Ninja Air Fryer Pro XL 6-in-1 review — straightforward, easy-to-use, and fast (2024)

Ninja is dialing back complicated machines and the Ninja Air Fryer Pro XL is no exception. Air fryers these days keep presenting us with more options, functions and uses and it's not uncommon to see them have 10 or more settings, all sorts of automated directions, and more buttons than I can keep track of or understand.

This super straightforward air fryer does have six options —max crisp, air fry, roast, bake, reheat, and dehydrate —but each one has a singular button, along with power, temperature, time, and start. It's not trying to do too much. It's keeping things simple and that makes my life easier, and it makes me a heck of a lot more likely to use it on a daily basis (which I have been so far!).

Plus, it works, and it's quick. I've made everything from falafel to grilled cheese. I've baked, air-fried, reheated, and max-crisped. Every time, it's consistent and fast. The Ninja Air Fryer Pro XL has convinced me it's one of the best air fryers you can add to the kitchen.

Quick Menu: Ninja Air Fryer Pro XL

1. Short review
2. Product specs
3.
4. Using the air fryer
5. Cleaning
6. Should you buy it?
7. Good to know
8. Where to buy
9. How we test

Ninja Air Fryer Pro XL Review

What I thought of the Ninja Air Fryer Pro XL

Ninja Air Fryer Pro XL 6-in-1 review — straightforward, easy-to-use, and fast (1)

(Image credit: Heather Bien)

This sticker, which I promptly peeled off after taking this photo, sums up the Ninja Air Fryer Pro XL 6-in-1 in one small rectangle. Straightforward and easy to use. Each button clearly tells you what its job is, and this diagram clearly spells out exactly how long you should cook different types of food.

With Max Crisp Technology and temperatures of up to 450° Fahrenheit, this Ninja Air Fryer Pro XL cooks quickly, which I appreciate when I'm trying to make lunch between deadlines and meetings.

I can throw in a grilled cheese and it's done in just a few minutes flat. It does automatically set the time to 20 minutes each time you use it, so make sure you keep an eye on the time rather than relying on the timer, or manually adjust the time duration down.

My favorite use for an air fryer is heating up restaurant and takeout leftovers so that they actually taste like they did when they were fresh, and, whether it's fries or Brussels sprouts, this Ninja does the trick perfectly.

At 6.5 quarts, it's the perfect size for a small family. My husband and I can make dinner in it, but it's not so big that it's taking up precious counter space. Plus, it's so sleek that I don't mind leaving it out — and that's saying something.

Ninja Air Fryer Pro XL 6-in-1 review — straightforward, easy-to-use, and fast (2)6.5 Quarts

Ninja Air Fryer Pro XL

Price: Was $169.99, Now $149.95

Ninja Air Fryer Pro XL specifications

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Model NameNinja® Air Fryer Pro XL 6-in-1
Dimensions (in.)H12.00 x W11.29 x L14.92
Weight (pounds)11.44lbs
Wattage (watts)1750W
Capacity (quarts)6.5 qt
Temperature rangeUp to 450°F
Default optionsMax crisp, air fry, roast, bake, reheat, and dehydrate

Unboxing the Ninja Air Fryer Pro XL

Ninja Air Fryer Pro XL 6-in-1 review — straightforward, easy-to-use, and fast (3)

(Image credit: Heather Bien)

Whenever I open up an appliance, I'm quietly dreading the setup. How many parts am I going to have to assemble? How long am I going to spend trying to match numbers up to a diagram?

Luckily, the minute I pulled this Ninja air fryer out, I knew I was in luck. It was packed safely in styrofoam, which I don't love from an environmental standpoint, but it kept it snugly in the box. And then the assembly — there was none.

This came fully assembled, and I could immediately see the basket and crisping plate were well-made and fit perfectly into the unit. All I had to do was pull off four stickers, which easily lifted off the surface. Setup couldn't have been easier, and the air fryer comes with a quick start guide and a manual.

Then I cleaned the air fryer crisper plate and the inside of the basket with hot, soapy water, dried them, and we were ready to go.

Using the Ninja Air Fryer Pro XL

Ninja Air Fryer Pro XL 6-in-1 review — straightforward, easy-to-use, and fast (4)

(Image credit: Heather Bien)

To get started using the Ninja Air Fryer Pro XL 6-in-1, all you have to do is familiarize yourself with a few key buttons. First, you have power, temperature, time, and start —all self-explanatory. Then, right below, you have the cooking settings: max crisp, air fry, roast, bake, reheat, and dehydrate. And I can't tell you how much I value words over icons, where I can never tell if I'm looking at a turkey leg or a chicken wing.

