Food

The 7 Best Toaster Ovens to Make Cooking Quick and Easy

They’re for more than just toast.
7 Best Toaster Ovens in 2020 at Every Price Point
Image courtesy of Oster

It’s time to talk toaster ovens, because they’re good for way more than just toast. The best toaster ovens can roast a tray of veggies, chicken, or fish; reheat everything from frozen pizzas to burritos; and even bake quick breads and cakes—without having to wait for the full-size oven to heat up or wash full-size baking sheets or roasting pans.

“Toaster ovens are tiny yet powerful,” Danielle Leoni, executive chef at the Breadfruit & Rum Bar in Phoenix, tells SELF. “They can pack the power of all a chef’s cooking essentials, like a toaster, broiler, convection oven, and even an air fryer. And it all fits in one little place on your countertop.”

What you don’t want, though, is to waste any of that precious counter space on an appliance you’re not going to use. That’s why choosing one of the best toaster ovens is so important. And there are certain features you should look for in one: At a minimum, your winning toaster oven should deliver on the basic functions—think bake, broil, and toast.

From there, think about what kinds of extra features might work best for your cooking style. “Convection is your turbo function allowing you to heat faster and get good roasting results,” Leoni says. Opt for an oven with two racks if you like cooking for a crowd (in normal, non-pandemic times, of course) or if baking’s your thing (so you can make two trays of cookies at once). Crave food with crispy, crunchy texture? You might want a toaster oven with an air fryer feature.

One more thing to keep in mind: Make sure your toaster will work in your kitchen. “Look for one that fits the depth of your counter,” Ellen Bennett, founder of the apron, face mask, and kitchen workwear line Hedley & Bennett, tells SELF. Try to find something that matches the vibe of your cook space too. “If everything else is stainless steel, do that. If everything else is black, get a black one,” she says.

If you’re still not sure where to start, skip the random internet scroll and check out these expert-recommended picks instead.

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  • Amazon
    1

    Toaster oven for all-around use: Breville Smart Oven Pro Convection Countertop Oven

    It might seem over the top to call a toaster oven “beloved,” but this one definitely is. “It’s my absolute favorite. It’s my go-to so much that I rarely use my full-size oven,” Atlanta-based chef Rachel Whitfield, founder of Chef Curl Ardee spice blends, tells SELF. With 10 functions including bake, roast, broil, reheat, and slow cook, plus the capacity to toast six bagels at once or whip up a 13-inch pizza, you can definitely see why.

    And it’s not just for pro chefs. “I’ve been using mine for the last nine years and love how quickly it warms up, thanks to the convection feature,” Rainbow Nourishments food blogger Anthea Cheng tells SELF. “I use it at least three times a day, even for baking cakes.”

    While the price may be a little steep, the fact that it’ll serve as a workhorse in your kitchen for years makes the price more justifiable. “It has stood up to every single one of its claims—from keeping foods moist when you reheat them to being able to handle a 14-pound turkey,” says Whitfield.

    $224 at Amazon
  • Amazon
    2

    Toaster oven on a budget: Mueller Toaster Oven 4-Slice

    It’s smaller than the Breville Smart Oven Pro and doesn’t have bells and whistles like a dedicated pizza or reheating function. But it’s a fraction of the cost—and still manages to deliver big on the basics like baking, broiling, roasting, and warming.

    Most important? It’s powerful. “It has 1,100 watts of power so you aren’t left preheating the oven for half an hour before you can use it. It won’t take up a ton of counter space, but it works better than many other compact models,” Stephanie Mantilla, founder of Plant Prosperous, a blog helping families transition to plant-based eating, tells SELF.

    And like its pricier counterparts, it still boasts a convection feature for fast, even cooking at temps of up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. “Overall it’s a great budget-friendly option if you’re short on space and are looking for the basics,” Mantilla says.

    $50 at Amazon
  • Target
    3

    Toaster oven–air fryer combo: Instant Omni Plus Air Fryer Toaster Oven 11 in 1

    It’s from the makers of the Instant Pot, so you know this oven’s going to be a multitasker. In addition to toasting up to six slices of bread, it has enough power and space to roast a whole chicken, cook a 12-inch pizza, or even bake a cake. But that’s not all—it also boasts an air fryer and a dehydrator.

