Tovala Review: Innovative Meals for Hectic Schedules

As someone who enjoys cooking at home, it might be surprising to learn that I haven't owned a toaster oven in years. This likely stems from my past experiences living in small apartments where counter space and storage were limited. I’ve always relied on my kitchen oven for heating and toasting, but everything changed when I discovered Tovala. This meal delivery service stands apart from the rest. At its core is a high-tech smart oven that rapidly heats pre-prepared meals and other grocery items.

The oven includes several typical toaster oven settings, but with its patented technology, Tovala meals and recipes feature a unique QR code and an easy-to-use app, making meal prep and reheating a breeze. The Tovala oven goes far beyond a regular toaster oven, and I was eager to see how the company's innovative technology paired with its fresh, ready-to-heat meals. Continue reading to find out if Tovala has truly transformed the way I cook at home.

Advantages and Drawbacks

Advantages

• No meal prep required
• Menu changes every week
• App offers a wealth of useful features
• Oven provides real-time updates and notifications to your phone
• Can use the oven for more than just Tovala meals

Drawbacks

• High upfront cost for the oven
• Oven takes up valuable counter space
• Occasionally, the scanner may not detect grocery items
• Oven makes a noticeable hum while cooling down

What Exactly Is Tovala?

Tovala is a meal delivery service offering freshly made heat-and-eat meals, specifically designed for preparation in a Tovala oven. Launched in 2017, Tovala revolutionized meal prep with its innovative, one-touch cooking technology. The oven includes standard presets like bake, toast, broil, steam, reheat, and even an air-fry setting. However, it stands out from traditional meal services thanks to its scanner and integrated tech. The oven connects to the cloud, allowing meals to be cooked either by selecting a preset or scanning the meal with the oven's QR scanner. Once scanned, the oven automatically sets the method, temperature, and cooking time, ready to go once you hit 'start.'

With the Tovala app, you can scan hundreds of grocery items and access various presets. The app also offers recipes, shopping lists, and cooking instructions with preset times, giving you added flexibility for meal planning.

How Does It Work?

Tovala provides a combined smart oven and meal service for households. Every week, you can pick from a range of breakfasts, lunches, dinners, and premium dishes, making meal planning a breeze and simplifying grocery shopping. I loved the convenience of having all my meals organized in one service. I was also impressed by how Tovala caters to various dietary preferences, offering options like gluten-free and vegetarian meals.

As a first-time user, I made a one-time purchase of the Tovala oven, which includes a variety of preset cooking modes. At first, I was hesitant (since it had been over a decade since I used a toaster oven), but Tovala’s cloud-based technology and precision cooking quickly convinced me. I discovered I could heat thousands of branded grocery items by simply scanning the barcode. This was especially convenient with two young children and a stocked fridge and freezer full of ready-to-heat meals and snacks. I could heat a frozen pizza from my local store without worrying about preheating or cooking times, saving time on meal prep. Plus, thanks to the preset recipes in the app for items like salmon, chicken breasts, vegetables, oatmeal, and eggs, I could cook both produce and proteins with ease.

Getting started as a first-time customer was simple. The Tovala website guided me through the process, with sections explaining the service, showcasing sample menus, and providing details on the smart oven and pricing. Once I felt confident with the basics, I clicked the 'get started' button.

To start, I had to choose between two Tovala ovens: the Tovala Smart Oven and the Tovala Smart Oven Pro. I went with the Oven Pro. Then, I picked four meals and selected my preferred shipping date from the available options. Since Tovala’s meals tend to sell out, I had to wait two weeks for my first order to arrive. After that, I entered my delivery and payment details. Once my payment went through, I was free to browse the menu at my leisure, and I received both a welcome text and email.

I wanted to try different meal styles, and the search filter made it easy to find options based on preferences and allergens. However, I ran into a small issue when selecting my meals. The meals were displayed in a grid with a photo and an orange plus sign to add them to my cart. If I wanted more details, I could click on a photo to view the recipe’s dietary information, cook time, and allergens. However, once I reached four meals, my order was automatically confirmed—there was no obvious 'confirm' button.

I had a week to modify my meal choices and could pause or skip upcoming deliveries for up to four weeks. While reviewing my order, a detailed survey appeared asking about my food preferences, portion sizes, and ingredients I’d like to avoid. It was a bit surprising that this survey came after I had already placed my first order and added meals to my cart, instead of during the initial sign-up process.

