You can toast bread and bagels, bake compact versions of foods such as pizza, cookies, potatoes and casseroles, and broil foods to brown or quickly sear them. If your model has convection or air-fry functions, it can also circulate hot air to cook or crisp suitable foods. What works depends on the oven’s modes, interior size, accessories and manual.
What toaster-oven modes can cook
| Mode | What it does | Foods to try | Important qualification |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toast | Heats food for toasting or warming. | Bread, bagels and suitable frozen snacks. | Settings and capacity differ by model. BLACK+DECKER lists toast and frozen snacks among the uses for its Crisp ’N Bake model (product details). |
| Bake | Cooks food through with surrounding heat. | Cakes, cookies, muffins, pastries, pies, pizza, potatoes, lasagna and casseroles; some models also list roasts and frozen foods. | Examples are representative, not a guarantee that every food or pan will fit. GE’s mode guide and Hamilton Beach’s model 31460 manual give examples (GE guidance; Hamilton Beach manual). |
| Broil | Applies strong heat from above for surface browning or quick searing. | Steak or fish, potatoes or vegetables, casserole tops, open-faced sandwiches, baguettes and crostini. | Use the rack position and pan specified in your model’s manual; broiling is not the same as baking food through (GE guidance; Hamilton Beach manual). |
| Convection bake or air fry | Uses circulated hot air; air-fry settings can crisp suitable foods. | Foods the model’s instructions designate for the mode, including suitable frozen foods or items intended to crisp. | Only available on some models. Temperature, time, accessories and instructions vary (BLACK+DECKER functions; GE guidance). |
Choose food by the result you want
Toast and quick snacks
Bread and bagels are straightforward toaster-oven choices. A model with a suitable setting may also handle frozen snacks. Check the appliance’s instructions and the package directions, and make sure the food fits without touching heating elements.
Bake foods that fit
Use bake for foods that need to cook through, such as cookies, muffins, pies, pizza, potatoes and casseroles. GE lists cakes, cookies, muffins, pastries, pies, lasagnas and casseroles as examples; Hamilton Beach’s model 31460 manual also lists roasts, potatoes, pizza, frozen foods and snacks. These examples describe the cited guidance, not a promise that every toaster oven has the capacity or accessories for every dish.
Broil to brown or sear
Broiling is useful when the goal is a browned or crisp surface, such as a casserole topping, or quick searing of steak or fish. GE also lists potatoes and vegetables; Hamilton Beach’s manual suggests open-faced sandwiches, baguettes and crostini. Follow the manual’s directions for rack placement and cookware.
#1 Best Overall
- 5-IN–1 MULTIFUNCTIONAL COOKING- Enjoy versatile cooking with Air Fry, Bake, Broil, Toast, and Keep Warm settings. Perfect for preparing a wide variety of meals from crispy fries to perfectly baked pizzas and golden toast.
- HEALTHY AIR FRYING TECHNOLOGY – Cook crispy, delicious meals with little to no oil using advanced air frying technology. Enjoy healthier alternatives to your favorite fried foods without compromising taste or texture.
- EVENTOAST TECHNOLOGY FOR PERFECT TOAST – Achieve evenly toasted bread, bagels, and more with BLACK+DECKER’s EvenToast technology, ensuring consistent results every time with no hot spots.
- COMPACT YET SPACIOUS INTERIOR – Fits up to a 9-inch pizza or 4 slices of bread, making it ideal for quick family meals, snacks, or small batch cooking while saving valuable counter space.
- USER-FRIENDLY CONTROLS & 7 ACCESSORIES – 30-minute timer with removable crumb/drip tray, bake pan, air fry mesh tray, and wire rack for easy cleanup. Use drip tray when cooking and keep food clear of heating element. See User Manual for proper use.
Use convection or air fry only if fitted
Some toaster ovens circulate hot air for convection baking or offer a named air-fry function. These modes can affect cooking time or temperature, but there is no single adjustment that applies to all models. For example, the Hamilton Beach model 31460 manual says its convection baking may call for reducing temperature by 25°F or reducing cooking time. Treat that as guidance for that model, not a universal conversion. GE also notes that some roast recipes may need a lower temperature in convection mode.
Reheat small portions carefully
A toaster oven can reheat a small portion if its instructions allow it. For leftovers, verify that the food reaches 165°F (74°C) internally with a food thermometer, as recommended by FoodSafety.gov’s safe minimum internal temperature chart.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 4-in-1 VERSATILITY FOR EVERYDAY COOKING – Toast, bake, broil, and keep food warm with one compact countertop appliance. Perfect for quick meals, snacks, and small-batch cooking without heating up your full-size oven.
