Ninja Air Fryer review: Is it worth buying? (2024)

Do you have a fried food addiction that your tummy loves but your doctor hates? Well, I feel you. The Ninja Air Fryer will help you use less oil and reduce cooking smells, all whilst saving you time and money.

I genuinely never thought I’d be the person to use an air fryer. But after hearing for the gazillionth time just how amazing they are, I got my hands on the very popular Ninja Air Fryer MAX to see what all the fuss was about. After testing it out over a few months I put together this Ninja Air Fryer review to share my experience with you.

Whilst you are here, why not check out my Nutri Ninja Blender review?

Is the Ninja Air Fryer worth it?

I’ve heard a lot of people talking about air fryers and how since purchasing one they simply couldn’t imagine life without it. I’ve even heard people boast about how they still get to eat nuggets and burgers because they have cooked them inside their air fryer.

I am however a lot more sceptical about these new kitchen gadgets. Modern kitchens have ovens and a hob, and most even have a microwave, so why do we need to add yet another bulky appliance to our worktops?

Is it just going to sit there and build up a layer of dust, or will it become a vital piece of equipment that will get more use than my favourite blender? And bear in mind, that I make a lot of smoothies and protein shakes.

I tested it out over a few months and used it to cook food that I would have usually fried or baked in oil, and I was impressed with the results. I get a lot of use out of it and will use it pretty much every day. It has earnt its place on my kitchen worktop, and my oven is looking a little sorry for itself.

Ninja Air Fryer pros

Read on to find out the things that I enjoyed about this piece of kitchen equipment. Hopefully, I can help you in deciding on buying one yourself with my Ninja Air Fryer review.

It made my food crispy with less oil

If there is one main reason anyone is looking to buy the Ninja Air Fryer, it is because it can make your food crispy without relying on copious amounts of oil and a very hot oven. And I have to admit, it really does do just this.

All of the food I cooked in the Ninja Air Fryer using the ‘air fry’ mode came out with a crispy exterior and a soft inner. I used it to roast and crisp up tenderstem broccoli, to fry cubes of marinated tofu, and even to make my own vegan burgers.

I enjoyed how crispy all of it was without tasting too ‘fried’. All of that without the excess oil which despite making fried food really tasty, is really unhealthy and at times, much too rich to be eating on the regular.

Discover all of my favourite vegan air fryer recipes that I have been enjoying cooking using the Ninja!

If I did any of this in a frying pan I would have had to have used a lot of oil. Moreover, having tried to cook using small amounts of oil in the oven, like I can with the air fryer, I have ended up burning a lot more food. The air fryer definitely makes this a lot easier!

It has reduced cooking smells

This is something I didn’t notice at first, but after cooking some THIS Isn’t Bacon a few times inside the air fryer I began to realise that it wasn’t emitting as many smells as what you would get from cooking vegan bacon inside a frying pan.

That’s not to say that you can’t smell anything at all, but it does greatly reduce this. This means you don’t have to wash all your clothing after frying something delicious in the kitchen! It is probably because you contain all of the cooking smells inside the basket of the air fryer. With a frying pan, the smell and the oil get absolutely everywhere.

This is perfect for anyone who may live in a small apartment or studio and doesn’t want their cooking smells to waft throughout the whole space and leave behind a persistent smell.

It saves me a lot of time

Something else that pleasantly surprised me when cooking with this air fryer was how quickly it did so and with such evenly cooked results.

I discovered this by putting it to the ultimate test, by frying tofu. Historically, tofu can be a difficult ingredient to cook well. It can take ages to crisp up and when it does it can cook rather unevenly. Well, that is unless you dunk it into a vat of hot oil for a few minutes.

As you can see in the photo above, my marinated tofu came out with a really even golden colour and crispy outer. Inside was really soft and squidgy. All of this took just 10 minutes.

Moreover, if you want to cook some homemade wedges with your tofu, you can use their cooking rack to stack food. But don’t overpack it as this can take longer to cook and the results may not be as even.

It is fast becoming my favourite way to fry a lot of food as it is really quick and easy to achieve even and consistent results. I find myself faffing about a lot less, because the food also needs a lot less looking after whilst it is cooking away in the air fryer, plus the air fryer has loads of handy alerts that take the guesswork out of cooking! Pretty nifty, right?

It is really easy to use and clean

Overall, I found the Ninja Air Fryer to be really simple and easy to use. The digital display makes it simple to set the temperature and cooking time, and the unit also comes with a number of preset cooking modes that take the guesswork out of cooking. I think this is perfect for novice cooks who may not have a lot of experience using kitchen appliances. But it is also great for any pro-cooks (including myself) who are feeling particularly lazy.

As well as air frying, you can make the most out of these other easy-to-use functions:

• Dehydrate food
• Bake cakes and cookies
• Roast carbs and proteins
• Reheat meals

You’ll be knocking up oil-free granola, healthy potato wedges, and dehydrated fruit snacks in no time!

And once you’ve finished using it to cook your delicious meal (or sweet treats), this air fryer is very easy to clean. The cooking basket and rack are dishwasher-safe, and the unit itself is easy to wipe down with a damp cloth. This makes cleanup a breeze, and you’ll spend less time scrubbing and more time enjoying your food.

I would recommend cleaning it up after every use though, as any leftover food inside the drawer can burn and start smelling.

