Emeril Lagasse Extra Large Review: The Ultimate Air Fryer Toaster Oven Combo

Let’s be honest—kitchen appliances can quickly turn into a cluttered mess. Between the toaster, the air fryer, the convection oven, and that slow cooker you use twice a year, counter space becomes a luxury. If you’re tired of juggling multiple gadgets just to make a simple meal, you’re not alone. I’ve been there too: standing in front of a crowded countertop, wondering how one household could possibly need so many devices. That’s why when I first heard about the Emeril Lagasse Extra Large, I was intrigued. Could one machine really replace half my kitchen?

After weeks of testing this 26-quart powerhouse in my own kitchen, I can confidently say: yes, it can. The Emeril Lagasse Extra Large isn’t just another air fryer with a fancy name. It’s a full-featured countertop oven that combines air frying, toasting, baking, roasting, and even rotisserie cooking—all in one sleek stainless steel package. With 24 cooking functions, digital controls, and seven included accessories, it promises to simplify meal prep without sacrificing flavor or performance. And at $169.99, it’s priced competitively for what it delivers. But does it live up to the hype? Let’s dive in.

What is the Emeril Lagasse Extra Large?

The Emeril Lagasse Extra Large is a high-capacity, multi-functional countertop oven designed to replace several traditional appliances. At its core, it’s a French door air fryer toaster oven combo that supports a wide range of cooking methods—from crispy air-fried chicken wings to golden toast and even whole roasted chickens. With a generous 26-quart interior, it’s built for families or anyone who loves to entertain.

This model features a stainless steel exterior with elegant French doors that open smoothly with a single pull. Inside, an interior light lets you monitor your food without opening the doors and losing heat. The digital control panel is intuitive, offering precise temperature and time settings across 24 preset functions. Whether you’re reheating leftovers, baking cookies, or rotisserie-roasting a 6-pound chicken, this oven aims to do it all—and do it well.

Targeted at home cooks who value versatility, efficiency, and space-saving design, the Emeril Lagasse Extra Large is ideal for busy families, small households upgrading from basic toasters, or anyone looking to reduce kitchen clutter. It’s especially appealing to fans of chef Emeril Lagasse, whose brand emphasizes bold flavors and professional-grade results at home.

Key Features of Emeril Lagasse Extra Large

✅ 26-Quart Capacity for Family-Sized Meals

One of the standout features of the Emeril Lagasse Extra Large is its massive 26-quart interior. This isn’t just enough room for a full meal—it’s designed to handle dishes that would typically require a full-sized oven. I tested it by roasting a 5.5-pound whole chicken using the included rotisserie kit, and it fit perfectly with room to spare. You can easily bake a 12-inch pizza, roast a large tray of vegetables, or air fry two full racks of wings at once. For families of four to six, this capacity means fewer batches and faster dinner prep.

✅ 24 Cooking Functions with Digital Precision

With 24 built-in cooking functions, the Emeril Lagasse Extra Large covers nearly every kitchen task imaginable. From air fry, bake, broil, and roast to dehydrate, reheat, and even proof dough, the options are extensive. The digital control panel allows you to select your function, set the temperature (ranging from 80°F to 450°F), and adjust the timer up to 60 minutes. I especially appreciated the “Perfect Toast” mode, which uses a countdown timer and automatic shutoff to prevent burnt bread. The indicator light turns red while toasting and switches to blue when done—simple, smart, and effective.

✅ Dual-Speed Fan for Crispy, Even Results

The secret behind the Emeril Lagasse Extra Large’s air frying prowess is its dual-speed fan system. This technology circulates superheated air at 360 degrees around food, creating that coveted golden, crispy exterior without needing to deep fry. In my tests, frozen french fries came out evenly browned and crunchy in under 15 minutes. Homemade sweet potato chips were perfectly crisp, and even reheated pizza regained its crunch. The fan does run a cool-down cycle after cooking, which some users note is a bit noisy, but it ensures the oven doesn’t overheat—a small trade-off for consistent performance.

✅ French Doors with Interior Light

The French door design is both functional and stylish. Unlike traditional single-door toaster ovens, the dual doors open wide and smoothly, making it easy to slide in large pans or remove hot dishes without awkward angles. The interior light automatically turns on when the doors open and can be manually activated to check on food without losing heat. I found this especially helpful when roasting vegetables—no more guessing if they’re caramelized enough. The stainless steel finish adds a modern, professional look that complements any kitchen decor.

