You've seen it. That chunky, stainless steel box sitting on your friend’s counter, looking a little bit like a 1950s radio but acting like a high-end convection oven. It’s the Cuisinart oven toaster air fryer. Honestly, the name is a mouthful, but the machine itself has basically redefined how people think about countertop appliances over the last few years.
It’s big. It’s loud. And it’s surprisingly efficient.
Back in the day, if you wanted to air fry something, you bought a plastic pod that looked like a space helmet. It could hold about three chicken wings before it started crying for help. Cuisinart saw that and decided to go a different route. They took a traditional toaster oven, beefed up the fan, and created something that actually makes sense for people who cook real meals.
But is it actually better than a dedicated air fryer? Or is it just a toaster with a fancy fan?
People get confused here. Most "air fryers" are just small convection ovens with a high-velocity fan. That’s the secret. The Cuisinart oven toaster air fryer doesn't use oil to "fry"; it uses physics. It blasts hot air at your food so fast that the moisture on the surface evaporates instantly, leaving you with that crunch everyone craves.
The TOA-60 vs. The TOA-65: What’s the Real Difference?
Most people walk into a store, see two boxes that look almost identical, and get paralyzed. Cuisinart has a few main models, but the TOA-60 (the analog one) and the TOA-65 (the digital one) are the heavy hitters.
The TOA-60 is for people who hate menus. You have four dials. You turn them. It starts. It’s tactile. If you’ve ever fought with a microwave just to heat up a slice of pizza, you’ll appreciate the simplicity of a physical dial. However, there’s a catch. Those dials aren't always precise. You might think you set it to $350^\circ F$, but you’re actually at $362^\circ F$. For roasting a chicken? Doesn't matter. For baking a delicate soufflé? Well, good luck.
Then there’s the TOA-65. This is the digital version. It has a screen. It has presets for things like "wings" and "fries." It’s basically the "smart" brother.
What’s cool about the digital version is the low-temperature setting. You can actually dehydrate fruit or proof bread dough in it. You can't really do that with the analog version because the temperature floor is too high. If you’re a baker or someone who likes making their own beef jerky, the TOA-65 is the winner. If you just want to make frozen nuggets and toast, save the money and go analog.
Why Your Fries Are Soggy (and How to Fix It)
We need to talk about the basket. The Cuisinart oven toaster air fryer comes with a mesh basket that sits on top of a drip pan.
If you crowd that basket, you’re doomed.
Air needs to move. If you pile three layers of frozen fries in there, the air hits the top layer, turns into steam as it cools, and makes the bottom layer a mushy mess. It’s a common complaint. "My Cuisinart doesn't crisp!" Yes, it does. You just have to give the food room to breathe.
Spread them out. Single layer. It’s worth the extra five minutes of cook time.
👉 See also: Burger King Chicken Nuggets: Why They Are Still the King of Cheap Fast Food
Also, don't use aerosol spray cans like Pam. They contain soy lecithin, which eventually creates a sticky, gummy residue on the heating elements and the mesh basket that is nearly impossible to scrub off. Use a refillable oil mister with high-smoke-point oil like avocado or grapeseed. Your machine will last longer, and your food won't taste like a chemical factory.
Cleaning This Beast Is a Chore
Let’s be real. The interior of these machines is galvanized steel or non-stick coating depending on the specific sub-model (like the TOA-70). It gets greasy. Fast.
Because the fan is so powerful, it blows grease everywhere. If you don’t wipe it down after every few uses, that grease bakes onto the walls. Once it’s baked on, you’re looking at a Sunday afternoon of scrubbing with baking soda paste.
Pro tip: Put a piece of parchment paper on the bottom drip tray. Just make sure it doesn't touch the heating elements, or you'll have a fire on your hands. Seriously. Don't let the paper fly up into the fan.
The Toasting Dilemma
It’s called a toaster oven, but how is it at actually toasting?
It's okay.
