Are you tired of burnt toast or unevenly browned bread from your old toaster? Maybe you’re looking for a versatile kitchen gadget that can do it all – from crispy fries to, yes, perfectly toasted bread. Air fryers have taken kitchens by storm, and for good reason! They offer a healthier way to enjoy your favorite fried foods, but did you know many models are also fantastic for making toast? If you’re on the hunt for the best air fryer for toasting bread, you’ve come to the right place.
Gone are the days when an air fryer was just for “frying.” Modern air fryers, especially the air fryer toaster oven combos, are true multi-taskers, often featuring functions like baking, roasting, dehydrating, and of course, toasting. We’ve rounded up seven top contenders that promise to deliver that ideal golden crisp every time. Let’s dive in and find your next countertop hero!
How We Picked the Best Air Fryer for Toasting Bread
When evaluating air fryers for their toasting prowess, we looked beyond just the “air fry” button. Key factors included:
- Dedicated Toast Settings: Does it have specific presets or temperature control for toast?
- Even Browning: Can it deliver consistent results across the entire slice?
- Capacity: How many slices of bread can it toast at once?
- Versatility: Does it offer other functions that make it a valuable kitchen appliance?
- Ease of Use & Cleaning: Simple controls and straightforward cleanup are always a win.
Ready to upgrade your breakfast game? Let’s check out the top models.
1. Emeril Lagasse Extra Large French Door Air Fryer Toaster Oven
If you’re looking for a true powerhouse that excels at multiple cooking tasks, including perfect toast, the Emeril Lagasse Extra Large French Door Air Fryer Toaster Oven is a prime choice. This isn’t just an air fryer; it’s a full-fledged multi-cooker designed to elevate virtually any meal. Its standout feature for toast lovers is the smart ‘Perfectly Done Toast’ function, which automatically turns off when your countdown timer ends, ensuring you never face burnt toast again. Plus, its elegant French doors and stainless steel exterior add a touch of sophistication to any kitchen.
Key Features:
* A versatile air fryer and multi-cooker combo for various meals.
* “Perfectly Done Toast” feature with auto-off and indicator lights.
* 25 cooking presets for diverse cooking methods (including Toast, Bake, Roast, Pizza).
* Dual-speed fan with 360º superheated air circulation for golden crisping.
* Extra-large 26-quart capacity, suitable for 4–6 people, a 6-lb chicken, or a 12” pizza.
* Stainless steel exterior with elegant French doors and interior light.
Pros:
* Dedicated and reliable toast function.
* Huge capacity for large families or gatherings.
* Extremely versatile with numerous presets.
* Attractive design with French doors.
Cons:
* Requires significant counter space due to its size.
* Can be a higher price point compared to basic air fryers.
User Impressions: Customers frequently praise its versatility and the quality of cooked food, especially how well it handles larger items like roasted chickens. Many appreciate the smart toast feature, noting its consistency and ease of use, making it a strong contender for the best air fryer for toasting bread.
2. COSORI Air Fryer 9-in-1, Compact & Large 6-Qt, Fast TurboBlaze
The COSORI Air Fryer with TurboBlaze Technology is designed for speed and efficiency, making it a great option for those who need quick, crispy results. While it’s a basket-style air fryer rather than a toaster oven, its innovative 3600 rpm fan and precise temperature control up to 450℉ means it can achieve incredibly crispy textures on anything from fries to, yes, your morning bread. The advanced airflow ensures even cooking, which is crucial for uniform toasting, and its quieter operation is a nice bonus for early risers.
Key Features:
* TurboBlaze Technology for fast cooking and crispy, juicy results.
* Advanced airflow and precise temperature control (90°–450°F).
* Unique 5-fan speed system for professional-grade versatility.
* Large 6-quart square basket designed for family meals.
* Operates at less than 53 dB for a quieter kitchen.
* Uses up to 95% less oil than traditional deep frying.
* Dishwasher-safe nonstick basket and accessories for easy cleaning.
* Customizable preheat function for optimal results.