Ninja Air Fryer cons

Nothing is perfect. Find out what I didn’t enjoy when using my Ninja Air Fryer.

The appliance is a little bit bulky

One downside for me with the Ninja Air Fryer is its size. Because the air fryer is a little bit bulky it can take up quite a bit of room on a kitchen countertop, which can be an issue for those with limited space. That being said, it isn’t any bulkier than the other air fryers on the market.

They need to be this size in order to house the fan that makes the frying magic happen. Plus, the tray needs to be big enough to put your food in. But it is something to keep in mind when considering purchasing this fryer, as you’ll want to make sure you have enough space for it.

Despite its bulkiness, the Ninja Air Fryer is a great option for those who have counter space and are going to get good use out of it. Yes, you could attempt everything that can be done in the air fryer in an oven, but you may end up burning a lot more food if you do. Oil can be pretty important in an oven, I learned this the hard way…

My verdict

I have personally really enjoyed using the air fryer and I really didn’t think I would. The results have truly amazed me so far. I am able to get really crispy food without using any oil at all. It tastes a lot healthier than deep-fat fried food, but I’d say that is a good thing. This on its own makes the Ninja Air Fryer worth buying.

I’ve surprised myself a few times by automatically grabbing for the air fryer drawer rather than using my hob or the stove. Even my subconscious enjoys the Ninja Air Fryer.

It does look clunky on the worktop and I do feel like it takes up a lot of space, where I would normally like to keep my counter space free, but considering how much I now rely on it I do believe it has earned its space.

On top of this, its large capacity, quick and even cooking, easy cleaning and nifty safety features, make this a really great option when comparing it to other air fryer models. Moreover, it can even bake cakes. Who’d have thought it?

That being said, you can’t make unhealthy food healthy by cooking it in this appliance. But you can put healthy food in there and ‘fry’ it with much less oil than you would with traditional cooking methods.

It is definitely worth the investment and I’m certain you’ll get a lot of use out of it, as I do.

Where can you buy the Ninja Air Fryer?

The Ninja Air Fryer is available at a few different outlets, including through their online store and on Amazon. Make sure to select your preferred size before buying! When picking which outlet to buy from, you may want to consider the following factors:

Price: At the time of writing, Ninja is selling this particular model for £149.99 whilst Amazon are charging £149.00.

Payment plans: Both outlets offer payment plans. Ninja uses Klarna which is 0% interest over 3 monthly payments. Amazon offers both their own payment plan at 0% interest with 5 monthly payments, as well as Barclay’s finance offer at 12.2% interest.

---

FAQs

Here are some frequently asked questions regarding the Ninja Air Fryer

What can you not put in Ninja Air Fryer?

There are certain types of food and materials that should not be placed in the Ninja Air Fryer. Here are a few examples:

• Foods that contain a lot of liquid: Foods that contain a lot of liquid, such as soups or stews, should not be placed in the air fryer because they can cause steam build-up inside the unit, which can be dangerous and may also affect the cooking process.
• Foods that expand when cooked: Foods that expand when cooked, such as popcorn or raw batter, should also be avoided as they can cause clogging or damage to the unit.
• Metal utensils: Metal utensils should not be used in the air fryer because they can scratch the non-stick coating on the cooking basket or cause sparks that can damage the unit.
• Aluminium foil: Do not use aluminium foil in the air fryer as it can cause a fire or damage to the unit.
• Foods that need a lot of oil: Foods that are traditionally deep-fried and require a lot of oil will not turn out well in an air fryer. Such as tempura, need to be dipped in oil before cooking.

What is better than the Ninja Air Fryer?

There are many air fryers on the market, and different models may have different features, capabilities, and price points. When comparing air fryers, it’s important to consider what you’re looking for in an appliance and what your specific needs are. Some models that are similar to the Ninja Air Fryer that may be considered a better option include:

1. Philips Airfryer XXL: This model has a larger capacity of 3 pounds and it is equipped with a digital interface with preset programs which makes it easier to use.
2. Cosori Air Fryer: This model has a square-shaped basket that can hold up to 5.8 quarts, which is larger than the Ninja Air Fryer. Additionally, it also has a non-stick coating and a touch-screen display with 11 preset cooking modes (find out more in my Cosori Air Fryer review).
3. Instant Pot Vortex Plus: It has a large capacity of 6 quarts and it has a digital interface with preset programs, like the other models, but it also doubles as a toaster oven and dehydrator, making it a very versatile appliance.
4. Cuisinart Air Fryer Toaster Oven: it’s not only an air fryer but also a toaster oven that can toast, bagel, bake, broil, warm, and roast, which means you can use it for multiple functions, such as roasting vegetables and baking cake.

Ultimately, the best air fryer for you will depend on your specific needs and preferences. It’s a good idea to read reviews, compare features, and even consider the size and design of the unit before making a decision.

Which is the best Ninja Air Fryer?

Here are some of the best Ninja Air Fryers you can buy and that I recommend:

1. Best high-end Ninja multi-cooker with air fryer: Ninja Foodi 5-in-1 Indoor Grill with 4-Quart Air Fryer
2. Best affordable air fryer: Ninja Air Fryer AF100UK

These air fryers are popular for their versatile functions, including air frying, grilling, baking, and roasting. They also have spacious capacities and precise temperature control, allowing for even cooking and consistent results. Additionally, they are all easy to clean and come with multiple accessories, making them a convenient and efficient option for home cooking.