Check the 9 features before buying the best ninja air fryers

Ninja has been famous for making some top-quality kitchen appliances. In recent years they also started making air fryers and now command a huge market share.

Their air fryers are famous for being more feature-rich, easy to use, and highly functional. Although they are still not the cheapest, the company guarantees great value for money. If you buy one of their air fryers, you can be sure of many years of great service. 

But, like any other top brand, Ninja now has dozens of air fryer models on the market.  And so choosing just one can be quite hectic.

The good news is that we have already done the hard work for you. In this post, we give you a round-up of the 10 best ninja air fryers. Better still, we tell what to consider when choosing one-the 9 key features. And also answer a few important questions about the Ninja air fryer brand.

Keep reading to find out everything you need about Ninja air fryers.

Overview of the Ninja brand

Ninja air fryers are a product of SharkNinja, a US-based home appliance designer and distributor. The company has been operating since 1993 and has two product brands: Shark and Ninja. 

Besides the Ninja air fryers, the Ninja brand is famous for other appliances like coffee makers. Also, the Ninja product line includes toaster ovens and food processors. But, the most common trait of their small kitchen appliance is their ease of use. 

Also, most Ninja products are designed to be more space-saving. This allows them to fit well in the modern home with smaller kitchens.

Best 10 Ninja Air Fryers Reviews

Air Fryer Model	Key Feature	Price
1. Ninja QT Air Fryer	Easy To Use	Check the Newest Price
2. Ninja Indoor Grill with Air Fry	Smart Indoor Grill	Check the Newest Price
3. Ninja 8 QT Pressure Cooker & Air Fryer	Air Fryer Pressure Cooker Combo	Check the Newest Price
4. Ninja Max XL Air Fryer	Maximum crisp air fryer	Check the Newest Price
5. Ninja Digital Air Fry toaster Oven	Air Fry Toaster Oven Combo	Check the Newest Price
6. Ninja Smart XL Air Fry toaster Oven	Smart Thermometer, 6 trays	Check the Newest Price
7. Ninja 9-in-1 Pressure, Slow Cooker, Air Fryer	High Gloss Finish	Check the Newest Price
8. Ninja 14-in-1 8 Qt. Pressure Cooker Steam Fryer	Most versatile Ninja Foodi air fryer	Check the Newest Price
9. Ninja 8 Quart DualZone Air Fryer	Dual-Zone Air Fryer	Check the Newest Price
10. Ninja 10 Quart DualZone XL Air Fryer	Dual-Zone Air Fryer	Check the Newest Price

1. Ninja AF101 4QT Air Fryer 

Pros

• Super easy to use
• Guilt-free cooking with little to no oil
• Easy cleanup
• Compact and space-saving

Cons

• Relatively smaller capacity
• Fewer cooking functions

Features and Benefits

Ninja AF101 is a simple basket-style air fryer that gets the job done with no fuss. Although it is one of the basic Ninja air fryer models with a few functions, it is still quite multifunctional. Besides air frying, it can also roast, reheat and dehydrate.

The air fryer is designed to allow you to make guilt-free meals. It cooks with up to 75% less fat, so you are sure of always getting healthier meals.

Also, it is a more compact model that comes in a round shape to ensure it takes up little room. And you also get an easy time with the clean-up as the basket and other accessories like the crisper plate are dishwasher-safe.

The 4-quart capacity is the smallest in our review. But, it still fits more than 2 pounds of french fries as advertised. Also, there is enough room in there to cook over a dozen chicken wings

Cooking Performance and Experience

We love how well this air fryer performs when it comes to dehydrating food. You will love the outcome if you want to make some beef jerky or dehydrate fruits/veggies.

There is an easy-to-use preset for dehydrating. And so there is nothing much to do besides adding the food and pressing the button. 

But, we did notice the results can be a little inconsistent if you cut the meat or fruits too thick. Otherwise, this air fryer makes some of the best-dehydrated foods.

When to buy this air fryer – If you are looking for an easy-to-use air fryer that cooks with little to no oil, get this model. Also, it is a good buy if you dehydrate food a lot.

