
Texas Heatwave Challenge: What Can You Actually Bake Outdoors?
FACT: That Texas heat is NO JOKE!! El Paso is about to break records when it comes to afternoon highs and honestly, I'm fine with not breaking any records this Summer!
The forecast for the next few days include afternoon highs possibly reaching 109 before we get SOMEWHAT of a break and go right back down to 90 degrees.
It’s Hot In Texas So Why Not Try Cooking Things Outside?!
When the temps outside start feeling like the inside of an air fryer, it’s time to ask the real questions: Can you cook dinner on your driveway? Is your car dashboard basically a convection oven now? And most importantly—can you actually bake something in the scorching summer heat?
Read More: When We All Fell for the Mailbox Bread Grandma Story |
Spoiler alert: People have definitely tried… myself included. From TikTok experiments to neighborhood Facebook groups, it seems like every Summer people like challenging themselves and seeing what they can bake outside.
I went digging to find the top things people have attempted to bake outside:
Cookies
This is a classic. Lay out raw cookie dough on a baking sheet, stick it on your dashboard, and close the windows. In temps above 100°F, people have reported success in 2–3 hours. They’re soft, gooey, and a little “sun-kissed.”
Bread
Remember the viral story of the grandma baking bread in her mailbox? Totally fake. But technically, in a black mailbox baking in 110°F+ heat, it might be possible to proof dough—though we wouldn’t recommend it unless you want a side of rusty flavor.
Pizza
Some brave souls have tried tossing frozen pizza onto foil on their driveway. You’ll get a slightly warm, semi-melted pie—perfect if you like your crust... chewy and questionable.
S’mores
Easy win! Chocolate and marshmallows melt beautifully on a hot car or patio slab. Just make sure you use foil or a plate—unless you enjoy rocks in your dessert.
Eggs
Can you fry an egg on a sidewalk? Kinda. It'll get semi-cooked after an hour, but don’t expect sunny-side perfection.

While outdoor baking is more of a fun science experiment than a reliable cooking method, it is a hilarious way to pass time during a heatwave. Just don’t actually eat the car-baked pizza. Your stomach will thank you.
El Paso Spray Parks, Splash Pads
Gallery Credit: Courtesy: elpasotexas.gov
Tips To Beat The Texas Heat
Gallery Credit: CANVA