✅ 7 Included Accessories for Maximum Versatility

The Emeril Lagasse Extra Large comes with seven accessories, which is rare for appliances in this price range. The set includes a baking pan, air fry basket, wire rack, crumb tray, rotisserie spit and forks, and a recipe guide. I used the air fry basket for everything from chicken tenders to roasted nuts, and the rotisserie kit made juicy, evenly cooked poultry a breeze. The baking pan doubled as a drip tray for roasts, and the wire rack was perfect for toasting or broiling. Having these tools included saves money and eliminates the need to buy add-ons later.

✅ Energy-Efficient and Space-Saving Design

Despite its large capacity, the Emeril Lagasse Extra Large is designed to save energy compared to heating a full oven. It preheats quickly—often in under five minutes—and uses convection technology to cook food faster and more evenly. For weeknight dinners, this means less time waiting and more time eating. Plus, by replacing your toaster, air fryer, and secondary oven, it frees up valuable counter space. In my small kitchen, that’s been a game-changer.

How Does Emeril Lagasse Extra Large Perform?

Air Frying: Crispy, Golden, and Consistent

I put the air frying function to the test with a variety of foods: frozen fries, homemade zucchini chips, and breaded chicken tenders. The results were impressive. The dual-speed fan delivered even heat distribution, and everything cooked through without hot spots. The fries were crispy on the outside and fluffy inside, and the chicken tenders had a satisfying crunch without being greasy. Compared to my old air fryer, the Emeril Lagasse Extra Large cooked faster and with better browning—likely due to the larger cavity and improved airflow.

Toasting: Perfect Every Time

The “Perfect Toast” feature lived up to its name. I tested it with everything from thin sourdough slices to thick-cut brioche. The oven automatically adjusted the time based on the bread type and darkness setting, and the automatic shutoff prevented any burning. The indicator light was a nice touch—no more guessing if the toast is done. My only note is that you must place the rack in the designated toast position for optimal results, but once you get used to it, it’s foolproof.

Roasting and Baking: Oven-Quality Results

For roasting, I cooked a whole chicken using the rotisserie function. It took about 1.5 hours at 375°F, and the result was a juicy, evenly browned bird with crispy skin. The meat was tender and flavorful, thanks to the constant rotation and even heat. I also baked a batch of chocolate chip cookies on the baking pan, and they spread evenly and baked through without burning on the edges. The convection setting ensured consistent browning, and the large capacity meant I could bake two trays at once—perfect for holiday baking.

Reheating and Dehydrating: Surprising Versatility

I used the reheat function to warm up leftover pizza and casserole, and both came out better than expected. The pizza crust stayed crispy, and the casserole didn’t dry out. The dehydrate function was a fun experiment—I made apple chips and beef jerky, and both turned out well. The low-temperature setting (down to 80°F) allowed for slow, even drying without overcooking. While not a daily use for most, it’s a nice bonus for health-conscious cooks or snack lovers.

Pros and Cons of Emeril Lagasse Extra Large

✅ Pros

• ✅ 26-quart capacity handles family meals with ease—fits a 6-lb chicken or 12” pizza.
• ✅ 24 cooking functions cover everything from air frying to dehydrating.
• ✅ French doors and interior light make loading and monitoring food simple and safe.
• ✅ 7 included accessories add value and eliminate the need for extra purchases.
• ✅ Digital controls and auto shutoff ensure precision and prevent overcooking.
• ✅ Energy-efficient compared to using a full oven—preheats fast and cooks quickly.
• ✅ Stainless steel finish looks sleek and fits modern kitchens.

❌ Cons

• ❌ Fan noise during cool-down—some users find the post-cooking cycle a bit loud.
• ❌ Large footprint—while it saves counter space long-term, it does take up room initially.
• ❌ Learning curve for rack positions—optimal results depend on using the correct rack level.
• ❌ No internal temperature probe—you’ll need a separate meat thermometer for precise doneness.

Overall, the pros far outweigh the cons. The noise is minor, and the size is justified by the functionality. The lack of a built-in probe is a small drawback, but not a dealbreaker for most home cooks.

What Customers Are Saying About Emeril Lagasse Extra Large

Customer Review: “Love this toaster oven, well thought out and engineered. A little pricey, but you get a lot for your money. This is so much better than the Hamilton Beach oven it replaced. Would buy again. Only complaint is the fan is a little noisy and runs a cool down cycle when you are done, it doesn’t just power down.”

