Forget air fryers, ovens and microwaves – there’s only one appliance you need in your life right now. From pancakes to omelettes, a simple sandwich press has you covered.

With inflation at its highest in 20 years and food prices up by 10% since last year, many households are conserving power and cutting costs where they can. That’s why we’ve put together a few quick and affordable meal ideas to make it easier. You won’t need pricey appliances for these – nor do you no need to miss out on your favourite snacks if you only have your humble sandwich press handy. Take a look at some of the classic comfort foods you can make

Waffles.

You don’t need a waffle maker to whip up these nostalgic treats. Simply make the batter as usual and spoon it onto your press – it helps if it’s grid-lined to get those classic waffle indentations. For a healthier version that won’t spike your blood sugar levels, we recommend making these savoury-style. Swap out sugar and fruit for spinach, cheese and grated zucchini – and don’t skimp out on the flavour, add in some rosemary and thyme or paprika and chilli to give your waffles a kick.

Pancakes.

We like to call these “presscakes” since the pan is out of the picture – but the taste is just how you remember it. Make up a typical pancake batter – or try this sugar-free recipe from I Quit Sugar’s Healthy Breakfast Cookbook:

Chive and Kale Savoury Pancakes.

Ingredients.

• 1 cup plain flour.
• 1 teaspoon baking powder.
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt.
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper. 
• 1 egg, whisked.
• 1 cup milk. 
• 1 bunch (20g) chives, finely chopped and extra for serving.
• 4 large kale leaves, stalk removed and finely shredded (about 2 cups worth of leaves). 
• 3/4 cup (70g) Parmesan cheese, shredded. 
• butter, for frying.
• 2 eggs, poached, to serve.

Now the original recipe calls for a pan, but for our “presscakes”, we’re simply going to mix these ingredients together and spoon it onto the sandwich press, then it’s time to watch the magic happen.

Omelette.

It doesn’t get much simpler than this – sandwich press omelettes are healthy, quick and versatile. Add any ingredients you fancy, from last night’s leftovers to any spices you have stacked in the cupboard, there’s no right or wrong here – just don’t forget the eggs! Whisk them as you usually would for a pan-fried omelette, then add in your preferred foods – spinach, mushroom and tomato go well. All that’s left to do now is wait.

Hash browns.

Sandwich press hash browns are crispier than their traditional counterparts – and that’s just how we like it. Just grate up your potatoes and mix them into your usual egg and flour batter, then dump it straight into your press – it’s that simple. You could even drop in a couple of tomatoes and mushrooms and then crack an egg into your press for a classic brekkie. If it’s in the fridge, it’s in the press – that’s our motto!

French toast.

You might think French toast is too fancy to be made in a press, but you’ll be surprised at the results. Perfectly crispy on the outside and soft and fluffy inside, this spin on the popular brunch does not disappoint.

These are just a few of the countless options on the table for your humble sandwich press. If you’re looking for quick, easy and sugar-free recipes that will be loved by kids and adults alike, take a look at the Healthy Breakfast Cookbook HERE.