Air Fryer Toaster Oven: Beyond Fries And Chips

what can you cook in an air fryer toaster oven

Air fryer toaster ovens are countertop convection ovens that use quickly circulating hot air to cook food. They can cook a wider variety of foods than pod-shaped air fryers, including whole chickens, cakes, and cookies. Air fryer toaster ovens can also be used to make roasted vegetables, grilled cheese sandwiches, and even toasted ravioli as an appetizer. If you already own a convection toaster oven, you can use it to air fry food by using the BAKE function with the convection fan on and placing the oven rack in the bottom rack height position.

Characteristics Values
Food Whole chickens, cakes, toasted ravioli, rotisserie chicken, eggplant parmesan, chicken wings, roast beef, turkey wings, grilled cheese sandwiches, cookies, donuts, roasted vegetables, potatoes, sweet potatoes, eggs, and bread
Features Bread proofing, slow cooking, dehydrating, adjustable convection fan strength, two-rack oven capacity
Benefits Crispy and browned exteriors, moist and tender interiors, less mess and grease, faster cooking, more food capacity

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Cookies and cakes

Air fryers are small countertop convection ovens that use rapidly circulating hot air to cook food. This results in crispy exteriors and moist, tender interiors—perfect for cookies!

Chocolate chip cookies are a popular choice for air fryer baking. You can bake a small batch of these cookies in your air fryer toaster oven, and they'll be ready in about half the time it would take in a conventional oven. The air fryer doesn't need much preheating, and the shorter baking time means you're less likely to burn your cookies. The circulating air cooks the cookies quickly and at a lower temperature, resulting in a crisp exterior and a gooey, soft, or chewy centre.

When preparing the dough, use warm butter instead of creaming butter and sugar together, as this will give you a chewier, softer cookie. After melting the butter, let it cool slightly before adding it to the other ingredients. Portion the dough into tablespoon-sized balls, and lightly flatten them before baking. Air fryers can bake about 3-4 cookies at a time, so it's a good option for when you want a quick, small batch of cookies.

You can also use an air fryer toaster oven to bake cakes. While specific cake recipes for air fryers are harder to come by, you can adapt a traditional oven recipe by reducing the temperature by about 25°F and adjusting the baking time.

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Meat and poultry

Air fryer toaster ovens are incredibly versatile and can cook a wide variety of meat and poultry dishes. You can cook anything from steak to chicken wings, and even an entire roast chicken.

Steak is a popular choice for air fryer toaster ovens, as it can help sear the outside and lock in the juices, cooking your steak to your desired doneness. New York strip and ribeye are the best cuts for air frying due to their thinner cuts and great flavor and texture. To cook the perfect steak, preheat your air fryer toaster oven to 400°F. Place the steak on the rack or basket, ensuring it is at at least an inch away from other foods to allow proper air circulation. Cook for approximately 12-24 minutes, flipping midway if necessary, and check the temperature with a meat thermometer. The USDA recommends an internal temperature of 145°F for beef. After cooking, remove the steak and cover it with aluminum foil, allowing it to rest for 10 minutes before serving.

Chicken wings are another delicious option for air fryer toaster ovens. You can find recipes for classic crispy chicken wings or get creative with flavors like guava BBQ. You can also use your air fryer toaster oven to cook an entire chicken, which typically takes longer than smaller items, up to 10 minutes more.

For those who enjoy fish, air fryer toaster ovens can be used to cook crispy, flaky fish fillets. You can also use it to cook a whole rotisserie chicken, which is a healthy, gluten-free, and paleo-friendly option. Additionally, you can try unique recipes like Southern-style fried catfish or New York Steamer sandwiches with corned beef brisket and pastrami.

With an air fryer toaster oven, you can experiment with various meat and poultry dishes, creating delicious meals with ease.

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Vegetables

Air fryers are a great way to cook vegetables, as they can be prepared in half the time it takes to roast them in an oven. They are also a healthier option, as they require little to no oil, less fat, and fewer calories.

