Best Toaster Oven for Baking
The conventional oven is often the “go-to” when it comes to baking, but for those who don’t have space in their kitchens for a traditional stove or who want to save a bit of energy there are some amazing alternatives. Toaster ovens are ideal for small spaces and are also economical appliances in terms of price and energy consumption.
How good are they, though, at baking? In this article we put the best toaster ovens for baking under the spotlight to look at the pros and cons of each model in detail.
- Convection oven for fast and even results
- Great for cookies and pies
- Large capacity oven for larger bakes
- Temperature ranges from 150 to 450 degrees F
- Comes with baking a tray
- Dimensions: 15.4 x 19.8 x 11.4
- Weight: 20.3 lbs
- Convection oven for an even bake
- Dual rack position for versatile baking
- Takes 8 slices of bread
- 60-minute timer and dedicated toast facility
- Comes with a baking pan, broil and toast rack
- Dimensions: 14.8 x 23.5 x 12.5
- Weight: 17.5 lbs
- 1800 watts of power
- Bakes cakes, muffins, pastries and pies
- Has a preset cookie menu
- Element IQ heat control for smart baking
- Easy to read, backlit display
- Dimensions: 15 x 17 x 10
- Weight: 20 lbs
- Convection oven setting for faster bake
- 1500 watts of power
- Dedicated cookie menu
- Great for pies, cakes, brownies, and muffins
- 120-minute timer
- Dimensions: 22.8 x 13.4 x 15.5
- Weight: 15.76 lbs
- Large double doors for easy access, which is great for larger cakes and pies
- Convection oven for faster bakes
- Uses 50 percent less energy than a conventional oven
- Dual rack for flexible cooking
- Turbo function for the convection oven for the best baking results
- Dimensions: 22.8 x 19.5 x 13
- Weight: 18.1 lbs
- Large capacity oven takes a 12” pizza
- The bake setting has a 2-hour timer
- Convection oven for the best baking results
- Great for cookies, muffins, and cakes
- Comes with 2 baking pans
- Dimensions: 16.5 x 20.6 x 13.1
- Weight: 22.9 lbs
The design of this Oster toaster oven is sleek and modern. It has significant capacity to handle large, family-size pies to cakes, but it can also handle the smaller stuff, like muffins, too.
The convection oven ensures an all-around even bake in less time, which is great for energy consumption. This Oster comes with a dedicated baking tray and has a temperature range from 150 to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.
Pros
- Stylish design and colors
- Large capacity oven for the biggest baking challenges
- Top rack dishwasher safe
- Removable crumb tray
Cons
- Buttons don’t light up when using them
- Lacks a preheat mode
Black+Decker is a well-known name in the toaster oven market. This model has a dual rack for versatile baking, enabling you to bake even more delicious food, and with the convection oven you can expect fast, evenly-baked results.
It also has a capacity for 8 slices of bread and a 60-minute timer.
Pros
- 60-minute timer
- Takes 8 slices of bread
- Dual rack positioning for versatility
- Great company reputation
Cons
- The rack is narrower at the rear so is difficult to fit and remove
- Crumb tray challenging to remove, making cleaning a chore
This Breville is a baker’s dream with a powerful 1800 watts at its disposal, which means a quicker and better bake with the convection oven setting. It bakes cakes, muffins, pastries,and pies, and even has a dedicated cookie setting so those with a sweet tooth will be happy.
It also has Element IQ intelligence that monitors the heat output and adjusts it automatically for the best results.
Pros
- Very powerful motor for faster convection baking
- Has a preset cookie menu
- Smart technology for a better and more even bake
- Easy to read display
Cons
- Exterior gets hot when used
- Customer services are poor at dealing with problems
This is the second time Black+Decker have appeared in the list, and rightly so: they are so popular with buyers that their units sell in the thousands. This model has 1500 watts of power and a convection oven setting that circulates the heated air evenly to ensure a great bake.
It has a dedicated cookie setting, a 120-minute timer, and is excellent at producing pies, cakes, muffins, and brownies.
Pros
- 2-year limited warranty
- 1500 watts of power
- 120-minute timer
- Removable crumb tray for easy cleaning
Cons
- Gets very hot on the exterior during use
- The lack of a “Select” button makes programming confusing
- The digital screen is small and hard to read
This Oster is unusual because of the double door arrangement. The advantage of this aspect is that more significant food items, like family size pies and cakes, are easier to remove without burning yourself.
It has a convection oven, so baking is going to be great, and with the dual rack system, versatile baking should be easy. Given that the oven uses 50 percent less energy than a traditional stove, you’ll be smiling at the savings while also saving the planet.
