In the age of busy schedules and smart kitchens, small appliances have become heroes of modern home cooking. Whether you’re whipping up a late-night snack, reheating leftovers, or avoiding the dreaded oven preheat, countertop appliances have been doing more with less. As the reigning champs of the small-appliance charts, the air fryer and the toaster oven are much-loved staples in the homes of many. But which should you have in your own kitchen—the air fryer or toaster oven?
That’s exactly what we’re here to help you figure out. This kitchen appliance guide will walk you through what each appliance does, how they differ, their pros and cons, and who they’re best suited for. After all, they both bake, reheat, and crisp food using convection-style heat, so do you really need both? By the end of this guide, you’ll have a clear idea of which one to bring home, or maybe even discover a two-in-one appliance that ticks all your boxes.
What is an air fryer?
Air fryers are the darlings of the kitchen world for a reason. At their core, air fryers are small, super-powerful convection ovens. They’re convection ovens with superhero-movie-style power-ups, if you will. They use rapidly circulating hot air to crisp up food with little to no oil. That means you get the delicious crunch of fried food without the deep fryer risk or calories.
What can you cook in an air fryer? Just about anything you’d normally fry or bake in a small batch! You can use an air fryer to cook chicken wings, fries, frozen nuggets, veggie chips, or even reheated pizza that actually stays crispy. Some people even bake cookies and brownies in them—yes, really.
Two main types of air fryers:
- Basket-style air fryers: These are the classic models where you pull out a drawer-like basket, toss in your food, and shake it halfway through cooking. Great for quick snacks or sides.
- Oven-style air fryers: These look more like miniature toaster ovens and usually come with racks and trays, offering more room and flexibility, with a door that opens outward. These models often come with added features, like rotisserie or dehydrate modes.
Whether you’re cooking on a time crunch or just hate soggy, microwaved leftovers, air fryers offer fast and flavourful results.
What is a toaster oven?
A toaster oven is an all-purpose, do-it-all appliance that’s like a mini version of your full-sized oven. Originally designed to toast bread and warm up leftovers, today’s models can toast, bake, broil, and roast. Traditional toaster ovens use heating elements (usually on the ceiling and/or floor of the oven) to cook food. Many modern models have convection settings, where a built-in fan circulates hot air for faster, more even cooking. Unlike an air fryer or a combination toaster oven/air fryer, toaster ovens produce results more similar to a convection oven than a deep fryer, but they heat up more quickly and use less energy.
What gives some toaster ovens an edge over air fryers is their capacity and flexibility. The size of either type of small appliance depends on its model. But in general, toaster ovens have a larger interior to fit larger items like small casseroles, whole chicken breasts, and multiple slices of pizza. You can even bake muffins or roast veggies in a toaster oven without heating up your whole kitchen. They don’t just toast—they multitask like champs.
Key differences between air fryers and toaster ovens
When choosing between a toaster oven vs. air fryer, it’s important to know their key differences. Here’s how they stack up!
Cooking technology
Air fryers use intensified convection—hot air blasted at high speed—to cook food quickly and create a crispy texture. Convection toaster ovens also circulate hot air, but typically contain less powerful fans and less powerful heating elements. (Non-convection toaster ovens don’t circulate the air inside them at all.) When it comes to the “crispy factor,” air fryers win out.
Capacity and size
Air fryers, especially basket-style ones, are more compact than other countertop ovens. That makes them great for tight counters or small households. However, their capacity is often limited—some models may be so small that they’re only designed to cook 1-2 servings at once. Toaster ovens generally have a larger capacity, making them ideal for families, roasting, and meal prepping.
Cooking speed
Air fryers generally cook faster thanks to the concentrated heat, more powerful heating elements, and smaller capacity. For example, fries may take 10–15 minutes in an air fryer, while the same item might take 20–25 minutes in a toaster oven. Many air fryers do not require preheating as an oven or toaster oven would. That time difference adds up on busy weeknights.
Versatility
Both air fryers and toaster ovens are small but versatile appliances. Check each model’s functions to find out if the can bake, broil, roast, toast, dehydrate, and more.
Counter space
If you’re tight on kitchen real estate, air fryers typically take up less space. Toaster ovens are generally bulkier but more multi-functional than air fryers.
Pros and cons of each appliance
Let’s break it down a bit further to make your decision even easier.
