BEST CUISINART TOASTER OVENS
Whether you need more oven space or you want a more energy-efficient option, a toaster oven can be a handy kitchen appliance. When it comes to high-quality toaster ovens, it’s difficult to top the offerings from Cuisinart, which combine state-of-the-art technology with classic features.
Cuisinart toaster ovens are available in a variety of sizes, but they can all fit comfortably on your counter. They’re all able to toast, bake, and broil, but some models include additional functions, such as convection or rotisserie cooking. Cuisinart also offers intuitive, user-friendly controls on their toaster ovens, so they’re extremely easy to use.
Because there are quite a few Cuisinart toaster ovens to choose from, though, you want to be sure to select the right model. That means deciding on the type that best fits your needs, the size and capacity you prefer, the presets to look for, and the other features that will make your life in the kitchen a little easier.
Our helpful shopping guide has all the facts so that you can find the best Cuisinart toaster oven for your culinary needs. For our top five recommendations, check out the matrix above.
KEY CONSIDERATIONS
Types
Cuisinart offers several different types of toaster ovens based on the functions they’re able to perform. Depending on how you plan to use your toaster oven, you may find that one type is a better fit for your cooking needs than the others.
A standard toaster oven can toast, bake, and broil, and it’s used mainly to toast, bake, and brown various foods. Standard toaster ovens tend to be the most affordable Cuisinart models, but they don’t offer the same versatility as other options.
A convection toaster oven can perform all the same functions as a standard toaster oven, but the convection technology circulates air throughout the toaster oven so it can cook foods more quickly and at a lower temperature. As a result, a convection toaster oven can save you time when you’re cooking.
A rotisserie toaster oven not only allows for toasting, baking, broiling, and convection cooking, but it also features a spit for skewering meat. The spit rotates slowly while the meat cooks. Rotisserie cooking allows the meat to cook evenly in its own juices, which creates a flavorful, juicy meal with ease.
- An air fryer toaster oven can toast, bake, broil, and roast any food, but it also offers an air fry function, which makes it easy to prepare crispy French fries, chicken nuggets, and other fried favorites. With the air fry feature, hot air circulates around the food to cook it quickly. No oil is required to get a crispy texture, though, so it’s a healthy alternative to deep frying.
Size and capacity
When you’re shopping for a Cuisinart toaster oven, consider both how much space you have available on your countertop and how much food you want the appliance to accommodate. Models with a greater capacity will take up more space on your counter, so you may need to compromise.
A smaller Cuisinart toaster oven can usually accommodate six slices of toast or an 11-inch pizza, while a mid-size model can typically fit a 12-inch pizza. The largest models can hold up to nine slices of toast or a 13-inch pizza.
Check the dimensions of any Cuisinart toaster oven you’re considering, and then measure the space on your countertop where you plan to put it to make sure it will fit.
Presets
Cuisinart toaster ovens usually feature a number of presets that take all the guesswork out of using your toaster oven. The number and type of presets vary based on the model, so be sure to check if there are particular presets you’re looking for, such as toasting bagels or reheating leftovers.
FEATURES
Temperature range
Many toaster ovens can’t reach the same heat as conventional ovens, which may impact the dishes you can make. Most Cuisinart models have a range of 200°F to 450°F, though they can often reach up to 500°F for broiling purposes.
Check the temperature range for any Cuisinart toaster oven that you’re considering to make sure that it fits your cooking needs.
Controls
While all Cuisinart toaster ovens have easy-to-use controls, some models offer more sophisticated controls than others. Basic toaster ovens tend to have dial controls, so you simply turn a dial to choose your setting or temperature. Mid-range models have digital controls that allow you to see at a glance the settings you’ve chosen. Higher-end Cuisinart toaster ovens have touchpad controls, which are extremely user-friendly. They also feature a digital display so you can see your chosen settings.
Timer
It can be easy to lose track of how long your food has been in the toaster oven when you’re busy. Many Cuisinart models have a built-in timer function that allows you to choose a cooking time. When the timer runs out, the toaster oven sounds an alarm to alert you that your food is ready.
Auto shutoff
If you tend to get distracted by goings-on around the house while you’re cooking, you may want to choose a Cuisinart toaster oven with an auto shutoff feature. This allows you to set the timer for a specified cooking time, and once the time runs out, the toaster oven automatically turns itself off. Not only does this prevent you from burning your food, but it can also be an important safety feature to prevent a fire.
Ease of cleaning
A toaster oven should be easy to clean, so you don’t have to worry about crumbs at the bottom burning or grease smoking while you’re cooking. Nearly all Cuisinart toaster ovens have pull-out crumb trays that make it very easy to clean out any crumbs or fallen food. The interior of the toaster oven is usually nonstick, so it can easily be wiped clean.
Accessories
Some Cuisinart toaster ovens include accessories to make preparing your favorite recipes even easier. Some models include a baking pan and a broiling rack, while air fryer models include an air frying basket and rotisserie models include a spit and skewers.
