Ninja Foodi Pressure Cooker Steam Fryer Review

Ninja’s newest innovation, the Ninja Foodi

This multi cooker brings together an impressive array of 14 incredible cooking functions under a single lid. With the multitude of appliances available today, your countertop can get easily cluttered if you’re going to get one of every of these appliances. With Ninja’s all-in-one multicooker: Ninja Foodi Pressure Cooker Steam Fryer with SmartLid & Built-In Thermometer can serve as both your slow and pressure cooker at the same time. Not to mention, it can also function as an air fryer, a stovetop, a convection oven, and so much more! All these functions are all condensed into one convenient and space-saving machine.

Having previously reviewed Ninja Foodi products, such as the air fry oven as well as their original multicooker that comes with dual lids, we were genuinely amazed by how well they performed.

This is why we are thrilled to delve into the most updated Ninja Foodi model, that comes with new features and a single lid. We’re every bit excited to see if this cookware is something worthy for your kitchen counter.

Introducing the Ninja Foodi Pressure Cooker Steam Fryer

This newest addition to the Ninja multicooker lineup comes with more features and offers more convenience than its predecessor.

This advanced model boasts an impressive selection of 14 cooking features, offering a wide range of culinary possibilities:

• Air frying
• Baking and roasting
• Broiling
• Pressure cooking
• Searing and sautéing
• Slow cooking
• Sous viding
• Steaming
• Steaming and Baking
• Steaming and Crisping
• Proofing Dough
• Fermenting yogurt
• Dehydrating fruti
• Keep warm function

With these diverse cooking options, the Ninja Foodi Pressure Cooker Steam Fryer is designed to elevate your cooking experience to new heights.

Additionally, this version of the Ninja Foodi Pressure Cooker Steam Fryer includes four convenient accessories to enhance your cooking experience: the Smart Thermometer along with double layered reversible racks; it also comes with an eight-quart cooking pot, as well as a Cook & Crisp basket. You’ll be pleased to know that all these accessories are dishwasher safe, and both pot and basket are equipped with a nonstick coating that is PTFE/PFOA-safe for added peace of mind.

Testing Process:

Our kitchen writer conducted comprehensive testing on the Ninja Foodi Pressure Cooker Steam Fryer to evaluate its performance across various functions.

Given the multicooker’s multiple features, we conducted a series of cooking tests to thoroughly assess how well it performs.

Firstly, we tried airfrying chicken. We compared it with the traditional deep-frying method and even the oven-baked method. The outcomes were remarkable, as the air-fried chicken almost matched the texture and crunch of the deep-fried version, while retaining the succulent juiciness on the interior.

Next, we airfried fries and chicken nuggets. Throughout the process, we closely monitored the cooking results, ensuring it evenly cooks to achieve optimal crispiness.

To thoroughly explore the Ninja Foodi Pressure Cooker Steam Fryer’s capabilities, we proceeded to prepare various dishes to allow us to experience the wide array of functions the Foodi offers.

Additionally, we tested the Steam & Crisp function by preparing two complete meals: chicken fajitas with some peppers and rice on the side, and some quinoa coupled with baked salmon and broccolli.

Throughout the testing process, we studied closely the preheating duration, the helpfulness of the manual and recipe book, and the ease of cleaning the different parts of the appliance. These observations helped us gain valuable insights into the overall usability and convenience of the Ninja Foodi Pressure Cooker Steam Fryer.

What impressed us:

The Ninja Foodi’s versatility is truly remarkable.

From effortlessly making yogurt to preparing fajitas and even sautéing, the range of functions it offers appears endless.

With its vast capabilities, this all-in-one appliance can effectively replace several individual kitchen appliances that often occupy valuable space. Whether it’s expertly sous viding fish, proofing dough, dehydrating fruit, fermenting yogurt, or other surprising tasks, the Ninja Foodi enables you to accomplish tasks at home that you might not have anticipated possible before. Its multifunctionality is a standout feature that elevates the cooking experience to a whole new level.

Several multicookers we have examined have also provided similar functions, but this particular one surpasses them by offering a significantly broader array of features, all conveniently housed under a single lid.

The older Foodi multicooker we tried necessitated changing between the two lids for different cooking functions, the latest model has eliminated that inconvenience. Instead, it introduces a SmartLid slider, allowing for seamless transitions between different functions like Pressure, SteamCrisp, and Stovetop/Air Fry.

Moreover, the user interface of this new model made navigating the multitude of cooking functions a breeze.

Steam & Crisp Functionality

When we air fry the chicken using this feature, the result was delightful, boasting a perfectly crispy exterior while retaining all the juices inside.

My personal favorite aspect of the Foodi is its Steam & Crisp that resembles the TenderCrisp feature of its previous model. This versatile function allows for cooking a wide range of dishes, from vegetables to proteins, ensuring a crispy outer texture while preserving a tender and juicy interior.