Regardless of which mode you're using, you'll turn the unit on, make sure the crisper plate is locked in the basket, then select the mode and temperature, and let it preheat for three minutes before putting your food in. The air fryer will automatically be set to 20 minutes, but you can use the time button to adjust for your recipe (20 minutes is longer than most food will need in an air fryer).

Ninja Air Fryer Pro XL 6-in-1 review — straightforward, easy-to-use, and fast (5)

(Image credit: Heather Bien)

If you're air frying or using max crisp, halfway through cooking, you should use the start button to pause cooking, then take out the basket and shake the food to make sure everything is cooking evenly.

This is where the only real complaint I had came into play — I wish there was a way to see the food while it's cooking (like the COSORI Dual Basket, which we reviewed, which has a handy viewing window) rather than having to open the basket. But, if you're opening it to shake the food anyway, then I suppose it's no big deal.

If you're roasting, the quick start guide says you should subtract 25° Fahrenheit whenever you're baking in an air fryer. It doesn't say the same for baking, but I found that it bakes super fast, which could be because of the temperature. If you look below, those croissant rolls were supposed to take 20 minutes, yet I popped them in and, nine minutes later, they were a golden brown.

The Ninja Air Fryer Pro XL also has a list of tips and tricks in the quick start manual that I found incredibly helpful. I wouldn't have thought to secure lightweight food to keep it from blowing around, or to reduce the time when there's less food, but now I know.

Ninja Air Fryer Pro XL 6-in-1 review — straightforward, easy-to-use, and fast (6)

(Image credit: Heather Bien)

How to clean and maintain the Ninja Air Fryer Pro XL

To clean the air fryer, Ninja recommends hand washing the crisper plate basket to extend the life of the unit. They can be put in the dishwasher in a pinch. However, ideally, hand washing with warm, soapy water and towel drying will help the non-stick surface last longer.

Once you've found the right cadence on how often to clean your air fryer, you can wipe down the exterior with a damp microfiber cloth with a bit of dish soap if necessary to keep the exterior as clean as the inside, but never submerge the appliance in water.

Should you buy the Ninja Air Fryer Pro XL?

If you're looking for a sleek, stylish, and straightforward air fryer that is a big enough size to make dinner for a small family but doesn't take up major counter space, then this is your air fryer.

Of all the air fryers I've ever used, this one does the best job of keeping things super simple while still giving you options. We're definitely in a new era of air fryers where one setting isn't enough, but I also don't want to choose from 15 different options every time I want to heat up fries or falafel.

By limiting it to six settings, this Ninja air fryer makes it easy. Less thinking, more eating. If that's your motto, this is the air fryer for you.

Good to know

Instructions
The Ninja® Air Fryer Pro XL 6-in-1 comes with an instruction manual and a quick start guide with recipes. I also found the sticker on the front of the machine to be super helpful in understanding timing.

Warranty
A one-year limited warranty from the date of purchase is included with the Ninja® Air Fryer Pro XL 6-in-1.

Where to buy the Ninja Air Fryer Pro XL

The Ninja® Air Fryer Pro XL 6-in-1 is available to buy directly from Ninja, via their Amazon storefront, or from retailers such as Target.

How we test air fryers

The Ninja Air Fryer Pro XL 6-in-1 was sent to me by the brand, and I used it over a several-week period. Here are a few things I like to look out for whentesting air fryers:

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Ninja® Air Fryer Pro XL 6-in-1 test criteria
CriterionDescription
BasketIs it easy to take in and out of the machine? Does it hold into place?
OperationHow easy is it to use the machine? Are the prompts/buttons legible? Do I know when the machine is done?
ControlsAre the settings easy to use and clearly labeled? Is it easy to remember which ones do which?
CleaningHow easy is it to clean?

If you love the sound of this air fryer, but would indeed like more cooking functions, the Ninja Speedi, which we reviewed — a multicooker air fryer able to cook whole meals in 15 minutes flat — might be the one for you.

Topics

Air Fryer

Ninja Air Fryer Pro XL 6-in-1 review — straightforward, easy-to-use, and fast (2024)

FAQs

How good is the Ninja XL air fryer? ›

While the Ninja is more expensive than most air fryers, it's like having two thanks to the spacious baskets that allow you to cook two foods independently. It's easy to clean and heats evenly for crisp yet moist foods. Plus, after a year of use, it shows no degradation in performance.

