The KitchenAid Digital Countertop Oven with Air Fry is a stylish appliance that boasts a generous cooking capacity. It produces consistent results and features a unique no-flip 360° Air Fry System.
Reasons to Purchase
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Watch your food cook through the window
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Offers 9 cooking functions: Dehydrate, Proof, Bagel, Toast, Air Fry, Bake, Broil, and Keep Warm
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No-flip air frying capability
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User-friendly interface with minimal buttons
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Spacious interior
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Highly versatile
Drawbacks
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Interior can become messy during air frying
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Exterior can get hot
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Timer alert is not very loud
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As a long-time fan of toaster ovens, I was eager to evaluate the KitchenAid Digital Countertop Oven with Air Fry. Could this one appliance replace my clutter of smaller devices? It's clear the KitchenAid can't brew coffee or blend smoothies, but it certainly replaced my toaster and previous air fryer.
Having used a KitchenAid oven for 15 years, I find its cooking performance comparable to that of full-size models. Plus, the design aesthetic matches, ensuring a cohesive look in the kitchen.
This appliance features a minimalistic design, available in matte black with a sleek stainless steel handle. While the handle stays cool, the sides heat up, which is important for homes with little helpers. The bright LED display is easy to read and allows quick toggling between cooking time and minutes, with temperature adjustments in 5°F increments.
KitchenAid Digital Countertop Oven with Air Fry: Specifications
- Model Number: KCO124BM
- Capacity: 21L
- Cooking Modes: Dehydrate, Proof, Bagel, Toast, Air Fry, Bake, Broil, and Keep Warm
- Temperature Range: 80°F-450°F
- Dimensions: 16" x 17" x 11.3"
- Weight: 21 pounds
- Power: 1800 watts
- Cleaning: Nonstick and dishwasher-safe components
- Cord Length: 2.6ft
- Warranty: 1 year
Unboxing Experience
The KitchenAid Digital Countertop Oven arrived well-packaged in a large box with protective styrofoam and plastic wrap. Once unboxed, I noticed it came with several accessories, including a metal mesh air fryer basket, a baking pan with a broiling rack, a removable drip tray, and a metal rack.
The included manual has basic instructions but does provide temperature and cooking time references for various foods you might prepare using the best air fryers.
KitchenAid recommends leaving a five-inch clearance on either side for ventilation. I set it on the edge of my kitchen island, but reaching the outlet was a bit of a stretch.
Getting Started with Cooking
To begin cooking, simply turn the dial to your preferred setting, which includes Air Fry, Bake, Broil, Reheat, Keep Warm, Toast, Bagel, Dehydrate, and Proof. The Proofing feature is particularly great for bakers, as it's not often found in similar appliances.
Depending on your chosen setting, you'll need to adjust the temperature and timer using the dial next to the digital display. For toast and bagel modes, you specify the browning level (1-8) and the number of slices (up to 6). It's worth noting that the manual doesn't clarify which heating elements activate with fewer slices, so I opted for all 6.
Once you press the start button, the oven preheats quickly, usually within five minutes. The internal light stays on throughout cooking, allowing you to monitor your food without opening the door, which is a nice feature.
In air-fry mode, the 360° Air Fry System eliminates the need to turn your food, ensuring even crispness. The Double Convection Bake design can cook chicken up to 20% faster than conventional methods.
Although smaller than a full-size oven, this countertop oven can accommodate a 9"x13" sheet cake, a 12-inch pizza, or up to two 3.4-pound chickens.
One drawback is the timer's finishing chime, which isn't very loud. If you're busy or have music playing, you might miss it.
Cooking Fries
Fries are a classic air fryer dish. I prepared steak fries, placing them in a single layer at 370°F for 14 minutes, achieving crispiness in no time. While they could have been browner, a little more oil would've helped.
I also tried frozen tater tots, which turned out perfectly crispy in under 10 minutes.
Air Frying Chicken
For a guilt-free take on fried chicken, I used crushed Ritz crackers for coating. After about 10 minutes, the chicken was golden and crispy, fitting three pieces comfortably in the basket.
However, clean-up was more involved, as crumbs fell through the mesh and settled in various parts of the oven.
Air Frying Vegetables
Air frying vegetables is significantly faster than roasting. I air fried zucchini, broccoli, and cauliflower in just 12 minutes, while a conventional oven would take 20-25 minutes. The broccoli and cauliflower turned out perfectly charred.
Cooking Turkey Bacon
Testing the air fryer's cooking consistency, I prepared turkey bacon at 360°F for 10 minutes. Flipping one slice halfway through showed no noticeable difference; both pieces were crispy and perfectly cooked.
Baking Cookies
While I focused on air frying, I also tested traditional baking with sugar cookie dough at 350°F. Initially, they seemed undercooked at 12 minutes, but after an additional 3 minutes, they turned out crisp on the outside and chewy inside.
Toasting Bread
This appliance serves well as a toaster too. I tested bagels, waffles, and bread, accommodating up to 6 slices at once. While it has settings for various amounts, I found it tricky to determine hot spots, leading to longer toast times.
As expected with most toaster ovens, only one side gets grill marks, which is ideal for bagels, but uneven for bread. I toasted whole wheat bread at levels 2, 4, 6, and 8, noting varying degrees of browning.
Cleaning Up
The inclusion of a metal crumb tray and a non-stick interior makes cleanup easier. However, air frying can lead to crumbs accumulating in the oven, requiring extra attention. Most components are dishwasher safe but can also be washed by hand efficiently.
Should You Invest in the KitchenAid Digital Countertop Oven with Air Fry?
Classifying the KitchenAid Digital Countertop Oven with Air Fry as merely a toaster oven seems limiting. This appliance can effectively replace a traditional oven for smaller households, combining the functions of a toaster, air fryer, dehydrator, and proofing device all in one.
This elegant appliance offers plenty of cooking space and reliable performance. While there's a standard countertop version, opting for air fry capabilities adds just $20 more.
As with any new kitchen device, you'll find a learning curve in cooking times and settings. It took some trial and error to perfect my frying and baking techniques, but once I mastered it, I found my full-size convection oven gathering dust.
About This Review
The reviewer specializes in various home goods and has tested this KitchenAid model extensively, preparing a range of meals and sides. This model was provided for review, and experiences may be updated as further use continues.