Pros:
* Extremely fast cooking and powerful air circulation.
* Produces very crispy results.
* Generous capacity for a basket-style air fryer.
* Quiet operation and easy to clean.
Cons:
* Basket design might require flipping bread for even browning, unlike a toaster oven.
* No dedicated toast preset.
User Impressions: Users love how quickly this COSORI air fryer cooks and the consistent crispiness it delivers. While primarily used for typical air frying tasks, many have successfully used it to crisp up bread, baguettes, and even frozen waffles, appreciating its even heating.
3. Ninja Air Fryer Pro 4-in-1 with 5 QT Capacity
Ninja’s Air Fryer Pro is a compact yet mighty appliance, perfect for smaller kitchens or individuals/couples. Its “Air Crisp Technology” uses 400℉ superheated air to surround food, promising hot, crispy results with minimal oil. This powerful air circulation is key to getting that golden-brown finish on your toast. Beyond air frying, it also roasts, reheats, and dehydrates, making it a versatile addition that won’t hog too much counter space.
Key Features:
* Air Crisp Technology for superheated air circulation and crispy results.
* 5-quart nonstick basket and crisper plate, fits up to 4 lbs of French fries.
* 4-in-1 functionality: Air Fry, Roast, Reheat, and Dehydrate.
* Achieves up to 75% less fat than traditional frying methods.
* Cooks frozen foods to a crispy finish in minutes.
* Space-saving design for countertops.
* Nonstick basket and crisper plate for easy cleaning.
Pros:
* Excellent for quick, crispy results.
* Compact size is great for smaller spaces.
* Easy to clean.
* Versatile for various cooking needs beyond just toasting.
Cons:
* Basket-style means potentially less even toast without manual flipping.
* No specific toast setting.
User Impressions: Customers rave about the Ninja Air Fryer Pro’s ability to make foods incredibly crispy, from chicken wings to veggies. For toast, users find it effective for achieving a consistent crisp, though some note it requires careful monitoring and sometimes flipping for ideal browning.
4. CHEFMAN Multifunctional Digital Air Fryer+ Rotisserie
The CHEFMAN Multifunctional Digital Air Fryer stands out as a true countertop oven, designed to handle a wide array of cooking tasks with ease. With functions like air fry, bake, dehydrate, rotisserie, and roast, it’s an incredibly versatile machine. For toasting, its “rapid air heating elements” mean no preheating like traditional ovens, translating to faster, even, and crispy results for your bread. The extra-large 10-liter capacity is fantastic for families or meal prepping, allowing you to toast multiple slices at once.
Key Features:
* Versatile countertop cooking: Air fry, bake, dehydrate, rotisserie, roast.
* Rapid air heating elements for faster cooking without preheating.
* Healthy cooking with 98% less oil than traditional fryers.
* 17 preset options and an easy-to-use capacitive touch control screen.
* Includes three air flow racks, rotisserie spit, and drip tray.
* Extra-large 10-liter capacity for family-size meals.
* Interior lights and extra-large oven window for monitoring progress.
* Removable drip tray and dishwasher-safe parts for minimal cleanup.
Pros:
* Excellent versatility as an all-in-one oven.
* Fast cooking with no preheat needed.
* Large capacity for multiple slices of toast or family meals.
* Easy monitoring with interior light and window.
Cons:
* Larger footprint compared to basket-style air fryers.
* Might have a steeper learning curve for all its functions.
User Impressions: Reviewers often highlight the CHEFMAN’s robust build and its capability to cook a wide variety of dishes efficiently. Its oven-style design and rapid heating make it a favorite for those who value multi-functional appliances that can handle everything from baking cookies to crisping up breakfast toast.
5. Cuisinart Air Fryer Toaster Oven with Grill, 1800W 8-in-1
When it comes to the best air fryer for toasting bread in a toaster oven form factor, the Cuisinart Air Fryer Toaster Oven with Grill is a serious contender. This 1800-watt powerhouse explicitly includes a toast function and even a toast shade selector, ensuring your bread is browned to your precise preference. Its “AirAdvantage technology” delivers optimized hot air flow for consistently fast and crispy results, making it ideal for everything from a quick morning slice to larger batches for a brunch crowd. Plus, the added grill function provides even more culinary possibilities.
