This Mini Air Fryer Toaster Oven Makes My Weeknight Meals So Much Easier
As much as I’ve always thought an air fryer would come in handy — the frozen food from Trader Joe’s is my not-so-guilty pleasure — I could never bring myself to sacrifice so much counter space for one. As I’ve moved between tiny New York City apartments, I’ve learned that counter space is precious, and my coffee machine and toaster were usually all I could squeeze between the sink and the stove. However, now that I’ve been working with a larger kitchen in my new rental, I decided that it was well past time that I got on the air fryer train, and boy, am I glad I did.
However, I didn’t want just any air fryer — I wanted a gadget that could do more than just one thing. After coming across Cuisinart’s 8-in-1, air fryer-toaster oven hybrid a little while ago, I did some digging into other models the brand had to offer and discovered an even more compact version that does the job of nearly three other appliances. Since adding it to my kitchen, it’s made my weeknight meals so much easier — so much so that even when I move into a smaller apartment this summer, I’m bringing it with me.
Compact AirFryer Toaster Oven
Design Features That Stand Out
It’s shocking how many things this gadget can accomplish while taking up so little space. Before getting into the nitty-gritty of what it can do, however, I would be remiss not to point out how stylish it looks sitting on my countertop. Its simple, sleek design pairs well with my stainless steel appliances — in fact, I think it enhances the overall appearance of my kitchen tremendously. It’s also ridiculously easy to use, which I appreciate. There are no high-tech, digital controls or a thousand buttons to choose from — you just turn the first dial to match the function you want to use, then adjust the temperature dial according to the included guidelines (up to 450℉). The third dial is dedicated to toasting, and you can opt for light, medium, or dark. Last but not least, the drip tray ensures that everything is easy to clean.
How It Performed
As someone who has minimal experience with air fryers, this machine has blown me away by how simple it is to use — and how much simpler (and better) it’s made breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Firstly, its toasting feature has performed beautifully. Honestly, I don’t know why I still have my regular toaster sitting on my counter, because I haven’t touched it once since I acquired my Cuisinart. The same can be said for my oven. The oven in my rental is not the greatest; it takes forever to preheat and ends up making my whole apartment feel like a sauna after only half an hour of use. This alternative can do all that a traditional oven can (and better, in my case, since it doesn’t have my oven’s pitfalls) as long as you’re typically feeding one or two people. Over the past month, it’s cooked my mini beef tacos from TJ’s, sugar cookies, waffle fries, potatoes, and chicken nuggets to perfection. When I was still working on my main dish, I switched it to warming mode once my roasted potatoes were done, and they didn’t overcook in the slightest. I can’t wait to try it out with a personal pan pizza.
What We Loved
This air fryer toaster oven expertly does the job of multiple appliances and will free up counter space: It’ll end up saving you space, and not only because of its compact design. You can ditch your traditional toaster entirely, and turn your oven into storage for your cookware instead. You can warm up leftovers inside of this gadget, too, so it almost does the job of a microwave.
If you’re making a lot of food at once, it’s useful to have in addition to your oven: When you have a lot of dishes going on and your oven is full, you can use Cuisinart’s gadget to get another one going.
Good to Know
I will say that it’s not an exact science when it comes to cooking times. There have been a couple instances where I stuck my food back in for an additional few minutes, but I think that I’ll nail down the right times after a few more weeks of use. I also learned that letting it heat up for about 5 minutes helps a lot. Also, there was a loud fan noise that occurred when I turned it on for the first time, but it was quickly resolved after unplugging it and plugging it back in. It hasn’t happened since!
Should You Buy the Cuisinart Compact Air Fryer Toaster Oven?
You should grab this budget-friendly air fryer if you’re looking to:
Save counter space and time spent in the kitchen
Ditch your traditional toaster, air fryer, and oven
Cook for yourself or for two
Where to Buy the Cuisinart Compact Air Fryer Toaster Oven
Wayfair, $99.95 (normally $235)
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