Does your kitchen counter look like a battlefield of small appliances? You crave crispy fries without the deep fryer mess, but you also need to toast your morning bagel perfectly. It feels like you need two separate gadgets, taking up precious space! Choosing between a modern air fryer and a trusty toaster oven can feel like a real puzzle.
Both appliances promise faster cooking and better results than a standard oven, but which one truly fits your lifestyle? Maybe you worry about sacrificing counter space or spending money on something that only does half the job. We understand that frustration! You want efficiency, versatility, and delicious food without the clutter.
This post cuts through the confusion. We will break down exactly what each appliance does best and reveal how some models combine the best features of both. By the end, you will know exactly which appliance—or combination—belongs next to your microwave.
Top Air Fryer And Toaster Oven Recommendations
- VERSATILE COOKING FUNCTIONS: This premium 1800-watt Cuisinart Air Fryer Toaster Oven is equipped with an air fry setting plus toast, convection bake, bake, convection broil, broil, grill, and warming feature
- SPACIOUS CAPACITY: The Cuisinart Air Fryer Toaster Oven is large enough to toast 6 slices of bread, air fry 3 lbs. of chicken wings, bake a 12” pizza, or roast a 4-lb. chicken.
- SUPERIOR OPERATION: Equipped with an adjustable temperature dial, 60-minute timer/auto-shutoff, and a toast shade selector, this air fryer toaster oven features a wide temperature range (Warm-450°F) to ensure your meals are cooked to your perfection
- FAST AND CRISPY FOOD: AirAdvantage technology with top fan/heater assembly provides optimized hot air flow for fast and crispy results, locking in flavor and giving food the crispy texture you love
- WHAT’S INCLUDED: The Cuisinart Air Fryer Toaster Oven includes an oven rack, baking pan/drip tray, air fry basket, ceramic non-stick reversible grill/griddle, and stainless steel easy-clean interior to make cleanup simple.
- A VERSATILE AIR FRYER AND MULTI-COOKER COMBO: Elevates practically any meal, from air frying quick after-school snacks to roasting for large gatherings.
- PERFECTLY DONE TOAST: Oven turns off automatically when the toast countown timer ends - no burnt toast! Indicator light is red while toasting, blue when timer ends and oven turns off. Place rack at indicated toast position for ideal results.
- DUAL-SPEED FAN: Golden fried crisping at it's finest with 360º superheated air circulation for your homemade cooking.
- 26-QUART CAPACITY: This Extra-large 26-quart capacity countertop toaster is suitable for preparing food for 4–6 people with capacity to rotisserie a 6-lb chicken, bake a 12” pizza.
- STAINLESS STEEL EXTERIOR: A stainless steel exterior provides a beautiful asthetic to any kitchen, taking your party hosting to the next level. And Elegant French doors open with a single pull – interior light allows you to monitor food.
- RECLAIM YOUR COUNTER SPACE: Takes up 50% less space when you flip it up and away to store against your backsplash.
- OVENCRISP TECHNOLOGY: Infrared heating and rapid circulating air combine for edge-to-edge even cooking.
- 8-in-1 FUNCTIONALITY: Air fry, Roast, Broil, Bake, Pizza, Toast, Bagel, Dehydrate.
- LARGE CAPACITY, SMALL FOOTPRINT: Air fry & roast up to 4 lbs of ingredients, bake a 12” pizza, toast up to 6 slices of bread, fits 6 chicken breasts.
- QUICK FAMILY MEALS: Family-sized meals that feed up to 4 people in as little as 20 minutes.
