Air fryers have become incredibly popular kitchen appliances recently, leading to a whole new range of air fryer recipes and cookbooks. However, kitchen counter space is often limited, and the traditional pod-shaped air fryer competes for space with your toaster or toaster oven.
The best solution? Get the best of both worlds with a best air fryer toaster oven. These versatile appliances combine the functionality of an air fryer and a toaster oven, saving you valuable counter space. We’ve tested numerous models and conducted a comprehensive comparison to identify the top performers. With a top-rated air fryer toaster oven, you can cook almost anything: crispy fries, delicious desserts, perfectly reheated pizza, and even mouthwatering air fryer fried chicken with hot honey.
How do air fryer toaster ovens work?
The key to air frying, whether using a dedicated air fryer or a versatile air fryer toaster oven, is a powerful fan. One or more electric heating elements raise the temperature inside the appliance, while the fan circulates the hot air rapidly, ensuring even heat distribution around the food. This process replicates deep frying, where food is immersed in hot oil and cooks evenly from all sides.
An air fryer toaster oven stands out by offering independent control of the fan and heating elements, enabling diverse cooking styles. With the fan at full speed and even heat, you’re air frying, but by turning off the fan and using only the top heating element, you switch to broiling. This versatility makes air fryer toaster ovens a valuable addition to your kitchen, though they typically come with a higher price tag than single-purpose air fryers.
Best Overall Air Fryer Toaster Oven
Instant Omni Plus Air Fryer Toaster Oven
link amazon : https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08PL327W4?
Pros:
- This user-friendly model delivers very consistent heat across its spacious interior.
Cons:
- It has a large footprint and takes up considerable counter space.
- It tended to run slightly hot during testing.
This air fryer toaster oven from the makers of the Instant Pot is a comprehensive kitchen appliance, boasting user-friendly features and a wide array of sought-after functions. Every aspect of its design enhances its usability, from the clear controls and additional accessories to the dishwasher-safe parts. With 10 cooking settings, it comes equipped with an air fryer basket, baking sheet, standard oven rack, and a complete rotisserie setup for spit-roasting your own chicken.
During testing, the Omni Plus impressed with its consistent cooking performance. Six slices of bread and a full tray of French fries browned evenly throughout, and cookies baked to the same warm, soft texture inside. However, we noted a tendency for the appliance to brown food slightly more than the set temperature indicated. This is easily adjustable by lowering the temperature or reducing cooking time, but it requires some initial familiarization. Additionally, the appliance is quite bulky due to its large capacity, demanding ample counter space.
Specifications:
- Dimensions: 12 x 12 x 13.89 inches
- Capacity: 19 quarts
- Power: 1,800 watts
- Functions: Air fry, bake, broil, toast, dehydrate, rotisserie, reheat, warm, convection
- Includes: Air fry basket, oven rack, baking sheet, rotisserie lift and spit
Best Overall Air Fryer Toaster Oven, Runner-Up
Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer
Link amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Breville-BOV860BSS-Countertop-Convection-Stainless/dp/B085FTBLC6?
Pros:
- This versatile oven produced evenly crispy fries and perfectly soft, gooey cookies.
Cons:
- It’s relatively expensive.
- We noticed a cool spot on one side during testing.
The Breville Smart Oven offers 11 specialized cooking modes and a convenient frozen food button that automatically adjusts time and temperature for optimal results with frozen items like fries and pizza. These are precisely the tests where this model excelled. Our tray of fries came out uniformly crisp, with slight color variations but no mushy or burnt pieces. The oven boasts a spacious interior, accommodating nine slices of toast in a single layer. It also includes a generous assortment of accessories, including a pizza pan, air fry basket, roasting pan, and separate racks for baking and broiling.
We admire the stylish stainless steel design of the Smart Oven, but its price reflects its premium look, versatility, and brand reputation. We did observe a slight drawback in the form of a cool spot near the convection fan. Food placed closest to the fan cooked a bit slower and browned less than the rest of the oven.
Specifications:
- Dimensions: 15 x 20 x 11 inches
- Capacity: 23.9 quarts
- Power: 1800 watts
- Functions: Toast, bagel, bake, roast, broil, pizza, cookies, reheat, warm, proof, air fry
- Includes: 13″ non-stick pizza pan, 12″ x 12″ enamel baking pan, 12″ x 12″ enamel broil rack, air fry basket, roasting pan
- Temperature Range: 120°F – 450°F
- Additional Features: LCD display, interior light, slow cook function, convection fan
Best Value Air Fryer Toaster Oven
Hamilton Beach Air Fry Toaster Oven
PHOTO: AMAZON
Pros:
- This budget-friendly oven excels as an air fryer or broiler and is incredibly easy to clean.