2. Ninja FG551 Foodi Smart XL 6-in-1 Indoor Grill with Air Fry  

Pros

• Large capacity
• Supports high-temperature cooking
• Smart and customizable cooking system
• Cooks frozen foods perfectly

Cons

• Longer heating time
• Comes with a learning curve

Features and Benefits

If you love barbeques, the Ninja FG551 Foodi is a must-have. The indoor grill allows you to grill your favorite meat cuts anytime. And you still get the same experience as you would with an outdoor grill.

You also never waste time defrosting your meats like with many other grills. It can grill frozen meat perfectly. Moreover, the total prep and cook time for the frozen food should be less than 25 minutes.

The capacity is also quite impressive. While it is still not the largest on this list, there is enough room for at least 6 steaks. Also, the air fryer has a smart and customizable cooking system that includes a thermometer. And so you can be sure of an easy time setting up and using the grill.

The main drawback of this air fryer is the heating time. The grill plate takes quite some time to get hot enough. But, this is hardly a big concern as it is typical of most indoor/outdoor grills. 

Cooking Performance and Experience

This air fryer is one of the few indoor grills that live up to the hype. One of the best parts of using it is that you never have to worry about smoke. Provided you know what you are doing, your kitchen will remain smoke-free.

Also, we love that it gives you more control over the doneness of your meats. You can choose the doneness level from the control panel. And we also like that it leaves steaks with some fantastic grill marks. 

But, we did notice that there is still some learning curve. Your first few steaks will probably not come out ideally. 

When to buy this air fryer – Buy this air fryer if you want to get the freedom of grilling indoors anytime.

3. Ninja FD401 Foodi 12-in-1 Deluxe XL 8 qt. Pressure Cooker & Air Fryer

Pros

• Versatile with multiple functionalities
• Multiple safety features
• Decent capacity
• Everything is programmable

Cons

• Takes up a lot of counter space
• Provided recipe book is not very useful

Features and Benefits

The Ninja FD401 Foodi is a game changer in any kitchen. For starters, its 12-in-1 functionality means it will replace several appliances in the kitchen. It can pressure cook, air fry, and do much more.

Since everything is programmable, this is a set-and-forget appliance. You only need to choose the right cooking function and program it to suit your meal. The appliance will do the rest.

The pressure cooker has all the accessories you need to utilize it fully. This includes a reversible rack for broiling and crisping. And you can cook without worrying about safety as there are 14 safety features. This is way more than what many other pressure cookers and air fryers will provide. 

This air fryer seems to take up huge counter space. But that is a small price to pay for the versatility and large cooking capacity you get. Also, the provided recipe book is not the best. Nonetheless, you can always get the original Ninja Foodi cookbook.

Cooking Performance and Experience

We noticed that this Ninja Foodi air fryer is more of a pressure cooker. It has the speed and efficiency of a powerful pressure cooker, and the crisping is more of a bonus function. Yet, it still makes some surprisingly crispy and tasty chicken wings.

Also, if you always have an issue with chicken breasts drying out in the oven, this appliance will be a lifesaver. Besides the fact it can make the breasts super crispy, it also makes them moist, tender, and quite tasty.

When to buy this air fryer – Get this Ninja air fryer if you want something multifunctional that can cook anything to perfection.

4. Ninja AF161 Max XL Air Fryer  

Pros

• Delivers maximum crisp
• Sleek finish 
• Delivers faster cooking
• Easy cleaning
• Takes up little space

Cons

• Strong plastic smell
• No presets for common foods
• A round basket is not very practical

Features and Benefits

Ninja AF161 provides some of the crispiest food you can make in an air fryer. It uses Max Crisp technology to reach temperatures of up to 450℉ and rapid fan speed. The two combine to deliver the crispiest meals.

And with the high cooking temperature and rapid fan speed, you can also be sure of faster cooking speeds.

The ceramic basket is nonstick and dishwasher-safe. And so this air fryer takes little effort to clean up. Moreover, it has a sleek high gloss finish that gives it a more attractive look than other models.

There are still a few drawbacks, though. Among them is the strong plastic smell when using it for the first time. Also, the air fryer does not have presets for common foods like french fries. And the round basket is not very functional. But, all this does not affect the overall functionality.

