Tired of a kitchen counter overflowing with appliances? Do you dream of crispy fries without the giant air fryer, or perfectly toasted bread without a separate toaster? Many of us want the best of both worlds – the versatility of a toaster oven and the healthy crispiness of an air fryer – but the sheer number of compact models available makes choosing feel impossible. It’s tough to know which one truly saves space, cooks evenly, and handles everything from bagels to chicken wings without taking over your entire workspace.
Finding the right balance between size, features, and performance is a real challenge. You worry about buying a small unit that can’t handle family meals, or a large one that defeats the purpose of saving space. This guide cuts through the confusion. We will break down exactly what makes a compact air fryer toaster oven a kitchen superstar and show you how to pick the perfect match for your needs, no matter how small your counter is.
Keep reading to discover our top picks, essential features to look for, and smart tips for maximizing your new multi-tasking machine. Get ready to reclaim your counter space and start cooking smarter!
Top Compact Air Fryer Toaster Oven Recommendations
- VERSATILE COOKING FUNCTIONS: This premium 1800-watt Cuisinart Air Fryer Toaster Oven is equipped with an air fry setting plus toast, convection bake, bake, convection broil, broil, grill, and warming feature
- SPACIOUS CAPACITY: The Cuisinart Air Fryer Toaster Oven is large enough to toast 6 slices of bread, air fry 3 lbs. of chicken wings, bake a 12” pizza, or roast a 4-lb. chicken.
- SUPERIOR OPERATION: Equipped with an adjustable temperature dial, 60-minute timer/auto-shutoff, and a toast shade selector, this air fryer toaster oven features a wide temperature range (Warm-450°F) to ensure your meals are cooked to your perfection
- FAST AND CRISPY FOOD: AirAdvantage technology with top fan/heater assembly provides optimized hot air flow for fast and crispy results, locking in flavor and giving food the crispy texture you love
- WHAT’S INCLUDED: The Cuisinart Air Fryer Toaster Oven includes an oven rack, baking pan/drip tray, air fry basket, ceramic non-stick reversible grill/griddle, and stainless steel easy-clean interior to make cleanup simple.
- 6 COOKING FUNCTIONS: This Cuisinart air fryer toaster oven offers air fry, toast, convection bake, convection broil, pizza and warm settings. It has a wide temperature range (Warm-450°F).
- CAPACITY: Our compact stainless steel air fryer fits easily on any kitchen countertop and is large enough to air fry up to 2.5 lbs. of your favorite foods, as well as bake an 8" pizza.
- SIMPLE OPERATION: Features a temperature dial with adjustable control and toast shade selector for easy, precise cooking.
- INCLUDES: This Cuisinart air fryer includes an oven rack, baking pan, and air fry basket.
- LIMITED 3-YEAR WARRANTY: The Cuisinart air fryer toaster oven comes with a limited 3-year warranty.
- 5-IN–1 MULTIFUNCTIONAL COOKING- Enjoy versatile cooking with Air Fry, Bake, Broil, Toast, and Keep Warm settings. Perfect for preparing a wide variety of meals from crispy fries to perfectly baked pizzas and golden toast.
- HEALTHY AIR FRYING TECHNOLOGY – Cook crispy, delicious meals with little to no oil using advanced air frying technology. Enjoy healthier alternatives to your favorite fried foods without compromising taste or texture.
- EVENTOAST TECHNOLOGY FOR PERFECT TOAST – Achieve evenly toasted bread, bagels, and more with BLACK+DECKER’s EvenToast technology, ensuring consistent results every time with no hot spots.
- COMPACT YET SPACIOUS INTERIOR – Fits up to a 9-inch pizza or 4 slices of bread, making it ideal for quick family meals, snacks, or small batch cooking while saving valuable counter space.
- USER-FRIENDLY CONTROLS 7 ACCESSORIES – Features a 30-minute timer for precision cooking, plus a removable crumb tray, bake pan, air fry mesh tray, and wire rack for easy cleanup and versatile cooking options.
- 12 Preset Functions – Air fry, bake, roast, toast, bagel, fries, wings, snacks, broil, dehydrate, popcorn and keep warm with a single tap.
- FryForce 360° Technology – Perfect for healthier cooking, rapid airflow circulates heat for golden, crunchy food using little to no oil.
- Large Capacity with 3 Rack Positions – Fits a 9” pizza, 4 slices of bread, or stacked batches using adjustable rack levels.
- Convection Mode — Promotes even heat distribution for quicker, more consistent cooking.
- Accessories for Every Meal – Includes an air fry basket, oven rack, baking pan, and crumb tray for all cooking, baking, and air-frying needs.
