5 Best Microwave Convection Oven Recipes to Try Today

A microwave convection oven is a pretty handy appliance when it comes to multi-functional items. Not only can it cook your food like a regular microwave, it also shifts to work as a small convection oven! Today, we’ll look at the best microwave convection oven recipes to try out.

Many times, you’ll find this combo unit in an RV, which allows you to both heat and bake your food in a smaller footprint. That said, they’re also great for all smaller living spaces, especially if you don’t have a full range.

GE 3-in-1 Countertop Microwave Oven with Air Fryer, Broiler, & Convection

Of course, you could also opt for one the best air fryer microwave combos for another great space saver!

Now, let’s see what we can whip up with the microwave convection oven.

best microwave convection oven recipes to try today dinners done quick featured image

1. Homemade Artisan Bread

Homemade bread is a great recipe to make in your microwave convection oven!

Bread is so versatile, from being a dippable starter, to a vessel for your sandwiches, french toast, or even bread pudding for dessert.  It’s a great recipe to make because there are so many things you can do from just one loaf.

Sure, just like most breads, it takes a little work. You’ll have to mix the dough and let it rise. As it turns out, though, sunny windows and dashboards are the perfect spot for that!

Once you’ve baked it, you can tear into it while it’s warm for a comforting bite. If there’s any left, definitely save it for some of those other uses I mentioned!

You could even turn it into an easy microwave grilled cheese sandwich with the microwave function later on!

If you’re ready to get those baking mitts on, grab the full recipe for homemade bread in a microwave convection oven here.

2. Indian Grilled Vegetable Sandwich

Speaking of sandwiches, take your grilled cheese to the next level with this Indian spiced grilled vegetable sandwich that’s perfect for your microwave convection oven.

It’s stuffed with a variety of vegetables and seasonings to make it bursting with flavor. However, if Indian spices aren’t your preference, you can swap in all sorts of fillings.  The method works with nearly any veggies, sliced cheeses, and cooked meats.

Make a hot ham and cheese, Italian style with tomatoes and basil, or throw some bacon in there!

Assembly aside, it takes less than 5 minutes to have the sandwich ready to eat!  While this recommends using the grill option on your convection microwave, it works fine on the regular convection setting as well if you don’t have the grill feature.

Pair your sandwich with a side of air fryer roasted butternut squash soup for the perfect combo. If you’re traveling, you can make it in advance and just heat it up in the microwave part!

Then, get your sandwich making skills on and find the full recipe for this microwave convection oven grilled vegetable sandwich in the video here.

3. Easy Fried Chicken Recipe

I know what you’re thinking. Fried chicken, in a microwave?  Well, in fairness it’s in your microwave convection oven.

Is it the same as deep frying? No. But it’s pretty close to oven-baked fried chicken, which you can at least get crispy.

This is a great option for eating dunked in your favorite sauce like nuggets, or piled up on a sandwich with your secret sauce of choice!

While the recipe features a lot of Asian-inspired flavors, it’s pretty adjustable to suit your tastes if that’s not what you’re craving.

Simply coat your chicken in your favorite seasonings and pop them in the convection microwave using the baking tray. This tray, which most convection microwaves come with, helps to get the chicken nice and crispy during cooking. 

Finish it up with a touch of the grill mode (if you’ve got it) and enjoy! I like to serve mine up with a bowl of easy cheesy microwave grits for that true Southern feel.

When you’re ready to get your fried chicken cooking in your microwave convection oven, get the full recipe in the video here

4. Turkey Lasagna

Yep, even when camping (or is that glamping) now you can enjoy a lasagna thanks to your microwave convection oven.

It’s designed to fit in the smaller 8 or 9 inch square pans, but it’s still great for 2-4 people!

While the recipe calls for turkey, you can definitely substitute ground beef, Italian sausage, or spinach if you’re going vegetarian.

You will need to cook the meat on a stove or hot plate (but feel free to do that prep work ahead of time if you’ll be camping).

Layer it up with tomato sauce, no boil noodles, seasonings, and some ricotta cheese (or sub cottage if you prefer).

Bake that sucker in your microwave convection oven and let it go for an hour and you’ve got a perfect homemade lasagna!

I like to pair it with some garlic bread, a green salad, and a glass of red wine.

Get the full recipe and tips for turkey lasagna in your microwave convection oven here.

5. Chocolate Cake

Every good meal needs a sweet dessert to finish things off. Thankfully, you can bake a chocolate cake in your microwave convection oven!

Yep, an 8-ingredient chocolate cake cooks perfectly in a cake pan in your convection microwave.

Then, once cooled, swap over to the microwave setting and make a simple homemade frosting to top it with!

Decorate it any way you like!  It’s a great way to celebrate holidays and birthdays, even when space isn’t readily available.

It’s easily swappable with other flavors as well, so feel free to experiment with different cake types.

If you’ve got a sweet tooth, make sure to check out more of the best microwave dessert recipes.

Then, grab a fork and sink your teeth into delicious chocolate cake from your microwave convection oven with the full recipe in the video here.

Microwave Convection Oven Cooking FAQs

What Can You Cook in a Convection Microwave?

In a convection microwave, you can cook the same items you would cook in a standard or convection oven. Anything that may be baked, roasted, or toasted.

Examples would include cookies, cakes, cupcakes, casseroles, roasted chicken, chicken wings, bread, and many more items.

Can You Put Metal in a Convection Microwave Oven?

Yes, you can put metal in a convection microwave oven. In fact, many units come with baking trays, crispers, or a grill rack.

Just make sure to remove the components before switching over to the microwave cooking option.

Is a Convection Microwave Like an Air Fryer?

A convection microwave is like an air fryer in that it uses forced, circulating hot air to cook your food. The microwave has a larger capacity than most standard air fryer baskets. However, the cooking process is not as strong as the air fryer and therefore takes longer.

Food is generally less crispy as well due to the increased cooking times, but this can be mitigated somewhat through use of a crisping tray.

Are Microwave Convection Ovens Worth It?

Microwave convection ovens are worth it for any instance where you cannot accommodate a full sized oven. This would be an RV, tiny apartment, or a shared living space where you want your own oven.

While the cooking capacity is less than that of a full sized range, the results are equal. You can produce the same baked and roasted foods on a smaller scale.

Can We Use a Glass Bowl in a Microwave Convection Oven?

You can use a glass bowl in a microwave convection oven if it is considered oven safe. For example, most Pyrex bowls are oven safe. However, a regular mixing bowl may not be.

Always make sure to check the manufacturer guidelines before placing a bowl in the microwave or oven.

Can You Cook a Pizza in a Convection Microwave?

Yes, you can cook a pizza in a convection microwave, so long as it fits within the microwave. This is generally suitable for personal-sized pizzas that are less than 10” in diameter.

For best results, use the grill rack or crisping tray to ensure that the crust gets crispy. The cheese will melt and brown as well during cooking.

Other Great Microwave Recipes to Try

In Conclusion

We’ve covered some of the best microwave convection oven recipes you can try. Whether you have a new one at home, or your home away from home, you’ll have all sorts of delicious things to eat!

These small ovens bring the comforts of a large range to a smaller space. But just because you’re sacrificing square footage doesn’t mean you need to sacrifice flavor!

Cook up everything from homemade bread to casserole and dessert, plus so much more. I hope I’ve inspired you to make some new recipes and to continue exploring. Happy cooking!

Katie Vine