Air Fryer Ovens And Toaster Ovens

Air fryers and toaster ovens accomplish some of the same things, but the two small appliances are actually quite different from one another.

What is an air fryer and toaster oven and how do they differ?

Air fryers and toaster ovens are both versatile small appliances for the kitchen. While they accomplish some of the same tasks, they are actually quite different from one another.

An air fryer is effectively a compact convection oven that uses convection air currents to circulate hot air via fans, distributing heat equally. This results in a quicker cook and crispier results, though they can be noisy. Air fryers are typically designed for smaller amounts of food but come in various sizes.

By contrast, a toaster oven is more like a miniature-sized regular oven. They have metal walls with a heating element around the food to cook it. Usually, they offer different cooking methods via selectable buttons or knobs, from reheating to baking and defrosting. They can handle larger amounts of food, depending on the size. However, because heat isn’t continuously circulated, they tend to be slower, cooking at a controlled rate.

What can you cook in an air fryer and toaster oven?

The possibilities are endless when it comes to what you can cook in an air fryer and toaster oven. Cook appetizers, French fries, chicken wings, chicken nuggets, fried fish, and more, both from frozen and fresh. Many air fryers and toaster ovens have additional cook options like dehydrating and reheating. With racks, trays, and baskets, cook different types of food at once, keeping them separated.

With a toaster oven, make things like homemade pizza, homemade bread, toast, grilled cheese sandwiches, and more. You can effectively cook or reheat anything you might in a standard oven, just on a smaller scale.

Keep in mind that there are also multi-functional small appliances that can accomplish toasting, convection cooking, and even air frying and microwaving, all in one, like air fryer toaster ovens. Just use the selectable modes to choose the right cook type and you’re off to the races.

Are air fryers and toaster ovens worth it?

Both air fryer ovens and toaster ovens are worthwhile investments for the kitchen. With an air fryer, make indulgent foods you might otherwise have to deep fry in a large amount of oil using little to no oil instead, and in a fraction of the time. They are convenient, easy to clean and don’t take up much room.

A toaster oven, meanwhile, is great for quick, smaller meals without having to preheat and run the more energy-hogging and heat-generating oven, especially during the summer months when you don’t want added heat in the home.

Some people replace microwaves with air fryer and/or toaster oven or multi-function small appliance that does both, since they can reheat food, defrost, and cook. While a toaster oven might take longer, some find it yields better results, while an air fryer provides a crispy texture you won’t get from a microwave.