Black & Decker preps its first air-frying toaster oven
Black & Decker breaks new ground with its first toaster oven that also air-fries food.
This Black & Decker toaster oven can also air fry your food.
Toaster ovens aren't the most thrilling of appliances . In terms of excitement, they're right up there with microwaves . But what if a toaster oven was powerful enough to serve as an air fryer, too? That's the claim Black & Decker makes about its Large Capacity Air Fry Toaster Oven. If true, it'll be the company's first such combo appliance.
Air fryers work by using a robust convection heating system to generate enough heat and swirling air currents to crisp and caramelize food. They also cook with much less oil, or sometimes none at all. Air fryers tend to roast items faster and more evenly than ordinary toaster ovens too. (For a taste of what air fryers can do, check out our review of the DeLonghi Multifry.)
Read more: Best toaster ovens of 2019
Air frying is a tall order for any kitchen appliance. Even full-size ovens can stumble while providing convection heat. If Black & Decker's countertop toaster can pull it off, it'll be a nifty trick.
Other abilities in the toaster oven's wheelhouse include modes to bake, broil, toast and keep food warm. The large-capacity toaster oven comes with a 9 by 13-inch interior pan. Black & Decker says the appliance provides sufficient space for a 12-inch pizza or as many as eight slices of toast. There's room for three separate racks at different positions, too.
Compact, air-frying toaster ovens aren't unprecedented. The $199 Cuisinart Air Fry debuted a few years back. Breville has a newer appliance, the $400 Smart Oven Air. It too boasts supercharged convection heating. In fact, Breville says the cooker gets hot enough to roast meat and speeds up cook times by 30 percent.
Black & Decker hasn't yet set a specific price for the Air Fry Toaster Oven. Neither has the appliance maker given a date for when it'll hit stores. Even so, Black & Decker expects the product to run for less than $100. The appliance should be on exhibit at the International Housewares 2018 show in Chicago next month. I certainly plan to check it out first-hand and report back.
Features
- Air fryer uses less oil to cook food that tastes fried
- Five functions: bake, broil, toast, keep warm and air fry
- External crumb tray
- Large capacity fits 9x13-inch pan with handles
- Three-knob control panel
- Three rack positions for improved cooking flexibility