The Pizza function uses convection, and the pizza was done in 13 minutes. For this 2021 update, we tested the 1700-watt Toshiba – TL1-AC25CZA(BS), and it’s one of the best newer toaster ovens on the market. This all-around winner can pretty much do it all, even roast a whole chicken on a rotisserie spit. The Toshiba is approximately the size of a microwave, so it doesn’t take up much real estate on your countertop.
There are also reports of defective units, settings malfunctioning after many months, and poor customer service from Cuisinart in addressing issues. Beyond preset cooking functions, other convenient features to consider are interior lighting, digital displays, nonstick interiors, and automatic shut-off. To evaluate functionality, we looked at the controls and displays. The toaster ovens were split evenly on whether they featured dial or touchpad controls, but every model featured digital displays except for the Black+Decker and the Hamilton Beach.
It promises great toast, a professional baking experience, and since it’s an air fryer, a healthier way to prepare all your favorite fried goodies. A tool or handle to pull out the baking tray or airfryer basket would also be a bonus, given that the oven is quite cosy compared to a standard oven. A muffin tray to fit the oven dimensions would also be a great additional accessory.
Our goal was to thoroughly defrost and heat the pizza so the cheese was melted and gooey and crust was browned and crispy. The design is somewhat dated, but the black and stainless steel makes it moderately attractive. It lacks an interior light, but the simple, clearly marked buttons and dial selector are redeeming qualities. While the brushed stainless steel is virtually the same, the clean, modern design remains second to our top pick. Sporting a more approachable price tag without sacrificing the sharp look or any important features, the Cuisinart Deluxe Convection claimed the runner-up spot.
With its identical high-end features, Cuisinart’s new convection toaster oven can do everything the Breville can but it’s one-third less expensive. I made the pizza directly on the baking tray, making sure it was well oiled, pushing the dough right up to the edges of the tray. The pizza was cooked in just eight minutes, with a light and airy base, crisp crust, and golden cheese. As directed, I preheated the oven for five minutes on the bake function, then put the muffins in and set the timer for 20 minutes. They weren’t quite done when the timer went off, so I added five more minutes. Now, as you can see in the picture, the paper cases were a bit too flimsy, so they aren’t the most muffin-y shaped muffins.
The tray covers the entire bottom of the inside and catches all of the crumbs and fragments that fall during the cooking process. Instead of watching the debris burn at the bottom of your toaster oven over time, you can simply pull the tray out after each use and sweep the contents into the trash. If you’re dealing with tougher substances, you can also easily wash the tray. The size of your kitchen and your aesthetic taste will also determine how much of your counter space you want to allow to a toaster oven.
Convection mode uses a fan to circulate air during baking or roasting.
However, I was impressed with the bake and convection bake functions which are very speedy compared to my standard oven and do, I think, compensate for the air fryer performance. The toasting was fine, but you’ll need to turn toast for best results. I used the broil (rather than convection broil) setting and added sausages to the air fry basket so that excess fat would drip out cuisinart air fryer oven into the tray below. It got off to a slow start and they took 10 minutes to brown, then I turned them and after only five more minutes they were browned all over and cooked right through. Browning was a little patchy but inside the sausages were moist and meaty. I think next time, I’d try the convection broil function for a faster cook, though I wasn’t unhappy with the result.