Cooking Performance and Experience

The manufacturer claims that the air fryer can cook up to 3 pounds of fries in one batch. And this is despite the fact it looks quite small. We just had to give it a try. Unfortunately, we only had a 2-½ pound bag of frozen fries. But, even after pouring everything into the basket, there was still enough room left. We could probably still add another pound of fries.

Besides the fact that it can cook as much as advertised, it also delivers crispy perfection. But, it is important to remind you to drizzle some oil. Also, toss the fries every 5 minutes. This way, you get even better crisping.

When to buy this air fryer – If you want a simple air fryer for making crispy foods like french fries and chicken wings, this is the best Ninja Foodi air fryer for you.

5. Ninja SP101 Digital flip-up Air Fry Countertop toaster Oven   

Pros

• Super fast preheating
• Effective crisping technology
• Flips up for easy storage
• Easy interior access for cleaning

Cons

• The glass gets quite hot
• Smaller capacity

Features and Benefits

The Ninja SP101 is a super convenient kitchen appliance. One of its main highlights is that it heats up faster than most others on this list. The air fryer only requires a 60-minute preheat, which is super convenient. 

Additionally, it is also designed to cook much faster. It cuts your cooking time by up to 60%. You can take most air-fried food from frozen to serving in just 20 minutes. It will be very convenient if you have a busy schedule.

Also, this Ninja air fryer allows easy access to the interior for simple cleaning. And it can also flip up to make storage easy when not in use.

The two things we did not like about this air fryer were the glass getting hot and the capacity. The capacity is only large enough when cooking for 2 or 3 people. Our next Ninja Foodi toaster oven below should be perfect if you want something that can cook more food.

Cooking Performance and Experience

You will never need to use a toaster oven again with this air fryer. It gives you more control over your bread’s doneness and will toast the slices evenly.

But, we also like its bake function. You will love this appliance if you like making homemade pizzas. It cooks the crust to perfection and leaves it with a nice crunch.

When to buy this air fryer – Get this air fryer if you want something that heats up faster and reduces your total cooking time.

6. Ninja DT251 Foodi 10-in-1 Smart XL Air Fry toaster Oven 

Pros

• Large cooking capacity
• Cooks with less fat
• Faster pre-heat and cooking
• Can cook different meals at a go

Cons

• Takes up more counter space
• Cleaning the interior can be hectic

Features and Benefits

The Ninja DT251 Foodi is a large-capacity toaster oven. It allows you to cook large batches of food. The air fryer can easily fit a 5-pound chicken or a 12-pound turkey. 

Also, it has multiple rack levels to allow you to cook two different foods simultaneously. You can roast your protein and a side dish in one go.

The air fryer heats up in just 90 seconds and can cut your cooking time by up to 30%. Also, it supports a wide temperature range. And it is a 10-in-1 air fryer that supports various cooking functions.

You can be sure that your meals will also be healthier and guilt-free. The air fryer is designed to cook with less fat. According to the manufacturer, you can cook with 75% less fat than deep frying.

This air fryer does take up more counter space compared to other models in this review. But, this should be expected given its larger capacity.  Also, the design of the heating element can complicate cleanup. Yet, you should still figure things out.

Cooking Performance and Experience

This toaster oven is a true jack of all trades. We found that it cooks everything to perfection. Whether you want to air fry some chicken wings or bake some chocolate chip cookies quickly, it is up to the task.

Besides delivering perfectly consistent results, we are impressed at how easy and intuitive it is to use. The control panel is simpler than what you get in most kitchen appliances. And so even an absolute newbie should have a good cooking experience.

When to buy this air fryer – Go for this air fryer if you are looking for a large capacity air fry oven. It is also a good choice if you want to cook with less fat and get maximum crispiness.

7. Ninja OP301 Foodi 9-in-1 Pressure, Slow Cooker, Air Fryer 

Pros

• Delivers perfectly crispy foods
• Food does not require thawing
• Pressure cooking reduces cook time
• Easy to set up with intuitive controls

Cons

• Cookbook not included
• Surfaces scratch easily

Features and Benefits

The Ninja OP301 will allow you to enjoy the benefits of an air fryer, pressure cooker, and slow cooker. This all-in-one functionality makes it one of the most versatile models on our list.

Besides versatility, the 9-in-1 air fryer is designed to speed up cooking. The pressure cooking function speeds things up and eliminates the need to thaw food. You can cook most frozen foods perfectly in under 30 minutes.