- EVENTOAST TECHNOLOGY FOR CONSISTENT RESULTS – Specially designed interior ensures even heat distribution and better toasting performance—ideal for up to 4 slices of bread or a 9” pizza.
- 30-MINUTE TIMER WITH STAY-ON FUNCTION – Built-in precision timer with stay-on setting allows for longer baking tasks. Ready indicator light and audible signal make meal prep simple and hassle-free.
- SPACE-SAVING, SLEEK STAINLESS STEEL DESIGN – Modern stainless steel finish complements any kitchen decor while saving counter space. Durable build and clear glass door let you monitor food easily.
- EASY CLEANUP WITH REMOVABLE CRUMB TRAY – Includes a slide-out crumb tray, bake pan, and broil rack for mess-free use and quick cleaning after every meal.
Rank #4
- 5-IN-1 COOKING VERSATILITY – Air fry, Bake, broil, toast, air fry, and keep warm with one powerful appliance. Perfect for preparing everything from crispy snacks to hearty meals.
- AIR FRY TERCHNOLOGY FOR HEALTHIER MEALS – Enjoy the crunch and flavor of fried food with up to 75% less fat. Uses hot air circulation to deliver crispy results without excess oil.
- LARGE CAPACITY FITS 12" PIZZA – Generously sized interior fits six slices of toast or a 12-inch pizza—great for family dinners, appetizers, or meal prepping.
- EVENTOAST TECHNOLOGY FOR CONSISTENT RESULTS – Specially designed interior ensures even heat distribution for perfectly toasted bread, bagels, and more.
- USER-FRIENDLY WITH 60-MINUTE TIMER – Simple control knobs let you customize temperature and time. Includes stay-on function, removable crumb tray, air fry basket, bake pan, and wire rack for easy use and cleanup.
Rank #3
- COMPACT & SPACE SAVING: Versatile compact design fits nicely in small spaces when counter space is limited.
- ADJUSTABLE TIMER: The 15 min timer is perfect for toasting and warming up food for a quick and easy snack or breakfast.
- ADJUSTABLE TEMPERATURE CONTROLS: Adjust your oven controls between 200F-450F degrees for toasting, warming or baking.
- 650 WATTS OF POWER: Built-in temperature thermostat maintains even cooking heat to keep food warm, bake or toast.
- ACCESSORIES INCLUDED - Includes a non-stick back pan and wire rack that easily slides in and out of the rack position to suit a variety of foods.
Rank #2
- ACCOMMODATES 9-INCH PIZZA OR 4 SLICES OF BREAD – Designed to maximize utility within a compact footprint, the curved interior fits a 9-inch pizza or 4 slices of bread. Place items evenly for best results when toasting, baking, or reheating.
- FOUR VERSATILE COOKING FUNCTIONS – Select from baking, broiling, toasting, or keeping food warm. Natural convection airflow circulates heat throughout the oven—preheat for 10 minutes to ensure consistent cooking and crisp results.
- PRECISION 30-MINUTE TIMER WITH STAY-ON OPTION – The 30-minute timer includes clearly marked toast settings and a stay-on function. Oven will not operate unless timer is set or stay-on is selected, ensuring controlled and safe operation.
- CONVENIENT REMOVABLE CRUMB TRAY – The slide-out crumb tray allows for quick, hygienic cleanup. To prevent spills and overheating, keep food and bakeware at least 1½ inches from the top heating elements and fully contained within the tray.
- COMPACT AND CONTEMPORARY DESIGN – Measuring 14.5" x 10.8" x 8.8", this sleek stainless steel toaster oven complements any kitchen. Outer surfaces become hot during use—always use oven mitts and allow space for proper ventilation.
Check fit, cookware and doneness
- Check the manual before choosing a dish. Confirm interior dimensions, rack position, clearance requirements, allowed cookware and any mode-specific restrictions. For example, the BLACK+DECKER TO3217SS manual permits metal, ovenproof glass or ceramic bakeware for that model; that permission does not automatically apply to other models or every setting (TO3217SS manual).
- Use a thermometer for higher-risk foods. FoodSafety.gov’s chart, last reviewed in 2024, recommends these minimum internal temperatures: poultry, 165°F (74°C); leftovers, 165°F (74°C); fish, 145°F (63°C); pork chops, roasts and steaks, 145°F (63°C) followed by a three-minute rest; and ground meat or sausage, 160°F (71°C). Check the thickest part with a food thermometer rather than judging by browning or time alone (FoodSafety.gov chart).
- Do not assume one oven-to-toaster-oven time conversion. Oster says toaster-oven cooking times are generally shorter than regular-oven times, but the result depends on the appliance, food, mode and recipe. Follow the package and model guidance, monitor food closely, and check safe doneness (Oster FAQ; KitchenAid toaster-oven guidance).
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