preheat the broiler in your oven. Then, position all of the bread onto a baking sheet and put it on the rack that's closest to your broiler. In newer ovens, the broiler is usually located at the top of the oven; in older ovens, it's typically positioned at the bottom. Toast for one minute on each side, flipping the toast at the halfway point. Check often, as the cooking times vary depending on your oven and broiler.

Once your toast is finished, you can add a variety of toppings, including butter, jam, egg, avocado, cheese, peanut butter, cottage cheese, or hummus. Get creative and try new flavor combinations or stick to the classics. The world is your oyster!