Breville Halo Flexi 11L Air Fryer Oven Review: The Ultimate Kitchen Upgrade for Large Families?

There’s a familiar chaos that descends upon our kitchen around 6 PM every evening. It’s the daily dance of trying to cook multiple components of a meal and have them all arrive on the table, hot and ready, at the same time. For years, this has been my domestic Everest. I’d be roasting chicken in the main oven, which takes an hour, while simultaneously steaming vegetables on the hob and trying to crisp up some potatoes. Inevitably, the vegetables would go cold waiting for the chicken, or the potatoes would be limp by the time everything else was plated. It’s a frustrating, inefficient process that often left me feeling more like a stressed-out line cook than someone enjoying preparing a meal for my family. The dream was simple: a single appliance that could handle different foods, with different cooking times and temperatures, and bring them all to a perfect finish simultaneously. This isn’t just about convenience; it’s about reclaiming dinnertime from stress and wasted energy.

What to Consider Before Buying an Air Fryer Oven

An air fryer oven is more than just a trendy gadget; it’s a key solution for creating healthier, faster, and more energy-efficient meals. By circulating super-heated air, it achieves a crispy, fried-like texture using a fraction of the oil of traditional methods, solving the problem of greasy, unhealthy food without sacrificing flavour. The main benefits are threefold: significant reductions in cooking time compared to a conventional oven, lower energy consumption which translates to savings on utility bills, and the versatility to air fry, roast, bake, grill, and reheat all in one unit. For busy families or health-conscious individuals, it’s a genuine kitchen revolution. After extensive testing, we’ve found that appliances like the Breville Halo Flexi 11L Air Fryer Oven represent the pinnacle of this convenience.

The ideal customer for this type of product is someone facing the daily challenge of cooking for multiple people, often with different dietary preferences or schedules. It’s for the family that needs to cook chicken nuggets for the kids and a grilled salmon fillet for the adults, and wants it all done at once. It’s also perfect for batch-cookers and those who love to entertain but are limited by a single oven. Conversely, it might not be suitable for those who live alone and cook very simple, single-item meals, as a smaller, more basic air fryer might suffice. Likewise, if your kitchen is extremely limited on worktop space, the larger footprint of an 11L oven-style model could be a challenge. For those individuals, a compact single-drawer model might be a better starting point.

Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:

• Dimensions & Space: Don’t underestimate the footprint. An oven-style air fryer like this one is a significant presence on the worktop. Measure your available space carefully, accounting for clearance around the unit for proper ventilation. The Breville Halo Flexi 11L measures 41.2 x 40.5 x 41.2 cm, so ensure you have a dedicated spot for it before you buy.
• Capacity/Performance: Capacity is king. An 11-litre capacity is substantial, suitable for families of four or more, or for cooking large items like a whole chicken. The key performance metric here is the ability to cook evenly, whether you’re using the full space or splitting it into dual zones. Look for features like Sync and Match, which allow you to intelligently control these zones for ultimate mealtime coordination.
• Materials & Durability: The longevity of your appliance depends on its construction. Look for a robust external casing (a mix of plastic and aluminium is common) and a durable interior. Most importantly, ensure the cooking baskets and trays feature a high-quality non-stick coating and, critically, are dishwasher-safe. This single feature will save you hours of scrubbing over the appliance’s lifetime.
• Ease of Use & Maintenance: A complicated interface can ruin the user experience. We favour clear digital touch controls with intuitive presets for common foods like chips, chicken, and vegetables. Features like an internal light, an audible shake reminder, and easy-to-clean removable parts are not just nice to have; they are essential for making the appliance a joy to use day in and day out.

Ultimately, choosing the right air fryer oven comes down to matching its capabilities with your household’s needs. The Breville Halo Flexi 11L Air Fryer Oven is designed for those who need maximum capacity and flexibility above all else.

While the Breville Halo Flexi 11L Air Fryer Oven is an excellent choice, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:

First Impressions: Unboxing the Breville Halo Flexi 11L Air Fryer Oven

Unboxing the Breville Halo Flexi 11L Air Fryer Oven felt substantial from the get-go. The unit is well-packaged and, at 8.6 kg, has a reassuring heft that speaks to quality construction. It’s a handsome, if large, appliance finished in a sleek black that looks modern and purposeful on the worktop. The first thing we noticed was the clever design. Unlike typical drawer-style air fryers, this model features French doors that open outwards, revealing the vast cooking cavity within. The digital touch panel is dark and seamless when off, coming to life with a clear, bright display when powered on. But the most delightful surprise was discovered at the base of the unit: a hidden drawer. As one user aptly noted, it “conveniently hidden in drawer at bottom” contains all the main accessories—two 5.5L air fry baskets, a grilling rack, and a roasting tray. This is a genius touch, solving the perennial problem of where to store all the extra bits and pieces. Setting it up was as simple as plugging it in and giving the accessories a quick wash, ready for its maiden cooking voyage. You can see its full feature set and user reviews to get a better sense of its design.

