10 Things to Review Before Buying Ninja Foodi Air Fryer Oven
Air fryer toaster ovens offer the convenience and versatility of conventional toaster ovens. They also have the speed and crisping results of an air fryer. But this wide selection can make choosing one a little hectic. So we are here to help you out.
Ninja makes some of the best air fryer ovens on the market. They have many models that will work for you. Today we will review 2 types of ninja air fryer ovens. Both are powerful, have a large cooking capacity, and are straightforward to use.
As air fryer enthusiasts who have used Ninja air fryer ovens over the years, our experience will help you choose the best air fryer oven. Also, we asked 37 people from our air fryer Facebook group that use ninja air fryer ovens to share their opinions and experiences. So you can be sure we have good insight and will give you firsthand and precise reviews.
After 9 hours of processing data, we will show you the actual performance of the ninja air fryer oven. Make sure you read to the end to make an easier and more informed decision!
Best 2 Ninja Air Fryer Ovens Reviews
Ninja SP101 Digital Air Fry Countertop Oven with 8-in-1 Functionality review
Ninja SP101 is a powerful air fryer oven built for user convenience. Besides delivering impressive cooking results, it comes in a flip-up design. The design makes it easy to store without taking up much room when not in use. And this is also a multifunction air fryer oven.
Pros
- Powerful heating element
- Highly versatile
- Easy to store when not in use
- Super-fast preheat
- Easy cleanup
Cons
- Cannot hold deep baking dishes
- Some of the materials stain easily
- Can sometimes heat unevenly
Main Features
Ninja SP101 is a powerful air fryer oven that uses an 1800-watt heating element. The heating element combines with Digital Crisp Contol Technology for more efficient cooking. The two also help ensure tastier and crispier outcomes.
The air fryer oven also features stainless steel construction. And t has high-quality parts, such as a chrome-plated rack. It will not just cook well but also do it without releasing toxins into your food and last a long time.
We will look at the advantages of stainless steel construction in more detail later.
Other features include 8-in-1 cooking functionality for increased versatility. There is also toast darkness control for convenient bread toasting. And the air fry oven cooks up to 75% less oil.
One of the biggest benefits you get from this Ninja air fryer is that it provides a large cooking space. It does this without taking up much room. There is enough space in there to fit a 13-inch pizza or up to 9 slices of bread, but it is still under 20 inches long. Moreover, you can also flip it up when not in use to ensure it takes 50% less space, saving you even more counter space.
You will also never have to wait for the air fryer to reach optimal cooking temperature. The powerful heating element and cooking technology allow it to heat up super fast. It will be ready to cook in just 60 seconds. And so you can shave off significant time from the total time it takes to cook your fries and wings.
Advantages when compared with other models
This model allows you to control the doneness when toasting. This is unlike many other air fryer toaster ovens. It has a dedicated doneness control button, meaning you can toast your bread as dark or light as you want.
Overall this air fryer will give you an easy time with cleanup. You can spend more time cooking, enjoying the food, and not cleaning up. The removable crumb tray helps prevent mess. And the stain-resistant surfaces are easy to wipe clean.
Thanks to a removable back panel, you can access the interior easily. This makes cleanup even more hassle-free. Other air fryers make it super hard to access the interior. You often have to take everything apart, which can be pretty hectic.
Most air fryer oven is multifunctional. It also allows you to air fry, toast, and much more. But It supports more cooking functions than regular toaster ovens. But the Ninja DT201 Foodi, is an even more multifunctional air fryer oven. We will explain what more you can use it for later on.
What Makes Ninja SP101 Air Fryer Oven Good
1. Cooking Capacity
Like most other air fryer ovens out there, the Ninka SP101 offers a larger cooking capacity. It can hold more food and cook for more people than typical basket-style air fryers.
Its 169 cubic inches capacity allows you to cook a large 13-inch pizza. This is a little smaller than what you can fit in your full-size oven but still quite impressive. Also, there is enough space to toast 9 slices of bread and air fry up to 4 pounds of french fries or chicken wings.
But, the most impressive element is that it does not take up much counter space. Other air fryers with a similar capacity would take up several inches more. This is still not the largest Ninja air fryer oven. The other air fryer oven we will look at later can hold even more food than this.
2. Build quality
Ninja uses stainless steel to construct most of their air fryer ovens. Most of the interior and exterior surfaces on this one are stainless steel. The material makes it more durable and safe.
Unlike plastic air fryers, stainless steel will not leach any toxins. When cooking, you never have to worry about getting BPA and phthalates into your food. And this is regardless of whether you are cooking at high or low temperatures. Stainless steel can withstand more heat. Stainless steel can withstand upwards of 1,500°F.
