Cooking healthy meals at home doesn’t have to feel like a chore. With a Ninja air fryer, you can whip up crispy, mouthwatering dishes with minimal oil and maximum ease. These handy appliances are perfect for busy lifestyles, making it simple to enjoy everything from crunchy roasted veggies to perfectly golden chicken wings—all without the guilt. If you have been struggling to find a way to have all your foods prepared healthily by cutting down the calorie intake while still feeling the fantastic flavors, a Ninja air fryer may be the ultimate solution to your goal.
The key to finding the perfect Ninja air fryer is knowing what fits your needs. Some are just air fryers, but some of the models have more capabilities, such as baking and dehydrating, and are designed to cook foods that can take a short time to prepare. Whether you’re juggling a packed schedule, love meal prepping, or just want an easier way to cook, this guide will help you discover the best Ninja air fryer to make healthy, delicious meals part of your everyday routine.
How Do Ninja Air Fryers Work?
Like other air fryers, Ninja models use extremely hot, fast-circulating air to flash-roast food in an enclosed frying basket. Though no or very little oil is often used, the results are usually similar to traditional deep frying in that the food comes out moist and crispy on the outside.
Air fryers usually heat up fast, cook swiftly, and make healthier versions rather than fatty, fried dishes. Besides, you can use an air fryer to crisp up skin-on chicken thighs, vegetables like mushrooms, onions, and pepper, and seafood like salmon, shrimp, and scallops. On the other hand, cleanup is often as easy as a quick spray and wash with a soapy sponge since most air fryer baskets are non-stick and dishwasher safe.
Now that we know how the Ninja air fryer works let's check out the best models on the market.
1. Ninja AF101 Air Fryer, 4 Quart
- Now enjoy guilt free food; Air fry with up to 75 percent less fat...
- Wide temperature range: 105 degree Fahrenheit to 400 degrees...
- 4 quart ceramic coated nonstick basket and crisper plate fit 2...
- The unit will need time to preheat before coming up to...
- Dehydrate: Create flat, chip like dehydrated foods for fun,...
Ninja's AF101 4 Quart model is ideal for beginners as well as those on a budget. The air fryer has four presets: crisps, roasts, reheats, and dehydrates. I love the taller-than-wide design since I have a limited countertop space. Also, I found the manual guide easy to read, and the setup couldn't have been easier.
Cooking fries, one of my favorite meals, is easy and fast. You will enjoy deliciously crispy fries within 15 minutes of using the air fry mode. Besides fries, the air fryer prepares chicken wings and breasts as well as vegetables perfectly. However, it's crucial to note that the cooking time of this Ninja air fryer is about half that of a regular oven, so follow the instructions carefully to avoid accidentally burning your food.
Pros:
Cons:
2. Ninja Foodi 5-in-1 Indoor Grill with Air Fry, AG301
- THE ORIGINAL NINJA FOODI GRILL: The grill that sears, sizzles,...
- CYCLONIC GRILLING TECHNOLOGY: Uses 500°F cyclonic air to...
- OUTDOOR GRILLING POWER ON YOUR COUNTERTOP: With the BTU cooking...
- FORGET ABOUT DEFROSTING: Transform foods from frozen to perfectly...
- UP TO 75% LESS FAT: Air fry crisp with up to 75% less fat than...
Ninja AG301 has the cooking power of an outdoor grill, and I use it to bring outdoor grill flavors and to air fry meat, mostly on weekends. The indoor grill heats up to 500°F, ideal for grilling meat for great, char-grilled markings and tastes in less than 25 minutes. Besides, the unit has five presets, including an air fryer, roast, grill, bake, and dehydrate.
I realized that air-frying meat with this Ninja air fryer saves up to 75 percent fat compared to deep-frying. The unit is also easy to clean with a dishwasher, and the non-stick ceramic-coated grills are PTFE/PFOA-free.
Pros:
Cons:
3. Ninja Foodi 6-in-1 DualZone 2-Basket Air Fryer, DZ201
- 2 INDEPENDENT BASKETS: The original Air Fryer with 2 independent...
- SMART FINISH & MATCH COOK: DualZone Technology allows you to...
- 6-IN-1 FUNCTIONALITY: Includes 6 versatile cooking programs: Air...
- XL CAPACITY: The 8-quart air fryer capacity lets you fit mains...
- SEPARATE HEATING ZONES: 2 independent 4-quart zones have their...
Count the Ninja Foodi DZ201 as the best Ninja Air Fryer that can cook two different foods simultaneously. The unit comes with two separate 4-quart cooking baskets and heating zones that allow me to cook different dishes simultaneously at varying cooking times and temperatures. So, on game days, I can conveniently prepare air-fried wings and fries.