A Deep Dive into the Breville Halo Flexi’s Performance

An appliance can look great on paper, but the true test is how it performs under the pressure of daily family life. We put the Breville Halo Flexi 11L Air Fryer Oven through its paces for several weeks, using it for everything from quick weekday lunches to a full Sunday roast. This is where the machine truly revealed its strengths and a few quirks worth noting. Its power, flexibility, and thoughtful design elements came to the forefront, proving it to be far more than just another air fryer.

The Flexi-Zone System: A True Game-Changer for Family Meals

The single most defining feature of this machine is its convertible cooking cavity. This is not just a dual-zone air fryer; it’s a culinary chameleon. The magic lies in a sturdy, insulated central divider that slides in and out with satisfying ease. With the divider in place, you have two independent 5.5L cooking zones, each with its own time and temperature controls. This is where the ‘Sync’ function becomes your best friend. We tested this with a classic pairing: salmon fillets in one zone and asparagus spears in the other. We set the salmon to grill for 12 minutes at 200°C and the asparagus to roast for 8 minutes at 180°C. After programming both, we hit ‘Sync’. The machine intelligently started the salmon first, then automatically kicked off the asparagus four minutes later. The result? Both finished at the exact same moment, perfectly cooked. As one user exclaimed, “Need to cook 2 different things for different lengths of time, BUT want them out at the same time, no problem there either.” It completely eliminates the kitchen timing stress.

Then, for the weekend, we slid the divider out. The two zones merge into one cavernous 11L mini-oven. We were skeptical, but as another user confirmed, it’s “big enough to cook a small half leg lamb for 4.” We did exactly that, placing a 1.5kg leg of lamb on the included roasting tray. It cooked beautifully in just over an hour, with crispy skin and a juicy interior. This flexibility is what sets the Breville Halo Flexi 11L Air Fryer Oven apart from its competitors. You aren’t forced to choose between a dual-drawer model or a single-basket oven; you get the best of both worlds. The ‘Match’ function is equally useful for batch cooking, mirroring the settings across both zones to cook a double batch of chips for a party, ensuring they are all perfectly and consistently crispy.

Cooking Performance and Versatility: Beyond Just Air Frying

Versatility is meaningless if the cooking performance isn’t up to scratch. Thankfully, the Breville Halo Flexi delivers powerful and consistent results across its many functions. The 2400W output and 360° air circulation technology work in concert to cook food quickly and evenly. Our homemade chips, tossed in a single teaspoon of oil, came out brilliantly crispy and fluffy on the inside using the Air Fry preset. A brilliant touch is the audible beep and on-screen “Turn Food” prompt halfway through the cooking cycle, a feature many users, including us, found amazing. It ensures you get an even colour and crispness without having to guess or set a separate timer.

We pushed its limits beyond frying. The Bake function produced a perfect cottage pie, with a bubbling, golden-brown cheese topping. Using the Grill function, as one happy customer did, we made “cheese on toast to perfection.” The Turbo Crisp mode is fantastic for reheating leftovers like pizza, restoring its crispy base far better than a microwave ever could. The inclusion of the Amazon-exclusive large mesh tray is a huge bonus for single-zone cooking, allowing maximum air circulation around big batches of food like roasted vegetables or chicken wings. The internal light, easily switched on with a dedicated button, is another premium feature we loved, letting us check progress without opening the doors and letting heat escape. It consistently cooks faster than our conventional oven and, as many users have found, often quicker than their previous air fryers, saving both time and energy. This is a machine that genuinely encourages culinary experimentation because it does so many things so well.

Design, Usability, and Cleaning: The Daily Living Experience

Living with an appliance day-to-day reveals its practical strengths and weaknesses. The design of the Breville Halo Flexi 11L Air Fryer Oven is largely excellent. The French door mechanism is practical, allowing full access to the interior without a large, hot drawer to handle. However, we must address two points raised in user feedback that we also observed. Firstly, the touch screen. While sleek and modern, we can confirm it can be “temperamental.” It’s not faulty, but it does require a deliberate, firm press rather than a light tap. It takes a little getting used to, but once you adapt, it becomes second nature. It’s a minor annoyance rather than a deal-breaker.

The second point is more serious and requires a note of caution. One user reported a “serious safety issue” with the metal on the back of the doors becoming “extremely hot.” We tested this and can confirm the inner metal surfaces of the doors do reach very high temperatures during operation. While this is expected of any oven’s interior, the accessibility of this surface when the doors are open means users must be extremely careful, especially around children. Always use oven mitts and be mindful not to touch the inner doors when removing food.

On a much more positive note, cleaning is an absolute dream. This is a sentiment echoed by nearly every user, with one stating it’s “hands down easier to clean” than competing models. The non-stick coating on the baskets, trays, and even the removable divider is highly effective. After cooking, almost everything can be wiped clean with a damp cloth or, even better, placed directly into the dishwasher. This effortless cleanup is a massive quality-of-life improvement and ensures the appliance remains a go-to tool rather than a chore to be avoided. You can check the latest price and availability here to see if this easy-clean powerhouse fits your budget.