- Spacious French Door Design – Dual doors open with one hand for easy loading of family-size meals, its 25 quart capacity fits a 12-inch pizza, 6 slices of toast, or a whole chicken
- Multi-Use Cooking Power – Air fry, bake, broil, roast, dehydrate, and toast with 17 presets for easy cooking, from crispy fries to roasted chicken and fresh-baked pizza
- Precision Digital Controls – Easy-to-use digital display with adjustable time (1–99 min) and temperature (90°F–450°F) for perfect results
- FryForce Convection Technology – 1700W convection airflow circulates heat for crispy, oil-free frying results
- Convenient Accessories – Includes stainless steel fry basket, baking pan, oven rack, and crumb tray for easy cleanup
- Versatile countertop cooking: Air fry, bake, dehydrate, rotisserie, or roast to crispy perfection in one convenient appliance
- Cook faster: No need to preheat like traditional ovens. This all-in-one convection oven uses rapid air heating elements to cook fast, even, and crispy food
- Healthy cooking made easy: Make healthy meals using 98% less oil than traditional fryers
- Simplified set-up: Anyone can cook perfect meals in minutes with 17 preset options and an easy-to-use capacitive touch control screen
- All-inclusive: Includes three air flow racks, stainless steel rotisserie oven spit with retrieval tool, and a drip tray
- The Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro with Element iQ System is a versatile countertop oven allowing you to roast, air fry and dehydrate; Super convection reduces cooking time by up to 30%; Choose from 13 cooking functions; Includes interior oven light
- ELEMENT iQ SYSTEM: With 5 independent quartz elements, smart algorithms steer oven's power where and when it's needed to create a tailored cooking environment; Sensing and digital PID temperature control eliminate cold spots for precise cooking
- AIR FRY AND DEHYDRATE SETTINGS: Air fry family favorites like French fries; Higher temperatures combine with super convection (maximized air flow) for crispy golden, air-fried foods; Oven also dehydrates up to 4 trays at once of a wide range of foods
- SUPER CONVECTION TECHNOLOGY: Electric air fryer's 2 speed convection fan (super & regular) offers more cooking control; Super convection provides greater volume of hot air to ensure fast and even heat distribution for air frying, dehydration and roasting
- 13 COOKING FUNCTIONS: Versatile countertop oven and air fryer with 13 functions for your kitchen; Toast, Bagel, Broil, Bake, Roast, Warm, Pizza, Proof, Air Fry, Reheat, Cookies, Slow Cook, and Dehydrate; Like having a toaster, pizza oven and more in one
- 5-IN–1 MULTIFUNCTIONAL COOKING- Enjoy versatile cooking with Air Fry, Bake, Broil, Toast, and Keep Warm settings. Perfect for preparing a wide variety of meals from crispy fries to perfectly baked pizzas and golden toast.
- HEALTHY AIR FRYING TECHNOLOGY – Cook crispy, delicious meals with little to no oil using advanced air frying technology. Enjoy healthier alternatives to your favorite fried foods without compromising taste or texture.
- EVENTOAST TECHNOLOGY FOR PERFECT TOAST – Achieve evenly toasted bread, bagels, and more with BLACK+DECKER’s EvenToast technology, ensuring consistent results every time with no hot spots.
- COMPACT YET SPACIOUS INTERIOR – Fits up to a 9-inch pizza or 4 slices of bread, making it ideal for quick family meals, snacks, or small batch cooking while saving valuable counter space.
- USER-FRIENDLY CONTROLS 7 ACCESSORIES – Features a 30-minute timer for precision cooking, plus a removable crumb tray, bake pan, air fry mesh tray, and wire rack for easy cleanup and versatile cooking options.
- LARGEST AIR FRYING CAPACITY IN A FRENCH DOOR OVEN: Cook family-sized meals with ease in the included 5-qt air fry basket that fits up to 5 lbs of French fries.
- 10-IN-1 VERSATILITY: Choose from Air Fry, Air Roast, Whole Roast, Bake, Pizza, Broil, Reheat, Dehydrate, Toast, and Bagel—all in one appliance.
- FASTER COOKING: Up to 60% faster cooking compared to other conventional ovens with quick 90-second preheat.
- PRECISE COOKING: Compared to leading French door ovens.
- 450°F CYCLONIC AIR TECHNOLOGY: Achieve fast, even cooking with no rotating required for Bake, Pizza, and Whole Roast functions.
The Ultimate Buying Guide for Air Fryer Toaster Ovens
Combining two kitchen workhorses, the air fryer toaster oven is a fantastic appliance. It lets you crisp food like an air fryer and bake or toast like a regular oven. Choosing the right one requires looking at a few important things. This guide will help you find the perfect match for your kitchen.
Key Features to Look For
When shopping, these features make a big difference in how you use the appliance.
Capacity and Size
- Interior Space: Check how much food fits inside. A small family might need a 15-liter model. A larger family might need 25 liters or more. Think about fitting a whole chicken or a 12-inch pizza.
- Counter Space: Measure the area where you plan to keep the oven. Some models are deep or tall. Make sure it fits comfortably without blocking cabinets.
