There are a lot of kitchen appliances that promise amazing things but end up being a waste of money. The Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer seems cool on paper (well, on the internet). You can supposedly air fry, bake, and roast all in one machine. It also claims to make food healthier by using way less oil. But some gadgets aren’t always worth the price tag. It’s easy to get excited, only to end up with another appliance shoved in the back of a cabinet. In this Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer review, I’ll share my experience, and let’s see if it lives up to the hype.
Table of Contents
Benefits of the Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer
The main thing that makes the Breville seem appealing is that it promises crispy fried food without actually having to deep fry anything. For people who love french fries and chicken tenders but also are trying to eat a little healthier, this could be so helpful.
It’s also not just an air fryer; you can use it as a regular countertop oven, too, so it bakes, roasts, and all that. This is nice if you want one appliance that does multiple things. The Breville also has advanced heating technology that supposedly helps it cook things more evenly than regular toaster ovens. Also, it can hold a decent amount of food, which is important if you’re often cooking for more than just yourself. It might not truly replace deep-fried food, but it is a potentially useful and versatile kitchen appliance.
Design and Features: Sleek, Modern Design with Advanced Features
The Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer definitely has that modern stainless steel thing going on, so it doesn’t look terrible sitting on your counter. It also seems more spacious inside than I expected, without being so big that it hogs your whole countertop. It has this Element iQ technology that’s supposed to make it cook things evenly.
There are preset functions for everything under the sun – air fry, bake, roast, even a dehydrate setting (which I haven’t tried yet, but could be fun). It also has a super convection setting that supposedly makes things cook faster. I’m always down for anything that cuts down on cooking time, so fingers crossed it actually works! The controls seem basic enough, which is a relief because those super complicated appliance control panels give me a headache. Few knobs, few buttons, a little screen; hopefully, that means I can use it without feeling like I need an engineering degree.
Performance
I’ve been hearing a lot about these air fryer ovens and the big question is – does the Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer live up to the hype? So far, it seems like it might!
So far, I’m actually impressed. As an air fryer, it seems to work pretty well. Frozen fries come out crispy without me having to stand over a pot of hot oil. I even tried air-frying some chicken wings from scratch, and while they weren’t exactly like restaurant wings, they were tasty and way easier to make.
Regular cooking also seems faster than my old toaster oven. I haven’t done any scientific tests, but it feels like things don’t take as long to heat up. The Size is also good – it’s not so tiny I can only cook for myself, but it also doesn’t take up my whole kitchen.
User Experience: Easy-to-use interface and settings
This Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer doesn’t look like it will require a decoder ring to operate. Unlike some appliances with button panels that look like spaceships, this one has basic knobs, buttons, and a small screen. Hopefully, that means I can actually use it without getting a headache from deciphering cryptic symbols. It also has presets for things like fries, chicken nuggets, and all that standard air fryer stuff. That could be helpful if you just want a quick snack without having to become an expert on cooking temperatures. Also, the air fry function has multiple options for different foods.
So far, it seems like they at least tried to make this thing user-friendly. We’ll see if the presets actually work or if I’ll still end up constantly having to look stuff up in the manual!
Pros and Cons: Benefits and limitations of the appliance
Pros:
- Multi-Purpose: It really does do a lot of different things – baking, air frying, and even toasting! If you’re short on kitchen space or hate having a bunch of appliances, this could be a good option.
- Works Well: I was actually surprised by how well the Breville cooks. It heats up super fast, and my food seems to cook more evenly than in my old toaster oven. The air fryer function actually lives up to the hype – stuff comes out crispy without being greasy.
- Smart Features: It has all sorts of fancy technology and built-in presets, which could be a lifesaver if you’re not always sure what temperature or time to use for different foods. Hopefully, those presets mean I won’t have to constantly be looking things up online!
- Decent Size: I was surprised by how much you can fit in it. It won’t replace your oven for cooking a Thanksgiving turkey, but it’s big enough for smaller meals or side dishes.
- Easy to Clean: The inside has a non-stick coating, and supposedly, some of the parts are dishwasher safe. It makes cleaning less of a nightmare.
Cons:
- Pricey: This thing is not cheap. If you’re on a tight budget or just need something basic to heat up leftovers.
- Takes Up Space: Counter space is a hot commodity, and the Breville will definitely take up some of yours. If you have a tiny kitchen, make sure you actually have room for it before you buy!
- Learning Curve: It has a lot of settings, buttons, and features, which can be overwhelming at first. It’s probably not the best choice if you want an appliance that’s super simple to use. Be prepared to spend some time figuring it all out (or keep the instruction manual handy!).
Price and Value: Pricing Compared to Similar Products
This thing is pricey. You can definitely find cheaper toaster ovens and even cheaper air fryers. But the Breville is one of those special ones with a million settings and supposedly superior technology. If you’re primarily looking for a baking-focused appliance, have a look at our Best Ovens for Home Bakers guide for more baking-specific picks.
So, is it worth splurging on? That honestly depends on how much cooking you do and whether you’ll actually use all the different features. If you mostly heat up a frozen pizza and make toast, this is probably overkill. But if you like kitchen gadgets, want something that seems well-made, and think you’ll use it to replace other appliances, then it might be a worthwhile investment.
Final Thoughts on the Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer
If you’ve been considering getting one of those air fryer ovens, the Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer is definitely one to check out. While it’s a bit of an investment, it’s seriously impressive. Not only does it nail the whole air fryer thing, but it also works as a regular oven – and a faster one than my old clunky one, at that! Plus, it has settings for baking, roasting, even dehydrating, so it could definitely replace a bunch of other kitchen gadgets.
The air fryer function alone might be worth the splurge if you’re trying to eat a little healthier but still crave those crispy fries and chicken nuggets. And if you enjoy cooking and experimenting in the kitchen, the Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer gives you so many options. So, if you’re looking for a versatile, well-made appliance and have the budget for it, you might want to take a closer look!
