Kitchen appliances for quick breakfast preparation
We independently test the products and technologies that we recommend.
1. Toaster
Crispy toasts with a perfectly fried crust are a traditional and most popular breakfast option in many countries. The first automatic toasters appeared at the beginning of the last century and today are one of the must-have attributes of almost any kitchen. This is not surprising, since this is an inexpensive and extremely easy-to-use device that toasts pieces of bread in just a few minutes. You only need to place the bread inside, select the necessary settings - and the toaster will automatically push the toast up when finished.
Modern models are designed to cook two or four slices of bread and allow you to choose the desired degree of toasting. Many devices are multifunctional and can also defrost baked goods, warm up croissants, buns and even make sandwiches - for this purpose, the kit includes special grates and forms. And a toaster is a great way to "refresh" stale bread, which after toasting becomes soft and tasty again.
We recommend using toasted bread as a base for sandwiches. The toppings can be anything you like - it all depends on your taste and imagination: avocado, egg, pate, cream cheese with red fish, cheese, sausage, jam, peanut oil, chocolate spread, etc. In any case, making such a hearty sandwich will not take more than 5 - 10 minutes. By changing the fillings and experimenting with recipes, you will get a varied breakfast menu for every day.
2. Sandwich maker
Sandwiches are probably the most common food in the morning, as they are filling, tasty and cook very quickly. If you are not a fan of toast, you may like sandwiches - hot closed sandwiches consisting of two pieces of bread with a filling between them. Of course, they can be cooked in a regular frying pan, but a special device - a sandwich maker - will help simplify and automate the process. Two heated plates clamp the food, lightly fry the bread until golden, crispy and heat the filling - the result is a delicious sandwich with melted, stretchy cheese that does not fall apart in your hands.
You can make any sandwiches: sweet and salty, from regular white bread or from rye and whole grain, if you stick to a healthy diet (read more about kitchen appliances for healthy eating in our article). The choice of fillings is also not limited: vegetables, sausage, meat, cheese, greens, jam, etc. Such a breakfast will not take more than 5 - 10 minutes, but it will satisfy for a long time.
The sandwich maker itself is a fairly cheap, compact and easy-to-use appliance that even a child or teenager can handle. It does not take up much space in the kitchen, and if desired, you can even take it with you to the country or on vacation.
3. Waffle iron
Another interesting option to diversify your menu and prepare a hearty breakfast is a waffle iron - an inexpensive device, structurally reminiscent of a contact grill or sandwich maker, which makes Belgian waffles. On average, it takes about 15 - 20 minutes to knead the dough and fry the waffles. Usually, we imagine sweet waffles with chocolate, berries, honey, syrups, fruits, whipped cream and other additives for every taste. However, in reality, this is not all. You can make salty dough and put a poached egg, red fish, sausage, cheese and other additives on the finished waffle. Or you can add ham and cheese directly to the dough - then the waffle acts as an independent dish or can be supplemented with a variety of fillings. We also recommend experimenting with the composition of the dough. For example, in the summer, add juicy grated zucchini to it. To reduce the calorie content, use whole grain flour. In addition, you can add chickpeas, carrots, nuts, herbs, seeds, various vegetables - in general, do not be afraid to experiment and try new combinations and tastes.
Waffle irons are also affordable, easy to use and space-saving devices that can cook two, four or more waffles at a time (depending on the model). Most do not have any settings and operate at one power. However, there are devices with the ability to select a mode depending on the desired frying and dough characteristics.
4. Multimaker
But why limit yourself to just waffles or sandwiches if you can combine all of this in one device? This correct idea once occurred to manufacturers, and they began to produce multi-makers (they are also called multi-bakers). In fact, this is the same sandwich maker, only with various replaceable plates in the kit. Basically, there are at least 3 pairs (for sandwiches, waffles and grill), but some models have 4, 5, or even more working surfaces in their "arsenal". For example, smooth plates allow you to fry an egg. With a pair of ribbed plates, the device turns into a kind of grill analogue. True, the power in this case is not high enough for frying steaks and meat. But for making sandwiches, paninis, sausages, sausages, envelopes and rolls from lavash with different fillings, the indicators of the multi-maker are quite enough. In addition, the set may include plates for making nuts, cookies, muffins - in general, anything that the manufacturers' imagination can come up with.
With such a universal assistant, you can quickly prepare not only breakfasts, but also treat children and adults to delicious desserts without spending a lot of time and effort. For example, the same classic nuts with condensed milk are almost impossible to make without a special form, and with a multi-baker and the appropriate plates, it will take up to half an hour. All plates are removable and easy to clean after cooking thanks to the non-stick coating.
Despite its versatility and multifunctionality, such equipment is inexpensive, and its purchase will not hit the family budget too hard. After all, in fact, these are rather simple devices with a couple of heating elements, which often do not even have a power regulator and operate in one mode.