Cooking Functions
- Preset Programs: Look for easy buttons like “Air Fry,” “Bake,” “Broil,” “Toast,” and “Dehydrate.” More presets mean less guesswork for popular foods.
- Temperature Range: A wide range (e.g., 150°F to 450°F) lets you do everything from slow dehydrating to high-heat searing.
- Timer and Controls: Digital controls are usually more accurate than dial controls. A clear timer helps you track cooking times easily.
Air Frying Performance
- Wattage: Higher wattage (usually 1700W or more) means the oven heats up faster and maintains temperature better, which is key for crispy air frying.
- Fan Speed: A strong fan circulates hot air well. This circulation is what makes food crispy without much oil.
Important Materials and Build Quality
The materials used affect how long the oven lasts and how easy it is to clean.
Interior Construction
- Non-Stick Coating: Most interiors use a non-stick surface. Check reviews to see if this coating peels or flakes over time. Stainless steel interiors are often more durable but might require more scrubbing.
- Heating Elements: Look for quality metal heating elements that heat evenly.
Exterior and Accessories
- Exterior Finish: Stainless steel looks professional and is easy to wipe down. Plastic housing is lighter but can sometimes look cheap or get stained.
- Included Accessories: Quality ovens come with a durable wire rack, a baking pan, and a mesh air fryer basket. These pieces should feel sturdy, not flimsy.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
Quality isn’t just about the price tag; it is about performance and longevity.
What Improves Quality?
- Double-Walled Insulation: Good insulation keeps the outside cooler while cooking and helps the inside stay hot. This improves energy efficiency.
- Internal Light: An interior light lets you check food without opening the door and losing heat.
What Reduces Quality?
- Inaccurate Thermostat: If the temperature setting is wrong, your food will burn or stay soggy. Read user reviews about temperature accuracy.
- Flimsy Doors: A door that doesn’t close tightly or feels wobbly will leak heat and wear out quickly.
User Experience and Use Cases
Think about how you will use the appliance every day.
Ease of Use
A good air fryer toaster oven should be intuitive. If the controls are confusing or the manual is hard to follow, you might not use it often. Cleaning is a huge part of the experience. Removable, dishwasher-safe parts are a major plus.
Common Use Cases
- Quick Meals: Perfect for toasting bagels, heating up leftovers, or air frying frozen items like chicken nuggets or french fries.
- Baking Small Batches: You can bake a small batch of cookies or roast vegetables without heating up your large, traditional oven.
- Healthier Frying: It allows you to achieve that fried texture with very little oil, which is great for healthier eating.
10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Can an air fryer toaster oven completely replace my regular oven?
A: For most small tasks like baking a small cake or roasting vegetables, yes. However, it cannot handle very large items like a big turkey or multiple trays of cookies at once.
Q: Is the air frying function as good as a dedicated air fryer basket?
A: It is very close! The main difference is that dedicated air fryers often have a more compact space, which forces air circulation better. Good toaster oven models still provide excellent crispness.
Q: How difficult is it to clean the inside?
A: It depends on the model. Look for models with non-stick coatings and dishwasher-safe trays. Food that burns onto the bottom heating elements can be tricky to clean in any oven.
Q: Do these units get very hot on the outside?
A: Yes, they do. Because they use high heat, the exterior surfaces, especially the top, can get hot. You must keep them away from walls and plastic items.
Q: What is the typical power draw (wattage)?
A: Most models draw between 1500 and 1800 watts. Make sure your kitchen circuit can handle this, especially if you use other high-power appliances at the same time.
Q: Should I use parchment paper or foil inside?
A: You can use parchment paper for baking, but never cover the bottom completely. For air frying, do not use foil unless the manufacturer specifically says it is safe, as it can block necessary airflow.
Q: How long does it take to preheat?
A: They preheat much faster than a standard oven. Most are ready in 5 to 10 minutes because they are smaller and use powerful heating elements.
Q: What is the best way to select the correct size?
A: Measure the largest item you plan to cook regularly (like a 9×13 baking dish) and make sure the oven interior is slightly larger than that.
Q: Are the knobs or digital screens more reliable?
A: Digital screens offer more precise settings and often have better preset programs. Knobs are simpler and less likely to fail electronically, but they can be less accurate with temperature settings.
Q: Can I air fry and toast at the same time?
A: No. These appliances use the same heating elements for both functions. You must switch between modes, meaning you cannot toast bread while air frying chicken wings.