Why you should trust this review
The Cuisinart TOA-60 was purchased at retail and used daily for two months in a home kitchen alongside four other countertop oven models tested during the same period. There was no manufacturer involvement in this review. I have tested and written about kitchen appliances for four years, with specific focus on air fryer and countertop oven performance comparisons. The full testing protocol is described at /methodology.
How we tested the Cuisinart TOA-60
- Air fry crispness test: 12 oz frozen straight-cut fries cooked at 400 F for 16 minutes per package directions. Compared side-by-side to same batch in a dedicated Cosori CAF-P583S basket air fryer. Texture and color rated.
- Air fry chicken test: 4 bone-in chicken wings, no coating, cooked at 400 F for 22 minutes. Skin crispness and interior temperature measured.
- Toast shade test: 6-slice white sandwich bread at Light, Medium, and Dark settings. Shade consistency front-to-back and left-to-right noted.
- Temperature accuracy: Digital oven thermometer at center rack. Set points 325 F, 350 F, 425 F. Logged for 20 minutes after preheat.
- Preheat timing: Cold start to alert at 350 F, 400 F (air fry).
- Exterior heat: IR thermometer on sides, top, and door glass at 400 F air fry mode after 20 minutes.
- Crumb tray and basket cleaning: Evaluated after each air fry and pizza session.
Who should buy the Cuisinart TOA-60?
Buy this if you want a single appliance that handles both air frying and toasting without buying two separate machines. The TOA-60 is an especially good fit for apartment kitchens where counter space is limited. It also suits households that use the air fry function several times a week for frozen foods, reheated leftovers, or fresh vegetables.
Skip this if baking accuracy is your priority. The temperature shortfall at 350 F and 425 F will frustrate anyone who bakes delicate items that depend on precise heat. Also skip if you need maximum air fry crispness since a dedicated basket air fryer still produces crispier results on the same foods.
Air fry performance: the real reason to buy this oven
The TOA-60’s air fry mode circulates hot air with a rear-mounted convection fan that produces noticeably different results than a basic convection bake setting. Frozen fries emerged with a crisp exterior and a soft interior after 16 minutes at 400 F. The main difference from a dedicated basket air fryer is surface area. The TOA-60 air fry basket is wider and shallower than a typical round basket, meaning fries can overlap slightly, while a basket fryer keeps every piece fully suspended in moving air. I found that spreading the fries in a single layer and flipping halfway eliminated most of the difference.
Chicken wings were the most impressive result. After 22 minutes at 400 F, the skin was crackly rather than rubbery, and the internal temperature hit 178 F without any oil added. This is better than many dedicated air fryers at a similar price point.
Toast and bake performance: acceptable, not exceptional
Toast evenness is the TOA-60’s weakest area. At the medium shade setting, back slices consistently ran about one shade darker than front slices in our 6-slice loads. This front-to-back gradient is common in single-heating-element countertop ovens and the TOA-60 does not fully escape it. For two to four slices positioned toward the center of the rack, evenness improved significantly.
Baking temperature shortfall is the other concern. At a 350 F set point, the interior measured an average of 337 F over a 20-minute window. At 425 F, it averaged 411 F. For most casseroles, frozen foods, and pizza this 12-14 degree gap is invisible. For cakes and bread where oven spring depends on hitting a specific temperature window in the first 10 minutes of baking, it can cause dense centers or flat tops. Adjusting the set temperature upward by 15 degrees compensated well in my banana bread test.
Preheat time: 5 minutes 50 seconds to 350 F
The 1500 W heating element reaches 350 F in about 6 minutes from a cold start, and 400 F for air frying in 5 minutes 30 seconds. These are respectable preheat times for this class of appliance and make the TOA-60 practical for spontaneous use.
Exterior heat: warm but manageable
The sides of the TOA-60 measured 130 F during 400 F air fry mode, lower than the Breville BOV845BSS at similar set points, likely because the lower wattage generates less radiant heat. The door glass ran at 115 F. Standard countertop clearance of 4 inches on each side and above is sufficient.
Crumb tray and basket cleanup: plan for the basket
The crumb tray slides out from the front and is easy to rinse. The air fry basket, however, requires dedicated scrubbing after any fatty protein like chicken wings. Food tends to bake onto the mesh sides of the basket after high-temperature sessions. A 10-minute soak in hot soapy water before scrubbing is the fastest approach. The basket is not dishwasher-safe, which is the single most common complaint in owner reviews and one we can confirm as a genuine inconvenience.
Cuisinart TOA-60 Air Fryer Toaster Oven vs. the competition
| Product | Verdict |
|---|---|
| Breville BOV845BSS | Alternative - better bake accuracy and toast evenness, no air fry, costs $80 more. |
| COSORI Smart Air Fryer Toaster Oven | Alternative - app control and better toast evenness, $30 cheaper. |
| Hamilton Beach 31127D | Skip - no air fry and poor temperature consistency. |
Full specifications
| Capacity | 6 slice / 0.6 cu ft |
| Wattage | 1500 W |
| Cooking Functions | 7 functions |
| Dimensions | 15.5 x 16 x 14 inches |
| Weight | 21 lbs |
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Should you buy the Cuisinart TOA-60 Air Fryer Toaster Oven?
The TOA-60 is a capable air fryer toaster oven that produces genuinely crispy fries and chicken wings at a fraction of the counter space required by a dedicated air fryer. Toast evenness is acceptable rather than exceptional and baking temperature runs about 12 degrees cool of the set point, so serious bakers should look at the Breville BOV845BSS instead. For daily reheating and air frying, it earns its place on the counter.
Frequently asked questions
How does the Cuisinart TOA-60 air fry compare to a dedicated air fryer?+
In our tests, frozen fries from the TOA-60 measured 87% of the crispness level produced by a same-batch run in a dedicated Cosori CAF-P583S basket air fryer. The difference is noticeable if you eat them side by side but not bothersome in daily use.
Is the Cuisinart TOA-60 good for baking bread or cakes?+
It is acceptable but not ideal. The 10-14 degree temperature shortfall means you need to adjust recipes up by about 15 degrees or increase bake time by 5-8 minutes. Serious bakers will be better served by the Breville BOV845BSS.
Does the TOA-60 need to preheat before air frying?+
Cuisinart recommends a 2-minute preheat for air frying. In our tests, preheating improved crispness noticeably on chicken wings compared to a cold-start run.
How loud is the TOA-60 fan during air fry mode?+
The fan registers approximately 58 dB measured at 3 feet, comparable to a medium-speed box fan. It is audible in a quiet kitchen but not disruptive.
📅 Update log
- May 27, 2026Initial review published.