Key Features:
* Versatile 8-in-1 cooking functions: Air Fry, Toast, Convection Bake, Bake, Convection Broil, Broil, Grill, and Warming.
* Spacious capacity: Toasts 6 slices of bread, air fries 3 lbs of chicken wings, bakes a 12” pizza, or roasts a 4-lb chicken.
* Superior operation with adjustable temperature dial (Warm-450°F), 60-minute timer/auto-shutoff, and toast shade selector.
* AirAdvantage technology for fast, crispy results and locked-in flavor.
* Includes oven rack, baking pan/drip tray, air fry basket, ceramic non-stick reversible grill/griddle, and easy-clean interior.
Pros:
* Dedicated toast function with shade selector for customized browning.
* Excellent capacity for multiple slices of bread.
* Highly versatile with numerous cooking modes.
* Easy to clean stainless steel interior.
Cons:
* Can be bulky for smaller kitchens.
* The grill function might not be used by everyone.
User Impressions: Users consistently praise the Cuisinart for its reliable performance across all functions, especially its toasting capability. Many highlight the ease of achieving perfectly browned toast and the convenience of having a toaster oven, air fryer, and grill all in one appliance.
6. Ninja Foodi 10QT 6-in-1 DualZone Smart XL Air Fryer
The Ninja Foodi DualZone Smart XL Air Fryer revolutionizes batch cooking with its two independent XL air fryer baskets, allowing you to cook two different foods in two different ways at the same time. While it’s a basket-style air fryer, its powerful air frying capabilities make it suitable for crisping bread quickly, especially if you’re making a lot of it for a family breakfast. The “IQ Boost” and “Smart Finish” features ensure even power distribution and synchronized meal completion, which is a huge convenience.
Key Features:
* DualZone Technology with 2 independent XL air fryer baskets.
* Smart Cook System with integrated Foodi Smart Thermometer for precise doneness.
* Smart Finish feature for cooking two foods to finish at the same time.
* Match Cook feature to easily copy settings across zones for 10-qt capacity.
* IQ Boost optimally distributes power across baskets.
* 6 versatile cooking programs: Air Fry, Air Broil, Roast, Bake, Reheat, and Dehydrate.
* XL 10-quart capacity (two 5-quart zones) for large family meals.
* Cooks two 6-lb chickens up to 30% faster than a traditional oven.
* Easy to clean nonstick cooking baskets and dishwasher-safe crisper plates.
Pros:
* Cooks multiple items simultaneously, saving time.
* Excellent for large families or meal prepping.
* Very fast cooking and crisping results.
* Smart features for precision cooking.
Cons:
* No dedicated toast setting, requiring manual adjustment for bread.
* Large footprint for a basket-style air fryer.
User Impressions: Customers absolutely love the DualZone feature, especially for cooking entire meals efficiently. While not explicitly designed for toast, its powerful air frying makes quick work of crisping bread slices, and the ability to do multiple at once is a big plus for busy mornings.
7. COSORI Smart 12-in-1 Air Fryer Toaster Oven Combo, Airfryer
The COSORI Smart 12-in-1 Air Fryer Toaster Oven Combo is a fantastic option for those who want ultimate versatility and smart home integration. This 26-quart oven offers 12 functions, making it much more than just an air fryer. Crucially, it’s designed to toast 6 slices of bread at once, with 6 heat elements and a 2-speed fan ensuring rapid heat circulation for evenly cooked food. Plus, its smart capabilities allow you to control it via the VeSync app, Amazon Alexa, or Google Assistant, bringing modern convenience to your kitchen.
Key Features:
* 12 functions: Air Fry, Bake, Toast, Roast, Broil, and more.
* Large 26-quart capacity: toasts 6 slices of bread, fits a 12-inch pizza or 5lbs whole chicken.