The stainless steel finish also gives the Ninja SP101 a more attractive look. The finish makes the appliance stand out and ensures it will go well with any kitchen theme or design.
But, it is still important to note that, like most metals, stainless steel can react with acidic foods. You should hence be more cautious when cooking acidic foods like tomato soups and sauces. These foods can degrade the stainless steel.
3. how to use
The controls on this Ninja air fryer will give you the easiest time when cooking your favorite meals. Even a newbie air fryer oven user can quickly figure out the appliance.
The user interface includes a digital control panel with a dedicated button. There is a preset button for all 8 cooking functions. There is also a start/pause button, a power button, and one that lets you control interior light. Many air fryer ovens in the same category will not have a power or interior light button.
Also, a toast doneness selector allows you to control how light or dark your bread and bagels should get.
4. how to clean
Cleaning up the Ninja SP101 should be pretty straightforward and hassle-free. The stainless steel surfaces will be more resistant to stains and smudges. This means the air fryer remains clean after use.
Ninja also includes a crumb tray that helps contain most of the mess. You only need to empty and wash it in the sink, and you will take care of most of the cleaning.
This model also makes things easier when giving your air fryer a deeper cleaning. The back panel comes apart to allow you to access the interior for easy cleaning. Other air fryers do not have a removable back panel which complicates things when you want to deep clean.
5. Power Rating, Faster Cooking
This powerful 1800-watt appliance will generate enough heat to cook almost anything. The 1800-watt rating makes it more powerful than an average air fryer. It will ensure more optimal cooking results.
With this powerful heating element, the air fryer will heat up faster. It also ensures it maintains the heat well to speed up cooking. It preheats in just 60 seconds, which is faster than most other air fryer ovens.
You can easily reduce your total cooking time by up to 5 minutes just from this fast preheat. For instance, you can make french fries and chicken wings in as little as 15 minutes.
6. Accessories and Racks
A good air fryer oven should come with many accessories to support all cooking functions. More accessories also make it more versatile. But, this model does not come with much, which can be a letdown for some cooks.
Ninja provides the air fry basket, a sheet pan, a wire rack, and the crumb tray. You may not get others like a rotisserie kit but what you get is still enough to make the best use of the appliance. For instance, the air fry basket is multifunctional. It will allow you to air fry everything from fries to veggies.
We will explain more about why more accessories are better. Make sure you read our review of the other Ninja air fryer below not to miss this.
7. Size and Dimensions
Compared to other air fryers with a similar capacity, the Ninja SP101 is a much smaller unit. It is only 19.7 inches long, 7.6 inches wide, and 15 inches high. It hardly takes up any significant space in the kitchen.
Moreover, you can flip it up and away when not in use. Flipping the air fryer reduces its footprint by up to 50%. The more space-saving size makes it an ideal appliance if you have limited kitchen space.
8. Cost
You can get a good air fryer for as little as $50 or even less than this. But air fryer ovens tend to be a little pricier than this, and you should be ready to part with at least $100 to get one.
This Ninja model is not the cheapest out there. But it is still quite fairly priced. Its many impressive features and cooking performance make it worth every buck.
If you are looking for a space-saving air fryer oven for under $200, this model is one of the best options in the market.
9. Warranty
You can buy Ninja appliances with the confidence you will get value for your money. They are always covered by a good warranty and guarantee.
This air fryer oven has a 1-year limited warranty. But it is only valid when you buy it from any retailer authorized by SharkNinja Operating LLC. This is the company that owns the Ninja brand.
You will also get a 60-day money-back guarantee. Also, this is only valid when you buy the air fryer from the official website and a few other leading retailers.
10. Multiple cooking functions
One thing that sets air fryer ovens apart from other air fryers is that they are multifunctional. Besides air frying, this model also supports the following cooking functions:
- Roast
- Broil
- Dehydrate
- Toast
- Broil
- Bagel
- Keep Warm
You can hence also use it to make your beef roasts. Also, it is can dehydrate fruits and veggies to make chips, keep your food warm before serving, and much more.
Ninja DT201 Foodi 10-in-1 XL Pro Air Fry Digital Countertop Convection Toaster Oven Review
The Ninja DT201 Foodi is perfect if you want to cook large meals for the entire family or different dishes at a go. And it is also a powerful air fryer that cooks faster and makes foods super crispy.
Pros
- Supports more cooking functions
- Fast preheating and cooking
- Larger capacity
- Delivers crispier results
- Allows you to cook two different meals at a go
Cons
- Cleaning it can be a hassle
- Button markings seem to wear out fast
Main Features
The Ninja DT201 Foodi is a feature-rich air fryer designed to take home cooking a notch higher. One of its highlight features is True Surround Convection. This cooking technology delivers more convection power for faster cooking and crispier results.