- POWERFUL AIR CIRCULATION FOR EVENLY BROWNED FOOD WITH LITTLE TO NO OIL: This Hamilton Beach air fryer toaster oven's convection function circulates air around food as it cooks making crispy and delicious fries, chicken, steaks, fish and vegetables.
- AIR FRYER OVEN COMBO WITH 4 VERSATILE COOKING OPTIONS: Enjoy the convenience of a toaster oven and the crispy deliciousness of an air fryer in one compact appliance; this versatile combo offers the functions you love—toast, bake, air fry, and broil.
- 4 SLICE CAPACITY PROVIDES PLENTY OF COOKING SPACE: This air fryer toaster oven combo has room for everything you cook, from 4 slices of toast to a 9" pizza, a 3 lb. chicken in an 8" x 8" pan or a 9" x 5" loaf pan.
- INCLUDES METAL AIR-FRY BASKET, BAKE PAN AND BROIL RACK. The air fryer and toaster oven combo comes with all the accessories you need to air fry, bake, broil, and toast, plus a slide-out crumb tray.
- EXCELLENT COOKING AND TOASTING PERFORMANCE: Quality heating elements in the Hamilton Beach toaster oven provide precise, accurate temperatures from 200° to 450°F and even cooking without hot spots.
- 𝑬𝒇𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒍𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝑼𝒑𝒈𝒓𝒂𝒅𝒆: This is the perfect solution to upgrade your air fryer while simplifying your traditional oven. Enjoy the best of both worlds!
- 𝑴𝒖𝒍𝒕𝒊-𝑭𝒖𝒏𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏, 𝑼𝒏𝒍𝒐𝒄𝒌 𝑬𝒏𝒅𝒍𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝑪𝒐𝒐𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑷𝒐𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒃𝒊𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒆𝒔: More than just an air fryer—it also features Rotisserie, Pizza, Proof, and Toast, and more for a total of 11 cooking functions to meet your culinary needs.
- 𝑳𝒂𝒓𝒈𝒆𝒓 𝑪𝒂𝒑𝒂𝒄𝒊𝒕𝒚, 𝑬𝒇𝒇𝒊𝒄𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝑻𝒘𝒐-𝑳𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒍 𝑪𝒐𝒐𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈: The 13-quart oven fits up to 2 lbs of fries, an 8-inch pizza, or 4 lbs of chicken, and allows you to cook on two levels at once, perfect for family meals.
- 𝑪𝒐𝒎𝒑𝒂𝒄𝒕 𝑫𝒆𝒔𝒊𝒈𝒏, 𝑴𝒐𝒓𝒆 𝑲𝒊𝒕𝒄𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝑺𝒑𝒂𝒄𝒆: Smaller than traditional ovens, the R121’s sleek dimensions [13.5 (D) x 13.0 (W) x 14.5 (H) in] make it easy to fit on your countertop or in your cabinets, maximizing your kitchen space.
- 𝑭𝒂𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝑪𝒐𝒐𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈, 𝑬𝒏𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆𝒅 𝑬𝒇𝒇𝒊𝒄𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒚: Cooks 40% faster* than traditional ovens, with a simplified control panel that makes cooking easier and quicker—no more waiting for long preheating! *Average determined by testing a variety of foods. Results may vary.
- Spacious French Door Design – Dual doors open with one hand for easy loading of family-size meals, its 25 quart capacity fits a 12-inch pizza, 6 slices of toast, or a whole chicken
- Multi-Use Cooking Power – Air fry, bake, broil, roast, dehydrate, and toast with 17 presets for easy cooking, from crispy fries to roasted chicken and fresh-baked pizza
- Precision Digital Controls – Easy-to-use digital display with adjustable time (1–99 min) and temperature (90°F–450°F) for perfect results
- FryForce Convection Technology – 1700W convection airflow circulates heat for crispy, oil-free frying results
- Convenient Accessories – Includes stainless steel fry basket, baking pan, oven rack, and crumb tray for easy cleanup
- DIGITAL CRISP CONTROL TECHNOLOGY: Precision-controlled temperature, heat source, and airflow for ultimate versatility and optimum cooking performance.
- 8-IN-1 VERSATILITY: The ultimate meal-making machine with 8-in-1 functionality: Air Fry, Air Roast, Air Broil, Bake, Bagel, Toast, Dehydrate, and Keep Warm all in one powerful, 1800-watt appliance. The height of the interior of this machine is approximately 3".
- LESS FAT: Eat all of your air fried favorites guilt-free with up to 75% less fat when using the Air Fry function vs. traditional deep frying. Tested against hand-cut, deep fried French Fries.
- FASTER COOKING: Cooks up to 60% faster than a traditional oven on Air Roast; 60-second preheat; full meals in as little as 20 minutes.
