Can an Air Fryer Be Replaced With a Toaster Oven? (Differences & Opinions)

The answer is yes. Air fryers can do everything that toaster ovens can do, plus more. In reality, they offer all of the cooking functions of a toaster oven and more. You can also dehydrate and air fry with an air fryer. If your toaster oven had a fan to circulate the heat, your air fryer does as well.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Replacing an Air Fryer Over a Toaster Oven

There are some advantages and disadvantages of using an air fryer over a toaster oven such as

Advantages:

Healthy Meals

One of the main advantages of using an air fryer is that you can cook a variety of healthy meals. Air frying uses little or no oil, so your food will not be as greasy as it would be if cooked in a toaster oven.

You can also cook a variety of foods in an air fryer, including chicken, fish, and vegetables. This means that you can make a healthy meal for your family without having to spend a lot of time cooking.

Faster Cooking 

Another advantage of using an air fryer is that they typically cook food faster than toaster ovens. This is because the hot air circulates the food, cooking it evenly on all sides.

This means that you can have a healthy meal on the table in less time than it would take to cook in a toaster oven. As it cooks faster it also consumes less energy.

Safety Issue

If you’re concerned about the potential adverse effects of using an air fryer, keep in mind that, unlike toaster ovens, air fryers emit no radiation.

The users are additionally protected from heat and splattering oil with this self-contained appliance.

They also have a cool-touch exterior, so you don’t have to worry about getting burned while cooking.

Doesn’t Take Much Space

The final advantage of using an air fryer is that it doesn’t take up much space. This is because they are typically smaller than toaster ovens. The majority of air fryers are around the same size as a tiny oven or a coffee maker.

If you’re short on kitchen space, then an air fryer may be a better option for you than a toaster oven.

Disadvantages:

Expensive

The main disadvantage of using an air fryer is that they are typically more expensive than toaster ovens. This is because they are a newer technology and not as many people own them yet.

You can find some cheaper air fryers, but they may not have all the features that you want. If you’re looking for a top-of-the-line air fryer, then you may have to pay more than you would for a toaster oven.

Not Sufficient For Large Families

Another disadvantage of using an air fryer is that they are not typically big enough to cook food for large families. If you have a large family, then you may need to buy multiple air fryers to feed everyone.

Toaster ovens, on the other hand, can typically cook larger quantities of food at once. This means that they may be a better option for large families.

LEARN MORE: Can You Cook Meat in a Toaster Oven

An Air Fryer and How It Works

An air fryer is a small kitchen appliance that uses hot air to cook food. The hot air circulates all around the chamber basket, cooking it evenly.

A single heating element situated just above the basket contributes to the hot air. This results in food that is crispy on the outside and moist on the inside.

It’s a common fallacy that air fryers can’t toast bread. This isn’t true!. Air fryers can do a great job of toasting bread.

There’s also a misconception that air fryers only fry food which is not also true. Air fryers are also great for frying, baking, and roasting foods.

Enclosing food into a basket, air fryers blow extremely hot air at it. The air creates a convection effect which helps to cook the food evenly. Air fryers can cook at temperatures of up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.

LEARN MORE: Can You Bake Biscuits in a Toaster Oven?

A Toaster Oven and How It Works

A toaster oven is a small, electric oven that has a door, wire rack, and baking pan. It’s designed to toast bread and bake small items like cookies. Toaster ovens use two heating elements: one on the top and one on the bottom.

These heating elements are controlled by a dial or knob.

When you turn on a toaster oven, both heating elements will heat up to the same temperature.

The top element will then turn off while the bottom element continues to heat up. This allows heat to rise and evenly cook food placed on the wire rack.

Toaster ovens cook by heating both the top and bottom of the tray where the food is placed. The temperature of the cooking elements can also be controlled.

You may either simply warm your meal or use the broil option, which raises the heat to its highest setting of 500° Fahrenheit.

LEARN MORE: Can You Cook Tater Tots in a Toaster Oven?

Differences Between Air Fryers and Toaster Ovens

There are several differences between these two kitchen appliances. Both are useful for their features. Here are some of the differences given below:

Way of Cooking

The way these two appliances cook food is the most significant difference. An air fryer cooks food by circulating hot air around it. This results in even cooking and a crispy outside with a moist inside.

A toaster oven uses two heating elements, one on the top and one on the bottom, to cook food. The heat rises and evenly cooks food placed on the wire rack.

Temperature

Air fryers typically have a higher max temperature than toaster ovens. An air fryer can reach temperatures of up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit while most toaster ovens only go up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit at their highest setting. 

This means that air fryers are better for cooking items that need to be cooked at a lower temperature. For example, chicken or fish.

Toaster ovens are better for items that need to be cooked at a higher temperature, such as pizza or baked goods.

Difference of Foods That Can Be Cooked

Another difference between these two appliances is the type of food that can be cooked. An air fryer is great for frying, baking, and roasting foods.

A toaster oven is specifically designed for toasting bread and baking small items like cookies.

This means that an air fryer can do a better job at cooking chicken or fish than a toaster oven.

But it isn’t good for cooking raw vegetables, greens like unseasoned spinach or romaine, battered foods, and also not fit if you are looking to feed a crowd.

Conversely, a toaster oven is better for cooking things like pizza or baked goods than an air fryer.

Maintenance

Air fryers are easier to maintain than toaster ovens. Toaster ovens have more parts that can break or need to be replaced over time. The heating elements in a toaster oven will eventually need to be replaced.

Air fryers have fewer moving parts and don’t require as much maintenance. The only thing that might need to be replaced over time is the air filter.

The pan used in an air fryer is usually nonstick, making cleanup a breeze. The materials in the immediate vicinity are similarly simple to clean.

Cooking Duration

Air fryers typically cook food faster than toaster ovens. This is because air fryers circulate hot air around the food, cooking it evenly on all sides.

This function ensures that the nutrients in the ingredients are not destroyed by the slow cooking process.

Toaster ovens have heating elements on the top and bottom of the appliance. This means that the heat has to travel up and down to reach all sides of the food.

This can cause food to cook unevenly and take longer to cook than if it was cooked in an air fryer.

LEARN MORE: Can You Put a Toaster Oven on Wood?

Our Opinion on Which One Is Better

There is no clear answer on which one is definitely better; It all relies on your personal preferences and cooking technique.

If you’re looking for a healthier option, then an air fryer is the way to go. They cook food faster than toaster ovens and emit no radiation.

However, if you have a large family or need to cook larger quantities of food at once, then a toaster oven may be a better option for you. They are typically less expensive than air fryers and can cook more food at once.

Moreover, a toaster oven is better at recooking or cooking anything to make it crispy. An air fryer, on the other hand, maybe able to crisp things up a bit more which may not be preferred by many.

LEARN MORE: How to Bake a Potato in a Toaster Oven

Conclusion

In conclusion, you obviously can replace your toaster oven with an air fryer if you so choose. However, if there are features that the toaster oven offers like better re-cooking or crisping abilities, then it may not be as necessary. 

The best way to find out is through personal experimentation in your kitchen!