Can Air Fryer Replace Toaster Oven? (All You Need to Know)

Air fryers are trending more than ever and so are toaster ovens. They have been replacing traditional ovens. It can be hard to decide between the two, especially because of their close features. But they are not the same.

What makes them so popular? Is an air fryer better than a toaster oven? Let’s find out. 

Can an air fryer replace a toaster oven?

An air fryer can replace a toaster oven because they are similar in many ways. Both of them make cooking faster and cleaning easier. They are widely known for their compact nature and energy-saving features. Both air fryers and toaster ovens are miniature versions of a traditional oven. 

An air fryer can also be better for you than a toaster oven because they are faster and your food will be crispier. You can cook, roast, grill, bake, and heat using an air fryer, just the way you can with a toaster oven. However, air-fried food tastes different from food cooked in toaster ovens. 

Can an air fryer be used as a toaster oven?

Yes, an air fryer can be used as a toaster oven. In fact, they have all the cooking functions of a toaster oven and more. You can also dehydrate and air fry using an air fryer. If your toaster oven had a fan to circulate the heat, the air fryer has one too.

The fans in air fryers are more efficient than a toaster oven. Besides, you can make all the things you made with a toaster oven, with the air fryer as well. 

What is an air fryer?

An air fryer is a smaller version of a convection oven but they do have their differences. It can be used to deep fry, roast, bake, and cook. They can do all of it very quickly using their heating system and fan. A survey stated that almost 40% of U.S homes have an air fryer. 

What is a toaster oven?

A toaster oven is also similar to a conventional oven and it can be used as a substitute for a large kitchen oven. It can fry, bake, roast, boil, and defrost. They save more energy than regular ovens and rapidly cook food. 

They are small in size, making them convenient for small countertops. 

Air fryer vs toaster convection oven – How is an air fryer different from a toaster oven?

Air fryer and toaster oven both are compact in size and severely kitchen effective materials, though they have some differences. Such as –

How they provide heat:

This is the biggest difference between them. A toaster oven’s heat source is typically placed on the top and bottom of the device whereas, in older models, it is only located on the top. The case is different with air fryers.

Air fryers have a powerful fan that circulates hot air on the food and they also include a basket that provides heat on the lower side of the food. This makes them more effective in distributing heat. Some toaster ovens do come with a fan that is placed on the back of the appliance. 

Appearance (Size & Shape):

Both are smaller in size than traditional ovens but they have different shapes. Air fryers are taller but smaller than toaster ovens. Toaster ovens are wider which is why they take up more counter space. 

This is why storing an air fryer is simpler than toaster ovens and they are more portable too. Air fryers can be moved around but toaster ovens often need a fixed place. 

Cost:

Air fryers are typically more costly when compared to toaster ovens. The price varies and both appliances have their highs and lows. You can get an average toaster oven for only $70 to $80 bucks whereas a decent air fryer will cost you around $120. 

 You can find cheaper air fryers for only $40 to $50. So it’s safe to say, toaster ovens are more affordable than air fryers. 

Amount of space it takes up and capacity:

Although toaster ovens take up more space than air fryers, they enable more space to cook. They tend to have more capacity but modern developments have changed this. 

There are plenty of air fryers with a larger capacity than regular toaster ovens and have more features than regular air fryers. They cost more than the bucket-style air fryers on the market. 

Do I need a toaster oven if I have an air fryer?

Not necessarily. Both toaster ovens and air fryers function in similar ways. They heat in different ways unless you have a convection toaster oven. The heat is more evenly spread in toaster ovens. The sizes are also almost the same but there are larger toaster oven models.

Toaster ovens are slightly better at reheating food when compared to air fryers. A convection toaster oven is more efficient than average air fryers. You get greater cooking capacity and more methods to cook.

Since both have similar abilities more or less, there is no need for wasting countertop space and money on another appliance. Hence, you do not need a toaster oven if you already have an air fryer. At the end of the day, it is up to you and your needs.

If you think you can benefit from a toaster oven, go for it! Both air fryers and toaster ovens are great additions to a home. 