- LARGE CAPACITY: 45% larger usable pan cooking area vs. the flat surface area of the Cuisinart toa-60 and toa-65 pan. Fits a 13" Pizza, up to 9 slices of toast, or 6 chicken breasts (6–8 oz. each).
The Ultimate Buying Guide for Your Compact Air Fryer Toaster Oven
Choosing the right compact air fryer toaster oven can make cooking easier and healthier. These countertop wizards combine several appliances into one small package. This guide helps you pick the best one for your kitchen.
Key Features to Look For
When shopping, focus on what the appliance can actually do. A good compact model should offer versatility without taking up too much space.
1. Cooking Functions
- Air Fry: This is essential. Look for high wattage for quick, crispy results.
- Toast/Bake: Check if it toasts evenly across the rack.
- Broil/Roast: These functions let you cook small meats or vegetables.
- Convection: A built-in fan speeds up cooking and ensures even heat distribution.
2. Size and Capacity
Since you are looking for a *compact* model, measure your counter space first. Capacity is usually measured in liters or by how many slices of toast fit. A 4-slice capacity is often enough for one or two people.
3. Controls and Presets
Digital controls offer more precise temperature settings than dials. Pre-set buttons (like “Fries” or “Bagel”) simplify daily use. Easy-to-read displays are a big plus.
Important Materials and Build Quality
The materials inside and outside affect performance and how long the oven lasts.
Interior Construction
Look for stainless steel interiors. Stainless steel heats up fast and cleans up easier than older, painted metals. Non-stick coatings on accessories (like the baking pan) make cleanup simple.
Exterior Casing
Most compact ovens use durable plastic or stainless steel on the outside. Stainless steel looks sleeker and resists fingerprints better, though plastic models often stay cooler to the touch.
Accessories Included
A quality purchase includes a wire rack, a baking pan, and an air fryer basket. Make sure these pieces are dishwasher safe for convenience.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
Small differences in design greatly impact your cooking experience.
Quality Boosters
- Temperature Accuracy: Ovens that hold their set temperature cook food more reliably.
- Wide Temperature Range: Models that go from 150°F for slow warming up to 450°F for searing offer more cooking options.
- Viewing Window: A clear glass door lets you monitor food without opening the door and losing heat.
Quality Reducers (Watch Outs)
Cheap plastic knobs or flimsy racks break easily. Ovens that lack proper ventilation can heat up the surrounding cabinets too much. Also, if the air fryer basket is too small, you have to cook in many small batches, defeating the purpose of a quick meal.
User Experience and Use Cases
How you plan to use the appliance determines the best fit.
For Quick Meals
If you mainly reheat leftovers or make frozen snacks (like chicken nuggets or fries), prioritize fast preheat times and powerful air frying. These models replace your microwave and standard toaster.
For Small Kitchens
Compact ovens save space. They work perfectly as a secondary oven during holidays or for single-person households who don’t want to heat up a large conventional oven.
Ease of Cleaning
Removable trays and dishwasher-safe parts dramatically improve the daily user experience. If cleaning is hard, you simply won’t use it often.
10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: How much counter space do these usually need?
A: Compact models generally take up about 15 to 17 inches wide and 12 to 14 inches deep. Always check the product’s exact dimensions before buying.
Q: Are compact air fryer toaster ovens energy efficient?
A: Yes, they usually use less energy than a full-sized oven because they heat a much smaller space quickly.
Q: Can I cook a whole small chicken in a compact model?
A: Maybe. Check the internal height measurement. Most compact models fit a 9-inch pizza or a small 4-pound chicken, but you must verify the clearance.
Q: What is the main difference between an air fryer and a toaster oven function?
A: The air fryer function uses a very powerful fan to circulate hot air rapidly, making food crispy. The toaster function uses heating elements to toast or bake evenly.
Q: Do I need to oil the food when air frying in this unit?
A: For most frozen foods, no oil is needed. For fresh items like vegetables, a light spray of oil helps them crisp up nicely.
Q: Are the exterior surfaces hot during use?
A: The top and sides can get quite hot, especially when air frying at high temperatures. Never place plastic items or sensitive materials right next to the unit while it runs.
Q: How loud are these appliances when the fan is on?
A: Noise levels vary. Models with stronger convection fans tend to be louder, similar to a running microwave. Check user reviews for specific noise complaints.
Q: How important is the wattage rating?
A: Wattage (usually 1200W to 1800W) directly affects speed. Higher wattage means faster preheating and crispier results, especially for air frying.
Q: Can I use my own metal pans inside?
A: You can use metal pans, but they must fit easily inside and not block the airflow vents. Always ensure the pan does not touch the heating elements.
Q: How often should I clean the air fryer basket?
A: You should clean the basket after every use, especially if it cooked something greasy. Food residue left behind can smoke the next time you use the oven.