We’ve tested dozens of air fryers. This ninja model is our favorite (by far)

Air fryers come in all shapes and sizes. there Toaster oven style air fryers, Instant Pot Air Fryer And many more Full size ovens Which also has an air fryer function. I’ve tried almost all of them, and one stands out as the best for the average home cook.

After loads of Air fryer test -More than twenty models at last count- Ninja Crispy Glass BowlIt emerged as a CNET top pick overall.

After using Ninja’s innovative Crispi Glass Air Fryer for over a year, with its non-toxic chambers that double as serving bowls and storage containers, I’m still everywhere. The glass cooking chamber and modular construction represent the most significant advance in air fryer design since these appliances were introduced more than ten years ago.

The Crispi has a non-toxic, easy-to-clean glass cooking chamber, and its cooking power is as good or better than any chamber we’ve tested. Additionally, the entire unit decomposes for easy storage after use – a claim that 99% of other air fryers can’t make.

Read more: Air fryer fail: 8 foods that can’t handle the heat

Here’s how the Ninja Crispi glass air fryer works, plus four main reasons I made the switch.

Ninja Crispi 4-in-1 Portable Glass Air Fryer at a Glance

• style: A modular air fryer in two sizes of glass cooking pots and a separate cooking capsule in three color options
• Dimensions: 13.5 by 12 by 13.5 inches
• power: 1500 watts
• weight: 15.74 pounds
• price $160

The Ninja Crispi Process: How It’s Different

The cooking chamber itself includes crispy, bake, air fry and maximum crispy functions. Crisp is intended to revive leftovers, while max Crisp is the ideal preparation for packaged frozen foods. Although it’s tempting, given the look of the baking dish, TempWare glass pans are not intended for use as actual cooking pans for dough in baking mode, because air still needs to circulate underneath the cooking pans to be effective. (Would I try anyway? The temptation is real.)

Pressing any button will activate a digital timer, allowing you to add or subtract minutes. (The default timer is 10.) When the timer is less than one minute, it converts to seconds, and the device beeps to alert you when the cycle is complete. Overall, the Ninja Crispi’s sound level was similar to that of traditional air fryer models, with only moderate buzzing during operation.

4 reasons why the Ninja Crispi Glass is better

1. I can check the progress of my food without losing heat

As expected, being able to see the cooking process in action was really satisfying, both from a geek’s perspective and as a way to look for visual cues to determine when to flip items or assess how done they are. Both the chicken parts and the Brussels sprouts were cooked evenly and efficiently, with little risk of overcooking, given the overall view of the proceedings.

And because I can monitor progress without opening the basket or stopping the machine, the food cooks faster. Who doesn’t like that?

2. Glass bowls are non-toxic and easy to clean

Most air fryers use aluminum cooking baskets with a non-stick coating. These coatings tend to crack and crumble if you’re not careful. Many people are concerned about the health consequences of ingesting nonstick chemicals that cause chipped cookware. With a glass pot air fryer, you don’t have to worry.

If that’s not enough, glass is easier to deep clean than non-stick surfaces and you can use the dishwasher without a problem.

3. Glass containers serve as food storage containers

However, the versatility makes the Ninja Crispi very interesting, especially for avid meal preppers. Whole meals or individual cooked ingredients can be stored directly from the cooking process in the refrigerator, thanks to the included lids for easy storage. (Although I’m sticking to refrigerator logistics to ask that you let everything cool down first, so you don’t inadvertently raise the temperature inside your refrigerator.)

additional Cooking utensils They can be purchased in different sizes separately, allowing for the preparation of multiple individually cooked meals without the need for clean-up between uses: simply move the cooking pot from one cooking pot to the next collection pot. Preparing a Sunday meal has never been easier, and requires fewer dishes.

4. Breaks down for easy storage

The Ninja Crispi is also easy to store, as its space and height requirements are much lower than many traditional models. It’s also easy to carry around – perfect for potlucks or even just a hot meal for self-care – and you can even justify cooking on site. Either the cooking pot or the cooking chamber can easily fit into the shoulder bag. If I worked in an office, I would be happy to bring everything with me for a hot, healthy lunch without reheating. Although if you’re thinking about being the person who cooks fish right at your desk, maybe don’t.

Not only can the larger 4-quart bowl be used directly as a family-style serving bowl — whose practical feet eliminate the need for a stand or pot holder — but one could argue that the smaller 4-cup bowl can be used for dining directly, significantly reducing the number of dishes that need to be washed. Speaking of washing, everything except the cooking pot itself is dishwasher safe.

Ninja Crispy Preparation

Although it doesn’t look like a typical air fryer, the Ninja Crispi was intuitive to set up and use. Each glass cooking pot has a built-in stand with feet that keeps it off the counter. Side handles have also been fitted to the bowl holders, allowing for easy transport between counter and table (where the bowls can also be used for serving) and making it easy to shake the contents as needed while cooking.

The non-stick food drawer plates were packaged separately and were easy to place in the pans and remove for cleaning. Lids for the 6-cup and 4-quart dishes are also included: a snap-on lid for the smaller ones and a simpler compression lid for the larger ones.

The cooking container has an ergonomic shape for easy lifting and includes feet to sit securely on the counter when not in use. The crockpot easily fits over the 6-cup pot, and the large batch adapter frame fits the crockpot in the larger pot. Between disassembling and rinsing all the washable parts, I was ready to go in about two minutes.

What I didn’t like about the Ninja Crispi

As a modular appliance with many built-in practical applications and versatility, the Ninja Crispi is a game-changer in the air fryer market. However, at $160, it is more expensive for an air fryer.

Those with young children at home may also want to note that when using the cooking container with the adapter for large batches, the adapter can become hot and potentially expose them once the heating container is removed. Don’t worry about the little ones; If you’re an absent-minded cook, this can be dangerous.

Read more: 8 foods that go from good to great in the air fryer

Final Verdict on Ninja Crispi

If you’re a fan of air fryer cooking, and especially if you have a serious commitment to meal prep,… Crispy ninja It is arguably one of the most versatile models on the market. It is satisfying to use and easy to store and clean. You may want to look for it on sale during Prime Day or a similar event, but even without a discount, its utility and the Ninja brand’s reputation justify its price.