The 1800-watt air fryer is also built for versatility. And it will support 10 different cooking functions. The cooking functions range from air frying to a dedicated pizza cooking function. There is also a convenient reheating function.
Another impressive feature is the Smart Cook System. With this system, you can easily control food doneness at the push of one button. There is also an integrated thermometer to help with this.
This air fry toaster oven features a digital display handle. This feature will help make cooking hassle-free. It guides you on where to place the food based on your chosen cooking function.
Advantages when compared with other models
Ninja DT201 Foodi cooks faster than a traditional convection oven. It is also much faster than many other air fryers. Its powerful heating element and cooking technology ensure the food always gets crispier. The food also remains juicy and tender on the inside.
And you will never have to wait long for the air fryer to get to the optimal cooking temperature. It preheats in 90 seconds. This is not as fast as the other Ninja air fryer oven model we looked at earlier on. But it is pretty impressive, given the size of this toaster oven.
This toaster oven is also one of the best appliances you can use for baking. Ninja makes it with a highly efficient baking function that delivers up to 50% more even baking. And so all your cookies, cakes, and other pastries will always look and taste much better.
Looking at its size, this air fryer makes cooking easy for large groups. Besides the larger capacity, it also allows you to cook food in 2 separate trays. You can have your protein in one tray and veggies in the other. This way, your entire meal gets ready at the same time.
What Makes Ninja DT201 Foodi Toaster Oven Good
1. Cooking Capacity
The Ninja DT201 Foodi is built for making meals for the entire family or for large groups. It can hold more food than the Ninja SP101 above. The air fryer will be a lifesaver when you have guests, allowing you to make large meals quickly.
You can fit a 5-pound or larger chicken in there and cook it to perfection. Also, there is enough room for a 12-pound turkey or a couple of large 12-inch pizzas.
With this air fryer toaster oven in your kitchen, you will hardly ever need to use your regular oven. This is regardless of what you are cooking.
And unlike other toaster ovens, you never have to keep swapping trays as you cook or rotate anything. The True Surround Convection technology ensures optimal heat distribution for more even cooking.
2. Build quality
Like our previous Ninja air fryer model, this one is mostly made of stainless steel. You hence never have to worry about harmful substances ending up in your food. Toxins are a common problem when using air fryers made from plastic.
All the surfaces in contact with the food are stainless steel. You can always ensure maximum food safety no matter how hot the air fryer gets.
Also, Ninja uses high-quality 304 stainless steel. The material holds up better against corrosion caused by acidic foods.
Stainless steel has many other benefits besides safety and durability. You can be sure you are getting a top-notch appliance that will serve you well.
3. how to use
You do not need any prior experience using air fry toaster ovens to use this model. The clean and easy-to-use interface makes operation a breeze.
Compared to other air fryers ovens, the user interface is not cluttered with too many buttons. Ninja keeps things simple. They only include what you need for the 10 cooking functions. And every button has clear and easy-to-grasp labeling.
Many users will also appreciate that there is a power button. Some air fryer ovens from other brands can only be turned on/off by plugging or unplugging them. They do not have a power button. This can be quite inconvenient.
4. how to clean
It should be clear that cleaning this air fryer will take more effort than our previous model. This is mostly because it is a larger model. There are also too many corners and crevasses that further complicate things.
It will also be quite hectic to give the air fryer oven a deep clean since the interior is not easily accessible.
The good news is that the manufacturer provides clear directions to simplify things. There are instructions for both everyday and deep cleaning. The PDF manual includes clear illustrations of what to do.
It will be more challenging to clean than other brands like Cosori or Instant Pot, but you can still hack it.
5. Power Rating, Faster cooking
The 1800-watt power rating of this Ninja air fryer is almost as high as it gets. Most brands will keep their air fryer ovens between 1300 and 1800 watts. This ensures they deliver enough power without consuming too much electricity.
Even models with a much larger capacity, like the 26.4-quart capacity COSORI Air Fryer Toaster Oven or 26-quart Kalorik Digital Air Fryer Oven, still have an 1800-watt power rating. And so, this toaster oven should be powerful enough no matter what you plan to cook.
Additionally, it also cooks fast enough. It heats up in just 90 seconds and will cook most dishes in under 30 minutes.
6. Accessories and Racks
You will get at least 6 accessories when you buy this toaster oven. They include at least two wire racks, mesh baskets for air frying, and a couple of sheet pans.
Ninja also stocks several other accessories you can buy separately. Buying them can ensure you get the best from this air fryer.
Some of the accessories are the Foodi smart thermometer and muffin tray. Check the official Ninja website for the accessories available.