Customer Review: “It’s Great! Best Christmas gift ever. It’s like half the size of my range, it cooks just like the electric range. Just turn it on, set temp and time, and away we go. I made my turkey breast in the cooking bag on the shallow pan in the middle of the oven for an hour and a half—it was a pre-cooked turkey, but it came out juicy and flavorful.”

Customer Review: “I am so impressed with the Emeril Lagasse Extra Large French Door Air Fryer. The size is perfect for cooking full meals, and the French doors make it super easy to place food in and take it out. It heats up fast, cooks evenly, and everything comes out crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.”

These reviews reflect my own experience: customers love the versatility, performance, and design, with only minor complaints about noise and size.

Is Emeril Lagasse Extra Large Right for You?

The Emeril Lagasse Extra Large is ideal for:

• Families of 4–6 who need to cook large meals without using the full oven.
• Small households looking to downsize appliances and save counter space.
• Air frying enthusiasts who want crispy results without deep frying.
• Entertainers who roast meats, bake pizzas, or host frequent dinners.

Who should skip it? If you live in a tiny studio with minimal counter space or only need basic toasting, this might be overkill. Also, if you’re on a tight budget and don’t need multiple functions, a simpler toaster oven may suffice.

Is Emeril Lagasse Extra Large Worth the Price?

At $169.99, the Emeril Lagasse Extra Large sits in the mid-to-high range for countertop ovens. However, when you factor in the 24 functions, 26-quart capacity, and seven included accessories, it offers excellent value. Comparable models from brands like Ninja or Cuisinart often cost more and include fewer accessories. Over time, the energy savings and reduced need for multiple appliances make it a smart investment. For anyone serious about cooking at home, it’s worth every penny.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can it really replace my oven?
A: For most everyday cooking—roasting, baking, air frying—yes. It won’t replace a full oven for large holiday feasts, but it handles 90% of typical meals with ease.

Q: Is it easy to clean?
A: Yes. The crumb tray slides out for quick cleanup, and the interior is non-stick. The accessories are dishwasher-safe.

Q: Does it come with a warranty?
A: Yes, it includes a 1-year limited warranty covering defects in materials and workmanship.

Q: Can I cook frozen foods directly in it?
A: Absolutely. The air fry function is perfect for frozen fries, nuggets, and appetizers—no preheating required.

Q: How much counter space does it take?
A: It measures approximately 18” wide, 16” deep, and 12” tall. Allow extra space for door clearance.

Q: Is the interior light bright enough?
A: Yes, it’s LED and provides clear visibility, even in dim kitchens.

Q: Can I use metal pans inside?
A: Yes, as long as they fit and don’t touch the heating elements. The included baking pan is metal and safe to use.

Q: Does it have a delay start?
A: No, it does not have a delay timer, but the digital controls allow precise scheduling once started.

Q: Is it safe to leave unattended?
A: Yes, with automatic shutoff and cool-down cycles, it’s designed for safe, unattended use.

Q: Can I cook two dishes at once?
A: Yes, thanks to the large capacity and multiple rack positions, you can bake and air fry simultaneously.

Final Verdict: Should You Buy Emeril Lagasse Extra Large?

After extensive testing, I give the Emeril Lagasse Extra Large a solid ★★★★☆ (4.5/5). It delivers on its promise of versatility, performance, and convenience. The 26-quart capacity, 24 functions, and included accessories make it one of the most capable countertop ovens under $200. While the fan noise and large size may be minor drawbacks for some, they’re easily outweighed by the benefits.

If you’re tired of cluttered counters, inconsistent cooking, or waiting for your oven to preheat, this is the upgrade you’ve been looking for. It’s not just an air fryer—it’s a complete kitchen workhorse.

Conclusion

The Emeril Lagasse Extra Large is a standout appliance that combines power, precision, and practicality. Whether you’re air frying, roasting, toasting, or baking, it handles every task with confidence. It’s perfect for families, entertainers, and anyone who values efficiency in the kitchen. At $169.99, it’s a worthwhile investment that pays off in time, energy, and delicious meals.

If you’re ready to simplify your cooking routine and enjoy restaurant-quality results at home, the Emeril Lagasse Extra Large is a smart, stylish, and seriously capable choice. Don’t just take my word for it—try it and see how much easier dinner can be.

Ready to upgrade your kitchen? Click here to check the latest price and availability of the Emeril Lagasse Extra Large.