Despite the "high-tech" design and multiple settings options, I find it user-friendly. For example, customizing the "Smart Finish" feature, which is the two cook times and temperatures for various dishes, is easy. In addition, the air fryer usually starts the basket with the shorter of the two cook durations, ensuring that both baskets complete cooking simultaneously.
Furthermore, the Ninja Foodi Air Fryer comes with six presents: air fry, roast, air broil, bake, dehydrate, and reheat. Compared to other models, I find this one cooking faster, and most recipes' cooking times have to be reduced for optimum results. However, when using mirror cooking, you will find that the left air fryer basket cooks a little hotter and faster than the right one.
Pros:
Cons:
4. Ninja Air Fryer Max XL, AF161
- LESS FAT: Up to 75% less fat than traditional air frying methods....
- MAX CRISP TECHNOLOGY: Delivers 450 degrees of superheated air to...
- XL CAPACITY: The 5.5 QT ceramic coated nonstick basket and...
- 7-IN-1 FUNCTIONALITY: Includes 7 versatile cooking programs: Max...
- EASY CLEANING: The ceramic basket is both nonstick & dishwasher...
If you want a small yet affordable air fryer, count on the Ninja Air Fryer Max XL. The unit can cook two pounds of fries or chicken wings. It has seven presets: air fry, max crisp, roast, broil, bake, dehydrate, and reheat. Besides, the air fryer retains the moisture and crispiness of the food considerably better than microwave ovens.
The Ninja Air Fryer AF161 has a single cooking zone, yet it crisps up the same way as other big air fryers. It is ideal for a small family, a single person, or someone with limited counter space.
Moreover, the basket and the inserts are dishwasher-safe and easy to clean. The top of the inside of the basket part, on the other hand, isn't easy to clean. That's where the heating element is, and if oil splatters up there, it might be impossible to remove.
Pros:
Cons:
5. Ninja Foodi Smart XL Indoor Grill with Air Fry, FG551
- NINJA FOODI SMART XL GRILL: The Smart XL grill that sears,...
- CYCLONIC GRILLING TECHNOLOGY: Uses 500°F cyclonic air to...
- SMART COOK SYSTEM plus THERMOMETER: The Foodi Smart Thermometer...
- XL CAPACITY: Grill grate fits up to 6 steaks, up to 24 hot dogs,...
- 6 COOKING FUNCTIONS: Grill, Air Crisp, Roast, Bake, Broil and...
Ninja FG551 is one of the air fryers to count on if you love barbecue. The unit has six presets, air fryer, air crisp, grill, roast, broil, and dehydrate. Besides, it features a dual-sensor thermometer that I use to monitor the food's temperature; in 25 minutes, the meat is usually ready to serve.
One of my favorite things about this air fryer is that it uses up to 75 percent less fat than regular deep frying. I use 500°F cyclonic air to properly cook or grill my meat for great, char-grilled markings and tastes. The grill grate fits up to 24 hot dogs, up to 6 chicken wings simultaneously, and more.
Furthermore, the Ninja FG551 comes with 9 customizable doneness levels and 4 smart protein settings, so when cooking, I only need to press some buttons and wait for the meat to be ready.
Pros:
Cons:
6. Ninja Foodi Smart XL Pro 7-in-1 Air Fryer, IG651
- NINJA'S MOST POWERFUL GRILL: 500F independently powered grill...
- 12” BBQ GRIDDLE: flat top bbq griddle cooks foods grills can't...
- HOOD UP OR HOOD DOWN COOKING: Keep the hood down to add cyclonic...
- SMART COOK SYSTEM PLUS THERMOMETER: The Foodi Smart Thermometer...
- UP TO 75% LESS FAT: Air fry crisp with up to 75% less fat than...
Ninja IG651 is another air fryer to count on if you love barbecue. The unit features a built-in thermometer which I conveniently use to get the precise doneness of my food. I usually insert the probe into the thickest section of the meat for accuracy. Besides, this unit has a grill grate that combines direct heat with air fry, mimicking the performance of an outdoor grill.
I love the size of the Ninja IG651 air fryer, which is enough for preparing an entire chicken, six steaks, and eight quarts of fries. Like other Ninja air fryers, it has seven presets, including an air fryer, grill, roast, barbecue griddle, dehydrator, and broil.
Pros:
Cons:
Factors to Consider Before Buying the Best Ninja Air Fryers
1. Air Fryer Type
Ninja Air fryers are classified into four types: basket/drawer, grill-air fryer, oven-air fryer, and pressure cooker. Basket or drawer designs are genuine air fryers.