    The do-it-all capacity makes it a favorite of Los Angeles–based certified nutritionist and chef Ariane Resnick. “It saves on the multiple appliances we tend to collect, which I love,” she tells SELF. “The dehydrator option can do things like preserve herbs or dry fruit, and the air fryer can give you crispy fries with less oil.” In other words, what’s not to love?

    $200 at Target
  • Amazon
    4

    Toaster oven for small spaces: Breville Mini Smart Oven Countertop Oven

    At 16 inches long, 14 inches deep, and just 8.5 inches tall, this oven is big on power and features while taking up minimal space on your countertop. “I love that it’s noncommittal—you don’t have to wait forever for it to heat up like a normal oven. And you can do so many dishes in there,” Bennett says.

    Despite its compact size, you’ll have enough room to toast four slices of bread, bake an 11-inch pizza, or even whip up a mini batch of cookies. And no matter what you make, the Smart Element IQ heating system evenly distributes heat—meaning you won’t get weird burnt or undercooked spots. But Bennett’s favorite feature of all is the broiler. “Speed nachos are my jam,” she says.

    $128 at Amazon
  • Amazon
    5

    Toaster oven for baking: Cuisinart Chef’s Convection Toaster Oven

    Is it really possible for a toaster oven to turn out a cake or pie that’s not dry, burned, or just unevenly baked? Yep—so long as you have a model with plenty of space and even heating, Peter Lipson, editor in chief of the kitchen appliance review site Kitchenda, tells SELF.

    This model fits the bill. It’s big enough to fit a 9-by-13-inch cake pan, two 9-inch cakes or pies, or two cookie trays. (Not to mention a 13-inch pizza, 5-pound chicken, or 9 slices of bread)

    But that’s not the only thing that’ll have you channeling your inner pastry chef. “I find that the convection heat creates fluffier cakes and better pie crusts,” Lipson says. “I’ve gotten a lot of use out of mine. It’s a great purchase.”

    $224 at Amazon
  • Amazon
    6

    Toaster oven if you love hosting dinner parties (in normal times): Oster Extra Large Digital Countertop Convection Oven

    Want to avoid turning on the oven—and making your space even hotter—next time you have a big group over to eat (whenever that may be)? Just feed everyone with this toaster oven.

    Seriously. “You can easily roast a whole chicken or pork roast perfectly in this,” Leoni says. Roast a tray of veggies in the second rack underneath, add a loaf of crusty bread, and get ready to eat. And the easy-to-clean stainless-steel interior means you won’t spend hours scrubbing any accidental spills after everyone goes home.

    Of course, this toaster will serve you just as well for all the days you’re not playing host too. “It can replace an air fryer and bake, broil, roast, or toast faster than a regular toaster oven, or even a regular range oven,” says Leoni. The defrost feature will even bring two frozen pizzas to crispy, bubbly deliciousness.

    $120 at Amazon
  • Amazon
    7

    Professional-grade toaster oven if you’re really serious about your food: Cadco OV-023

    A toaster oven can’t replace an actual oven at most restaurants, but this model might nix the need for your full-size hot box altogether. “It’s restaurant-grade, so it’s extremely versatile, but still compact enough for home use,” Derek Kaplan, founder of Fireman Derek’s Bake Shop in Miami, tells SELF.

    Case in point: Kaplan uses his to make everything from empanadas to pot pies to brownies, cookies, and more. “It can support up to four half-size sheet pans and has this unique squirrel-cage fan that circulates more air in less time for faster, more even heat distribution,” he says. Plus, the simple manual control knobs (just time and temperature, thanks) are basically what you get with a full-size oven.

    “It makes my cooking experience more efficient and enjoyable,” Kaplan says. And if you want to play pro chef at home, or just love the idea of churning out huge batches of cupcakes for everyone in your building or block, it just might do the same for you.

    $1,182 at Amazon

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