I’ve gone through three cheap air fryers in five years. They all died the same way: a peeling non-stick coating or a fan that started sounding like a jet engine taking off. Then I finally bit the bullet on a Breville toaster oven air fryer, specifically the Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro. It’s expensive. Like, "should I really spend this much on a toaster?" expensive. But after living with it, I realized most people are looking at these machines all wrong. It isn't just a toaster that blows hot air; it’s basically a high-end convection oven that happens to sit on your counter.
Most kitchen gadgets promise to change your life but end up in a garage sale. This one is different. It’s heavy, it’s shiny, and it actually does what the box says.
The Reality of the Breville Toaster Oven Air Fryer
Let’s be honest about the "Air Fryer" label. Every brand uses it now because it sells. But "air frying" is just intense convection. You’ve got a heating element and a fan. The difference with the Breville is the Element IQ system. Instead of just blasting heat from the top and bottom until the internal thermostat hits a number, this machine shifts power around. If you’re making toast, it pushes heat differently than when you’re roasting a chicken. It’s smart.
I’ve noticed that people often complain about air fryers being "dry." That usually happens because cheap models have one speed: Hurricane. Breville gives you two fan speeds. The "Super Convection" setting is what you want for those frozen french fries or wings that need to crunch. The regular convection is for when you're baking a cake and don't want the top to turn into a puck before the middle is done.
Why Size Actually Matters Here
You’ll see a lot of "compact" air fryers on the market. They look like R2-D2. They’re cute, sure, but they’re useless for a family of four. The Breville toaster oven air fryer is wide. You can fit a 13-inch pizza in there. You can roast a 14-pound turkey. I’m not saying you should cook your Thanksgiving bird in a toaster oven every year, but knowing you can is a game changer when your main oven is full of side dishes.
Space isn't just about volume; it's about airflow. If you crowd a tiny basket air fryer, your food steams. It gets soggy. In the Breville, you can spread those Brussels sprouts out on the mesh tray. They actually get crispy. It's the difference between a sad, limp vegetable and something you'd actually pay $14 for at a bistro.
Is It Better Than a Dedicated Air Fryer?
This is the big debate. If you go on Reddit or kitchen forums, you’ll find people who swear by the "bucket" style fryers like the Ninja or Philips. They aren't wrong—those bucket fryers are often faster. Because the space is so small, they heat up in seconds.
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But the Breville wins on versatility.
I use mine for everything. Dehydrating fruit? Check. Proofing bread dough at 85 degrees? Check. Slow cooking a pot roast for eight hours? It does that too. Most air fryers are one-trick ponies. The Breville is a workhorse. Honestly, I hardly ever turn on my "real" wall oven anymore. Why wait 20 minutes for a massive oven to preheat just to bake a tray of cookies? The Breville is ready in five.
The Maintenance Headache Nobody Mentions
Everything isn't perfect. Let's talk about the cleaning.
If you’re air frying bacon—which, by the way, is the best way to cook bacon—grease is going to splatter. Unlike a bucket air fryer where you just throw the basket in the dishwasher, the Breville has heating elements exposed at the bottom. You have to be careful. If you let grease build up on those elements, the machine will start to smoke. I’ve learned the hard way that you need to wipe it down frequently.
Also, the crumb tray is great, but stuff still manages to find its way into the nooks and crannies. It’s a piece of stainless steel machinery. It requires a bit of respect.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Settings
Most users just hit "Air Fry" and "Start." Stop doing that.
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The "Roast" setting is often better for vegetables because it utilizes the bottom elements more effectively, giving you that caramelized "fond" on the bottom of the pan. The "Bake" setting is more gentle. If you’re doing something delicate like a cheesecake, don't use the air fry fan. It’ll crack the top.
I’ve also found that the "Toast" setting is surprisingly sensitive. If you have it set to "4 slices" but only put in two, it might over-brown them. The machine assumes there’s more cold mass in there to absorb the heat. Adjust your settings based on what’s actually inside, not just the label on the button.
Real Talk on the Price Tag
You’re looking at $300 to $400 depending on the model and the sales. That’s a lot of dough. Is it worth it?
If you cook every day, yes. If you just want to heat up chicken nuggets for the kids once a week, go buy a $60 Black+Decker. The value in the Breville is the build quality and the precision. The knobs feel solid. The door has a smooth spring. The LCD screen is clear and doesn't feel like a toy. It’s a "buy once, cry once" kind of purchase.
Technical Specs That Actually Matter
I won't bore you with a table, but you should know a few things. Most of these units pull 1800 watts. That’s a lot of power. If you have an old house with sketchy wiring, don’t run the microwave and the Breville on the same circuit at the same time. You’ll trip the breaker. I’ve done it. It’s annoying.
The interior is non-stick, which is nice, but don't use abrasive scrubbers. You’ll ruin it. Use a soft sponge and some Dawn. For the air fry basket, if it gets really gunky, soak it in hot water and baking soda. It works wonders.
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A Note on Longevity
Breville is generally good with warranties, but these aren't "forever" appliances like a Cast Iron skillet. They have boards and sensors. However, compared to the cheap plastic air fryers that feel like they’ll melt if you look at them wrong, the Breville is a tank. I know people who have had the original Smart Oven for over a decade. That’s a solid track record in a world of planned obsolescence.
Making the Most of Your Purchase
If you decide to pull the trigger, don't just stick to toast. Experiment with the "Slow Cook" function. It’s surprisingly accurate. I’ve made pulled pork in mine that rivaled anything out of a dedicated Crock-Pot.
And for the love of all things holy, try roasting a whole cauliflower. Rub it with olive oil, salt, and cumin, and throw it in on the "Air Fry" setting at 400 degrees for about 20 minutes. It’ll change your mind about vegetables.
Actionable Next Steps
If you are currently shopping for a Breville toaster oven air fryer, follow this checklist to make sure you get the right one:
- Measure your counter space. These units are deeper than you think. You need at least 4 inches of clearance on all sides for heat dissipation.
- Check your outlets. Ensure you have a dedicated 15-amp or 20-amp circuit nearby so you don't keep blowing fuses during dinner prep.
- Skip the base model. If you’re going to spend the money, get the "Air Fryer Pro" (BOV900BSS). The extra "Super Convection" fan speed is the primary reason to buy this over a standard toaster oven.
- Buy a set of quarter-sheet pans. While the oven comes with some pans, having a few extra high-quality stainless steel quarter-sheet pans will make batch cooking much easier.
- Download the Breville+ app. It sounds gimmicky, but it actually has some decent recipes specifically calibrated for the heat cycles of these machines.
Don't treat this as just another appliance. It’s a tool. Once you learn how the heat moves inside that stainless steel box, you'll find yourself using your big oven less and less. It's faster, it's more precise, and frankly, it makes better food. Just keep an eye on that crumb tray and don't be afraid to crank up the fan.