Let’s be real for a second. Most of us have a kitchen graveyard. It’s that dark corner of the pantry where the "as seen on TV" egg poachers and the bulky, single-use bread makers go to die. So when you see the Breville Joule Oven Air Fryer Pro sitting there with a price tag that rivals a decent smartphone, it’s natural to feel a little skeptical. Is this just another shiny box with an app, or does it actually change how you eat on a Tuesday night?
Honestly, the "smart" appliance trend has been a mixed bag. I’ve tried ovens that required a software update just to toast a bagel, which is frankly ridiculous. But Breville took a different path here. They didn't just slap a Wi-Fi chip into their existing (and already very good) Air Fryer Pro; they integrated the Joule app platform that sous-vide fans have obsessed over for years.
The result is a machine that feels less like a gadget and more like a line cook who lives on your counter. It’s big. It’s brushed stainless steel. It’s heavy enough that you won’t want to move it once it’s set down. But does it justify the footprint? Let's get into the weeds.
What Makes the Breville Joule Oven Air Fryer Pro Different?
If you've looked at the standard Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro (the non-Joule version), they look like twins. They both have the same 0.8 cubic foot interior and the same Element IQ system. That system is basically the brain of the oven, moving heat around between six quartz elements to make sure there aren't any weird cold spots.
The "Joule" part of the name refers to the Autopilot feature. This is where it gets interesting.
Most air fryers are "set it and forget it" in a dangerous way—you set a timer, walk away, and hope your chicken isn't a charcoal brick when you get back. Autopilot actually changes the temperature and the fan speed during the cooking process. If you’re roasting a chicken, it might start with a high-heat blast to crisp the skin and then automatically drop the temp to finish the meat gently so it stays juicy. You don't have to touch a dial. The oven just does it.
The App Experience (Without the Fluff)
I know. Nobody wants another app on their phone. But the Joule app is surprisingly grounded in reality. Instead of just "Chicken" or "Pizza," you get recipes developed by the Breville Test Kitchen and chefs like J. Kenji López-Alt.
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When you pick a recipe, the app syncs with the oven. It shows you a video of exactly how to prep the food—no guessing if "thinly sliced" means a millimeter or a centimeter. Then you hit "Start" on your phone, and the oven takes over. It’ll ping you when it’s time to flip the tray or add a glaze. It’s hand-holding, sure, but it’s the kind of hand-holding that prevents you from ruining a $40 prime rib.
The Air Frying Reality Check
Let's talk about the "Air Fryer" label.
Technically, an air fryer is just a small, powerful convection oven. The Breville Joule Oven Air Fryer Pro has a massive fan on the side for what they call "Super Convection." It moves a lot of air.
Does it beat a dedicated, basket-style air fryer?
It depends. If you're just making a single serving of frozen French fries, a tiny Ninja or Cosori might actually be faster because the space is smaller. But if you're trying to air fry wings for four people? The Breville wins by a mile. You can spread things out on the mesh rack so they actually get crispy instead of steaming in a cramped basket. I've found that "Super Convection" mode genuinely mimics the crunch of deep frying better than almost any other toaster-style oven I've tested.
Beyond Air Frying: Dehydrating and Proofing
This thing has 13 functions. Some are fluff, but others are game-changers for home bakers.
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- Dehydrate: You can make beef jerky or dried mango. It takes hours, but the low-temp control is precise enough that you aren't just "cooking" the fruit until it's brown.
- Proofing: If you bake sourdough, you know how annoying a cold kitchen can be. The proofing setting keeps a steady, low heat that makes dough rise perfectly.
- Slow Cook: You can literally put a Dutch oven inside this thing. It replaces your Crock-Pot.
- Toast: It's a $500 toaster. Yes, it toasts bread perfectly, but if that's all you're doing, please save your money.
The interior is surprisingly spacious. It fits a 9x13 inch pan, a 12-cup muffin tray, or even a 5-quart Dutch oven. You can roast a 14-pound turkey in here. That’s not a typo. It actually fits a small turkey, which is a lifesaver during Thanksgiving when your main oven is occupied by side dishes.
The Friction Points: It Isn't All Perfect
I’m not going to sit here and tell you there are no downsides.
First, the price. At roughly $499.95, it’s a massive investment. You have to ask yourself if you’re actually going to use the smart features. If you just want a knob to turn and a button to press, the non-Joule version is cheaper and performs almost identically in terms of raw heating power.
Second, the heat. The exterior of the oven gets hot. Really hot. You cannot leave a plastic cutting board or a loaf of bread sitting on top of this thing while it’s running at 400 degrees. Breville sells a bamboo cutting board specifically designed to sit on top as a heat shield, but that’s an extra expense.
Third, cleaning. The air fry basket is stainless steel mesh. If you cook something fatty, like bacon or marinated chicken wings, bits of food get stuck in the mesh. It's a pain to scrub. My advice? Throw it in the dishwasher, but even then, you might need a stiff brush for the corners.
Who Is This Actually For?
This oven is for the person who loves the idea of cooking but often feels overwhelmed by timing. It's for the person who wants to meal prep efficiently without standing over a stove.
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It’s also great for "connected" homes. It works with Alexa and Google Assistant, so you can literally ask how much time is left on your cookies while you're in the other room. Is that lazy? Maybe. Is it convenient? Absolutely.
Real-World Performance: The Kenji Factor
One of the biggest draws is the partnership with Chef J. Kenji López-Alt. His "Hardcore" recipes in the app are legendary. For example, his prime rib method involves a long, low-temperature cook followed by a high-heat blast. Trying to do that manually in a standard oven requires a lot of thermometer-watching. In the Joule, the Autopilot handles the transitions. It’s the closest thing to "pro" results I’ve seen in a consumer kitchen appliance.
Maintenance and Long-Term Care
To keep the Breville Joule Oven Air Fryer Pro running for a decade, you have to be proactive.
- The Crumb Tray: Empty it every few days. Built-up grease on the tray can smoke and eventually catch fire if you're using high-heat settings.
- The Sensors: Don't spray cleaner directly onto the heating elements. Wipe the interior walls with a damp cloth after the oven has cooled down.
- Firmware: Since it's a smart device, keep it connected to Wi-Fi. Breville occasionally pushes updates that improve the temperature algorithms.
Actionable Next Steps
If you’re ready to pull the trigger, don't just buy it and start toasting bread. Here is how to actually get your money's worth in the first week:
- Download the Joule App first: Browse the recipes before the oven even arrives. Look at the "Autopilot" section to see what kind of multi-stage cooking you'll actually use.
- Clear your counter space: Measure your area. You need at least 4 inches of clearance on all sides for ventilation. Do not tuck it into a tight corner under low cabinets.
- Buy a dedicated cleaning brush: Get a stiff-bristled nylon brush specifically for the air fry basket. It will save you twenty minutes of frustration every time you make wings.
- Test the "A Bit More" button: This is a classic Breville feature. If your food looks almost done but needs just a touch more color, hit that button. It adds a small percentage of time based on the current setting. It’s the most underrated button on the machine.
The Breville Joule Oven Air Fryer Pro isn't a magic wand, but it is one of the most capable kitchen tools on the market. If you’re tired of inconsistent results from a cheap toaster oven and want a machine that can actually "think" through a recipe with you, this is the one. Just make sure you're willing to move into the digital age of cooking to get the full value.