The problem with cooking is that there are so many small kitchen appliances and only so much space to keep them all. If you’re making more meals at home and wanting to expand your options of cooking devices then you might be having the air fryer vs toaster oven debate as you try to decide which one you want to get.
Both small appliances are great to have if you’re looking for a cooking device that you can keep on the counter top. They are both also great for cooking healthier alternatives than the meals made in deep fryers. However, air fryers and toaster ovens are 2 very different devices. If you are wondering which one is better for your kitchen then keep reading.
The best way for you to solve the air fryer vs toaster oven debate and figure out which one is best for you is to know the difference between the two. They are two very different appliances after all.
Before we get to the differences between air fryers and toaster ovens, lets answer some frequently asked questions about the subject:
Air Fryer vs Toaster Oven: Frequently Asked Questions:
Are Convection Ovens Bigger Than Air Fryers?
If space is an issue for you, you may be wondering are convection ovens bigger than air fryers?A toaster oven will take up more counter space than an air fryer. An air fryer is a more suitab;e option if your counter space is limited.
Can You Air Fry A Rotisserie?
What’s the point in getting either an air fryer or a toaster oven if you can’t make your favorite foods. Many people often ask can you air fry a rotisserie? Some air fryers come with a rotisserie basket so you can make your chicken right in that. If the air fryer you pick out doesn’t have a rotisserie basket you can still cook the chicken in the fry basket.
Do You Use Oil In A Convection Oven?
Air fryers are popular because you can make all of your favourite crispy foods without using oil. When it comes to toaster ovens, do you use oil in a convection oven? This all depends on the recipe you are making. It is not necessary to use oil for a toaster oven unless you want to. Your food will still be tasty either way.
Now that we have covered some of the more commonly asked questions about the two appliances, let’s learn more about what makes each one different.
Air Fryers vs Toaster Oven: What Are The Differences?
If you are unsure about which appliance you should get, the best way to figure it out is to know exactly what each one is capable of doing. Let’s take a look at how each device can help you out in the kitchen.
What Is An Air Fryer?
An air fryer is a small oven designed to cook that is crispy like your favourite deep fried treats, only instead of using oil it uses circulated air to fry the food. A crisp layer is formed on the food from the fan that circulates the hot air around.
What Is A Toaster Oven?
A toaster oven looks like a miniature oven and is essentially that, only it is powered by electricity instead of gas.
The foods you enjoy to eat should play a huge role in which one you choose to buy. An air fryer is great for anyone who wants healthier alternatives to their favorite deep fried foods, such as chicken wings, french fries, or shrimp. Toaster ovens are countertop ovens so they are better for things such as pizza, casseroles, or leftover lasagna.
Before making the decision of which one is right for you, let’s look at some other differences between air fryers and toaster ovens.
Air Fryers vs Toaster Ovens: What Are Their Heat Sources?
Both of these kitchen appliances create heat to cook the food. They both have different ways of heating up though. Toaster ovens keep it simple with a basic heating strip placed at the top and bottom. Older models may only have a top strip. Air fryers use a coil for heat and it’s a much more powerful source. The heat circulates around as it cooks the food.
Air Fryers vs Toaster Ovens: Cleaning and Maintenance Protocols
While the cleaning and maintenance of both appliances are quite simple, air fryers take the win for being much easier to clean. A toaster oven can’t really be taken apart to be cleaned so you need to make sure your sponge doesn’t touch a heating element as you’re wiping down the inside.
Air fryers on the other hand come with a stick proof basket that can be cleaned very easily. Most people who have used both claim that their air fryer has always been the easier of the two to clean up.
Air Fryers vs Toaster Ovens: Which One Cooks Faster?
One important feature everyone looks for when choosing a kitchen appliance is how fast it can cook your food. We’re busy and hungry so we want our food as fast as possible.
A toaster oven is just a miniature oven, so your food will take the same amount of time to cook in a toaster oven as it would a regular oven. An air fryer is known to cook the food a bit faster than toaster ovens. Air fryers usually take only half the amount of time to cook your meal. If you want those french fries faster, then get an air fryer.
Air Fryers vs Toaster Ovens: Final Thoughts
Both small kitchen appliances can be very helpful in the kitchen. They both are also useful for making healthier alternatives of my favorite meals. If you are short on space and can only allow room for one I would say that the air fryer is a better choice.
A toaster oven is a small version of a regular oven, and the air fryer can do some things that your oven can’t. If you want more cooking options, especially healthier ones, than an air fryer is the right choice. You will be eating your meal sooner and it will be healthier.
When it comes to air fryers vs toaster ovens, which one do you prefer? Let us know in the comments?
Read my other post on Best scratch-resistant cook tops and Best inexpensive cookware sets.
