You’ve probably seen it. That chunky, stainless steel box sitting on your friend's counter, looking a bit like a relic from a 1950s diner but acting like a high-tech convection laboratory. It's the Cuisinart TOA 65 air fryer toaster oven. Honestly, the naming convention in the appliance world is a mess, but this specific model—the Digital AirFryer Toaster Oven—has carved out a weirdly loyal following despite being surrounded by a sea of cheaper, flashier competitors.
Kitchen space is precious. Most people don't have the luxury of a dedicated air fryer, a separate toaster, and a full-sized oven that takes twenty minutes just to hit 400 degrees. That’s where this thing lives. It’s the middle ground. But here’s the thing: most "all-in-one" tools are mediocre at everything. Is this one different?
Basically, the Cuisinart TOA 65 air fryer toaster oven tries to solve the "soggy leftover" problem while simultaneously replacing your morning pop-tart station. It’s a lot to ask of one heating element and a fan.
What’s Actually Under the Hood?
Let’s get technical for a second, but not boring technical. The TOA-65 is the digital evolution of the older, knob-turning TOA-60. While the 60 relied on you "vibing" with a mechanical timer that tick-ticked like a bomb, the 65 gives you a digital screen. It’s more precise. You want 375 degrees? You get exactly 375.
It uses a 1800-watt motor. That is a lot of juice for a small box. This explains why it heats up faster than a standard kitchen oven ever could. The interior is 0.6 cubic feet. That sounds small until you realize you can fit a four-pound chicken in there or a 12-inch pizza. It’s deceptive.
The fan is the real hero here. In the Cuisinart TOA 65 air fryer toaster oven, the fan is positioned at the top. High-velocity airflow. That’s the secret sauce for air frying. It isn't just "hot air"; it's a localized windstorm of heat that strips moisture off the surface of your food almost instantly. If you've ever had "air fried" wings that were just... sad and rubbery, it’s usually because the fan speed wasn't high enough. This Cuisinart doesn't have that problem. It’s loud. It sounds like a small plane taking off on your counter, but that noise is the sound of crispiness.
The Low Temperature Secret
Most people buy this for the "Air Fry" button. That's a mistake. Well, not a mistake, but you're missing half the value. One of the weirdest and best features of the TOA-65 is its low-temperature range. It can go down to 80°F.
Why does that matter?
✨ Don't miss: Why the Siege of Vienna 1683 Still Echoes in European History Today
Dehydrating. You can make beef jerky or dried mango slices without buying a dedicated dehydrator that will just collect dust in the garage. It also has a "Proof" setting. If you’re into sourdough or just basic yeast rolls, you know that finding a draft-free, 80-degree spot in a cold kitchen is a nightmare. This oven creates that micro-climate. It's niche, sure. But for a home baker, it's a game-changer.
The Cuisinart TOA 65 Air Fryer Toaster Oven vs. The Competition
Look, we have to talk about Ninja and Breville. They are the "Big Three" of this space.
The Ninja Foodi Flip is cool because it flips up to save space, but it’s shallow. You can’t roast a whole bird in it. The Breville Smart Oven Air is arguably the gold standard, but it costs a fortune. Sometimes twice as much as the Cuisinart.
The Cuisinart TOA 65 air fryer toaster oven sits in that "Goldilocks" zone. It feels industrial. It uses a lot of stainless steel instead of the cheap, melted-looking plastic you find on budget brands. There's a weight to the door. It clicks shut with authority.
But it isn't perfect.
One thing most reviewers won't tell you is that the Cuisinart runs hot. Like, really hot. If a recipe says 400 degrees for 20 minutes, you better start checking it at 15. If you aren't careful, the Cuisinart TOA 65 air fryer toaster oven will turn your sweet potato fries into carbon briquettes in the blink of an eye. It’s powerful, and with power comes a learning curve. You have to babysit your food for the first week until you learn its temperament.
The "Non-Stick" Lie and Real-World Cleaning
Let's be real: "Easy-clean" interiors are rarely easy to clean. The TOA-65 has a non-stick coating, but if you’re air frying bacon (which you should, it's incredible), grease is going to atomize and coat every square inch of that interior.
