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Key Points
- This is a compact version of the Cuisinart Air Fryer and only holds about 2.5 pounds of ingredients. You won’t be able to roast a chicken in this air fryer.
- The temperature controls are only adjustable in 50-degree increments, and the time is adjustable in 10-minute increments, so you’ll need to adjust your recipes accordingly.
- For the money, this is a pretty standard, compact air fryer best for snacks and small meals.
Cuisinart TOA-26 Compact Airfryer Toaster Oven
- Budget-friendly
- Space-saving design
- Analog interface
- Compact, can fit up to 2.5 lbs. of food
- Quiet operation
- BPA and PFOA free
- 3-year warranty
- Baskets and trays are not dishwasher safe
- Can't cook large meals at once
The Cuisinart Compact Air Fryer, or simply Cuisinart AFR 25 is the most affordable and handy toaster air fryer from the Cuisinart brand. It is small enough to fit on any kitchen countertop and can quickly air fry up to 2.5 lbs. of food.
Let’s take a closer look:
This stainless steel beauty is absolutely perfect for any kitchen décor.
You’ll also enjoy the fact that it elevates the toasting and air-frying experience, as you can do so much more with this kitchen appliance. We’ll talk about the features of this product in detail as you continue reading.
FYI, this is different from the Cuisinart Compact Airfryer Toaster Oven. Some people get the two mixed up.
Features of the Cuisinart Compact Air Fryer
The features of the Cuisinart Compact Air Fryer are basic for the appliance. You can fit up to 2.5 pounds of ingredients or a very small chicken or roast into the air fryer.
6 Cooking Modes in Total
6 cooking modes can be adjusted from “warm” up to 450 degrees, but you can only set your recipe to cook for 60 minutes. The 6 cooking modes are warm, air fry, broil, roast, toast, and bake.
Unlike other newer models, this Cuisinart Compact Air Fryer doesn’t have preset cooking programs. Being limited to 10-minute increments will make you wish you had them on this model.
Viewing Window
Overall, the stainless steel look is beautiful and easy to clean, and the viewing window makes it easy to keep an eye on your recipes. This is important because I have found that most things cook faster in the air fryer. The viewing window is a great way to keep an eye on your food when trying new recipes in the fryer.
Quiet Operation
One of the better features of this air fryer is its quieter operation. Most air fryers run at around 60 decibels, but I tested the Cuisinart Compact Air Fryer at just 54.7 dBA. This may not seem like much of a difference, but in reality, the fan is quite a bit softer.
Another thing I should mention about this air fryer is that it only has one heating element, and it’s at the top end of the machine. This means you’ll need to flip things halfway through cooking for it to be evenly cooked.
Compact Design, High Capacity
As you can tell from the image, the air fryer is extremely compact, being able to fit inside a 12 by 12 by 12-inch box!
This air fryer toaster oven can fit up to 2.5 pounds of food. That might not seem like much, but it would cook a complete meal for as small family. I can make a pork chop dinner, a meatloaf, and other small meals with this one countertop appliance.
Door Sensor for Safety
Stopping and starting the Cuisinart Compact Air Fryer during shaking or flipping is super easy, thanks to the door sensor. Open the door and it stops cooking, close the door and it resumes.
Technical Specifications
Before we get into what the Cuisinart Compact Air Fryer can do, here is a look at its technical specifications.
| Type | Air Fryer |
| Brand/Series | Cuisinart |
| Model # | AFR 25 |
| Price | $ |
| Rating | 4.1 out of 5 |
| Wattage | 1600 Watts |
| Functions | Air Fry, Broil, Roast, Bake |
| Air Fryer Type | Air Fryer Oven |
| Basket Shape | Rectangular |
| Basket Material | Stainless Steel / Non-stick |
| Capacity | 9 quarts |
| Dishwasher safe | No |
| PFOA, BPA Free | Yes |
| Colors | Silver |
| Dimensions | 12 x 11.75 x 11.50 inches (30.5 x 29.8 x 29.2 cm) |
| Cord Length | 22 inches (0.5 m) |
| Application | Personal Use |
| Warranty | 3 Years |
The Cuisinart Compact Air Fryer has an air fryer basket, a baking and drip tray, and an oven rack.
What can you cook in the Cuisinart Compact Air Fryer?
The Cuisinart Compact Airfryer is one of the older models from this brand and doesn’t have pre-programmed functions. But it can do the following functions:
You read it right! You can also use this air fryer to toast slices of bread or bagels.