When my Tovala oven arrived via FedEx, I downloaded the app and read through the manual, as there was a bit of setup to do. I had to arrange the steamer and crumb tray and fill the water reserve well. As a first-time user, I also needed to warm up the oven for 20 minutes. Tovala warned that some odors might come from the oven during this stage, which was completely normal.

After the warm-up, the app guided me through the registration process, including naming my oven and connecting it to Wi-Fi. Once that was done, I was ready to cook! I followed the prep instructions provided in each meal’s recipe card or the app itself. I scanned the recipe card with the Tovala oven scanner, pressed 'start,' and waited while the oven took care of the rest, leaving me with minimal prep and cleanup.

Pricing Details

To use the Tovala service, I first needed to buy a Tovala oven. There are two options: the Tovala Smart Oven, which has five presets and costs $249, and the Tovala Smart Oven Pro, offering six presets and steam functionality for $299. While these prices might seem like a lot, Tovala does offer promotions, and ovens can be found for as low as $99 or $149.

I could choose from four, six, eight, ten, twelve, or sixteen meals per week. Prices start at $9.99 per meal, with most meals priced at $12.99. For my order of four meals, the cost came to $51.96, plus $9.99 for shipping, making my total $61.95.

Meal Selection

Tovala’s menu offers a wide variety of options, from ready-to-heat meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, to snacks and premium entrees with upgrade choices. The service also provides a range of dietary options, so customers with specific dietary needs can easily build a personalized meal plan.

When browsing the menu for my first order, I found 26 different dishes featuring a range of cuisines like udon bowls, nacho flatbreads, Korean BBQ salmon, Italian ragus, paella, beef stew, and vegetarian tacos. The website's filters let me select preferences such as gluten-free, calorie-smart, vegetarian, and low sodium, while also allowing me to specify allergens like eggs, fish, milk, peanuts, tree nuts, sesame, and wheat. After filtering for vegetarian options, six meals were available from the 26.

Some meals included additional charges, such as filet entrees, and others were available in two portions for an extra fee. There were also options to swap proteins, like substituting blackened salmon for blackened chicken. Tovala also has a marketplace where I could add extras like bagels, pretzels, and other snacks. As I built my cart, I was notified via pop-ups about certain meals requiring extra prep, such as spraying a cooking tray with oil, which I found helpful. At the bottom of the menu page, I could also rate the meal choices.

To get more details about any dish, I clicked on the recipe image, which triggered a pop-up showing the chef’s name and photo, cooking time, recipe description, enjoy-by date, nutrition facts, allergens, ingredients, and preparation steps.

What We Tasted

• Gnocchi Alfredo with spinach, almonds, and lemony pesto vinaigrette
• Filet Mignon with garlic mashed potatoes, roasted broccoli, crispy onions, and gravy
• Crispy chicken potsticker bowl with veggie fried rice, corn-edamame salad, and scallion vinaigrette
• Blackened salmon with crunchy veggie Caesar salad
• Pre-made frozen waffles from the grocery store

Packaging

The Tovala oven was delivered in a large cardboard box adorned with the tagline 'built by chefs, powered by engineers.' Inside, I found a vibrant orange envelope containing instructions, and the oven was securely packaged with 04 recyclable plastic and two pieces of styrofoam.

Additionally, there was a steamer tray, a metal rack, an air fry basket, and a baking tray, all wrapped in 04 plastic. A complimentary light gray Tovala pot holder was also included in the package.

When it came time for my meals to arrive, they were packed in a cardboard box with a white foam liner. Included was a welcome catalog providing details on how to unpack and store the meals, as well as some general cooking tips.

Each meal tray and its ingredients were carefully wrapped and enclosed in a thick paper sleeve, which resembled a package. The sleeve featured cutouts, with a folded recipe card inside. The recipe card, which doubled as the label for each meal, included the dish name, menu number, cooking time, best-by date, a photo of the meal, allergens, a list of ingredients with small images, preparation and cooking instructions, and a barcode for each protein.

Beneath the recipe card were the remaining ingredients, some of which were portioned and wrapped in plastic. At the bottom of the paper sleeve, I found an aluminum nesting cooking tray with additional food wrapped in plastic.