Pros
- Excellent access via double doors and a clear view inside the oven
- Looks good on the countertop
- Uses 50 percent less energy than a conventional oven
- Has a “Turbo” function for even faster baking
Cons
- Slow to preheat
- When doors open, the temperature drops, and the oven has to preheat again
- Build quality issues
This Hamilton Beach oven has a large capacity and a dedicated bake setting that has a 2-hour timer. The convection oven ensures an even bake, while the capacity means that you won’t have to be stingy with number the sweet treats you are baking.
It comes with 2 baking pans, and with a dual rack positioning, making this oven handy for bakers everywhere.
Pros
- Large oven capacity
- A 2-hour timer on bake setting
- Great for cookies, pies, and muffins
- Comes with 2 baking pans
Cons
- Temperature settings can be inaccurate
- The exterior gets very hot
Toaster Oven Baking Buyer’s Guide
Selecting the best toaster oven for baking comes down to one thing: does it have a convection oven or convection setting? If the answer is no, then it probably won’t be the best toaster oven for baking. Convection ovens circulate the heat more efficiently, so the results are more evenly cooked and in less time. That’s great if you want your cakes to rise and your cookies to be crunchy on the outside, and gooey in the center.
Look for dedicated cookie settings too, and also think about capacity. If you want to bake a cake or pie big enough for the visiting relatives, you’ll need a toaster oven that has the space to perform the task.
Functions
By far the best feature that a toaster oven can have when you want to bake is a convection oven. Without it, your baking won’t emerge evenly done or moist, and it’ll take a lot longer to cook too. Other functions to look out for are: dual rack positioning, wattage, and preset cooking menus.
Power
The convection setting requires a little more power, so look for a toaster oven that gives you somewhere between 1300 and 1800 watts. The more significant the wattage, the more powerful the machine. That should give you better and faster results in the cooking.
Styling
Toaster ovens are undoubtedly stylish. The sleek lines rendered the chrome or stainless steel and the big glass doors all help to make the styling on toaster ovens fit the modern kitchen look. We especially like the Oster French Door Oven, with double doors that not only make the unit functional but also help it make a statement on your counter.
Clever Technology
Some toaster ovens are even adding in smart technology. The smartest toaster oven previewed is the Breville model with its Element IQ technology. What it does is regulate the heat inside the oven automatically, so you don’t have hot spots or burnt food. It takes the chore out of monitoring what you’re cooking so you can get on with something else.
Product Warranty
Expect either a 2 or 3-year warranty; also expect that it will be limited at best. What that means is the manufacturer will (at no cost to the consumer) ship and repair the toaster oven, and in extreme cases where it can’t be fixed, replace the unit with a new one. The warranty is only valid for the period stated, so don’t expect the makers to do all this after it expires. And also watch out for how you use the toaster oven: if the maker thinks it hasn’t been used in accordance with the warranty, it could be invalidated.
Brand Reliability
Traditional favorites like Black+Decker, Breville, Hamilton Beach are included here for a good reason: they have been producing reliable toaster ovens for decades. We recommend, though, that you start research by asking friends, colleagues, and family for recommendations. The chances are that because these brands are household names, someone you know has one, and they’ll be brutally honest in their appraisal of how well it works. Failing that, check out the reviews on Amazon and other websites. If the toaster oven you want doesn’t have over 70 percent of 4-star reviews and above, then you might need to keep looking.
FAQ
Is the convection oven noisy?
On these toaster ovens, the convection setting can be noisier as the fan makes noise when in operation.
How energy efficient are toaster ovens?
Toaster ovens are thought to use 50 percent less energy than a conventional oven. It does depend on the individual model for the actual efficiency rating, but yes, they can be better for the environment (and the pocketbook).
Are toaster ovens easy to clean?
Generally speaking, yes. It does depend, though, on the interior and whether they have a removable crumb tray. Some toaster ovens have non-stick interiors, so the splatters wipe away without the need to use detergents. This is important because it prolongs the life of your oven and stops any short-term wear and tear to the interior.
Final Thoughts
Toaster ovens are becoming increasingly popular appliances. They use less energy than conventional ovens – sometimes as much as 50 percent less – so if you consider the cost of using the stove when a toaster oven will give you an even and well-baked cake or pie, it makes using them a wise choice. Of essence if the convection setting. Because heat circulates and the fan removes any hot spots, the cooking is much more efficient, and the taste better.
All of the models in our list would make for great options, but for us the winner is the Breville Toaster Oven. Element IQ takes the chore out of guessing the correct temperature, and it helps to maintain the heat, so it produces flavorful and speedy food. It looks good, has 1800-watts of power, and has a clear, easy to read display and controls.
