Black & Decker Crisp N Bake Air Fry Toaster Oven (4-slice, gray)

A compact workhorse for small kitchens

I set up the Crisp N Bake on a crowded counter and asked it to handle the jobs I reach for a toaster oven for most: morning toast, reheating leftovers, crisping frozen snacks, and baking small portions so I can leave the full-size oven off. Over a few weeks it proved to be a surprisingly capable little oven with a clear personality—fast, hot, and simple. That temperament can be a strength if you adapt to it, but it also means there’s a learning curve and a few trade-offs you should know about.

Design and setup

This is a genuinely compact 4‑slice toaster oven that fits a 9‑inch pizza. It’s light enough to slide under cabinets and easy to move around when you need the space back. The gray finish looks clean and unobtrusive, and the included accessories—a wire rack, bake pan, and an air‑fry mesh tray—cover most tasks out of the box.

Controls are bare-bones in a good way: two old-school dials. One selects the function (Air Fry, Bake, Broil, Toast, Keep Warm), and the other is a 30‑minute mechanical timer with a loud, unmistakable ding. There is no separate temperature dial, so you’re relying on fixed heat profiles tied to each mode. If you prefer precise temperature selection, that’s a limitation; if you appreciate simplicity, you’ll likely enjoy the hassle-free operation.

Build-wise, the door opens smoothly and the interior is easy to see into. The fit and finish are what I expect at this price point: solid enough for daily use, with no rattles. The oven’s sides get warm during long cooks and the top can run hot, so give it breathing room and avoid storing anything on top while it’s in use.

Everyday usability

The two-dial interface makes it very approachable. Turn, set, go. The timer caps at 30 minutes; for anything longer—slow-roasting vegetables, for example—you’ll need to re-twist the dial halfway through. I prefer the mechanical timer’s clarity and the satisfying end-of-cycle chime, but it does mean you don’t get digital precision.

One tiny nitpick: the marker on the timer knob is subtle against the gray face. A small piece of contrasting tape next to your preferred toast setting makes it easier to hit the same mark each morning.

Toasting performance

Toast is where I did the most trial and error. The oven heats quickly and the EvenToast diffuser does help reduce the hot spots you often see in compact ovens. That said, it runs on the aggressive side. My first passes were darker than expected, and it’s easy to overshoot if you set and forget.

What worked for me:
- Start with shorter times than you think—about 25–30% less than your usual toaster oven setting—and add time in small increments.
- Place bread centered on the rack for even exposure.
- If you’re doing back-to-back batches, shorten the second round even further. Residual heat compounds quickly in a small cavity.

Once I dialed in my marks on the timer, I could reproduce a consistent light or medium toast. If you’re particular about shade control, the lack of a dedicated toast shade dial is a compromise, but not a deal-breaker if you’re willing to learn the oven.

Air frying

Air Fry mode leans into high-intensity convection. The included mesh tray is a standout; it elevates food and allows air to circulate freely above and below. Fries, tater tots, and breaded snacks crisp nicely as long as you stick to a single layer. Chicken wings and drumettes do well too, but you’ll want the bake pan on the lower position to catch rendered fat and simplify cleanup.

A couple of tips from my testing:
- Expect shorter cook times than most box instructions. Start checking early—this oven’s Air Fry is enthusiastic.
- Shake or flip halfway through; the mesh helps, but movement still improves color and texture.
- Don’t overload the tray. With a compact oven, crowding tanks performance quickly.

Air Fry mode is a genuine value add on a small oven like this. Just plan for the cleanup that comes with crisping fatty foods—more on that in a bit.

Baking and broiling

Bake mode is where this unit punches above its weight for small households. A 9-inch pizza fits perfectly and bakes evenly with a nicely browned top and a crisped bottom when placed on the included pan. Small sheet-pan dinners, roasted vegetables, and reheating slices of leftover pizza worked well too. Without manual temperature settings, you’ll need to manage doneness by time and position, but once you internalize how “hot” Bake runs, results are consistently good.

Broil mode is straightforward and strong. It’s great for finishing: melting cheese on open-faced sandwiches, blistering asparagus tips, or adding color to baked chicken. Because the broiler is intense in a compact cavity, keep eyes on it—changes go from pale to perfect to too dark quickly.

Keep Warm does what it claims. It’s useful for holding cooked food while you set the table or finish a stovetop dish, without pushing things into overcooked territory.

Capacity and who it’s for

This is a small oven by design. It’s perfect for singles, couples, or anyone who wants to avoid firing up a full-size oven for a handful of items. It won’t roast a whole chicken or accommodate a family-sized casserole, but for weeknight sides, frozen snacks, and baking for one or two, it’s in its element.

If you cook larger meals or need to air fry for a crowd, the single-tray capacity will feel limiting. In that case, a larger toaster oven with dual rack positions and a bigger footprint may be a better fit.

Cleaning and maintenance

Cleanup is where the air fry enthusiasm shows up. The mesh tray crisps well, but it also catches crumbs and grease. A soak in warm, soapy water right after use makes scrubbing painless; waiting until residue dries makes it more tedious. Line the bake pan with foil when you’re air frying wings or anything fatty—it saves time and keeps the interior cleaner. Wipe the interior once it cools to keep splatter from baking on over time.

The exterior wipes down easily, and the accessories are compact enough to fit in a standard sink. As with any countertop oven, regular light maintenance keeps it looking and smelling fresh.

What could be better

• No temperature dial: Relying on mode presets keeps the interface simple, but it also means more trial-and-error to match recipe temperatures. If you want precise control, look for a model with a dedicated temperature knob or digital controls.
• Runs hot: The upside is speed; the downside is a steeper learning curve. Plan to shorten published cook times until you learn the oven.
• 30-minute limit: Long bakes need a mid-cook re-twist of the timer.
• Small capacity: Great for one or two; limiting for bigger households.
• Knob markings: The timer’s indicator could be clearer. A tiny DIY marker solves it.

Warranty and reliability

The mechanical controls inspire confidence—dials tend to outlast touch panels in busy kitchens—and the 2‑year limited warranty is a welcome safety net at this price. Treat it like a real oven: give it clearance, don’t leave it unattended on high-heat modes, and avoid placing anything on the lid while it’s running.

The bottom line

The Crisp N Bake is a compact, fast-heating toaster oven that trades precision for simplicity. It toasts and air fries assertively, bakes small items reliably, and fits neatly into tight spaces. If you’re willing to learn its timing and keep an eye on delicate foods, it rewards you with speed and crisp results using minimal oil. If you want exact temperature settings, larger capacity, or fully automated outcomes, this isn’t the right match.

Recommendation: I recommend it for small households and anyone who values a simple, space-saving oven for everyday toasting, small-batch baking, and quick air frying. It’s easy to live with once you dial in your timings, the mesh tray delivers genuinely crisp textures, and the 2‑year warranty adds peace of mind. If you need precise temperature control, consistent multi-slice toast with zero attention, or room for family-sized portions, consider a larger, temperature-selectable toaster oven instead.