To cook vegetables in an air fryer, first preheat the air fryer to 360-400°F. While it is warming up, add your vegetables to a large bowl and drizzle with olive oil and dry spices such as Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Toss to coat the veggies well. You can also add some crunch with toasted almond slices or cashew halves.

Once the air fryer is preheated, spray the basket insert with some nonstick cooking spray. Add the vegetables in a single layer to ensure even cooking and avoid overcrowding, which can cause steaming and prevent browning.

Cooking times will vary depending on the type of vegetable and the size of your air fryer. Tender vegetables, such as zucchini, mushrooms, asparagus, bell peppers, and green beans, will cook faster than harder root vegetables like potatoes, carrots, or sweet potatoes. For most vegetables, cook for 8-15 minutes, tossing halfway through, until tender and browned.

Finally, season to taste and serve immediately. Air-fried vegetables go well with a squeeze of lemon juice, fresh parsley, and grated Parmesan cheese. They can be served as a side dish or added to pasta, soups, or salads.

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Sandwiches

Air fryers are small countertop convection ovens that use quickly circulating hot air to cook food that's crispy on the outside and moist and tender on the inside. They can be used to make a variety of sandwiches, including grilled cheese sandwiches.

To make a grilled cheese sandwich, spread about half a teaspoon of butter on each slice of bread. You can also use mayonnaise instead of butter. Place one slice of bread, buttered side down, in the air fryer. Add two slices of cheese, then place the second slice of bread, buttered side up, on top. Air fry the sandwich until it turns golden brown, which should take around 3 to 4 minutes. Then, flip the sandwich over and air fry for another 1 to 2 minutes.

You can also make the sandwich with any type of cheese, ham, or tomato combo. For an extra crunchy texture, butter the outside of the bread before placing it in the air fryer.

In addition to grilled cheese sandwiches, you can also reheat leftover sandwiches in the air fryer. Set the temperature to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and cook for about 6 minutes without preheating.

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Snacks and appetisers

Air fryer toaster ovens can be used to make a variety of snacks and appetisers. For a quick and easy appetiser, try air fryer toasted ravioli as a starter for an Italian-themed dinner night. You can also make grilled cheese sandwiches in an air fryer toaster oven. Simply preheat the oven to 340 degrees, spread butter on one side of each slice of bread, place cheese in the middle, and cook for 6 to 8 minutes, flipping the sandwich halfway through.

For a healthier option, air fryer toaster ovens can be used to make roasted vegetables. You can also cook potatoes in an air fryer toaster oven; they cook faster than in a traditional oven, and the skins get super crispy. If you're looking for something more indulgent, you can make cookies or even donuts in an air fryer toaster oven. For cookies, you can use half a boxed cake mix to whip up a quick batch of thick, rich, and delicious cookies. For donuts, use the recipe for Easy Air Fryer Donuts from the Kitchn, cooking them at 350°F for 5 minutes, flipping them after 3 minutes.

Frequently asked questions

Air fryer toaster ovens are amped-up convection toaster ovens with extra-powerful fans that produce crispy results in a shorter time. They can fit more than most pod-shaped air fryers—everything from whole chickens to 9-inch cakes.

You can make a variety of recipes in an air fryer toaster oven, including grilled cheese sandwiches, roasted vegetables, cookies, chicken wings, eggplant parmesan, and toasted ravioli.

Air fryer toaster ovens offer several benefits, such as faster cooking times, the ability to cook larger quantities of food, and crispier results compared to traditional ovens. They can also save counter space and be more cost-effective than purchasing a separate air fryer and toaster oven.

When choosing an air fryer toaster oven, consider factors such as size, price, and additional features. Some models offer adjustable convection fan speeds, bread proofing settings, slow cooking, and dehydrating functions. Read reviews and compare different models to find one that best suits your needs and budget.

When cooking with an air fryer toaster oven, it is recommended to use an instant-read meat thermometer to ensure food is cooked thoroughly. Additionally, keep a close eye on food cooked on the top rack to prevent overbrowning, and consider switching the racks halfway through for even cooking.

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