Cons:
- Its small capacity limits the amount of food you can cook at once.
- The imprecise analog controls can be challenging to use.
Despite its fully analog controls, this affordable Hamilton Beach model performed remarkably well in our air fry and broil tests. It heated up quickly, toasted evenly, and surprisingly produced the most delicious batch of cookies in our initial testing round. We also didn’t notice any significant hot or cold spots. Cleaning the air fryer was a breeze, requiring only a quick wipe with a soapy cloth followed by a dry wipe. The convenient crumb tray prevents debris from accumulating inside, making cleanup as simple as emptying the tray.
However, navigating the Sure-Crisp’s controls proved to be a bit tricky. While the dial for selecting one of the four functions is straightforward, the separate timer and temperature dials lack precision. It’s difficult to determine whether you’re setting the temperature between 350°F and 375°F or the timer between 5 and 8 minutes, which can affect the outcome of your cooking, particularly with delicate items like cookies. Additionally, the oven has a smaller capacity compared to others on our list, being similar in width and depth but notably shorter.
Specifications:
- Dimensions: 14.17 x 17.68 x 9.02 inches
- Capacity: 6.3 quarts
- Power: 1,500 watts
- Functions: Bake, broil, toast, air fry
- Includes: Air fry basket, baking pan, broiling rack
Best Splurge Air Fryer Toaster Oven
GE Profile Smart Oven
Link amazon https://www.amazon.com/GE-Profile-Preheat-Countertop-Large-Capacity/dp/B0BWK75DC3?
Pros:
- Sleek design and innovative features like app and voice controls.
- Quick cooking with no preheating required.
Cons:
- It’s the most expensive air fryer toaster oven we tested.
The GE Profile stands out with its impressive design and innovative features. It boasts app and voice controls, along with a conveniently placed bottom-mounted control panel. The unique door design, which rolls up like a garage door, provides easy access to the interior without risking contact with hot surfaces. Additionally, the “self-presenting” rack slides forward when the door is opened, making it effortless to retrieve food.
This model excelled at baking cookies, producing a consistent batch with even browning and no scorching. Its no-preheat feature, applicable to all 11 cooking modes, saves time by automatically adjusting power based on the starting temperature. However, our test toast and fries came out slightly undercooked and could have benefited from additional time. Overall, the zero-preheat function is a valuable asset, but it takes some getting used to.
Specifications:
- Dimensions: 19.6 x 17.3 x 11.5 inches
- Capacity: 24.8 quarts
- Power: 1,500 watts
- Functions: Air fry, warm, toast, broil, roast, pastry, reheat, pizza, cookies, bake, bagel
- Includes: Air fry basket, wire rack, sheet pan, sheet pan rack
Our Favorite Air Fryer Toaster Oven
Our top pick for the best overall air fryer toaster oven is the Instant Pot Omni Plus. It stands out for its consistent cooking performance, ample power, generous interior space, versatile functionality, and reasonable price point. It’s a user-friendly appliance that’s easy to clean and operate, capable of handling all your air frying and toasting needs, and much more.
How We Tested Air Fryer Toaster Ovens
Over the years, we’ve rigorously tested numerous standalone air fryers, toaster ovens, and over a dozen air fryer toaster oven models. In our most recent evaluation, we handpicked six top-performing air fryer toaster ovens from previous tests and pitted them against each other in a series of challenges. These challenges were specifically designed to assess their performance as both air fryers and toaster ovens. Beyond these tests, we meticulously evaluated each model’s overall design, size, and user-friendliness, paying close attention to any features that made them stand out, whether positively or negatively.
- Toast Tests: We put the machines’ toasting capabilities to the test in several ways. First, we toasted a single slice of bread at the medium-dark setting (or 450°F for 5 minutes if no toast setting was available) and assessed its color and how evenly it was cooked. Next, we broiled a slice of bread topped with cheese, noting the time it took for the cheese to melt and brown, and whether the exposed bread burned simultaneously. Finally, we toasted as many slices of bread as would fit in a single layer, checking for any hot or cool spots that resulted in uneven browning.
- French Fries Test: We used each machine’s air fry setting to cook 8 ounces of frozen French fries at 400°F for 12 minutes. We evaluated the fries for even cooking, crispness, and color, noting whether they were browned and crispy or limp and pale. If undercooked after 12 minutes, we continued cooking in 5-minute increments until they reached the desired level of crispness and browning.
- Cookie Test: We baked a batch of break-and-bake cookies using the cookie setting (or bake setting if unavailable) at 350°F. We spaced the dough pieces 3 inches apart as recommended and noted how many cookies fit in the oven. After baking, we assessed the cookies for even browning, any signs of burning on the bottom, and whether they were fully cooked inside.
