I Tried the Ninja Crispi Microwave and Air Fryer and Was Blown Away by the Convenience – It's the Best Combo Fryer I've Seen

Not many people would get genuinely excited about a new microwave, but I am not most people, and the Ninja Crispi Microwave is not most microwaves.

This combo appliance builds one of the best non-toxic air fryers into a master of convenience, creating a countertop workhorse that prioritizes fast, easy, non-toxic cooking.

I put it to the test over several weeks, and it made mealtimes a breeze. From breakfast through to dinner, there's nothing the Ninja Crispi Microwave & Air Fryer cannot master. Here's how I got on.

Product Specifications: Ninja Crispi Microwave and Air Fryer

Design and First Impressions

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One thing I did not quite expect from the Ninja Crispi Microwave and Air Fryer is quite how large it is. While you are saving storage space by not having a separate microwave and air frying appliance, this is not a fix for small kitchens that are low on counter space. It is big and boxy, and while rather chic so far as microwaves go, it takes up space and is not something you can tuck into a pantry.

It arrived well boxed, in the standard Ninja plastic packaging. It was relatively easy to unbox once it was lifted from the cardboard (I had my partner help me with this as it is very heavy). Once unwrapped, you can plug in and go. Nice and simple.

There are a few things to note about the design that is unlike anything I have used in my kitchen before. On the outside, it looks like a normal (albeit large) microwave. Inside, however, there is no rotating plate. This means you have much more cooking space. At the top of the microwave is a sliding glass dish. This is your air fryer compartment.

The glass dish slides out like a drawer, is easy to maneuver with two hands, and has a large removable crisper tray. It sits on two runners which have a convenient anti-tip feature so that the dish will not fall out when you are pulling it out to check on food.

One thing to note is that the glass is very slippery when you are handling it with oven mitts. You need to place one hand underneath the dish and use the other to pull it out to make sure you do not drop it after cooking. This might make it more awkward for children to use.

It is also important to remember that the glass dish and its metal crisper tray must be removed when using the standard microwave functions. I typically stored the dish inside the unit when not in use, and left it on the counter temporarily when I was microwaving something without issue.

All in all, it is a well-designed combo unit, and very self-explanatory to set up.

Cooking Performance

The Crispi Microwave and Air Fryer has three main features. Air Fry (with all the usual roast, max crisp, etc. settings you'd expect from the best air fryers), standard microwave, and FusionCrisp. This combines soundwave microwaving with air frying to bake and crisp dishes and leftovers for perfect results.

I put all three to the test.

Air Frying

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Air frying in the Crispi Microwave was not unlike using the regular Ninja Crispi Pro Air Fryer, which we have also reviewed. The glass dish slides out from the top of the air fryer; you add your food, slide it back into place, and press the air fryer button.

From there, you choose your setting, temperature, and time using the dial before pressing it to start. I trialed a range of foods, often following the included manual's time and setting guide:

• Frozen Nuggets and Wedges: As a standard first test, I put some vegan battered nuggets and potato wedges in on the Max Crisp setting for a few minutes. Both came out wonderfully crisp all over without having to flip midway through. The non-stick ceramic tray didn't need any oil, and the interiors were lovely and fluffy.
• Roasted Vegetables: I usually roast vegetables in the oven to make a delicious, quick Moroccan-spiced couscous. On the air fry setting, the vegetables cooked in half the time it takes in the oven, cutting 40-45 minutes down to just over 20 for perfectly charred and softened veg. The manual suggested I leave the crisper tray in for this, but in hindsight I wish I had removed it. Several chickpeas and a lot of spice mix ended up lost in the gaps. This was my only complaint, however, and will be easy to rectify next time.
• Chicken Breasts: I needed tender, slightly charred chicken breasts to make up a rice bowl. I have always done this in my old air fryer, but usually have to balance a burnt exterior with an undercooked interior when cooking whole breasts. This is where FusionCrisp really shone. This setting uses sound waves to microwave your food first, ensuring a juicy cooked interior, before switching to the air fryer to crisp the exterior. I set both stages following the manual recommendations for whole breasts, and pressed start. I flipped once as I was using foil to catch the juices for easy pouring later, and the chicken came out perfectly juicy with minimal fuss.
• Homemade Nuggets: I breaded my own chicken chunks to make a katsu curry one evening, laying them out over the un-oiled crisper tray. I didn't flip them during cooking, but was thrilled to find that they had crisped on all sides anyway. Better still, the breaded exteriors released from the tray with zero sticking or peeling, reducing oil use entirely for healthier cooking.
• Garlic Baguette: This was my second experiment with FusionCrisp, and it was less successful. I followed the manual's recommendations for the time needed, but still ended up with a cremated baguette. It goes to show that this countertop appliance is incredibly efficient, and to trust your gut over the recommended settings on occasion.
• Sausages: I hate the effort of pan-frying sausages. I placed a pack of six on the un-oiled crisper tray and air-fried them instead (this method also helps to reduce some of the oil used). They came out perfectly juicy, with even a few sear marks from the tray beneath. They were perfect for topping my mashed potato, lathered in gravy.

Microwaving

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The Crispi microwave is the first microwave I have used that does not use a rotating plate to help evenly cook food.

I am thrilled to say that it worked perfectly regardless and arguably cooked more evenly than any rotating method I have used in the past. The extra-large capacity this setup allows for was wonderful, and on a smaller note, the fact that my mug handles were always exactly where I left them, and I didn't have to hunt around the back for them, was a nice touch.