We put this feature to the test by preparing chicken fajitas, utilizing the Deluxe Reversible Rack to separate the rice, peppers, onions and the chicken. The bottom for the rice, the middle for the peppers and onions, while the chicken stays on top. Within 20 minutes, the rice has effectively absorbed the liquid and seasoning without overcooking. The onions and peppers were perfectly soft, while the chicken attained a juicy, tender interior complemented by a crispy exterior. The results were truly impressive and left a lasting positive impression on us.

We also observed excellent results with the quinoa, broccoli, and salmon prepared in the Ninja Foodi. After the cooking process, the quinoa came out tender, the broccoli was perfectly roasted, while the salmon achieved a delightfully tender and crispy golden texture.

Smart Thermometer

The inclusion of the Smart Thermometer in the Foodi model proved to be a highly convenient and effective addition. This clever feature makes cooking proteins a simple task.

The built-in Smart Thermometer allows for precise cooking of proteins to reach the desired temperature. It also offers automatic programs associated with various levels of doneness, allowing you to select your preference. Once you insert the probe and make your choice, the Foodi takes care of the rest, ensuring your protein is cooked to perfection with minimal effort. The Smart Thermometer is a valuable tool that significantly enhances the cooking experience and guarantees excellent results.

For our salmon dish, we utilized the Fish setting at Medium on the Ninja Foodi, and the outcome was outstanding. The fish obtained a crispy exterior and juicy interior that is practically falling apart—a perfect texture according to our preference.

The Ninja Foodi offers additional thermometer settings tailored for various types of proteins. Once you insert the probe into the meat and connect it to the plug located underneath the lid, you can simply select the appropriate meat type and desired doneness in a matter of seconds. The process is effortless; simply set your preferences, and the Foodi will notify you when your protein is perfectly cooked and ready to serve. This convenient feature ensures consistent and precise results every time you cook with the Ninja Foodi.

Cleaning is a Breeze!

Cleaning the Ninja Foodi Pressure Cooker Steam Fryer is so easy, saving you from the typical post-dinner cleanup hassle. Preparing a multi-ingredient meal often involves using multiple cookware, which can be time-consuming to clean, especially when some items require handwashing.

But with this multicooker, all the accessories can be tossed in the dishwasher. Thanks to their ceramic nonstick coating, rinsing off any residue beforehand is incredibly easy.

I found that a quick rinse with hot water and a few seconds of cleaning was sufficient to remove any leftover food from the surfaces. The cleanup process was so easy with every use of the Ninja Foodi Pressure Cooker Steam Fryer.

Some Things The Could be Improved

The manual provided with the Ninja Foodi Pressure Cooker Steam Fryer fell short in terms of helpfulness. Initially, I encountered some difficulty in how the machine functions due to the limited guidance in the booklet.

The absence of photo diagrams explaining each component of the appliance was particularly disappointing. As a result, I opted to browse their website to locate the full manual, which proved to be more informative. For instance, finding information about the Smart Thermometer, discreetly tucked away on the side, required extensive searching before I eventually turned to the online resource.

Furthermore, it also lacks in some instructions, such as how the steam knob operates, and certain recipes (e.g., making yogurt) were noticeably absent from the provided booklet. I need to browse online to find guidance for these aspects, which left me feeling disappointed.

Considering that not everyone may be technologically proficient or have internet access, it becomes all the more important to include these in the user manual, rather than hiding essential details online. A user-friendly and complete manual can greatly enhance the overall experience with the Ninja Foodi Pressure Cooker Steam Fryer.

Mediocre Recipes

Regrettably, some of the recipes provided turned out to be disappointing. Both the risotto and bread recipes failed to meet expectations. Moreover, certain recipes were missing from the Foodi cookbook, and others that were included proved to be underwhelming.

For instance, the risotto turned out to be mushy and lacked the expected flavors. The claim of preparing risotto within 10 minutes using a one-pot method seemed doubtful from the start, as traditional risotto is known for requiring time and careful attention to achieve the desired creamy texture and taste. The disappointing outcome left me questioning the reliability of some of the provided recipes.

As anticipated, the rice in the provided risotto recipe turned out not to be al dente, and it lacked the essential ingredients I typically include in my version of risotto, such as onions, wine, and butter. As a result, the flavor was rather underwhelming, and the consistency was not as creamy as expected, appearing more watery instead.

Similarly, I found myself disappointed with their crusty bread recipe. Although the instructions were straightforward to follow, the final results were underwhelming. The loaf turned out flat, with certain parts inside appearing undercooked, and the crust lacked the satisfying crunch that I was hoping for.

For those interested in trying their hand at homemade bread, particularly as a beginner, a Dutch oven would be better, as it can yield more reliable and impressive results.

Is It Worth Purchasing a Ninja Foodi Pressure Cooker Steam Fryer?

Absolutely!

Despite the few cons we encountered during our testing, these concerns can easily be overcome through experimenting with recipes.

The Ninja Foodi has a thriving online community as well as the support of the Ninja Test Kitchen, who provide an abundance of recipes for Foodi customers to try. This allows you to fully explore the capabilities of this machine and ensure you fully utilized all its features.

Considering the virtually limitless possibilities for easy meal prepping, easy clean-up and making easy meals with its wide range of functionality, we believe it’s a worthwhile investment.