Moreover, setting up the air fryer is a breeze. There are simple-to-use and highly intuitive controls that make operation almost effortless. Also, it has a wide temperature range that supports a wide range of cooking.

Although the cookbook is not included, you can easily get one online. Also, there are many Ninja Foodi air fryer recipes available out there. Another concern is that the surfaces scratch easily. But, some extra care and caution should take care of this.

Cooking Performance and Experience

We highly recommend this air fryer to anyone that does not have a lot of time to cook. For starters, it can cook everything your other appliances cook. And we love that most cooking functions like air frying and baking take a fraction of the time.

Also, we love how well it reheats food. For instance, if you use it to warm leftover pizza, it will not get soggy. Instead, it ends up with max crisp. It is hard to tell if the pizza is leftover.

We also loved how this air fryer cooks veggies like broccoli and Brussels sprouts. You end up with the tastiest air-fried veggies with just a little oil sprinkle and some seasoning.

When to buy this air fryer – If you are looking for a kitchen appliance that fills the spot of several others by offerings a wide range of cooking options, this is it.

8. Ninja OL701 Foodi 14-in-1 SMART XL 8 Qt. Pressure Cooker Steam Fryer  

Pros

• Highly versatile with multiple functions
• Large, family-size capacity
• Customizable doneness levels
• Steams and crisps simultaneously to prevent drying out

Cons

• The lid can be hard to clean
• Quite a bulky appliance

Features and Benefits

With the 14-in-1 cooking functions, the Ninja OL701 is the most versatile model in our review. You will rarely need to use any other appliances to do most of your cooking.

And besides versatility, it can hold several pounds of french fries and cook a whole chicken. There is enough room to cook a meal for the entire family in just one batch.

There are also highly intuitive controls for easy operation. They include 9 customizable doneness levels to control how you want the food to cook.

And you never have to worry about your food drying out again. This air fryer steams and crisps at the same time. This function ensures you end up with perfectly crispy but still juicy food.

The two gripes we have with this air fryer are that the lid is hard to clean and quite bulky. But, there are plenty of helpful online videos for cleaning these lid types. As for its bulkiness, we suggest finding it a dedicated spot in the kitchen.

Cooking Performance and Experience

We did notice that this air fryer comes with a learning curve. Using it the first few times can be a little hectic for newbies.

But, once you figure things out, you should make some of the best air-fried meals. It particularly seems to excel when making anything that requires slow and pressure cooking.

When to buy this air fryer – Another fantastic Ninja Foodi air fryer for anyone looking for a versatile model that will replace several kitchen appliances.

9. Ninja DZ201 Foodi 8 Quart 6-in-1 DualZone 2 Independent Basket Air Fryer  

Pros

• Allows you to cook two foods independently
• Easy to clean baskets and plates
• Wide temperature range
• The two meals finish cooking at the same time

Cons

• Does not stop cooking automatically when the basket is removed
• No shake reminder

Features and Benefits

The dual zone cooking is what makes the Ninja DZ201 Foodi 2-basket air fryer special. The unique design allows you to cook two different foods independently. You can set the specific cook time and temperature for each basket.

Better still, the 2-basket air fryer uses a smart cooking system that ensures both foods finish simultaneously. You will serve all your food while it is still nice and hot straight from the air fryer.

The wide temperature range between 105°F and 450°F is also much welcomed. It allows the Ninja Foodi air fryer to support more cooking functions. And you also get an easy time cleaning up. Both the baskets and crisper plates are dishwasher-safe.

One concern we noticed is that this air fryer does not stop cooking when you remove a basket. And so the hot air is blown into the room. Also, there is no shake reminder. But, both issues are easy to deal with once you get used to the appliance.

Cooking Performance and Experience

If you have a craving for deep-fried food but want to make it using less fat and guilt-free, you will love this air fryer. Although it can air fry most foods perfectly, we found it particularly effective at air frying french fries and chicken wings.

Simply add a pound of chicken wings to one basket and a pound of french fries to the other. You should have a perfectly air-fried meal in just a few minutes to satisfy your junk food craving. 