- Chicken and Pizza Tests: For air fryer toaster ovens that advertised the capacity to fit a whole chicken or frozen pizza, we put their claims to the test. We roasted a whole chicken or baked a frozen pizza according to the manufacturer’s instructions. It’s worth noting that the Instant Omni Plus was the only model we tested with a rotisserie function, which we utilized for its chicken test. We assessed the results based on even cooking, proper browning, and overall taste.
- Cleaning: After each test, we thoroughly cleaned each machine following the instructions in the user manual. We evaluated the convenience of pull-out crumb trays and other removable parts, washing them either by hand or in the dishwasher as appropriate. We took note of any challenges we encountered during cleaning, as well as any design elements that made the process particularly easy.
What We Learned While Testing Air Fryer Toaster Ovens
- Choosing the Right Size: Consider both capacity and footprint when selecting an air fryer toaster oven. A compact model is ideal for smaller kitchens with limited counter space. If space isn’t a concern, any size will work, but a large oven may be unnecessary if you primarily cook for one or two people. Conversely, a larger oven is a better investment for larger families or those who frequently cook for groups.
- Digital Controls: We generally prefer digital controls over knob-style dials, as they offer precise settings for time and temperature. While digital models tend to be more expensive, they provide clearer information and greater control over your cooking. However, some digital interfaces may have small screens or buttons that can be difficult to use for individuals with visual or motor impairments. If this is a concern, pay close attention to the control panel design when choosing a model.
- Extra Functions: We appreciate additional features, but it’s important to consider which ones you’ll actually use. Air fryer toaster ovens are known for their versatility, offering various cooking capabilities. While most models can bake, toast, and air fry, some come with numerous other functions. Do you plan to use your oven for slow cooking or defrosting? If these features aren’t essential to you, it’s not worth paying extra for them. Consider a more streamlined model like our value pick, the Hamilton Beach Sure-Crisp Air Fry Toaster Oven.
- Racks and Accessories: Some ovens are straightforward, while others include a wide range of accessories for tasks like dehydrating or rotisserie roasting. The value of these accessories depends on how often you’ll use them. If you primarily use your oven for simple tasks like reheating leftovers or making toast, extra accessories might not be a priority. However, for those who frequently cook diverse meals, accessories like pizza pans or fry baskets can be invaluable additions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an Air Fryer Toaster Oven Worth Buying?
For many, the answer is a resounding yes. An air fryer toaster oven replaces two appliances, freeing up valuable counter space, and most models offer even more functionality than an air fryer and toaster oven combined. It streamlines everyday cooking tasks and eliminates the need to use your full-size oven for smaller jobs.
Chef Katie Briggs, founder of West Philly Bunny Hop, a mutual aid group, prefers her air fryer toaster oven over her traditional oven at home. She uses it for boiling water, toasting, reheating, and baking. Air fryer toaster ovens are typically larger than standalone air fryers or toaster ovens, providing more cooking space and allowing you to achieve crispy skin on chicken thighs or roast vegetables quickly and efficiently.
What’s the Difference Between an Air Fryer and an Air Fryer Toaster Oven?
Both appliances use a fan to circulate hot air for even cooking, similar to a supercharged convection oven. However, air fryer toaster ovens also have more powerful heating elements like those found in toaster ovens. These elements, often located on the top and bottom, can be controlled independently for broiling, baking, and other cooking modes, offering greater versatility when combined with the fan.
Air fryer toaster ovens tend to be larger than single-purpose air fryers, occupying more counter space but accommodating more food. Many can fit a whole chicken or frozen pizza, a feat that most standalone air fryers or toaster ovens can’t achieve.
How Do You Clean an Air Fryer Toaster Oven?
While each model differs, pans and grates are usually removable and should be washed after each use with soapy water and a sponge. Some parts may be dishwasher-safe, so check the instruction manual. Ensure all components are dry before reassembling the oven.
Many models have a pull-out crumb tray for easy cleanup of crumbs and debris. Cleaning the interior requires more effort, as grease and crumbs can accumulate even with minimal oil usage. To maintain safe operation, clean the interior every few uses. Unplug the machine, remove any crumbs, and wipe away visible oil. Use a damp cloth or sponge to gently clean the interior, including the heating coils. Wipe down the exterior as well. Allow the oven to dry completely before plugging it back in.
What Didn’t Make the List
The air fryer toaster ovens that performed poorly in our tests all struggled with heat control. One model only toasted bread on one side, leaving the other side barely warm. Another model consistently ran too hot, overcooking bread and cookies even with time remaining on the timer. We found that the Beautiful by Drew Barrymore Digital Air Fry Toaster Oven excelled as a toaster but faltered as an air fryer, producing both burnt and undercooked fries in the same batch.
