So your oven gave up on you (maybe in a blaze of glory, maybe quietly), and now you’re thinking about switching to an air fryer. You’re not alone—air fryers are everywhere these days, but if you love baking, not all of them will do the job well. Some are better at crisping fries and chicken wings than handling cakes or cookies. Here’s how to pick one that actually works for both.
Quick Answer: If you just want the fast answer: the Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro is the best overall choice. It’s big enough to handle real baking pans, powerful enough to cook evenly without hot spots, and versatile enough to replace multiple appliances in your kitchen. For anyone who bakes often and doesn’t want to compromise, this is the one to get.
Key Features to Look For
1. Temperature Range & Precision
When baking, you need gentle heat as much as high heat. A good air fryer for baking should go down to at least 250–300°F (120–150°C) with accurate digital controls. That way, you can bake cookies, cakes, and even breads without scorching them.
2. Even Heat Circulation
Air fryers rely on fans, and a bad one will leave you with burnt tops and gooey centers. Look for a model with strong, even airflow. Oven-style air fryers usually win here over the basket-style models.
3. Capacity & Shape
You’ll want space for cake pans, muffin trays, or a small loaf tin. A square or rectangular interior (like a toaster-oven style air fryer) is far more baking-friendly than a round basket.
4. Ease of Cleaning
Baking means drips, sugar, and butter spills. Make sure the tray or basket is nonstick, removable, and dishwasher-safe. You’ll thank yourself later.
5. Baking Presets & Multi-Functionality
If you can, get a unit with a dedicated “Bake” setting or a multi-function oven. These mimic a real oven much better than a single basket fryer.
Basket vs. Oven-Style: Which Is Better for Baking?
- Basket Air Fryers: Great for speed, crispness, and small items. But space is limited, and round baskets make pans awkward.
- Oven-Style Air Fryers: Shaped like a mini oven with racks. These handle cakes, loaves, and cookies more evenly, plus you can bake multiple things at once.
If baking is your passion, oven-style is usually the smarter investment.
Best Air Fryers for Baking
Best Overall: Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro
If you want one machine that does it all, this is the one to beat. The Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro feels like a full oven packed into a countertop unit, with 13 different cooking functions—including bake, pizza, proof, cookies, and slow cook. The super convection fan means things bake evenly and faster (up to 30% quicker), and the roomy interior actually fits a 9×13 pan or even a whole turkey. It’s basically your oven, toaster, dehydrator, and air fryer in one sleek box—perfect for bakers who don’t want to compromise.
Best Mid-Range Pick: KitchenAid Dual Convection Countertop Oven with Air Fryer
This KitchenAid oven is the sweet spot between price and performance. It heats up fast (350°F in under 4 minutes), and the dual convection fans make sure your cakes, chicken, or casseroles come out evenly cooked. The built-in temperature probe is a nice bonus—no more guessing if meat or bread is done. With space for a 9×13 pan and presets from pizza to dough proofing, it’s a versatile, reliable pick for everyday baking and air frying.
Best Budget Oven-Style: Instant Vortex Plus 10-Quart Air Fryer Oven
If you want lots of features without spending a fortune, the Instant Vortex Plus is a great pick. It has 7 cooking functions—from air fry and roast to bake, dehydrate, and even rotisserie—so it covers almost everything. The 10-quart size is roomy enough for family meals or a batch of cookies, and the front window makes it easy to peek without losing heat. With quick preheating, built-in safety features, and included accessories, it’s a solid value that still bakes beautifully.
Final Word
If your main goal is baking, go for an oven-style air fryer—you’ll get the closest experience to an actual oven, without giving up the crispy, fast benefits of air frying. If space or budget is tight, a large, high-quality basket fryer with good temperature control can still handle cookies, brownies, and small cakes just fine.
At the end of the day, the “best” air fryer is the one that fits your kitchen, your budget, and the way you actually like to cook (and bake).
Share this post with your friends!