🔗 Read more: Why the Blue Jordan 13 Retro Still Dominates the Streets
If you don't wipe it down every few uses, that grease bakes on. It becomes a permanent part of the oven’s DNA.
The basket is another story. The mesh air fry basket is great for airflow, but it’s a nightmare to scrub by hand. Pro tip: soak it in hot water and Dawn Powerwash immediately. Don't let it sit. If you let breading or chicken skin dry onto that mesh, you might as well throw it away. Just kidding, but you’ll want to. Honestly, most owners eventually just buy a pack of pre-cut parchment paper liners with holes in them. It saves your sanity.
Why People Get Frustrated
The most common complaint about the Cuisinart TOA 65 air fryer toaster oven isn't the cooking quality. It’s the interface.
It uses a single dial to scroll through menus. You click the dial to select, then turn it to change the time, then click again, then turn for temperature. It feels a bit like trying to enter your initials on a 1980s arcade machine. It's not intuitive at first. You’ll accidentally start the "Toast" cycle when you wanted "Bake" at least three times in the first month.
Also, the light. It's bright. Great for seeing if your toast is browning, but it's a halogen bulb. They eventually burn out. Replacing them is a bit of a localized surgery involving a screwdriver. It’s not a dealbreaker, but it’s one of those "living with it" quirks.
Does it actually toast well?
Surprisingly, yes. Most air fryers suck at toast. They dry the bread out until it’s a crouton. This model has a dedicated toast shade setting. Because it has heating elements on both the top and the bottom, it browns evenly. You don't have to flip the bread. It’s a small victory, but when you’re rushed in the morning, not having to flip your sourdough is a win.
Actionable Tips for New Owners
If you just unboxed your Cuisinart TOA 65 air fryer toaster oven, or if you're about to hit "buy," here is how you actually master it without burning your house down.
💡 You might also like: Sleeping With Your Neighbor: Why It Is More Complicated Than You Think
First, throw away the manual's cooking charts. They are too aggressive. As a rule of thumb, whatever temperature a recipe calls for in a standard oven, drop it by 25 degrees and shave 20% off the time. The convection fan in this unit is incredibly efficient.
Second, utilize the "Dual Cook" function. This is the TOA-65's secret weapon. You can program it to bake at a lower temp for 10 minutes (to cook the inside of something) and then automatically switch to a high-heat air fry for 5 minutes (to crisp the outside). It’s perfect for thick-cut frozen appetizers or home-made "fried" chicken.
Third, watch your clearance. This unit gets hot on the outside. Don't shove it right up against a plastic backsplash or underneath a low-hanging cabinet filled with chocolate chips. Give it three or four inches of breathing room so the heat can dissipate.
Is It Worth the Counter Space?
The Cuisinart TOA 65 air fryer toaster oven is for the person who actually cooks. If you just want to reheat a slice of pizza once a week, it’s overkill. Buy a cheap microwave.
But if you’re someone who wants to roast a chicken on a Tuesday night in 45 minutes, or someone who is tired of soggy "oven fries," this is the tool. It’s a workhorse. It isn't the prettiest thing in the world, and it certainly isn't the quietest, but it performs where it counts.
It replaces three different appliances. It makes better wings than your local sports bar. It proofs bread. It’s a strange, multi-talented box of stainless steel that somehow justifies its footprint on your counter. Just keep an eye on that timer—this thing doesn't play around when it comes to heat.
Next Steps for Results:
- Measure your cabinets: Ensure you have at least 4 inches of clearance above the unit to prevent heat damage to your cabinetry.
- Buy a separate external thermometer: Since this oven runs hot, using a cheap oven thermometer inside can help you calibrate your specific unit's "true" temperature.
- Invest in parchment liners: Search for "12x12 perforated parchment paper" to make the air fry basket cleaning process significantly less painful.
- Try the 80°F setting: Use it to warm plates before a dinner party; it’s a high-end restaurant trick that this oven handles perfectly.