Beneath the packed meals, the proteins were individually wrapped in plastic, some labeled and others not, alongside a large Glacier ice gel refrigerant. The gel can be reused, or its contents disposed of, while the outer plastic liner is recyclable as number 04 plastic. Initially, I didn’t spot any recycling info on the packaging, but upon removing the recipe card, I found a printed link for recycling instructions on the outer paper meal sleeve. Additionally, recycling information was included in my welcome email. It was encouraging to discover that most of the packaging is curbside recyclable, and the metal aluminum trays can be cleaned and reused—though it does take a bit of effort to get them pristine. The only exception is the protein plastic packages, which must be discarded in the trash.

The Cooking Process

Cooking with Tovala is a breeze, thanks to its user-friendly system. I could easily heat my meals either by scanning and selecting a preset on the oven or through the app on my phone. The prepared meals and the preset functions worked perfectly. While I would have liked a bit more blackening and char on both the filet and salmon, the rest of the components in the dishes cooked evenly and thoroughly.

The recipe instructions were clear and straightforward. For the salmon, the directions suggested a cooking time between 13 and 23 minutes. After removing the salmon from its packaging, I placed it in the aluminum nesting tray, seasoned it with the blackened spice mix, and popped it into the oven. I then scanned the barcode on the recipe card, which automatically set the cooking time to 13 minutes. Once I hit the 'start' button, the salmon began cooking almost immediately.

While the salmon cooked, I followed the other steps: placing the vegetable slaw in a bowl, tossing it with the dressing, and letting the salmon rest for two minutes before placing it on top of the slaw. At the 13-minute mark, the oven turned off, and I removed the salmon. Although there was a bit of smoke in the oven, it dissipated quickly. The salmon was well blackened, except for one spot that looked a bit moist. In total, the dish took about 15 minutes to prepare.

I ran into a bit of a hiccup with the filet, where the recipe suggested a cooking time of 17 to 20 minutes. The instructions mentioned separating three aluminum nesting trays, but I only had two (plus, I was missing one for the gnocchi recipe). The next step asked me to move the gravy into a separate tray, but the recipe card was inconsistent—some ingredients were labeled, while others weren’t. It would have been more helpful if everything had been clearly labeled.

Next, I was supposed to add broccoli to the third nesting tray, but since I didn’t have one, I decided to place the broccoli on top of the mashed potatoes. Then, I moved on to cooking. I appreciated the two different QR codes for cooking times: one for a less-done option and one for a more-done one. I chose the less-done option, which suggested a cooking time of 17 minutes. As my meal cooked, I ran into another issue. The instructions called for pouring the gravy over the proteins, but it hadn’t specified that I needed to save some gravy earlier on. Luckily, there was a basil vinaigrette available as an optional finishing touch. Tovala also included crispy onions for a “contrasting crunch.” While these extras were a nice touch, they could be seen as unnecessary waste if a customer didn’t want them. Tovala might want to add an option to select or skip condiments and seasonings when choosing meals.

The chicken potstickers were fairly easy to prepare. The process involved lining the baking tray with foil, spraying it with cooking oil, and arranging the potstickers on top. They turned out crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. The gnocchi also came together without any problems, despite the missing aluminum nesting tray, which turned out to be unnecessary in the end.

Since Tovala can heat up other foods and grocery items, I decided to try it out with my children’s favorite frozen blueberry waffles from Trader Joe’s. I opened the Tovala app, selected 'groceries,' and clicked on 'scan a grocery item’s barcode.' In no time, the barcode was scanned, and the waffles popped up on the app with details on the temperature and cooking time. After hitting 'cook' on the app and 'start' on the oven, the process began. It was fun, impressive, and super easy. Plus, I could even save the grocery item for future use. However, the app's grocery search feature could use some improvement as it can be a bit clunky.

I also liked the real-time notifications I received on my phone. For example, when I was toasting something, I got an alert letting me know when my food was ready. The app also displays a live countdown during the cooking process.

Taste

Overall, I found the Tovala meals to be quite satisfying—better than store-bought options, but not as refined or gourmet as some home cooks might expect. The oven technology did a solid job cooking the proteins, and the extra spices and condiments were a great help for seasoning and adding texture. Apart from the salmon, which had a slight fishy taste, the meals were cooked well.

For the filet, I selected the less-done QR scan option, and was pleased to find that it cooked to a perfect medium-rare. The steak was fresh, tender, and not overly chewy, while the spice mix added a nice kick. The potatoes tasted good but had a somewhat gelatinous texture. The broccoli developed a nice char, though it was unseasoned, so I used the basil vinaigrette and the remaining gravy from the aluminum tray to enhance the flavor of both the vegetables and meat.