When to buy this air fryer – Get this Ninja air fryer if you want the freedom to cook two different foods simultaneously and have them ready simultaneously.

10. Ninja AD350CO Foodi 10 Quart 6-in-1 DualZone XL 2-Basket Air Fryer 

Pros

• Large cooking capacity
• Dual cooking zones
• Versatile cooking programs
• Quick-frozen to crispy meals
• Wide temperature range

Cons

• Keeps cooking even when you remove the basket
• The recipe book not included

Features and Benefits

Ninja AD350CO Foodi is another fantastic 2-basket air fryer that you will be happy to own. Also, it has a larger 10-quart capacity, allowing you to cook family-size meals. What’s more, like the Ninja DZ201 Foodi above, the two baskets can cook independently.

You never have to thaw food before cooking in this Ninja Foodi air fryer. Its powerful heating element can cook frozen foods to crispy perfection in minutes. And since it has a wider temperature range between 105°F and 450°F, it supports slow cooking and broiling.

This air fryer has a 6-in-1 cooking functionality that makes it more versatile. Also, it has a match cook and smart finish function. These functions give you more control over how the food cooks in both baskets.

One major concern is that the air fryer will keep cooking after you remove the basket. Hot air can blow out, but it is nothing to worry about. Also, if you do not get the recipe book, you can always download a PDF version.

Cooking Performance and Experience

It is hard to think of any air-fried food that would not cook perfectly on this 2-basket air fryer. But, our favorite recipe is tater tots. 

We love that the Ninja Foodi air fryer hardly requires oil to make perfectly crispy tater tots. It uses up to 75% less fat compared to other air fryers. And the tater tots remain juicy inside.

When to buy this air fryer – Buy this 2-basket air fryer if you cook for a large family or have guests around a lot.

Buying Guide: 9 features to consider when choosing the best Ninja air fryer

A quick online search of the best Ninja air fryer will give you dozens of options. You should easily decide what to buy if you keep the features below in mind.

1. Air fryer type

First, you will need to decide on the air fryer type you want. Ninja makes all the popular types, from simple basket-style air fryers to multifunctional air fryer ovens.

Their basket-style air fryers are the most popular options. But, they do not restrict you to a small capacity single basket air fryer. Instead, Ninja has several dual-basket models.

Besides the larger capacity, a 2-basket air fryer allows you to cook different foods simultaneously.

Ninja also has other types, like air fryer grills. And so there is something for everyone. You just need to decide what type works best for you.

2. Versatility – cooking functions

Next, you will also need to consider the cooking functions. Do you want a simple model that can air fry and reheat food or one that can do much more?

Make sure the air fryer you choose has the cooking function you use a lot. Even if you are not sure what you need, the Ninja air fryer you choose should at least also bake and roast.

But, to get the best experience from your Ninja air fryer, look for a model that can do the following:

• Dehydrate
• Rotisserie
• Slow cook
• Toast
• Broil

Luckily, even the basic Ninja Foodi air fryers have most of these cooking functions.

3. Power and wattage( for temperature)

Any air fryer you choose needs to be powerful enough. Power determines the temperature the air fryer can attain and how well it can sustain it.

If you want to cook at high temperatures, for example, when broiling, you need something more powerful. A 1760-watt model that can deliver up to 500°F, like the Ninja FG551 Foodi Smart XL 6-in-1 Indoor Grill, is preferable. 

If you are mostly air frying and slow-cooking, something less powerful, like a 1200-watt model, can still work for you.

But note that a more powerful air fryer will also draw more energy. Your 1800-watt Ninja air fryer will come with higher electricity bills than a 1200-watt model.

4. Volume- cooking capacity

Another crucial factor to keep in mind is the cooking capacity. The capacity of the air fryer determines how many people you can cook for in a single batch. 

If you are air frying for a large family or guests, a large-capacity model will save you a lot of time. And the good news is that Ninja has different capacity models to cater to everyone. 

Most Ninja air fryers will have a capacity of between 4 and 10 quarts. What you intend to cook often should guide you when deciding the capacity. For example, you need a model witty at least a 6-quart capacity to cook a whole chicken.

5. Size

Space is always in high demand, even in homes with large kitchens. As you increase the number of appliances and other fixtures in the kitchen, you must keep this in mind.

