What I Think of the Ninja Crispi Air Fryer: My Tiny Kitchen’s New Hero (And Why I’m Never Going Back)
Spoiler: This Gadget Replaced My Oven, Air Fryer, and Meal Prep Containers (But Not My Love for Pizza Rolls)
Confession: My kitchen is a chaotic shrine to single-use gadgets. Enter the Ninja Crispi Air Fryer – a microwave-sized wonder that air fries, bakes, and reheats leftovers in borosilicate glass containers. As a reformed appliance hoarder, I tested it for two weeks. Here’s my messy, fry-filled journey.
Why This Ninja Stole My Countertop (And My Heart)
1. From Freezer to Crispy in 7 Minutes (No Magic Required)
The thermal shock-resistant glass let me toss a frozen salmon filet straight from the freezer into the 6-cup container. Seven minutes later: crispy skin, tender inside. My microwave could never.
2. 4-in-1 Wizardry: Air Fry, Bake, Recrisp, Max Crisp
- Max Crisp: Turned soggy takeout fries into golden perfection (RIP, my Uber Eats addiction).
- Bake Mode: Whipped up a shockingly fluffy banana bread in the 4QT container.
- Recrisp: Revived day-old pizza crusts like a carb fairy godmother.
3. Space-Saving Sorcery
The nesting design (PowerPod + containers) fits in one cabinet corner. My cluttered countertops wept with joy.
4. Dishwasher Safe = Relationship Saver
No scrubbing grease traps! Tossed the glass containers, lids, and crisper plates into the dishwasher. Finally, a gadget my partner won’t side-eye.
What Almost Made Me Throw It Out the Window
- Size Limits: The 4QT fits a 4lb chicken, but my Thanksgiving turkey dreams? Crushed.
- Learning Curve: Burnt my first batch of wings by trusting the “auto” settings. Manual temp control is key.
- Noisy Fan: Sounds like a mini jet engine. My cat now hides during “Max Crisp” mode.
Ninja Crispi vs. the Competition
| Feature | Ninja Crispi | Instant Pot Vortex | Cosori Air Fryer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4QT + 6-cup | 6QT | 5QT |
| Materials | Borosilicate glass | Non-stick basket | Non-stick basket |
| Portability | ✅ Compact, all-in-one | ❌ Bulky | ❌ Bulky |
| Price | $149 | $99 | $120 |
| My Take | Best for small kitchens | Budget pick, less versatile | Mid-range, no glass |
Who Should Buy This?
- Studio Apartment Dwellers: Replaces 4 appliances in one.
- Meal Preppers: Cook, store, and reheat in the same glass container.
- Eco-Conscious Cooks: Ditch plastic containers + aluminum foil.
- Leftover Lovers: Recrisp mode is a game-changer for pizza, fries, and fried chicken.
Real-Life Testing: From Fail to Victory
- Fail: Tried to “bake” cookies in the 6-cup container. Result: a gooey, undercooked blob (user error, not Ninja’s fault).
- Win: Air-fried Brussels sprouts with bacon in 10 minutes. Crispy, caramelized, chef’s kiss.
- MVP Moment: Reheated 3-day-old falafel – tasted fresher than my resolve to meal prep.
FAQs (From My Instagram Poll)
Q: Can it replace a microwave?
A: For reheating? Yes. For popcorn? No – stick to the microwave bag.
Q: Is the glass fragile?
A: Dropped the 4QT once (oops). Survived my tile floor. Borosilicate for the win!
Q: Does it work for frozen meals?
A: Yes! Crisped up frozen dumplings in 8 mins. No soggy bottoms.
Final Verdict
The Ninja Crispi Air Fryer isn’t perfect, but it’s the most versatile compact cooker I’ve ever used. If you’re drowning in gadgets or crave crispy food without the cleanup, this Ninja’s your kitchen sensei. Just don’t blame it for your burnt kale chips.