To toast in the Cuisinart Air Fryer Compact, you should flip items halfway through the cycle so that they toast evenly on both sides.
Simultaneously, the appliance has only top heaters, so place the bread on the Baking Pan in the upper position for a medium toast at a temperature of 450°F for about 2-3 minutes per side.
Tips on Using the Cuisinart Compact Air Fryer
- Stir the food routinely so that it cooks evenly
- Chop your food into pieces of about the same size
- Use the Drip Pan when Air Fryer for easier clean up
Don’t forget to stir it around regularly so it cooks evenly. Plus, chopping your food into pieces of the same size will help it cook better. Remember to use the Drip Pan when Air Frying to clean up later easily.
When cooking something greasy, like bacon, expect the grease to drain into the pan. Just make sure you wait for the oil to cool down before taking the pan out.
Check out the recipes from Cuisinart that will have you licking your fingers! From appetizers to desserts, you can make the following: Spring Egg Cups, Chicken Wings Two Ways with 3 Sauces, Sweet Potato Tots, and Blueberry Crumble.
Each one is a unique and tasty take on classic dishes. You’ll be able to impress your friends and family with your culinary skills – all with the help of your new Cuisinart Compact Airfryer!
I don’t recommend doing much baking in this air fryer. The compact air fryer from Cuisinart has only an upper heating element. This means that the bottoms of things like cookies will not cook correctly.
However, the bake feature is amazing for pizza! You can make a crispy crust DiJorno pizza in this air fryer with no issues. Just make sure you use the upper oven rack position. Larger pizzas will not fit in the air fryer.
If you’re looking to make desserts in your Cuisinart air fryer, consider making crumbles, brownies, and items that can be flipped part-way through baking.
Is Cuisinart Air Fryer AFR-25 easy to use?
This AirFryer has an analog interface. You can set the temperature and time using the temperature knob and the time dial. The mechanical timer has an auto-off feature, so the appliance will turn off automatically when the time runs out.
Sadly, this air fryer’s temperature and time settings can be tricky since it doesn’t have calibrations. You must set the temperature in increments of 50 degrees from 250 to 450 and 10 minutes increments for time up to 60.
In a nutshell:
Cooking with this air fryer is easier than you think.
All you have to do is place the AirFryer basket into the Baking/Drip Pan in the desired position. Then, turn the temperature knob to select the cooking temperature.
Next, turn the timer knob to select cooking time. It is challenging to set the timer for exactly 12 minutes, for example, so some guesswork is involved. The indicator light will turn red when its in operation. This means that the cooking process has started. Once the timer reaches OFF, the unit will ring to indicate your food is ready.
In addition, this appliance also has a viewing window so you can check on your food as it cooks.
On a different note, the basket doesn’t have handles, so you must use tongs or pot holders to shake, stir, or take it out of the air fryer.
Overall, there are other air fryers that are much easier to use.
How to clean the Cuisinart Air Fryer AFR-25?
The Cuisinart AFR-25 is a great appliance to have in your kitchen, but you need to be careful when you clean it.
Unplug the AirFryer from the electric outlet and allow it to cool completely before cleaning. If possible, use non-abrasive cleaners, as they will damage the finish. Wipe with a damp cloth and dry thoroughly to clean the exterior.
On the other hand, to clean interior walls, use a moist cloth and a mild liquid soap solution or a spray solution on a sponge.
Unfortunately, the Cuisinart Compact Air Fryer’s Basket and Baking/Drip are not dishwasher safe. They should be hand washed in hot, soapy water with a nylon scouring pad or nylon brush and thoroughly rinsed.
See Cuisinart AFR 25 in Action
Don’t take my word for it, here’s a short video demonstration from the brand.
The Cuisinart Compact Air Fryer is a portable and lightweight appliance that air fries up to a maximum of 2.5 lbs. of food. It has an adjustable time range of 0-60 minutes and a flexible temperature range of up to 450ºF. Also, this air fryer can do the following functions: air fry, broil, roast, bake, and warm.
*Product Images and Videos Courtesy of Cuisinart
Is the Cuisinart Compact Air Fryer worth it?
Overall, the Cuisinart AFR 25 Compact Air Fryer is a decent appliance. You won’t break the bank with this purchase. Plus, its compact size makes it perfect for small kitchens or countertops.
However, it is one of the brand’s older models, so you may want to check these newer models, such as Cuisinart Digital Airfryer Toaster Oven.