Before settling on any air fryer, consider how much space it will take up for use and storage. Make sure your kitchen has enough room to accommodate it.

The good news is that all Ninja air fryers are designed for use from the counter. And so, even the largest ones will hardly be more than 30 inches long. Still, ensure you match your choice of air fryer to your space.

6. Controls

Ninja air fryers have some of the most intuitive control panels. Most models have a digital control panel with clearly-labeled controls for different functions.

In most cases, the controls only include a symbol representing the function. It is important to make sure you understand what each symbol represents.

Also, ensure the control panel is well-lit in case you have to use the appliance in darkness. Something that includes beeps to acknowledge when you enter a command will give you an easy time.

7. Ease of cleaning:

Hate it or love it; cleaning an air fryer is essential to owning it. The best you can do is make sure the model you choose makes things easy.

A Ninja air fryer with dishwasher parts and accessories will give you an easy time. With such an air fryer, you only need to throw the accessories in the dishwasher.

A nonstick interior surface and a high gloss or stainless steel exterior make life easy for you. Such surfaces wipe clean easily and are more resistant to staining.

8. Cost

Ninja stocks both budget and premium air fryers. And so you only need to decide your budget and shop for something within that budget.

But, as far as cost is concerned, the more important thing is to ensure you get value for money. The more you spend on a Ninja air fryer, the better the performance and features.

For instance, a $250 Ninja air fryer should be more feature-rich and give you a larger cooking capacity than a $50 model. 

9. Safety

An air fryer is a small kitchen appliance that looks harmless. But, there is always some risk involved when using any electric device.

With that in mind, you need to check the safety features of your Ninja air fryer. Look for something with a timer and auto shut off. These safety features ensure the food will not burn and start a fire.

Also, a model with other safety features like overload protection is preferable. Overload protection protects the appliance from damage

5 best ninja air fryer recipes – Ninja air fryer cookbook

Most Ninja air fryers come with a cookbook that includes dozens of recipes. And so you should have an easy time figuring out what to cook on your new air fryer. 

Here are 5 of the best Ninja air fryer recipes you can cook on any of their air fryers:

1. Ninja air fryer chicken wings

Ingredients: 1 pound chicken wings, chicken wings dressing, olive oil

Total time (cook + prep): 30 minutes

Serving: 4 people

• Start by cutting the wingtips to prep your wings. You should then mix the dressing with olive oil to create a sauce. Add the sauce to the wings and toss them to ensure they are well covered.
• Arrange the wings in the air fryer basket or crisper tray in a single layer.
• Select the wings presets to start preheating. You can also set the temperature at 400°F manually. Once the air fryer is preheated, you should pop in the wings to start cooking.
• Toss or flip the wings after 10 minutes and cook for another 10 minutes. Serve and enjoy.

2. Ninja air fryer chicken breast

Ingredients: 2 chicken breasts, your favorite spice mixture, olive oil

Total time: 35 minutes

Serving: 2

• Mix your favorite chicken breast spices in a bowl and add lemon juice to bring everything together.
• Pour the spice mix over the chicken breasts and rub it in. Leave the breasts to marinate for a few hours.
• Preheat the air fryer at 395°F for 5 minutes.
• Pop in the chicken breasts. Flip them after 15 minutes and cook them for another 15 minutes.
• Serve and enjoy!

3. Ninja air fryer french fries

Ingredients: 1 bag of frozen fries, olive oil, seasoning

Total time: 20 minutes

Serving: 2 to 3 people

• Preheat the air fryer at 390°F for 3 to 5 minutes, or just choose the french fries preset.
• Arrange the fries in the basket or tray in a single layer.
• Arrange the fries in the basket/tray and sprinkle some olive oil. Season with your favorite seasoning.
• Press the start/stop button to start cooking.
• Toss them after every 5 minutes and cook for 20 minutes.

4. Bacon in air fryer ninja

Ingredients: 12 to 15 ounces of ⅛” thick-cut bacon

Total time: 15 minutes

Serving: 4 people

• Preheat the Ninja Foodi air fryer for 3 to 5 minutes at 400°F.
• Place a single layer of bacon in the basket and cook for 5 minutes.
• Flip the bacon and cook for another 5 minutes.
• Leave the bacon to rest for at least 3 minutes.
• Pat any excess oil with a paper towel before serving.