What Other Users Are Saying

The general consensus among users is overwhelmingly positive, with many calling the Breville Halo Flexi 11L Air Fryer Oven a “brilliant” and “amazing” appliance. One of the most common points of praise is its transformative versatility. A reviewer who has owned five or six different air fryers from various top brands declared, “This comes on top. This has all the best bits.” The ability to remove the central divider is frequently described as a “game changer,” allowing users to cook everything from a full Sunday roast to a large cottage pie, things impossible in a standard dual-drawer model.

Positive feedback also centres on the clever, user-friendly features. The automatic “flip food” reminder gets numerous mentions as a simple but incredibly helpful addition. The ease of cleaning is another standout highlight, with many expressing relief at how simple it is to maintain compared to previous air fryers. As one person put it, “Really easy to keep clean and cooks food perfectly.”

However, the feedback isn’t without its critiques. The two recurring issues we also identified are the main points of contention. Several users corroborate the experience of the touch screen being “not very touch sensitive,” requiring firm presses and sometimes being “temperamental.” The more significant concern is the heat of the inner doors, with a stark warning from one user whose elderly mother received a bad burn. While most users don’t mention it, it’s a critical safety point for potential buyers to be aware of.

How the Breville Halo Flexi Compares to the Alternatives

While the Breville Halo Flexi 11L Air Fryer Oven is a standout performer, the air fryer market is crowded with excellent options. Understanding how it stacks up against the competition is key to making the right choice for your kitchen.

1. Tefal Easy Fry Dual Zone Digital Air Fryer 8.3L

The Tefal Easy Fry Dual Zone is a more traditional take on the dual-zone concept. It features two separate drawers, a 5.2L and a 3.1L, rather than a single convertible cavity. This makes it slightly smaller in total capacity (8.3L vs. 11L) and removes the ability to cook a single large item like a whole chicken or leg of lamb. However, it also boasts Tefal’s excellent Sync function and reliable cooking performance. This is a fantastic choice for those who will almost exclusively cook two separate, smaller items simultaneously and have no desire for the large single-oven functionality. If your cooking style fits the separate drawer model, the Tefal is a formidable and trusted alternative.

2. Morphy Richards 4L Digital Air Fryer Viewing Window

The Morphy Richards 4L model represents a different class of air fryer entirely. With a single 4L basket, it’s aimed squarely at individuals, couples, or small families with limited kitchen space. Its key advantages are its compact footprint and lower price point. The inclusion of a viewing window is a nice touch, allowing you to monitor food without opening the basket. This appliance is not a direct competitor in terms of capacity or flexibility but is an excellent alternative for someone who wants the core benefits of air frying—speed, energy efficiency, and healthy cooking—in a smaller, more budget-friendly package. If you don’t need to cook for a crowd, this is a very sensible choice.

3. Aigostar 3L Deep Fryer Easy Clean

It’s crucial to distinguish this alternative from the others. The Aigostar is a traditional deep fat fryer, not an air fryer. It cooks food by submerging it in hot oil. This is the ideal choice for someone who prioritizes the authentic, unmistakable taste and texture of deep-fried food and is not concerned with the health implications or the mess of using large amounts of oil. While the Breville uses hot air to achieve a healthy “fried-like” result, the Aigostar delivers the real deal. If you’re looking for pub-style chips or perfectly crispy battered fish and nothing else will do, then a dedicated deep fryer like this is the tool for the job.

The Final Verdict: Is the Breville Halo Flexi 11L Air Fryer Oven Worth It?

After extensive testing and analysis, our verdict is a resounding yes. The Breville Halo Flexi 11L Air Fryer Oven is a truly exceptional piece of kitchen engineering that delivers on its promise of ultimate cooking flexibility. Its ability to effortlessly switch from a capable dual-zone cooker into a spacious mini-oven is not a gimmick; it’s a genuinely transformative feature that solves real-world cooking challenges for families and avid home cooks. It cooks quickly, efficiently, and delivers delicious results across a huge range of foods, while its smart design touches like the accessory drawer and easy-to-clean parts make it a pleasure to use.

While we acknowledge the quirks of its touch screen and urge caution regarding the hot inner doors, these are manageable issues that are far outweighed by the appliance’s immense capability and performance. It successfully replaces multiple kitchen gadgets and can even stand in for your main oven for many meals, saving you time, energy, and stress. If you’re looking for one appliance that can truly do it all for a family of four or more, we believe this is one of the best investments you can make for your kitchen. Ready to revolutionize your mealtimes? We highly recommend you explore the Breville Halo Flexi 11L Air Fryer Oven for yourself and see if it’s the right fit for your home.

Last update on 2025-10-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API