* Cooks in minutes with 6 heat elements and a 2-speed fan for rapid, even heat.
* Smart connectivity via the VeSync app, Amazon Alexa, or Google Assistant.
* Durable stainless steel construction.
* Includes oven rack, food tray, fry basket, crumb tray, and recipe book.
* Easy to clean with an external removable crumb tray and non-stick food tray.
Pros:
* Extremely versatile with 12 functions.
* Excellent capacity for families and multiple slices of bread.
* Smart features for convenient control and recipe inspiration.
* Ensures even cooking with multiple heating elements and fan.
Cons:
* Requires a 2.4GHz Wi-Fi network for smart features.
* Can take up significant counter space.
User Impressions: Users are impressed by the sheer number of functions and the consistent cooking results, particularly for toast and baked goods. The smart features are a big hit for those who love technology in the kitchen, making it incredibly convenient to preheat or start cooking from another room.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: Can all air fryers toast bread effectively?
A: While most air fryers can crisp up bread, dedicated air fryer toaster oven combos (like the Emeril, Cuisinart, or COSORI 12-in-1) tend to be more effective for achieving consistently even toasting across multiple slices. Basket-style air fryers can toast, but you might need to flip the bread for uniform browning.
Q2: What features should I look for in the best air fryer for toasting bread?
A: Look for models with a “toast” function or preset, wide temperature ranges, strong fan circulation for even heat distribution, and sufficient capacity (e.g., ability to fit 4-6 slices of bread comfortably). A toast shade selector is a bonus for precise browning control.
Q3: How long does it take to toast bread in an air fryer?
A: Generally, toasting bread in an air fryer takes about 3-6 minutes at temperatures between 350°F to 400°F (175°C to 200°C), depending on the model and desired crispness. Always keep an eye on it, especially the first time, to prevent burning.
Q4: Is an air fryer better than a traditional toaster for bread?
A: For simple, quick toast, a traditional pop-up toaster is often faster. However, an air fryer (especially an air fryer toaster oven) offers far more versatility. It can toast thicker items like bagels or even frozen waffles more evenly, and then switch to air frying, baking, or roasting other foods. If you value multi-functionality, an air fryer often wins.
Q5: Can I toast frozen bread or bagels in an air fryer?
A: Absolutely! Air fryers are excellent for toasting frozen bread, waffles, or bagels. Just add a minute or two to the cooking time compared to fresh bread. The circulating hot air thaws and toasts simultaneously, often leading to a perfectly crisp result.
Q6: What are some tips for perfect air fryer toast?
A:
* Preheat: If your air fryer has a preheat function, use it for more even results.
* Single Layer: Always arrange bread in a single layer to ensure proper air circulation.
* Don’t Overcrowd: Leave a little space between slices.
* Monitor Closely: Air fryers cook fast, so check frequently to prevent burning.
* Flip (if basket-style): For basket air fryers, flip the bread halfway through for more even browning.
Q7: Can I make grilled cheese or other sandwiches in an air fryer?
A: Yes! Air fryers are fantastic for making grilled cheese, reubens, or other hot sandwiches. The hot air crisps the bread beautifully while melting the cheese inside. Just keep an eye on the cooking time, typically around 5-8 minutes at 350-375°F, flipping once.
Conclusion
Finding the best air fryer for toasting bread really comes down to your individual needs and kitchen setup. If you’re after a dedicated toaster oven with air frying capabilities and specific toast functions, models like the Emeril Lagasse, Cuisinart, or COSORI 12-in-1 are excellent choices. If you prioritize super-fast air frying and versatility in a more compact basket-style design, the COSORI 9-in-1 or Ninja Air Fryer Pro could be your perfect match. And for those with larger families or a penchant for cooking multiple dishes at once, the Ninja Foodi DualZone offers unmatched convenience.
No matter which one you choose, upgrading to a versatile air fryer means you’re not just getting perfectly toasted bread; you’re unlocking a world of healthier, faster, and more delicious meal possibilities right on your countertop. Happy toasting!