5. Ninja air fryer tater tots

Ingredients: A bag of frozen tater tots, seasoning

Total time: 15 minutes

Serving: 4 people

• Preheat your Ninja Foodi air fryer in the air fry preset at 400°F for 5 minutes.
• Add the tater tots into the basket and make sure the layer is not very thick.
• Pop the basket in and press start to cook the tater tots.
• Toss or shake the tater tots after 8 minutes and cook for another 7 minutes.

Ninja air fryer accessories

The ninja will provide all the necessary accessories with all their air fryers. And so exactly what you get depends on the model you choose. But, here is a list of Ninja air fryer accessories you can expect:

• Air fry basket
• Crisper tray
• Crumb tray
• Drip tray
• Roast tray
• Grill grate

Also, most Ninja air fryer accessories and parts are designed to be dishwasher-safe. And so you can always be sure of an easy time cleaning them up.

How to use Ninja air fryer

It only takes a few steps to use a Ninja air fryer regardless of the type. Each will come with a user manual that provides instructions on how to set up and use it. But, you can also download a Ninja air fryer PDF manual for your model. For example, here is the PDF manual for the Ninja Foodi indoor grill.

Here is a summary of the main steps you should follow:

Step 1: Clean and preheat

If you are using the air fryer for the first time, you should start by cleaning the accessories. You should then preheat for around 10 minutes to burn off the packaging oils.

Step 2: Preheat to start cooking

When ready for the actual cooking, the first step is preheating. Here you need to preheat for around 3 minutes. Preheating ensures the food starts cooking at the optimal temperature for even crisping.

Step 3: Add the food and set the time/temperature

Next, you should add your ingredients. You should then select a preset or adjust the time and temperature manually. Once done, you should press the start/stop button to begin cooking if the Ninja air fryer has one.

Step 4: Toss the food

The last step is to toss the food at the halfway point. Tossing ensures even cooking and crisping. 

How to clean Ninja air fryer

Step 1: Remove and clean the accessories

Once you are certain the air fryer is cool enough, start by cleaning the accessories. Remove the basket and trays and clean them with warm soapy water in the sink. You can also pop them into the top rack of your dishwasher if they are dishwasher-safe.

Step 2: Clean the interior and heating element

Next, you should clean the interior and heating element using a non-abrasive sponge. You may need to scrub a little to remove any caked-on food particles. But, be careful not to scratch the surfaces.

Step 3: Wipe the exterior surface and control panel

The last step is wiping the exterior surface. Here a soft soapy cloth will be very useful. You can also use a soft bristle brush to clean around the buttons. A brush makes it easy to dislodge the food particles.

Best substitutes to the Ninja air fryer

Even with all the amazing features, Ninja air fryers might still not work for everyone. But, here are two equally good substitutes if the brand does not meet your needs.

1. Cosori Pro Air Fryer Oven Combo

Key Features

• 11 convenient cooking presets
• One-touch controls panel
• Detachable and dishwasher-safe basket
• handy shake reminder
• Cookbook with 300+ recipes

Cosori VS Ninja Air Fryer: Pros

• Comes with more recipes than most Ninja air fryers
• Easy to use thanks to a one-touch control panel
• Super easy to clean up
• Cooks faster and with less fat than Ninja Foodi air fryers
• Includes a preset for most common foods
• Holds more food thanks to the square basket design

Cosori VS Ninja Air Fryer: Cons

• A little pricier for a 5.8-quart air fryer
• The touch control panel needs better illumination

Features and Benefits

The Cosori Pro Air Fryer Oven Combo is a good alternative if you want something with more presets than the typical Ninja air fryer. With up to 11 presets, cooking common foods like french fries and chicken wings is almost effortless.

Better still, this air fryer is designed to make operation hassle-free. With the highly intuitive one-touch control panel, you can easily set it up and make adjustments. And you never have to worry about forgetting to shake your food as it has a shake reminder.

Like most Ninja air fryers, it comes with a dishwasher-safe and nonstick basket. And so you can spend more time cooking and enjoying your food and less on the cleanup.