How long to run Ninja air fryer before first use? ›

Simple Tip! Some manufacturers recommend running the air fryer empty for 10 minutes before you actually cook with it, to let it off-gas. There might be a slightly chemical smell (one manual referred to it as a “new appliance smell”), so have the vents on or windows open.

What's the difference between air fryer and Ninja air fryer? ›

Ninja Air Fryers

More than an air fryer, our single-drawer models feature multiple cooking functions including Roast, Reheat and Dehydrate so you can create tasty mains, sides or snacks at the touch of a button. Cook from frozen to crispy and feed the family with a larger-capacity MAX model.

Is the Ninja air fryer bad? ›

Ninja Air Fryers are safe; however, their cooking at high temperatures has caused scientists to believe that they can produce potentially harmful chemicals making humans vulnerable to cancer particularly liver breast, kidney, and colon cancer. Considering this; the product has been given the Prop 65 Warning.

Is it worth paying for a Ninja air fryer? ›

Our reviews experts have tested dozens of different air-fryers from numerous brands, and Ninja regularly comes highly recommended. We've found its air-fryers to be stylishly designed, easy to use and great value for money.

Is the Ninja Foodi XL worth the money? ›

It's the perfect grill for anyone who wants a versatile and easy-to-use appliance. Overall, I think the Ninja FG551 Foodi Smart XL 6-in-1 Indoor Grill is a great value for the price. It's a versatile, easy-to-use, and large-capacity grill that can cook a wide variety of foods.

What cannot be cooked in an air fryer? ›

8 things you should never put in the air fryer
  1. Liquids.
  2. Wet batter.
  3. Popcorn.
  4. Commercial spray oils.
  5. Bread for toasting.
  6. Sauces.
  7. Raw rice or grains.
  8. Burnt food.
Aug 13, 2024

What is the downside of an airfryer? ›

Air fryers have a limited cooking capacity compared to traditional ovens or deep fryers, making them unsuitable for larger families or cooking larger portions.

Why are people getting rid of air fryers? ›

While air fryers are popular, the most expensive models can start to get a little pricey which could undermine their status as a budget item. Many people came out for halogen ovens as the better option. One person said: "I treated myself to a halogen oven to help with Christmas; I only have one shelf in my oven.

Which air fryers should be avoided? ›

These not-so-hot air fryers will leave you underwhelmed.
  • The Cuisinart Express Oven Air Fry received the lowest score in our air fryers test.
  • Brains over beauty: the Kitchen Couture air fryer.
  • You get what you pay for with the cheap Kmart Anko 9L Twin Air Fryer AFD2906.
Jul 11, 2024

What are the health issues with air fryers? ›

Common air fryer health issues include the potential for creating acrylamide in starchy foods when cooked at high temperatures, the release of plastic compounds if plastic components are heated, and smoke or fumes from overheated oil or food.

Why Ninja Airfryer is so popular? ›

Meals in the Ninja never take me more than 20 minutes to cook. This air fryer's interface is also very easy to use. To start cooking, all you have to do is select a preset button, and the machine will automatically set the temperature and cooking time.

Is XL a good air fryer? ›

Verdict. The Ninja Air Fryer Max XL has a wide temperature range and gets much hotter than most basket-style models, allowing it to churn out particularly crispy versions of dishes you'd otherwise cook or reheat in the oven.

Which Ninja Foodi air fryer is the best? ›

The best Ninja air fryer to buy in 2024
  1. Ninja Foodi Dual Zone Air Fryer: Best dual-drawer Ninja air fryer. ...
  2. Ninja Speedi: Best Ninja multi cooker for whole meals. ...
  3. Ninja Air Fryer Max Pro 6.2l AF180UK: Best value Ninja air fryer. ...
  4. Ninja Foodi FlexDrawer: Best large capacity Ninja air fryer.
Jul 25, 2024

What can you cook in a Ninja XL air fryer? ›

There's literally nothing the Ninja can't handle, from perfectly-crisped, air-light veggies and wings, to burgers, sandwiches, fish, bacon, fries... the list goes on and on. Plus, why deal with a frying pan and an oil-slick mess—that's less healthy to boot—when you can achieve that crunch, minus the extra calories?

How long do Ninja air fryers last? ›

For those who use the air fryer regularly, such as three to four times a week, mainly for dinner or snacks, it may need replacement every 3 to 5 years, depending on usage intensity and maintenance. Regularly used air fryers are prone to wear and tear, so regular air fryer accessories checks and maintenance are crucial.

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