Image Source: lacademie.com
The basket and drawer designs are outstanding compared to others, as they are more convenient and safer to use. For instance, you must remove the drawer, shake it off, or keep it somewhere safe to flip the ingredients.
On the other hand, though the drawer and basket design are most favorable, there are some situations where a grill-air fryer, oven-air fryer, or pressure cooker-air fryer may be preferable. That is if you want to save on counter space by replacing multiple kitchen appliances. So, choosing the best type of air fryer will depend on your preference.
2. Size of the Air Fryer
The size of the air fryer will depend on the available counter space. If you opt for a heavy air fryer, it should stay on your counter. Otherwise, it will be inconvenient to bring it out repeatedly.
Although some appliances have a large footprint, they may free up kitchen space. For example, the Ninja OL701 can replace your slow cooker, standalone steamer, etc., since it comes with these cooking functions. On the other hand, if you have limited counter space, you can opt for the Ninja Foodi AF101 model.
3. The capacity of the Air Fryer
Before buying the best Ninja air fryer, consider the number of people you intend to feed. Ninja air fryers come in various capacities, ranging from 2 to 10 quarts. For instance, if you will be making a small batch of French fries or chicken wings for the family, look for an air fryer that can handle the amount of food.
Image Source: gaabor-global.com
Besides, there are other Ninja air fryer models with two baskets that can simultaneously cook two different dishes at different temperatures. That said, we recommend considering the overall size of the fryer since a larger capacity may need more storage space when not in use.
4. Versatility
When shopping for the best Ninja air fryer, check its versatility. For instance, check the temperature range of the unit. A wider temperature range will give you more chances to cook various foods. Besides, air fryers that can get to higher temperatures can cook faster and brown dishes more easily.
Besides temperature range, we recommend an air fryer with additional features. For instance, several all-in-one Ninja air fryers on the market can toast, dehydrate, roast, bake, and do other things. If those extra features can replace another small kitchen appliance on your counter, the extra cost will be worth it.
5. Ease of Use
When looking for the best air fryers, you will come across basic models, while others have unique features; however, a unique one won't do you any good if it's complicated to use. The good thing is Ninja air fryers are easy to use. For example, some Ninja models come with preset settings that allow you to make fries, bake cornbread, or roast vegetables with the push of a button.
Image Source: sciencemeetsfood.org
Conversely, timers are always handy, and most Ninja air fryers come with one. In addition, timers with audio alerts or fryers that can switch off automatically will boost the appliance's ease of use.
Although more features are preferable, they might mean a more complicated appliance, so we recommend checking the interface and controls before buying, especially if you're a beginner.
6. Cleaning
Before buying the best Ninja air fryer, ensure it's easy to clean. We recommend looking for one with a non-stick basket and dishwasher-safe parts. Washing the air fryer parts by hand or putting them in the dishwasher is usually easier, but if easy cleaning is a priority, non-stick is the way to go. The good thing with Ninja air fryers is that they are easier to clean after use than other air fryer models.
Frequently Asked Questions on the Best Ninja Air Fryer
1. What makes a Ninja Air Fryer unique?
It's ideal for compact kitchen cabinets; it takes up little space on your worktop and is easy to move in and out of a cabinet if you don't want to leave it on your kitchen countertop. Besides, it can conveniently air fry, roast, bake, dehydrate, and reheat foods.
2. Is it necessary to preheat my Ninja air fryer?
Yes, most Ninja air fryers require preheating. The oven-type preheats in 90 seconds, whereas the basket-type requires roughly 3 minutes. The dehydrate mode is the only one that does not require preheating.
3. Can I use aluminum foil in a Ninja air fryer?
Yes. You can use aluminum foil on the pan that catches the grease, making cleaning easier. However, avoid covering the roast tray or the grill with aluminum foil, as this can affect heat distribution.
4. Are Ninja air fryers dishwasher-safe?
Except for the DT251 model, most Ninja air fryers are dishwasher-safe. We recommend avoiding the oven models for an entirely dishwasher-safe air fryer.
5. What can I cook with a Ninja air fryer?
Most Ninja air fryer models can grill, bake, broil, roast, dehydrate, and so on, in addition to crisping fries. That means they are versatile kitchen appliances.
6. Is it worth getting a Ninja air fryer?
The Ninja air fryer is worth it if you want delicious food quickly. Besides, if you have a large family or prepare large amounts of food at once, we recommend buying the Ninja Max or the Large Dual Zone air fryer.
Featured Image Source: womanandhome.com