Air fryer
Pros:
- Fast cooking: Air fryers use powerful fans and compact chambers to cut cooking time significantly. You can have crispy wings, fries, or veggies in as little as 10 to 15 minutes. They’re ideal when you’re hungry right now.
- Healthier options: By using little to no oil, air fryers offer a healthier way to enjoy your favourite fried foods. You still get that satisfying crunch, without the deep-fryer fats. Not sure what you can cook in an air fryer? Here are 20+ air fryer ideas for every meal.
- Low maintenance: Most air fryers come with non-stick surfaces and dishwasher-safe trays, making cleanup a breeze. Fewer parts, fewer messes.
Cons:
- Limited capacity: Small baskets mean cooking in batches if you’re feeding more than two people. Make sure to opt for a larger model of air fryer (double basket air fryers are a great option) if you love hosting dinner parties.
- Less flexible: Compact, basket-style air fryers are mainly used for frying and reheating. Air fryers can be difficult to use on delicate items due to their powerful convection fans, so they’re not ideal for baking items like pastries and chips.
- Limited functions: Classic air fryers prioritize crisping over all else. If variety is your thing, choose an oven-style air fryer with multiple functions. (Some models will even dehydrate and rotisserie, but you have to choose carefully to make sure yours will!)
Toaster oven
Pros:
- Multifunctional: From toasting bagels in the morning to roasting salmon for dinner, toaster ovens often handle a wide range of meals. Some models even let you proof dough or slow cook.
- Larger interior: You can fit casserole dishes, reheat multiple slices of pizza, or cook family-sized portions in many toaster ovens. They can be a great choice for larger households or batch cooking.
- Good for baking: Unlike air fryers, toaster ovens can evenly bake delicate items like cookies, cakes, and muffins.
Cons:
- Slower heat-up time: Compared to air fryers, toaster ovens take longer to reach cooking temperature—usually around 5–10 minutes before they’re ready to go.
- Not as crispy: Toaster ovens don’t circulate air as quickly, so if you’re chasing that deep-fried crunch, your results in a toaster oven may be softer or less even.
- More to clean: Crumbs, grease splatter, and racks mean more nooks and crannies to wipe down. Regularly cleaning oven-style small appliances is key to avoid smoke or smells during cooking.
Which one should you choose?
Here’s how to match each appliance to your lifestyle:
Choose an air fryer if:
- You live solo or in a small household.
- You want quick, crispy meals without a lot of prep.
- You mostly cook frozen foods, reheat leftovers, or make side dishes.
- You love the idea of “frying” with less oil.
Choose a toaster oven if:
- You need an appliance that can do it all—toast, bake, broil, and more.
- You often cook larger portions or whole meals.
- You enjoy baking and want something that mimics your full-size oven.
- You’re replacing multiple appliances and want versatility.
Bonus option: Multi-function units
Can’t make a choice between an air fryer vs toaster oven? You don’t have to! Some models combine both technologies. These multi-function appliances give you the best of both worlds: air frying crispiness and toaster oven flexibility. Brands like Ninja, Breville, and Instant offer toaster ovens that air fry that are worth a look if you’ve got the budget and space. They’re typically larger than a standard air fryer and more powerful than a standard toaster oven.
Air fryer or toaster oven: Make the smarter choice for you
At the end of the day, this toaster oven vs air fryer question comes down to how you cook. If your goal is to achieve crispy results quickly, with less oil and less fuss, an air fryer will be your best friend. It’s the appliance that’s built for speed, crunch, and convenience. Thanks to the air fryer’s concentrated convection heat and compact size, these appliances deliver quick, delicious results with minimal effort.
If you’re looking for cooking versatility—something that toasts, bakes, and roasts with room to spare—a toaster oven will be the more flexible and family-friendly pick. Its larger capacity, broader temperature range, and multi-mode settings make it a small appliance powerhouse.
Still can’t decide? Go hybrid. Models that combine air frying and traditional toasting functions are a great investment, especially if you want to save space without sacrificing options. Look for product names that sound like “toaster oven with air fryer” or “air fryer toaster oven”—if they do both things, they’ll contain both phrases.
Whichever route you choose, Best Buy Canada has you covered with a full selection of top-rated air fryers, toaster ovens, and multi-function countertop appliances. Explore the latest models and compare specs to find your perfect match.
This article was drafted using AI technology and then reviewed, fact-checked, and revised by a member of our editorial team.