Once all the components were seasoned and sauced, I enjoyed the dish, but I wished for more information on the sourcing of the meat. Was it sourced from the U.S.? Was it organic, grass-fed, or prime? Including details on the farm and meat origins would offer a deeper connection to the company and add more context to the experience.

The Blackened Salmon dish was rather underwhelming. The salmon had a slight fishy taste, reminiscent of mass-produced, farmed fish. The blackened seasoning could have used more salt, and the croutons were rather plain. However, I did enjoy the tangy Caesar dressing and the crunchy vegetable slaw. Overall, it felt like a slightly upgraded healthy option that you might find at a chain restaurant.

The Chicken Potstickers and fried rice crisped up nicely. However, the potstickers and rice were a bit bland, so I was grateful for the scallion vinaigrette and sriracha, which added much-needed flavor and heat. The additional corn, edamame salad, and sesame-onion topping were a nice touch, adding texture and crunch.

The Gnocchi Alfredo was fantastic, featuring light and tender gnocchi cooked perfectly. While the sauce initially appeared a bit thin, it thickened beautifully once I added parmesan and a dash of black pepper. The dish was complemented by fresh spinach, flavorful pesto, and slivered almonds that helped balance the richness of the meal.

I wish there was more transparency regarding sustainability and sourcing, particularly about animal and seafood welfare, organic ingredients, and the farms and suppliers Tovala works with. It didn’t feel like the ingredients were sourced from local or family-owned farms or crafted in small batches. Although the FAQs mention certifications like Safe Quality Food and Food Safety and Quality Assurance, there were no direct mentions of animal welfare practices.

Tovala is best for families and busy individuals seeking fast, convenient meals that cook with the press of a button. Since the service uses smart cooking technology, customers need to purchase the Tovala oven. This makes it especially attractive for those in the market for a new countertop oven. It eliminates much of the guesswork in meal prep, and with the added convenience of the app, you can easily cook grocery items by scanning barcodes or searching within the app.

Tovala may not be the best option for households with limited counter space or those already owning a countertop oven. Since many of Tovala’s meals are designed as single servings, the service might not appeal to larger families. However, for those who love tech gadgets, the six presets on the Tovala oven are quite handy for cooking and heating a variety of foods.

Tovala is a great option for people who value convenience and smart technology in the kitchen. However, it may not be the best fit for those who require larger meal portions or have limited kitchen space.

Final Thoughts

Tovala offers a convenient home oven system that works seamlessly for busy households. I really appreciate the simplicity of both the oven and the app, and I loved that I could use it to heat grocery items, in addition to Tovala's own meals. The air fry, toast, and broil settings are perfect for everyday use. While I may not order from Tovala frequently, I do enjoy having a reliable countertop oven that I can use whenever needed.

The amount of packaging for each meal was a bit disappointing, but it was reassuring to know that most of the materials can be recycled. The food was definitely above average, although some items had a more mass-produced vibe. I would have liked to see more emphasis on featuring smaller, more artisanal suppliers and a stronger focus on sustainability and sourcing practices.

Frequently Asked Questions

• How Does Tovala's Smart Oven Function?

  The Tovala oven leverages smart technology with thousands of programmable and preset recipes that make meal preparation quick and easy. Customers can scan Tovala meals using the QR code on the Tovala recipe cards or use the oven's built-in scanner. Alternatively, they can browse for their own ingredients or recipes in the Tovala app. The oven automatically sets the heating mode, temperature, and cooking time. With an extensive database of grocery items from major retailers, along with multiple presets, it allows users to operate the oven like a traditional countertop model—without the guesswork.

• How Long Can Tovala Meals Be Stored?

  Tovala meals remain fresh for approximately three to seven days. Seafood items generally have a shorter shelf life compared to meats and vegetables. Each meal is labeled with an “enjoy before” date to help you track when to consume it. While Tovala suggests refrigerating meals rather than freezing them, meals can be frozen before the “enjoy before” date and later thawed in the refrigerator.

• How Should You Clean Your Tovala Smart Oven?

  Tovala advises cleaning both the interior and exterior of the oven after each use to prevent permanent stains and damage. Always unplug the oven before cleaning. Remove the trays and crumb tray to discard crumbs and debris. Use a soft, damp cloth with mild soap and water to clean the exterior, interior, and door. Handwash the trays and ensure they are dry before returning them to the oven. Avoid using oven cleaners and metal scouring pads, as they could damage the oven. For deeper cleans or descaling the steamer, Tovala provides detailed instructions on their website.