Choose an air fryer if you want quick, crispy snacks and compact cooking for 1–2 people. Go for a toaster oven if you need a versatile appliance that can toast, bake, roast, and even air fry larger meals for families. This guide compares both in detail so you can decide which one truly deserves space in your kitchen in 2025.
The modern kitchen is packed with appliances that promise healthier, faster, and more convenient cooking. Among the most popular are air fryers and toaster ovens. Both can roast, bake, and reheat food, and both are marketed as efficient alternatives to a full-sized oven.
But with so much overlap—air fryers often claim to replace ovens, and toaster ovens now come with “air fry” settings—the choice can be confusing. Should you pick the trendy air fryer or stick with the tried-and-true toaster oven?
This 2025 buying guide compares how they work, cooking performance, size, cost, health benefits, and long-term value—so you can make the right choice for your needs.
How Air Fryers and Toaster Ovens Work
At first glance, both use hot air circulation, but their designs make them function differently.
Air Fryer
Image source: pinterest.com
-
Works like a compact convection oven.
-
A heating element and fan rapidly circulate hot air around food in a basket.
-
Cooks quickly, efficiently, and delivers a fried-like texture without excess oil.
-
Best for fries, chicken wings, and smaller meals.
Toaster Oven
Image source: pinterest.com
-
Functions as a scaled-down traditional oven.
-
Uses top and bottom heating elements, sometimes with a convection fan.
-
Designed for versatility: toasting bread, melting cheese, reheating pizza, or baking casseroles.
-
Larger interior accommodates multiple servings or bigger dishes.
In short: Air fryers specialize in crisping small portions fast. Toaster ovens are built for flexibility and larger cooking capacity.
Cooking Performance Compared
Fries and Frozen Snacks
Air fryers excel here. Their intense air circulation produces crispy, golden results that resemble deep frying. Toaster ovens can cook fries and snacks, but the texture is usually softer.
Bread, Pizza, and Toast
Toaster ovens dominate this category. They brown bread evenly, melt cheese perfectly, and bake small pizzas with consistent results. Air fryers often leave bread-based foods unevenly cooked.
Full Meals
Air fryers are usually limited to single batches or small servings. By contrast, toaster ovens can roast vegetables, bake casseroles, or even handle a small chicken. This makes them better suited for families or larger meals.
Verdict:
-
Snacks and quick crispiness → Air Fryer
-
Full meals and versatility → Toaster Oven
Capacity and Size
Air Fryers
-
Typical size: 3–8 quarts
-
Compact, lightweight, countertop-friendly
-
Ideal for singles or couples
-
Limited space for family-sized portions
Toaster Ovens
-
Often fit a 9×13-inch pan, six slices of toast, or even a small chicken
-
Bulkier, needs more counter space
-
Perfect for families or people who cook larger batches
Takeaway: If space-saving is your priority, choose an air fryer. For larger households, a toaster oven is more practical.
Price and Value for Money
-
Air Fryers: Entry-level models are often under $100, while premium units can reach $300. They’re affordable and often heavily discounted.
-
Toaster Ovens: Usually start around $200 and can exceed $350 for advanced models. Higher upfront cost, but they often replace multiple appliances.
Long-term value: While air fryers are cheaper, toaster ovens tend to offer greater overall versatility and can reduce the need for other gadgets.
Pros and Cons of Each Appliance
Air Fryers
Pros:
-
Faster cooking times
-
Crispy results with little or no oil
-
Compact and easy to store
-
Generally more affordable
Cons:
-
Limited capacity
-
Narrow cooking range
-
Can be noisy
-
Struggles with bread-based foods
Toaster Ovens
Pros:
-
Extremely versatile (toast, bake, roast, broil, air fry)
-
Larger capacity, great for families
-
Can replace multiple appliances
-
Ideal for bread, pizza, and baked goods
Cons:
-
Higher upfront cost
-
Bulkier design
-
Longer preheat times
-
Exterior can get hot during use
Appliance Features You’ll Commonly Find
Air Fryers
-
Capacity: 3–8 quarts
-
Functions: air fry, roast, bake, reheat, sometimes dehydrate
-
Best For: fast snacks, crispy textures, small portions
-
Limitations: basket space, not suitable for large family meals
Toaster Ovens
-
Capacity: fits pans, pizzas, or multiple servings
-
Functions: toast, bake, broil, reheat, keep warm, often with air fry/convection modes
-
Best For: versatility, baking, toasting, and family cooking
-
Limitations: bulkier, slower than air fryers for crisping
Health and Energy Efficiency
-
Air Fryers: Promote healthier eating by reducing oil usage. They can replicate fried textures with little or no added fat. Also faster, which makes them slightly more energy-efficient for small meals.
-
Toaster Ovens: Don’t mimic frying quite as well, but they are still more efficient than heating a full-sized oven. They allow more variety in healthy cooking (baking, roasting, dehydrating).
History and Popularity
-
Toaster Ovens: First popular in the 1950s–60s as versatile countertop ovens. Over time, many gained convection fans and, more recently, air fry functions.
-
Air Fryers: Introduced in 2010 by Philips at the IFA trade show in Berlin. Their popularity surged after 2017, peaking during the pandemic years when people sought healthier, at-home cooking solutions.
-
Today: Many brands now merge both appliances, offering toaster ovens with built-in air fry modes.
Which Appliance Offers Better Value?
-
Air Fryer: Best for those who want speed, crisp textures, and compact size at a budget-friendly price.
-
Toaster Oven: Better long-term value thanks to versatility and larger capacity—ideal if you want one appliance that does it all.
Do You Really Need Both?
Not usually.
-
If you already have an air fryer + toaster, you probably don’t need a toaster oven.
-
If you want to minimize appliances, a toaster oven with air fry mode can replace both in one.
Final Verdict: Air Fryer or Toaster Oven?
Choosing between an air fryer and a toaster oven in 2025 comes down to how you cook, how much space you have, and what kind of value you want from your appliance.
-
If your priority is speed, convenience, and crispy snacks in smaller portions, an air fryer will serve you well. It’s compact, budget-friendly, and perfect for individuals or couples who cook quick meals.
-
If you want an appliance that can handle toast, pizza, baked goods, roasts, and even air frying—and you cook for a family or regularly prepare larger meals—a toaster oven is the more versatile, long-term choice.
Air fryers may be the trendsetter, but toaster ovens remain the workhorse of the modern kitchen. For most households, the toaster oven delivers broader cooking options, higher capacity, and better long-term value. That said, if you have the space and budget, owning both can give you the best of both worlds.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Are air fryers healthier than toaster ovens?
Yes, air fryers cut down on oil use, making them lower in calories and fat. Toaster ovens also support healthy cooking but don’t provide the same fried-like crispness.
2. Which lasts longer?
Toaster ovens usually last longer thanks to sturdier construction. Air fryers, especially cheaper models, may wear out faster.
3. Can a toaster oven replace an air fryer?
Yes, many modern toaster ovens include air fry settings, though results may be slightly less crisp.
4. Are they safe for daily use?
Both are safe when used properly. Toaster ovens get hotter externally, so extra care is needed.