• Soup: I swear by tinned soup for a quick lunch when I am busy. I always use the pre-programmed soup setting for this, which cooks the soup according to the amount, from half a liter upwards. I emptied it out into a bowl, selected the amount of soup, and hit start. It heated evenly, but with some spitting, so a paper towel on top helped keep mess to a minimum. It was nice and efficient.
• Porridge: I love a warm bowl of oatmeal to start the day when the weather starts to turn. I once again used the preset for this, selecting the amount of porridge I had in grams before hitting start. This determined the time and temperature to use. It came out creamy every time, all without having to stir and put it back in.
• Leftovers: A microwave is the king of leftovers. I had some tofu-eggplant stew left over from a previous night's dinner, so I threw it in the glass dish into the center of the cross on the floor of the microwave. I used the standard max power setting for just a few minutes, and had a piping hot lunch ready to go.
• Chocolate Mug Cake: The prize of my personal recipe book; you can't test a microwave and not try a five-minute mug cake. This recipe is one of the simplest you can bake, but it all comes down to the microwave you use. A weak microwave can scorch the exterior before the middle is cooked. The Ninja Crispi Microwave, however, excelled. The cake rose nicely in seconds, cooked through to the center, and did not burn. It was perfect.
• Softening Butter: As an avid baker, I was excited to see a dedicated softening butter preset. I used this to soften butter enough to spread for cinnamon rolls, and it worked spectacularly, rendering it spreadable with no melted spots.
• Defrost: I didn't get a pack of wraps out of the freezer early enough for one evening's fajitas, so I used the defrost setting to warm them through. They softened perfectly without drying out.

Cleaning and Maintenance

Cleaning the Ninja Crispi Microwave is the same as cleaning any microwave. You can use a damp cloth to wipe down the interior, and this time you do not have an awkward plate to take out and wash separately.

There is also an included self-clean setting, although with a good wipe-out, I did not find myself needing this.

Cleaning the air fryer dish was awkward only because of the size and shape. The dish is heavy, generally speaking, and the large flat shape means you need two hands to move it around easily. The glass and the tray wiped clean without complaint; it was just a matter of maneuvering it around my sink. Luckily, for those with dishwashers, they are dishwasher-safe to negate this.

The microwave cannot be built into units in your kitchen, so it must live on your counter. It is very large, so make sure you are okay with sacrificing the counter space before you commit.

What Shoppers Say

Of the nearly 300 reviews on the SharkNinja site at the time of writing, the Ninja Crispi Microwave and Air Fryer has an overall 4.6/5 star rating. Customers love the crispy, quick results, how seamless it is to use, and the spacious interior with non-toxic materials.

'It’s everything I expected and more,' shared one pleased shopper. 'Got it a few days ago and just opened it up today and used it for the first time to make lasagna. Well, let me tell you firsthand that it tasted like I made it in the oven. Mind blown! I was in awe. I couldn’t believe how delicious it tasted. I already know this is gonna be used daily. The air fryer option is awesome. I love everything about this microwave.'

Of the one-star reviews, one customer noted that the glass dish cracked after a few uses. This seems to be a single incident, and it is not an issue I experienced. Other complaints seem to be about the design, rather than the functionality. One shopper found the cable to be too short for their needs, while another struggled to find space for such a large appliance in their home. These are more personal preference reviews than issues with the product, so I will not take them into account.

Should You Buy The Ninja Crispi Microwave and Air Fryer?

All in all, I would highly recommend the Ninja Crispi Microwave and Air Fryer. It is the perfect combination appliance that can save kitchen storage space and save money if you need to replace either appliance. It is well designed, very easy to use, and looks great if you do not mind the size.

FusionCrisp is a nice feature that I am looking forward to playing around with more in the future, and the microwave and air frying settings are flawless. It feels very well thought out and is an investment I would struggle to regret years down the line.

It is perfectly suited to households that need convenience when cooking. Designed to live on your counter, always plugged in, it is always ready to go, making cooking quick and frictionless. The use of non-toxic materials also makes it perfect for those who want to prioritize healthier cooking, while the extra-large capacity is perfect for hosting or large families.

How We Test Air Fryers

When looking at air fryers, we consider several things. Firstly, we look at the materials, looking for potentially toxic coatings and prioritizing non-toxic products for peace of mind. Then, we focus on exceptional cooking performance. As a team of trained cooks, product testers, and appliance experts, we rigorously test each model by air-frying frozen fries, chicken wings, and roasted vegetables. During our taste tests, we seek food that’s perfectly crispy on the outside and tender within. Having tested the market leaders, we’re familiar with the industry benchmarks.

Ease of use is key, so our tests evaluate the intuitiveness of controls, basket design, and the accuracy of recipe presets. We also explore special features, like grilling and dehydrating, to assess versatility. While cooking, we make notes on capacity – essential for those looking for family-sized air fryers.

Since cleaning can be a hassle, we check if the removable parts are easy to wash, whether by hand or in the dishwasher. We also examine materials' durability, as this is a key criterion for long-lasting, non-toxic items. After testing, we scour the web for the best and worst customer reviews to assess the air fryer's reliability and overall customer satisfaction.

You can go behind the scenes and read more details on our how we test air fryers page.

What Else to Shop

From air fryer accessories to an essential care kit, these are the air fryer essentials I love for efficient home cooking.

All prices were correct at the time of publication.

Don't need a whole new microwave? Consider the new Ninja Crispi DualZone Air Fryer instead.

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