Is Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro Good for Frozen Foods?

The Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro is a high-end countertop oven that combines an air fryer, toaster oven, and convection oven. It uses Element IQ technology, which automatically adjusts power across six heating elements to maintain precise temperatures and reduce hotspots. The super convection fan speeds up cooking and crisping. With 13 cooking functions including Air Fry, Bake, Broil, Reheat, Toast, and more, it's built for versatility. The oven has a large capacity – big enough for a 14-lb turkey or a 9x13 pan – and includes accessories like a baking pan, wire rack, and air fry basket (sold separately for some models). It's a favorite among home cooks who want restaurant-quality results without a full-size oven.

Cooking frozen foods covers a wide range of quick meals: frozen pizzas, bagged fries, chicken nuggets, fish fillets, vegetables, potstickers, and frozen appetizers. The main challenges are achieving even browning, avoiding soggy textures, and preventing burning on the edges while the center remains cold. An ideal appliance preheats fast, circulates hot air evenly, and offers presets or smart algorithms for common frozen items. Many people prefer air frying for its crispness without excess oil. The Breville aims to excel here with its super convection and Element IQ, but real-world performance can vary by food type.

When it comes to frozen foods, the Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro performs admirably overall, but it's not without quirks. Let's start with the good: the Air Fry function, which uses super convection, does an excellent job on frozen fries and chicken nuggets, producing a crispy exterior with little oil. Element IQ helps avoid burning by constantly adjusting heat. The large capacity means you can cook a whole frozen pizza (up to 12 inches) or a full sheet of fries in one batch – a big advantage over smaller air fryers. Users on Amazon and cooking forums consistently praise its ability to reheat frozen pizzas to a crisp, better than many microwaves or standard toaster ovens. The Reheat function is also great for reviving leftover frozen foods without drying them out. However, there are drawbacks. Preheating can take 3-5 minutes, which is slower than dedicated air fryers that are ready in 2 minutes. Some users report that frozen items like mozzarella sticks or fish sticks may not get as crispy as in a deep fryer or a high-velocity air fryer basket. The Breville's air fry basket (included with some versions, but often sold separately) is smaller than the tray, so you may need to cook in batches for maximum crispness. Also, the oven's interior can be tricky to clean if food splatters – the non-stick coating helps, but it's not perfect. Compared to alternatives like the Ninja Foodi Digital Air Fry Oven or Cosori Air Fryer Toaster Oven, the Breville is more expensive but often praised for build quality and even cooking. For frozen foods, it's a solid choice, but if your primary use is reheating frozen snacks quickly, a compact basket-style air fryer might be faster and cheaper.