Is there a Ninja in your kitchen? Ninja kitchen appliances include blenders, food processors, pressure cookers, coffee and tea makers, ovens, and indoor grills. Today, however, we’ll focus our attention on one of Ninja’s niche markets – the ever-popular air fryer.
First, we’ll look at the best Ninja air fryers on the market today. Then, we’ll discuss some of the features and considerations that may help you decide which Ninja air fryer is right for you.
- The Ninja Foodi—The pressure cooker that crisps. Pressure cooker, air fryer, tender crisper
- Tender crisp technology allows you to quickly cook ingredients, then the crisping lid gives your meals a crispy, golden finish
- Pressure cook up to 70% faster versus traditional cooking methods. Air fry with up to 75% less fat than traditional frying methods. Versus slow-cooked, braised, or low-simmer recipes; Tested against hand-cut, deep-fried french fries
- 6.5 quart ceramic-coated pot: Nonstick, PTFE/PFOA-free, and easy to clean. Enough capacity to cook a roast for your family
- 4-quart cook & crisp basket: Large-capacity, ceramic-coated, PTFE/PFOA-free basket holds up to a 5-pounds chicken or 3 pounds of french fries to feed your whole family. Nonstick for easy cleanup
Note: Clicking the above links will take you to further information, current prices and customer reviews on Amazon.
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Our Favorite Ninja Air Fryer Picks
Best Ninja Air Fryer Reviews – Product Roundups
You’ve seen them on television. You’ve seen them in department stores and at specialty retailers. Perhaps your kitchen is already populated by a range of quality Ninja products. Now, you want a Ninja air fryer. One question remains: which Ninja air fryer is right for you? Check out our top picks.
Ninja AF1001 4-Quart Air Fryer
This model is Ninja’s standard family-sized air fryer.
Features
This Ninja air fryer offers a simple set of push-button controls. Up and down arrow keys allow you to set the time and temperature. Other buttons power on the unit, start and pause the cooking cycle, and allow you to switch between air fry, roast, reheat, and dehydrate features.
This air fryer has a wide temperature range, from 105 to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (F), facilitating the dehydration of even tender items like herbs. The multi-layer rack expands dehydrating capacity. The basket has a ceramic non-stick coating and can handle up to 2 pounds of French fries. The basket, crisper plate, and rack are dishwasher safe.
Size and Appearance
This Ninja air fryer has a black exterior and metallic handle. The small digital display and push-button controls are located on the front of the appliance. The air fryer has dimensions of 13.6 by 11 by 13.3 inches and weighs 13.4 pounds.
- LESS FAT: Now enjoy guilt-free food. Air fry with up to 75% less fat than traditional frying methods. Tested against hand-cut, deep-fried French fries.
- WIDE TEMPERATURE RANGE: 105°F-400°F allows you to gently remove moisture from foods or quickly cook and crisp foods with convection heat.
- FAMILY-SIZED CAPACITY: 4-quart ceramic-coated nonstick basket and crisper plate fit 2 lbs of French fries.
- 4-IN-1 VERSATILITY: Includes 4 versatile cooking programs: Air Fry, Roast, Reheat, and Dehydrate.
- DEHYDRATE: Create flat, chip-like dehydrated foods for fun, homemade snacks. The combination of low fan speed and low temperature enables thorough dehydration.
Ninja Foodi Compact 3-Quart Programmable Pressure Fryer
The pressure cooker meets the air fryer in this compact model.
Features
Not only can you set your temperature and cook time, but you may select between keep warm, pressure, steam, slow cook, sear/saute, and two “Tendercrisp” functions – bake/roast and air crisp. This mighty little cooker can handle up to four pounds of chicken in a single cooking cycle.
The pressure fryer has two lids – one used for air frying and the other to facilitate pressure cooking. The ceramic-coated non-stick pot and crisper basket are dishwasher safe.
Size and Appearance
The appliance has a black exterior, and the digital display and push-button controls are located on its front. Its dimensions are 15.9 by 13.9 by 11.7 inches and it weighs just over 24 pounds.
- The compact pressure cooker that crisps. Pressure cooker, air fryer, tender crisper
- Tender crisp technology allows you to quickly cook ingredients, then the crisping lid gives your meal a crispy, golden finish
- Pressure cook up to 70 percent faster vs. Traditional cooking methods vs. Slow cooked, braised, or low simmer recipes
- Air fry with up to 75 percent less fat vs. Deep fried, hand cut french fries
- 5 quart ceramic coated pot is nonstick, PTFE/PFOA free, and dishwasher safe
Ninja Air Fryer Family Size
Ninja MAX XL AF161 5.5-Quart Air Fryer
A larger, hotter air fryer.
Features
Simple push-button controls allow you to select cook time, temperature, function, power, and start/stop. This air fryer has a few more options than its smaller counterpart. Select from max crisp, air fry, air roast, air broil, bake, reheat, and dehydrate.
It also has a higher maximum temperature of 450 F. The ceramic-coated non-stick fryer basket can hold up to 3 pounds of your favorite snacks and is dishwasher safe. The broiling rack raises food items closer to the heating elements for an optimal broil.