It’s not as fast as a pop-up toaster. A pop-up toaster has heating elements right against the bread. In the Cuisinart oven toaster air fryer, the bread is a few inches away. It takes longer. But, you can toast six slices at once. Or a giant bagel. Or a sub sandwich.
The heat distribution is generally even, but many users notice the back-left corner tends to run a bit hotter. If you’re doing a full tray of toast, you might want to rotate it halfway through. Is that annoying? Kind of. Is it a dealbreaker? Probably not for most people who want one machine to do everything.
Space: The Final Frontier
Measure your cabinets. No, seriously. Go get a tape measure right now.
This thing is tall. It’s designed to sit on a counter, but if you have low-hanging upper cabinets, you might find that it barely fits. And it needs clearance. It gets hot. Like, really hot. If you tuck it into a tight corner with no airflow, you’re going to damage your cabinetry or, worse, melt something nearby.
Cuisinart recommends at least 2 to 4 inches of space around the unit. Do not ignore this. It’s a powerful heating tool, not a decorative piece of art.
Performance Breakdown: Real World Usage
- Chicken Wings: This is where the machine shines. 20 minutes at $400^\circ F$ and they are better than what you get at most bars. No oil needed.
- Reheating Pizza: This is the secret use case. 3 minutes on the "Air Fry" setting makes a day-old slice taste better than it did when it arrived in the box.
- Roasting Vegetables: Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, carrots—toss them in a tiny bit of oil and salt. The high-speed fan carmelizes the edges in about 12 minutes.
- Baking: It’s a bit aggressive for baking. Because the fan is always moving some air (even on the bake setting), things can dry out. If you’re baking a cake, you might need to drop the temperature by $25^\circ F$ compared to what the box says.
Is It Worth the Counter Space?
There are cheaper options. Brands like Ninja or Hamilton Beach make similar units. But Cuisinart has a certain weight to it. The construction feels substantial.
A lot of the "pod" style air fryers are made of cheap plastic that smells like melting tires the first five times you use them. The Cuisinart is mostly metal. It feels like a "real" kitchen appliance.
If you have a small apartment, this can literally replace your full-sized oven for 90% of your meals. It preheats in about 3 minutes. Your big oven takes 15. Think about the energy savings over a year. It adds up.
The Competition: A Quick Glance
While Cuisinart is the big name, Breville makes a "Smart Oven Air" that many pros prefer. But here’s the rub: the Breville is often twice the price. Is it twice as good? It’s more precise, sure. It has better sensors. But if you’re just looking to feed a family of four on a Tuesday night, the Cuisinart hits the sweet spot of price and performance.
Ninja Foodi Flip is another competitor. It flips up against the backsplash to save space. Cool gimmick, but it doesn't have the internal height to roast a whole chicken. The Cuisinart does. You can fit a 4-pound bird in there easily.
Actionable Steps for New Owners
If you just unboxed your Cuisinart oven toaster air fryer, don't just throw a bag of fries in and hope for the best.
First, run it empty for 15 minutes at $450^\circ F$. This burns off any factory oils or residues. It’s going to smell a bit funky. That’s normal. Do it with a window open.
Second, buy a cheap oven thermometer. Stick it inside. Learn the "true" temperature of your specific unit. Every machine is a little different, and knowing yours runs $10$ degrees hot will save you from a lot of burnt toast.
Third, get a dedicated scrub brush for the air fry basket. Those little wire mesh squares are a nightmare to clean with a standard sponge. A stiff nylon brush will save your sanity.
Finally, experiment with the "Warm" setting. It’s surprisingly good for keeping pancakes or waffles hot while you finish the rest of the batch.
The Cuisinart isn't perfect. It's big, it's a bit of a pain to clean, and the dials on the basic model are a throwback to a different era. But in terms of raw cooking power and versatility, it’s hard to beat. It’s the workhorse of the modern kitchen. Use it daily, keep it relatively clean, and it’ll likely outlast your last three microwaves combined.
Just remember: keep the air moving, watch the heat, and never use those aerosol sprays. Your kitchen will thank you.