Countertop air fryer ovens are everywhere these days, and the Ninja Foodi 10-in-1 Smart XL Air Fry Oven is one of the most popular options. With promises to replace a bunch of your bulky appliances with its air frying, roasting, toasting (and more!) capabilities, it sounds pretty appealing on paper. But with that hefty price tag, it’s important to be realistic about whether it’s actually worth it for you. Let’s see if it’s the right fit for your kitchen.
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What makes the Ninja Foodi 10-in-1 Smart XL Air Fry Oven so special?
The Ninja Foodi is special because it claims to do so many different things. You’ve got your air fryer functions, but it also works as a basic convection oven, can toast things, and supposedly dehydrates. The list goes on. The idea is to replace a bunch of other appliances with this one countertop machine.
Here’s the thing, though:
- Two-Basket Option: Not all air fryer ovens have this, and the ability to cook two different things with different settings at the same time is definitely a cool feature.
- Flip-Up Design: Compared to other bulky countertop ovens, the way the Ninja Foodi flips up to save space is pretty clever.
- Range of Functions: Even if it doesn’t excel at every single one, the fact that you have the option to air fry, roast, dehydrate, etc., in one appliance is a major selling point for some people.
Whether all these special features make it worth the investment depends on your cooking style and whether you’ll actually use them. Let’s dig deeper into those individual functions!
Features and Specifications: 10-in-1 functions and smart technology.
The Ninja Foodi is one of those appliances that claims to do a million different things. Apparently, it can replace your air fryer, toaster oven, or maybe even your actual oven, depending on how much you cook. In theory, the built-in temperature probe and those programmed settings sound fancy, but most of us will end up just picking a function and adjusting the time and temperature ourselves.
It is pretty big, which is nice if you need that extra space, but keep in mind that it takes up serious counter real estate. The multiple racks mean you could theoretically cook a few things at the same time, which is a bonus.
Design: The sleek design and space-saving features.
The Ninja Foodi definitely looks nicer than some of the truly hideous plastic toaster ovens out there. The stainless steel makes you feel like you’re being fancy, even if you’re just heating up frozen nuggets. But this thing is still pretty big. Space-saving is a marketing term, and unless you’re replacing a full-size oven, it’s probably going to take up a good chunk of your counter.
It’s smaller than a regular oven, obviously, but it’s still a pretty hefty appliance, so make sure you have room before buying it. One cool design feature is that it flips up, so you can tuck it out of the way when you’re not using it, which is nice if you’re short on counter space. The controls are pretty straightforward, with a digital display and buttons that are easy to understand because most of us aren’t going to read the entire instruction manual!
Overall, it’s a decent-looking appliance. Whether the design is worth the extra cost comes down to personal preference and whether you realistically have the space to keep this thing on your counter.
Performance: Cooking capabilities and efficiency.
The whole idea behind the Ninja Foodi is that it replaces a bunch of other appliances – air fryer, toaster oven, maybe even your dehydrator if you’re into making jerky. That sounds great, especially if you hate kitchen clutter. But just because one appliance can do a bunch of things doesn’t mean it does them all equally well.
Air frying is definitely its strong suit, and it does a good job of getting things crispy without having to deep fry. It can also function as a small oven, so you could use it to roast vegetables or bake smaller items. If you bake a lot and want the absolute best results, it’s worth checking out our list of the 10 Best Ovens for Home Bakers. These specialized ovens often offer features essential for consistent baking results.
The idea is that it heats up faster, saving some time, but that doesn’t mean it’s the best option for every type of dish. Air frying can get pretty messy, so even though the parts might be dishwasher safe, prepare yourself for some grease cleanup. For a deeper cleaning guide, including tackling stubborn grease buildup, you can check out our article on How to Clean Ninja Foodi Air Fry Oven.
Customer Feedback and Ratings
I wasn’t sure if I’d love the Ninja Foodi, but I’m officially obsessed, and it turns out I’m not the only one! People are seriously raving about this thing. The main thing everyone mentions is how well the air fryer function works – crispy fries, perfectly browned chicken, all that good stuff.
Another big theme in the reviews is how easy it is to use. No complicated settings or weird symbols to figure out. Plus, a lot of people say it feels really sturdy and well-made. Honestly, for something you’re probably going to use a lot, that’s a major bonus.
If you’re looking for a way to make cooking faster, easier, and a lot less greasy, the Ninja Foodi gets a ton of positive feedback from people who are actually using it.
Pros and Cons of the Ninja Foodi 10-in-1 Smart XL Air Fry Oven
Pros:
- Does a lot of stuff: Air fry, bake, roast… the idea is to cut down on the number of appliances crowding your kitchen.
- Decent size: You can actually fit a reasonable amount of food in there, especially compared to smaller air fryers.
- Easy to use: The controls make sense, and you probably won’t need to dig out the instruction manual every time you use it.
- Cleanup isn’t the worst: Some parts are dishwasher safe.
- Smart features: If you’re into gadgets, the temperature probe and pre-set programs are a fun bonus.
- Cooks evenly (enough): You might still have to toss things around a bit, especially if you’ve got the basket packed. But it’s better than those ones where half your food gets burnt, and the rest is still soggy.
- Saves time for the right stuff: It does heat up way faster than a regular oven, so it’s good for smaller meals or when you’re in a rush. But if you’re cooking a giant roast or baking something delicate, you might still want to use your regular oven for the best results.
Cons:
- Size: This is a large countertop appliance. Ensure you have the space for it.
- Pricey: This thing is expensive. If you just want to air-fry some frozen snacks, it’s probably overkill. But if you think you’ll actually use it for baking, roasting, etc., then the extra cost might be worth it.
- A bit noisy: It makes that whirring fan noise that most air fryers do. It’s not a dealbreaker, but if you have a tiny kitchen or are sensitive to sound, it’s something to be aware of.
It depends on what you need. If you’re short on kitchen space or mostly just want something for the occasional frozen snack, it’s probably not worth the money. But, if you actually cook, and the idea of replacing a few smaller appliances with this one is appealing, then it might be a worthwhile investment.
So, Should You Get One?
If you have the counter space and the budget, and you’re pretty sure you’ll actually use all those fancy functions, then the Ninja Foodi could be a good addition to your kitchen. It is a fun appliance, and if you get excited about the idea of making new things, it’s a good way to expand your cooking options. However, if you’re using it to mainly air fry the occasional bag of fries, or you tend to stick to a few basic meals, it’s probably overkill. There are smaller, less expensive air fryers that would work just as well without taking up so much precious kitchen real estate.
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