Size and Appearance
The exterior of this air fryer is a metallic grey with chrome accents. It has a small digital display on the front surrounded by push-button controls. Its dimensions are 14 by 11 by 14.8 inches and it weighs 15 pounds.
- LESS FAT: Up to 75% less fat than traditional air frying methods. Tested against hand-cut, deep-fried French fries.
- MAX CRISP TECHNOLOGY: Delivers 450 degrees of superheated air to cook foods up to 30 % faster (Versus Ninja AF100) for hotter, crispier results with little to no oil for guilt free fried favorites.
- XL CAPACITY: The 5.5 QT ceramic coated nonstick basket and crisper plate fit 3 pounds of french fries or chicken wings.
- 7-IN-1 FUNCTIONALITY: Includes 7 versatile cooking programs: Max Crisp, Air Fry, Air Roast, Air Broil, Bake, Reheat & Dehydrate.
- EASY CLEANING: The ceramic basket is both nonstick & dishwasher safe.
Ninja Foodi TenderCrisp 6.5-Quart Pressure Cooker Air Fryer
A small combination appliance that allows you to “elevate your favorite stew and chili recipes by adding a crispy or bubbly top.”
Features
Select between pressure, steam, slow cook, sear/saute, keep warm, and three “Tendercrisp” functions – air crisp, bake/roast/ and broil. Insert the rasks, basket, and crisping lid to enable air frying.
Not all parts are dishwasher safe, but they have a ceramic non-stick coating for easy cleanup.
Size and Appearance
This cooker has a black exterior. The digital display is located on the front of the appliance. Two different lids allow for pressure cooking and air frying. It weighs nearly 26 pounds and has dimensions of 14.2 by 16.8 by 13.1 inches.
- The Ninja Foodi—The pressure cooker that crisps. Pressure cooker, air fryer, tender crisper
- Tender crisp technology allows you to quickly cook ingredients, then the crisping lid gives your meals a crispy, golden finish
- Pressure cook up to 70% faster versus traditional cooking methods. Air fry with up to 75% less fat than traditional frying methods. Versus slow-cooked, braised, or low-simmer recipes; Tested against hand-cut, deep-fried french fries
- 6.5 quart ceramic-coated pot: Nonstick, PTFE/PFOA-free, and easy to clean. Enough capacity to cook a roast for your family
- 4-quart cook & crisp basket: Large-capacity, ceramic-coated, PTFE/PFOA-free basket holds up to a 5-pounds chicken or 3 pounds of french fries to feed your whole family. Nonstick for easy cleanup
Ninja Foodi Grill AG301
One of the few products on the market that utilizes “cyclonic grilling technology” with temperatures up to 500 F.
Features
The grill utilizes four temperature settings – low, medium, high, and max. Your grilled items will sport char-grilled marks and accompanying flavors, just like with a “real” outdoor grill. You may also select from air crisp, dehydrate, roast, and bake functions, with adjustable times and temperatures.
The removable grill grate has ample space for four hamburger patties, chicken breasts, fish filets, steaks, or similar entres. The 4-quart crisper basket is ceramic-coated and dishwasher safe and can handle a family-sized portion of French fries or your favorite side. A cool air zone reduces the likelihood of smoke.
Size and Appearance
The Ninja Foodi Grill has a black and brushed stainless steel exterior. The digital display and push-button controls are located on the front of the unit. Due to the wide gape of the open lid, additional clearance is required above the appliance. Its dimensions are 17 by 14 by 11 inches and it weighs 27.7 pounds.
- THE ORIGINAL NINJA FOODI GRILL: The grill that sears, sizzles, and air fry crisps. Indoor grill and air fryer.
- CYCLONIC GRILLING TECHNOLOGY: Uses 500°F cyclonic air to perfectly cook or char grill your food to your desired doneness on the grill grate for delicious, char-grilled marks and flavors.
- OUTDOOR GRILLING POWER ON YOUR COUNTERTOP: With the BTU cooking power of an outdoor grill, it brings outdoor grill flavors conveniently to your countertop any day of the year.
- FORGET ABOUT DEFROSTING: Transform foods from frozen to perfectly char grilled in under 25 minutes.
- UP TO 75% LESS FAT: Air fry crisp with up to 75% less fat than deep frying (tested against hand-cut, deep-fried French fries), using the included 4-qt crisper basket.
Ninja Foodi Deluxe XL FD401 8-Quart Pressure Cooker Air Fryer
If you are looking for an appliance that does it all – this one does. It is “the deluxe pressure cooker that crisps.”
Features
This appliance is designed to encompass several features in one. You can quickly pressure cook your favorite foods, then give them a crispy exterior.
Manual and push-button controls are located on the front of the appliance. This includes a start/stop selection knob and power, keep warm, time, temperature, and function buttons. Functions include pressure, steam, slow cook/yogurt, sear/saute, air crisp, broil, bake/roast, and dehydrate.
Air frying can be achieved using the crisp basket and reversible rack. A different lid is also used when air frying than when pressure cooking. The ceramic-coated non-stick pot is hand washable.