Can an air fryer toast bread?

Yes, an air fryer can toast bread! Your air fryer does not have to have a toast feature to toast bread. You can toast any type of bread, whether it is homemade or store-bought. You can toast around 8 pieces at once but for even spread, don’t put one bread over another.

To make sure it toasts evenly, use two trays to fill up the bread on your air fryer. It is a very simple procedure and quick too! You’ll only need 5 minutes. It won’t burn or be mushy. The cooking time will vary according to the type of bread. 

If the bread is thicker than usual, it will take more time.

You can also add some garlic and butter to it to make a perfect garlic toast. You can quickly clean too. The bread on the rack below can take more time to toast so you can take out the ones above and give it a few more minutes to toast properly. 

Can an air fryer toast a bagel?

Yes, you can use an air fryer to toast a bagel. You can either slice the bagel in half or keep it closed. It depends on your preference. If you like the insides soft, then let it be as it is. Put them in the basket in the same layer but don’t cram them.

If you like your bagels slightly toasted, air fry them for 2 minutes at 310° F. For a moderate level toast, cook it for 3 minutes. If you like it extra toasty, cook it for over 4 minutes. This applies to refrigerated bagels or bagels at room temperature. 

For frozen bagels, open up the bagel and preheat your air fryer setting to 176° C for around 4 to 5 minutes.  Follow the following instructions for bagels of all types including mini bagels. Larger bagels will take more time to toast.

You can pick a wide range of toppings such as cream cheese or jelly. 

Is an air fryer better than a toaster oven?

There is no way to tell which one is better. It can vary depending on your preference, model, or

brand. Some people might prefer one of the other due to the cost. Others might prefer air fryers for their compact size.

It all depends on you. Some might like the crispness that air fryers provide or the heating methods of toaster ovens.

A good way to decide what’s better for you is by making a checklist and going through different models of both air fryers and toaster ovens. Learn about the product and make your decision. If you prefer healthier deep-frying, maybe air frying is the best choice for you.

But if you still can’t decide which one is better for you, you can buy an air fryer toaster oven that includes features of both. This way, you get the best of both worlds. 

What are air fryers good for?

Air fryers are good for many things starting from cooking, baking, and toasting. But their biggest advantage is how quick they are. Instead of spending hours cooking in the oven, the air fryer works much faster.

You can heat frozen foods, fried food, and also cook various fresh foods. The air fryer system is made in a way that makes the heat spread fast and evenly. They have a special fan that works their magic by reaching high temperatures within a few minutes. 

Another benefit that air fryers provide is saving space. They are small in size so you’ll

have a lot of countertop space for other appliances. They are also healthier than deep frying in a way. You intake fewer calories and they reduce the number of toxic components in your food.

Cleaning is simple as well when compared to other methods. They can heat your food quickly while maintaining the crispiness of the food.

What is the best toaster oven air fryer on the market?

What’s best for you depends on your serving size and preferences. But here are some top-rated toaster oven air fryers that are trending on the market in 2021! 

• Cosori CO130 AO 12 in 1 Air Fryer Toaster Oven Combo.
• Ninja Foodi 10 in 1 Smart XL Air Fry Oven.
• Instant Vortex Plus Air Fryer Oven with Rotisserie.
• Crux Digital 6 Slice Air Fryer Toaster Oven 14 805.
• Black + Decker Crisp Bake Air Fry 4 Slice Toaster Oven.
• Hamilton Beach Air Fry Sure-Crisp Toaster Oven.

Air fryers can be a good replacement for toaster ovens but it is up to you to decide which one is better suited for you. Even with all the similarities, they are different in several ways starting from their heat source and speed of cooking. Find out what’s best for you! 

Frequently Asked Questions:

How Many Amps Does An Air Fryer Use?

Why Does My Air Fryer Keep Turning Off?

Are Air Fryers Safe For Birds?

Why are Air Fryers so Expensive?

Can Air Fryers Overheat? How Hot Do Air Fryers Get?

Can Air Fryers Reheat Food?