Although any Ninja air fryer you buy will come with a recipe book, this one comes with more recipes. When you buy the air fryer, you get more than 300 recipes. Each recipe is fine-tuned for this particular model.

Cooking Performance

What we like most about this air fryer is how fast it cooks most foods. The 1700-watts heating element heats up fast and keeps the temperature consistent. This and the powerful fan combine to ensure you cook most foods in a few minutes.

And we also found that it can actually hold more food than similar size Ninja air fryers. The square basket design allows you to cook a large chicken and have some room left for veggies.

2. Instant Vortex Plus Air Fryer Oven

Key Features

• 6-in-1 cooking function
• Non-stick, dishwasher-safe basket
• EvenCrisp technology for a golden crispy finish
• One-touch customizable programs
• Compact design
• Multiple safety features

Instant Pot vs Ninja Foodi: Pros

• Makes some of the crispiest air-fried food
• Requires little (and sometimes no) preheating
• Easily customizable to suit any food
• Takes up little counter space
• Sleek stainless steel accents ensure it looks amazing in the kitchen

Instant Pot vs Ninja Foodi: Cons

• Strong plastic smell for the first few uses
• Instructions seem quite sparse, especially for inexperienced users.

Features and Benefits

The Instant Vortex Plus Air Fryer Oven is a good buy if you want something that heats up faster than a typical Ninja air fryer. The air fryer oven hardly requires any preheating and can cook frozen foods to perfection.

Also, this is a more compact air fryer. It hardly takes up any significant kitchen counter space. And to crown it all up, it will fantastic in any kitchen, thanks to its sleek stainless steel accents.

Operations are also straightforward thanks to the one-touch customizable programs, And you can be sure it is a safe machine to use. It has more safety features than many other air fryers in its class.

Cooking Performance

Besides the fact that this air fryer heats up fast, another thing we loved up it is the crispiness. It delivers a pleasant golden crispy finish on foods like french fries and chicken wings. The excellent finish is mostly thanks to the EvenCrisp technology.

Also, the wide temperature range (90 to 450°F) makes this air fryer perfect if you like to experiment with different recipes.

FAQs

Are Ninja air fryers good?

Ninja air fryers are some of the best in the market. For starters, they are powerful and with highly efficient cooking systems. And so you can always be sure of fast and even cooking. Also, they make some of the crispiest food.

Another thing making the Ninja Foodi air fryers a good choice is that they are easy to use. With these appliances’ simple digital control panels, anyone can use one without issues. 

Which is the best Ninja air fryer?

This largely depends on what you are looking for in an air fryer. For example, do you want a single or dual-basket air fryer or a more versatile air fry oven?

If you prefer an air fryer oven, the Ninja FD401 Foodi 12-in-1 Deluxe XL 8 qt. Pressure Cooker & Air Fryer is one of the best Ninja air fryers. But, if you want a basket-style model, something like Ninja DZ201 Foodi 8 Quart 6-in-1 DualZone 2-Basket Air Fryer is fantastic.

Do you need to preheat a Ninja air fryer?

Yes, the manufacturer recommends preheating their air fryers before use. You should preheat for at least 3 minutes to ensure fast cooking and excellent crisping results. 

Also, you can opt to add the 3 minutes to your total cooking time. This way, you will not need to wait for the air fryer to heat up. For example, suppose the recommended cook time for french fries is 15 minutes. You can put them in without preheating and adjust the timer to 18 minutes.

Can you use aluminum foil or parchment paper in a Ninja air fryer?

Using aluminum foil and parchment paper in an air fryer is safe. Aluminum foil can withstand up to 1200℉. This is more than double the maximum cooking temperature of any air fryer.

The parchment paper should also take up to 400℉. The temperature is still way above what most air fryer recipes call for. And so, unless you want to broil at 500℉, it is safe to use parchment paper.

It is still important to take safety precautions when using both. For example, you should not have them close to the heating element. Also, you should make sure they are weighted down. Keeping them in place ensures they are not blown into the heating element.

Conclusion

There you go, everything you need to know about the Ninja air fryer, plus some great product recommendations. Now you just need to choose a model that will suit your needs and preferences.

What is your take on the Ninja air fryer? Do you already have one of their air fryers? Please share your views in the comments section below. And remember to share this article to help others find a good Ninja air fryer model.