Size and Appearance
This Ninja multi-cooker has a black and brushed stainless steel exterior. Its dimensions are 16.1 by 14.6 by 14.2 inches and it weighs 26 pounds.
- THE NINJA FOODI DELUXE XL: The deluxe pressure cooker that also crisps.
- TENDERCRISP TECHNOLOGY: Quickly pressure cook ingredients to lock in juices, then give them a crispy, golden air-fryer finish.
- COOK FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY: With an extra-large capacity 8-quart ceramic-coated pot that is nonstick, PTFE PFOA free, and easy to hand-wash.
- XL AIR FRYING CAPACITY: With a family-sized 5-quart cook & crisp ceramic-coated basket that holds up to a 7-lb. chicken to feed your whole family. Basket is PTFE PFOA-free, nonstick, and dishwasher safe.
- DELUXE REVERSIBLE RACK: Steam and broil, as well as TenderCrisp up to 8 chicken breasts at once or add servings to layered 360.
Ninja Foodi Air Fryer Toaster Oven
This slim convection oven is sure to fit under even low-hanging cabinetry.
Features
Manual knob and push-button controls are located to the right of the oven door. “Crisp Control” functions include air crisp, air roast, air broil, bake, dehydrate, keep warm, toast, and bagel. Preheating can be achieved in as little as 60 seconds. Compared to similar offerings from other brands, the Ninja oven has 45 percent more usable cooking space. It can handle a 13-inch pizza, up to nine slices of toast, or six chicken breasts.
Size and Appearance
The Ninja Foodi air fryer toaster oven has a brushed stainless steel exterior with black accents. The oven door has a large viewing window. The digital display curves along the top and front of the oven. It has a footprint of 19.7 by 15 inches and is 7.6 inches in height. It weighs 15.72 pounds.
As an added bonus, you can rest the oven on its back when cooled and not in use. Nearly flat against the wall, this is a space-saving feature that reduces the appliance footprint by 50 percent. The bottom of the oven opens when in this position to allow for easy cleaning.
Ninja Air Fryer Buying Guide
SharkNinja Operating LLC produces a wide range of “small household appliances and cleaning solutions that fit the lifestyles of busy people.” The company was founded in 1998 and continues to produce “cutting-edge” and “state-of-the-art” products. Not only are Ninja products innovative and easy to use, but the company prides itself on offering competitive pricing.
Now that you’ve seen the merchandise, is a particular Ninja air fryer calling your name? Or, with so many choices, do you find making a selection difficult?
The bottom line is, there is no wrong answer with a Ninja air fryer. However, consider the following features to make the best choice possible.
What Size Air Fryer Should I Get?
Size is one of the foremost considerations when selecting an air fryer, including the above Ninja models.
To decide on the best size for you and your family, ask yourself: how many people do I usually cook for?
- The 3-quart model is recommended for small families, including individuals, couples, roommates, and single parents with one child.
- The 4-quart, 5.5-quart, and grill models are ideal for medium-sized families of up to 4 individuals.
- The 6.5-quart, 8-quart, and toaster oven models are great for families of 5 or more, as well as those who frequently entertain.
Features to Look for When Buying a Ninja Air Fryer
In addition to serving size, what other features should you consider when selecting your Ninja air fryer?
- Multi-function features. The Ninja pressure cooker air fryers have more cooking options than standard Ninja air fryers. The number of functions also varies between models. Among the most notable are the dehydrate and pressure cooking features. If dehydration is important to you, make sure your model supports the necessary temperatures.
- Footprint. Some of the Ninja appliances discussed above are quite large. If counter space is a concern, select one of the smaller models, such as the 4-quart air fryer or 3-quart pressure cooker air fryer. You might also consider the Ninja Foodie air fryer toaster oven, which can be turned on its side to take up only half the space it uses while in operation.
- Price. Ninja air fryers range in price from just over $150.00 U.S. to nearly $300.00. If cost is an issue, start with one of the less expensive models. You can always purchase a more advanced model at a later time.
Ninja Air Fryer Accessories
See a full list of Accessories for Ninja Air Fryers
Ninja Air Fryer Cookbooks
See a full list of Recipe Cookbooks for Ninja Air Fryers
Summary
Ninja products enjoy overall customer satisfaction ratings above those of most other kitchen appliance brands. For each of the products discussed above, more than 50 percent of consumers would grant it a “five-star” rating.
Customer ratings for the Ninja Max XL and Foodie Deluxe XL simply blew us away. It’s not often that we observe 100 percent customer satisfaction, but these appliances delivered. Users noted that the appliances are great for those following a ketogenic diet and that air roasted vegetables are much tastier than steamed veggies! With the Foodi Deluxe, users commented on the fact that they could consolidate their air fryer and pressure cooker into one appliance, saving valuable counter space.
Reviews of the Ninja Foodie Grill and 3-quart pressure fryer were nearly as positive. Customers enjoyed the fact that frozen items could be cooked quickly without defrosting.
Overall, the Ninja products we examined were free of the negative aspects of some air fryer models, such as broken handles, peeling coatings, and the creation of smoke. Thus, we heartily recommend the Ninja air fryer as the newest addition to your kitchen!
Our Favorite Ninja Air Fryer Picks
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