7. Size and Overall Dimensions
Ninja DT201 Foodi is quite a large air fryer. Especially compared to the Ninja SP101 above or even regular basket-style air fryers. But, surprisingly, it still does not take as much counter space as expected. At least not as much as a full-size convectional oven would take up.
The air fry toaster oven is slightly over 20 inches wide and around 17.09 inches long, and 13.34 inches high. The size seems acceptable for an extra-large air fryer with enough space to cook a 12-pound turkey.
Other brands with the same capacity and pretty much the same features are at least 25 or 30 inches wide.
8. Cost
As expected, this high-capacity and more feature-rich air fryer will cost much more. It is more expensive than a basket-style air fryer.
The good news is that the price range is on the same level as other top brands. Price is in the same range as air fry toaster ovens from Kalorik, Instant Vortex, and Emeril Lagasse.
But it is worth every buck. The service you get from this air fryer and its multifunctional use make it worth it. Plus, it has a heavy-duty stainless steel build. You can be sure of getting exceptional service for many years and hence good value for your money.
9. Warranty
Ninja’s 1-year limited warranty covers this air fryer. It also has a 60-day money-back guarantee, just like the previous model we looked at.
The warranty cover is not the longest, but it is still quite good and better than the many other brands. Others do not offer any warranty at all. Some brands, like Cosori, have better warranty policies that cover consumers for up to 2 years.
A 1-year warranty cover from a top brand like Ninja is still quite good. The brand is famous for making some of the best air fryers in the market.
10. Multiple cooking functions
The Ninja DT201 Foodi is a multifunctional toaster oven. It supports up to 10 cooking functions. This means that it will replace several appliances in your kitchen. It can also save you the cost of buying them if you do not already own some.
The cooking functions include dehydrating, broiling, and roasting. You can use it to dehydrate meat to make jerky or fruits for chips, whole roasts, and much more. It will probably end up being the most used appliance in your kitchen.
But this is still not the most versatile toaster oven. Some models, like the Emeril Everyday 360 Deluxe Air Fryer Oven, have 12 cooking functions. Others have even over 20 or 30 cooking functions.
Ninja Foodi vs Cuisinart Air Fryer Toaster Oven
If by any chance, the Ninja Foodi toaster ovens do not work for you, Cuisinart is a perfect alternative. Why it’s great? It has over 30,000 sales volume on amazon!
Advantages
1. Stainless Steel Construction: Cuisinart uses heavy-duty stainless steel to make its air fryer. They use it to make both the interior and exterior of their air fryer oven.
2. Simple Controls: Most Cuisinart air fryer ovens use analog control knobs and buttons. The simple controls make them some of the easiest to use out there, as anyone can quickly figure them out.
3. 3-Year Warranty: Cuisinart will cover your air fryer oven for up to 3 years. Their warranty is longer than what Ninja provides. Also, it is longer than what you get from most other top brands. And so you can buy their air fryer with the confidence it will serve you for a long time.
4. More Cooking Functions: Cuisinart ovens have all the functions you get on the Ninja air fryer. They also include a few extra functions. For instance, their air fryer ovens support low-temperature cooking. This allows you to slow cook and braise. Also, you get other functions like proofing.
Disadvantages
1. Cleaning Can be Hectic: Cuisinart air fryer oven accessories can be hard to clean. Things like air fry and crumb trays can be pretty hectic to clean or at least not as easy as what Ninja provides.
2. Exterior Surfaces Get Hot: Areas around the back, top, and sides can get quite hot. This can pose some risk to users who do not know this and leave you with a hotter kitchen.
3. Analog Timers are Not Very Good: The analog timers on Cuisinart air fryers are not very good. A digital timer would have been better and easier to use.
Are Ninja Air Fryer Ovens Worth It?
Ninja air fryer ovens are some of the best in the market. They will be worth it if you are looking for a reliable appliance you can be sure of using for many years. That said, like all other brands, they will be better for certain situations than others.
If you are looking for a heavy-duty stainless steel air fryer oven, you should go for one of the Ninja models. Also, choose Ninja if you want something that preheats and cooks fast. Most take under 3 minutes to heat up and cook most foods in less than 30 minutes.
That’s it! You should now have a clear idea of why Ninja air fryer ovens are fantastic. Do you already have one at home? How is the cooking experience? Please share your answers in the comments section. Also, remember to share this article. Sharing will help other air fryer enthusiasts find the perfect Ninja air fryer oven.
My love for food was influenced by my brother, a chef at a 2-star Michelin restaurant, and we often exchange food knowledge together. It’s been 12 years since I first stepped into the kitchen, and with my vast experience and expertise, I will share many ideas on how to make dishes more delicious!