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There comes a point every summer where turning on the oven starts to feel unreasonable. These recipes keep dinner simple, fresh, and satisfying, without using the oven or the stove!

Italian chopped salad in a bowl with chickpeas

No-oven recipes to keep your kitchen cool this summer.

cookbook author erin clarke of well plated

I can handle a lot of things in the summer.

Humidity? A Midwest girl will deal.

Mosquitoes? Annoying, but survivable.

The constant application of sunscreen? We persevere.

But when it’s 95 degrees out, the one thing I’m not going to do is turn on the oven.

These are the days for big salads, dinner cooked in the air fryer, and enjoying it all inside with the air conditioning blasting. Here’s what you’ll find on my menu.

Air fryer chicken Parmesan in air fryer basket.
Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan
All the crispy, cheesy comfort of chicken Parmesan, without heating up the entire kitchen! The air fryer keeps the chicken crisp while using far less heat than the oven.
Check out this recipe
Easy Italian chopped salad on a plate
Italian Chopped Salad
Cold, crunchy, salty, briny, this is the kind of salad that eats like a meal. It’s a favorite in our house!
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A bowl of rice topped with slow cooker orange chicken, garnished with chopped green onions and sesame seeds. The dish is served in a gray ceramic bowl on a dark surface.
Slow Cooker Orange Chicken
The slow cooker does all the work in this orange chicken recipe, while you avoid standing over a stove.
Check out this recipe
simple crab salad recipe
Crab Salad
This crab salad is fresh, light, and satisfying without requiring much cooking at all. Serve it in lettuce cups, piled onto buttery croissants, or over a bed of greens.
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The BEST EVER Instant Pot Shredded Chicken Tacos! Easy, juicy pressure cooker Mexican chicken that's healthy and full of flavor. Use it for tacos, burritos, taco bowls, or mix with black beans and rice. #pressurecooker #instantpot #shreddedchicken #healthy
Instant Pot Shredded Chicken Tacos
Pile this zesty shredded chicken into tortillas, bowls, salads, or nachos depending on how much effort you’re willing to exert that day.
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Arugula salad with cherry tomatoes, mozzarella, and balsamic glaze on a white plate.
Salad with Burrata
Creamy burrata, fresh tomatoes, good olive oil, and crisp greens are peak summer food.
Check out this recipe
A white bowl with healthy chickpea cookie dough with chocolate chips
Chickpea Cookie Dough
We can’t forget dessert! This edible cookie dough is healthy, satisfying, and ideal when you want something cold from the fridge instead of turning on the oven for cookies.
Check out this recipe

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Erin Clarke

Hi, I’m Erin Clarke, cookbook author and the home cook behind Well Plated. I’ve helped millions of people cook healthier meals that actually taste amazing and sold over 190,000 books! I’m here to help you save time, dirty fewer dishes, and feel great about what you’re eating, without overthinking it. Welcome!

Learn more about Erin

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