Beyond Loaves: What can you make in a bread machine besides bread?

Unleash Your Bread Machine’s Hidden Talents: More Than Just Loaves!

Most of us probably think of a bread machine as a one-trick pony, a convenient gadget solely for churning out delicious, freshly baked bread. And while it excels at that, you might be surprised to learn that this versatile kitchen appliance is capable of so much more! From whipping up dough for various baked goods to making jams, sauces, and even main courses, your bread machine can be a true culinary multi-tasker. Let’s dive into 17 exciting things you can create with your bread machine, proving it’s an unsung hero in your kitchen.

1. Homemade Dough (Pizza, Pasta, Rolls, Bagels, Pretzels)

One of the bread machine’s superpowers lies in its kneading function. It perfectly mixes and kneads dough, saving you the messy, time-consuming effort. This means you can easily prepare dough for a vast array of delicious baked goods. Think about fresh pizza dough for your Friday night, soft dinner rolls, chewy bagels, savory pretzels, or even homemade pasta from scratch. Just add your ingredients, select the “Dough” cycle, and let the machine do the hard work. Once the cycle finishes, simply remove the dough, shape it, and bake or cook as desired.

2. Sweet & Savory Jams and Jellies

Many bread machines come with a dedicated “Jam” cycle, which is a game-changer for preserving fruits. This setting gently cooks and stirs fruit, sugar, and pectin, creating perfect jams and jellies without constant supervision. It prevents scorching and ensures even cooking, making homemade preserves incredibly simple and enjoyable. Imagine spreading your own strawberry or peach jam on toast!

3. Cakes and Quick Breads

Yes, your bread machine can bake cakes! It’s especially fantastic for quick breads like banana bread, zucchini bread, or even pound cake and coffee cake. Many machines have a “Cake” or “Quick Bread” setting that mixes the batter and bakes it all in one go. The result is a wonderfully moist cake with minimal fuss and cleanup. It’s perfect for when you crave a homemade treat but are short on time.

4. Hearty Meatloaf

Believe it or not, some bread machines are perfectly capable of mixing and even baking a delicious meatloaf. While not every machine is designed for this, those with a baking cycle that can handle denser mixtures can produce a surprisingly good loaf. The machine takes care of the thorough mixing, ensuring all ingredients are evenly distributed, and then bakes it to perfection. It’s an unconventional but effective way to prepare a family favorite.

5. Fluffy Scrambled Eggs

This might sound a little out there, but some adventurous cooks use their bread machine to make scrambled eggs! The paddle acts as a whisk, stirring the eggs as they gently cook. It requires a machine with a custom cycle or a keen eye to prevent overcooking, but for perfectly fluffy, continuously stirred eggs, it’s a novel approach. Just add a little butter or oil, eggs, and seasonings, then set a gentle heat cycle if available.

6. Warming Soups and Stews

For machines that offer a “Cook” or “Keep Warm” function, your bread maker can double as a slow cooker for certain soups and stews. While not ideal for complex recipes, it can gently simmer ingredients, meld flavors, and keep your meal warm until serving time. It’s a great option for simpler broths or chili when your stove is occupied.

7. Delicious Rice Dishes

Some advanced bread machines feature a “Rice” program, allowing you to cook perfect rice, risotto, or even rice pilafs. The controlled temperature and stirring action (for risotto) ensure your grains are cooked evenly and to the right consistency without sticking. It’s a convenient way to prepare a side dish or a light meal with minimal effort.

8. Homemade Yogurt

A few specialized bread machines come equipped with a “Yogurt” setting. These machines maintain a precise, low temperature for several hours, creating the ideal environment for milk to ferment into creamy, tangy homemade yogurt. It’s a fantastic feature for health-conscious individuals who prefer to control the ingredients in their dairy products.

9. Fresh Butter

Making your own butter in a bread machine is surprisingly simple. If your machine has a “Jam” or “Dough” cycle (without heating), it can churn heavy cream until it separates into butter and buttermilk. The paddle does all the hard work, transforming liquid cream into delicious, spreadable butter in about 20-30 minutes. It’s a fun and rewarding kitchen experiment.

10. Creamy Grits, Porridge, and Oatmeal

Similar to rice, your bread machine can cook breakfast grains like grits, oatmeal, or porridge to perfection. The consistent heat and gentle stirring prevent clumping and sticking, resulting in a smooth, creamy texture. Just add your grains, liquid, and any flavorings, then let the machine prepare a comforting breakfast while you get ready for your day.

11. Velvety Mashed Potatoes

For machines with a “Cook” cycle, you can boil potatoes and then use the kneading paddle to mash them right in the bread maker. Add butter, milk, and seasonings, and the machine will whip them into wonderfully smooth and fluffy mashed potatoes, saving you from manual mashing and extra dishes. It’s particularly useful for larger quantities.

12. Decadent Candy and Fudge

The gentle, consistent heat and stirring of a bread machine can be ideal for making certain types of candy, like fudge. It can melt chocolate, sugar, and other ingredients evenly, then stir them as they cool, ensuring a smooth, crystalline texture. Always ensure your machine’s heat settings are suitable for candy making.

13. Tender Pot Roast or Pulled Pork

Certain high-end bread machines with extended “Cook” cycles and robust paddles can handle slow-cooking meats like pot roasts or pulled pork. While not a conventional slow cooker, the controlled heating environment can tenderize meat beautifully. This is definitely for more advanced users and specific machine models, but it highlights the surprising capabilities.

14. Popping Popcorn

This is a more niche use, often limited to specific bread machine models with particular heating elements and no non-stick coating that could be damaged. However, some users have successfully popped popcorn directly in their bread machine pan. It’s an unusual method but demonstrates the heat generation capabilities.

15. Proofing Dough

Even if you prefer to knead your dough by hand, your bread machine can still be invaluable for proofing. The warm, enclosed environment inside the machine is perfect for helping dough rise quickly and consistently. Simply place your kneaded dough in the pan, and use a “Dough” cycle (without the kneading part) or a custom warm setting to provide the ideal rising conditions.

16. Sterilizing Jars

When making homemade jams, jellies, or preserves, sterilizing your jars is crucial for food safety and shelf life. Some bread machines, particularly those with a “Jam” cycle that reaches high temperatures, can be used to heat and sterilize smaller jars. Always refer to your machine’s manual and proper canning safety guidelines for this purpose.

17. Heating and Keeping Food Warm

At its most basic, your bread machine, especially those with custom settings or a “Bake” cycle, can be used to gently heat leftovers or keep food warm. It acts like a mini warming oven, ideal for keeping dishes at a comfortable serving temperature during a meal or while you wait for guests to arrive. Just be sure not to overload the pan or use it for extended periods with certain foods.

Embrace the Versatility!

Who knew your trusty bread machine held so much potential? From baking basic loaves to preparing complex doughs, creating sweet treats, and even cooking entire meals, this appliance is a true kitchen workhorse. Experiment with these ideas, consult your machine’s manual for specific settings and capacities, and get ready to discover a whole new world of culinary creativity with what can you make in a bread machine besides bread. Happy cooking!