Nowhere in the manual does it advise soaking the fries before air frying – which is a common recommendation with other air fryers. So I spread the fries in a single layer on the basket and set it to air fry at 400oF for 15 cuisinart toa60 minutes. The manual says that stirring is only necessary for larger amounts and since the fries were in a single layer, I left them for the full time. So much faster than a regular oven or even a regular toaster oven!
And sure, I’ve burned things a few times but that’s because this is not a “set it and forget it” reheating appliance and it’s a powerhouse. So you have to watch your food because it is so fast that you can’t just let it do it’s thing which isn’t a negative. The reviews speak for themselves, and it is ranked as one of the best air fryers out there. I don’t have anything to compare it to, but we’ve had it for 15 months and use it almost daily, so that has to say something. The Hamilton Beach Sure-Crisp (31243) Toaster Oven with Air Fry runs too cool and can’t maintain its internal temperature well. Annoyingly, the timer on this model begins counting down while the oven is still preheating, rather than waiting until it’s finished preheating to begin.
To make pizza I loosely followed the recipe for Pizza Margherita in the instruction manual but tweaked the toppings to suit what I had available in my fridge. As advised in the recipe, I set the toaster oven to convection bake and preheated for 15 minutes. An air fryer’s heating elements are usually on the top of the unit along with a large fan, and it cuts down cook time significantly. You also don’t need to preheat with this air fryer which, when you’ve been working all day and need things to be quick and easy, is huge. If you were to fry nuggets in oil for example, you’d use a ton of oil to do that.
It’s also considerably lighter than our other picks, so it’s easier to pick up and move if you plan to store it in a cupboard. However, if you can afford to spend a bit more, we’d still recommend getting our runner-up pick, the Cuisinart Chef’s Convection Toaster Oven TOB-260N1, which performed better overall. To read more about the Cuisinart and how it’s held up over years of long-term testing, check out our guide to the best toaster ovens. Given that it’s also a toaster, I put bagels and bread in it as well. Though cooking does take about 2 minutes longer than it would with a regular toaster, it toasts more evenly. Another upside is that it fits up to six slices of bread, so more hungry bellies can enjoy their toast at the same time.
Our journalists combine independent research with (occasionally) over-the-top testing so you can make quick and confident buying decisions. Whether it’s finding great products or discovering helpful advice, we’ll help you get it right (the first time). The Cuisinart shares many of the same features as our main pick, but its convection fan isn’t quite as powerful. We recommend saving some cash and getting this model if speed isn’t a big priority. The Cuisinart also did well with broccoli, which is a somewhat finicky vegetable to roast, as the florets can burn easily while the stems remain undercooked. In testing, the florets were crisp enough without being overdone, and the stems were tender, all in about half the time it takes to roast broccoli in an oven.
Additionally, we compared the cooking capacity of each model, and we took note of any egregiously noisy fans or annoying beeps. After testing, we washed all of the air fryer toaster oven components by hand to see how easy they were to clean. If you want to save counter space, spend less, or cook smaller portions of food at a time, you may still want to consider getting a pod-shaped air fryer. And if you’re looking for a regular toaster oven without a dedicated air fryer setting, we have a guide to those too. If you need extra help deciding what to buy, we walk you through more pros and cons of each machine. In my testing, the Cuisinart TOA-65 cooked most foods faster than the three other toaster-oven air fryers.
But while Breville will take your toaster oven back for repairs, Cuisinart will only replace models under warranty, even if the issue is technically fixable (like a burned-out light bulb). And before you can get the replacement, you have to send proof that you cut the cord on the original model. As Editor of Product Reviews at BobVila.com, Beth Cranston designs the testing guidelines and rubrics for the product reviews team. She has been a writer and editor cuisinart toaster costco for over a decade, with a focus on all things home since 2017, covering everything from kitchen design ideas to electrical plans for home remodeling blogs. An avid home cook, she believes that everyone should know how to reverse sear, that deglazing is the best way to clean a pan, and that no appliance should collect dust. Savor the good life® with Cuisinart and discover why our air fryer appliances are some of the best reviewed and rated on the market.
It can also bake up biscuits and broil a few chicken breasts as well as any countertop or full-size oven. Unfortunately, it’s only middling at air frying, so it’s best for people who only occasionally fry up frozen fries or mozzarella sticks. The interior has a nonstick coating, and the air fryer basket and baking pan can be tossed in the dishwasher. Cuisinart provides a helpful manual complete with cooking charts and appealing recipes. Plus there’s a quick reference guide that conveniently stores in a slot in the bottom of the oven. (this was the #1 recommendation!) I LOVE the Breville brand (it’s what our old toaster oven was) but this one just had more functions than we needed and I didn’t want to spend that much.