5. Electric grill
As we have already mentioned above, many multi-makers are equipped with ribbed plates, but they are designed for simple tasks. Therefore, if you want to fry steaks, grilled vegetables, poultry and fish, it is better to choose a full-fledged electric grill. For comparison, the grill power usually reaches 2000 W or more, and most sandwich makers and multi-bakers - only 700 - 900 W. In fact, a contact electric grill can be called a universal device, which is designed to cook not only breakfasts, but also lunches and dinners. First of all, it will suit lovers of dense, hearty and high-calorie food: fried meat, sausages, bacon and fish. Although with its help you can also cook more classic breakfasts: panini, sandwiches, pita bread with filling, toasted toast, scrambled eggs, omelette or vegetables. Moreover, frying occurs due to heated plates, and the use of oil is reduced to a minimum or even zero. The upper and lower plates press down on the food during cooking, which also helps remove excess fat.
As in the case of sandwich makers, electric grills can be equipped with additional plates:
- Standard embossed ones give food delicious stripes.
- Smooth plates are perfect for scrambled eggs and hot sandwiches.
- Belgian waffle plates transform your grill into a powerful waffle iron.
- There may also be pancake and sandwich plates, but they are not very popular among contact grills.
In addition, we recommend paying attention to models with a 180-degree opening : they allow you to open the lid and combine both plates into one large workspace.
6. Electric pancake maker
Pancakes are an equally popular and widespread breakfast option. The formula for success is simple: they are delicious and do not require much time to prepare. It will take you 5-10 minutes to knead the dough, and a maximum of a few minutes to fry one pancake. To ensure that the first and subsequent pancakes do not turn out lumpy, use special electric pancake makers for cooking. Unlike a traditional frying pan, they provide an even distribution of heat, prevent pancakes from burning and maintain their uniform texture. An analogue of a regular frying pan is a pouring pancake maker - a stationary device on the surface of which the dough is poured. In addition, there are also immersion electric pancake makers with a slightly convex surface that must be dipped in the dough. Some models even have special forms that allow you to fry not one, but several pancakes at a time.
The versatility of pancakes is that they can be cooked both sweet and salty, separately or with additives: ham, cheese, meat, fish, cottage cheese, fruits, condensed milk, syrups, etc. With various fillings, they become a more satisfying and complete dish, especially if you add meat and vegetables. In addition to pancakes, many electric pancake makers are suitable for making pancakes and fritters, which are also a good option for breakfast.
By the way, if you prefer the traditional method of frying, choose special pans for pancakes : they are distinguished by their reduced thickness for quick heating and low walls that do not interfere with turning the pancake.
7. Egg cooker
If you thought that a multicooker and a microwave oven were invented to make life and cooking easier, you are mistaken - the real guru in this matter is an electric egg cooker. If you did not know about such a brilliant invention - you have missed a lot (in fact, no). This is a special type of steamer, which is designed to replace a saucepan with boiling water and perfectly boil eggs for breakfast. Only the eggs are not cooked in water, as in the traditional method, but are enveloped in steam and thus reach the necessary consistency. Speaking without irony, such a device will be very useful for lovers of boiled eggs. You do not need to set a timer, monitor the time and make sure that the water does not run off onto the stove - the egg cooker will do everything itself and cook the egg in the required variation: soft-boiled, hard-boiled or in a bag. Thus, the egg cooker automatically controls the time and level of readiness of the eggs, due to which they always turn out perfect, without requiring constant supervision.
In addition to regular egg boiling, some models have advanced features and are capable of steaming other products on an additional tier: fish, vegetables, meat, etc. But this is already very convenient, since with one device at a time you can cook a full healthy breakfast, consisting of eggs and a side dish. In addition, there are egg cookers with a separate tray for omelette, which also expands the variety of dishes that can be made in one device.
8. Stationary blender
Almost all of the above breakfasts are based on dough in its various variations. However, many do not want to burden their stomachs with flour products in the morning and prefer light snacks. In this case, the perfect option would be a smoothie - a drink made from ground fruits, vegetables, berries, greens and seeds. Unlike freshly squeezed juices, smoothies contain fiber necessary for the body, which improves digestion. The drink is easily digestible, rich in vitamins and nutrients and is especially useful for athletes and people who want to lose weight.
To make a smoothie, use a stationary blender - not a juicer, not an immersion blender, but a stationary one designed for making cocktails and drinks. Experiment with ingredients, create new combinations - and you won't get tired of a fresh smoothie even if you use it every day. To make your breakfast more filling, you can make a protein shake. It's also convenient to take the drink with you to a workout, work or on a trip - it's prepared in a few minutes, and you can have a snack anywhere. In this case, we recommend choosing blenders that come with a travel bowl - a shaker. There are even portable blenders that work autonomously, are powered by a battery and allow you to make a cocktail anywhere.
In addition to smoothies, you can use a stationary blender to make low-calorie pureed soups and pancake batter.
9. Conclusion
Thus, with the right kitchen appliances, you can enjoy delicious breakfasts without spending a lot of time and effort on their preparation. And remember that a proper, balanced and appetizing meal with a cup of invigorating drink in the morning is not only a boost of energy for the whole day, but also a source of positive mood and well-being. Therefore, let every morning be “kind” and pleasant!
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