Ninja Air Fryer Pro 4-in-1 review

Ninja can reliably be expected to produce innovative, user-friendly air fryers, and the Ninja Air Fryer Pro AF141 is no exception. As a Homes Editor I've tested a range of the best air fryers released by Ninja over the years, from the entry-level AF101 to the generously-sized DualZone, but if you asked me what the best small air fryer was, I would've recommended an option from Instant or Dash. That is until I tried the Ninja Air Fryer Pro. 

Although it's small in stature, this air fryer doesn't feel like a compromise. It's finished to an incredibly high standard, with intuitive controls and a sleek design that will slot into any kitchen setup. Be warned though, it's an expensive option, and if you want a 5QT fryer that performs the same amount of functions, there are definitely cheaper options on the market. 

I put the Ninja Air Fryer Pro to the test in my two-person home for two weeks to see how well it would slot into my daily routine. Here's how it went. 

Ninja Air Fryer Pro review: Price and availability

You can buy the Ninja Air Fryer Pro AF141 for $119 at Amazon and direct at Ninja. It also comes in a larger size, the 6.5QT Ninja Air Fryer Pro XL AF181. This model comes with an additional Max Crisp mode, and a Bake setting. 

Ninja Air Fryer Pro: Design

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My first impression of this air fryer was that it's surprisingly nifty. The five-quart capacity is nothing to scoff at, and it's impressive that Ninja was able to fit a decent-sized basket in such a neat design. The air fryer is particularly short at just over 10 inches high.

The Ninja Air Fryer Pro is fitted with a pretty sizeable basket, and you can insert or remove a lining insert to create airflow and allow your air fryer to crisp the underside of your food evenly. When removed though, you get a lot more room in your basket, and you'll also be able to create dishes with sauce or glazes without losing your cooking liquid during the cooking process. 

Ninja Air Fryer Pro review: Ease of use

Setup is simple. My air fryer came mostly wrapped in cardboard, which makes me feel less guilty when it comes to disposing of packaging, and once I'd peeled the plastic coating from the exterior of the air fryer and washed the basket and insert, I was ready to start testing. 

The Ninja Air Fryer Pro's lifted control panel does away with touch-screens and instead features buttons to select your mode, increase temperature and time, and start or stop cooking. If you enjoy simplicity in your kitchen appliances and the idea of one of those 18-in-1 multicookers overwhelms you, this air fryer will be a welcome addition to your kitchen.

Ninja Air Fryer Pro review: Performance

The first thing I cooked in the Ninja Air Fryer Pro was some harissa-roasted vegetables. I enjoy roasting veggies in batches, which allows me to bulk-cook lunches to take into the office, and it's also a great way to test the roast setting on an air fryer. I sliced up two peppers, a zucchini, some cherry tomatoes and half an aubergine, and although there wasn't much room left in the air fryer, this did all fit in quite nicely. 

Despite how full the basket was, I was able to get a nice even charring on my vegetables after giving them a shake midway through cooking. I did have to remember to do this myself, because the air fryer didn't have an in-built alarm to remind me. Although I initially put them on to roast for 40 minutes at 340°F, I was happy with the cooking after just 28 minutes, which is faster than most air fryers I've tested. 

My next test was to cook some frozen food in the Ninja Air Fryer Pro. I opted for sweet potato fries, and as per their packaging instructions, I put them on to cook for 12 minutes at 390°F. As you can see, they came out a bit burnt, and were probably cooked perfectly at the 10 minute mark. Air fryers tend to cook food quicker than an oven, but smaller air fryers in particular heat up faster, thus speeding up the cooking time even more. Despite the charring, I was happy with how well these crisps fried up, although it was notable that the ones closer to the perimeter of the air fryer basket cooked a bit faster than those in the center. 

I also cooked some marinated chicken fillets in the Ninja Air Fryer Pro 4-in-1. This is another element of my weekly meal preparation, but I was also intrigued to see how many strips could fit into the compact basket. The answer? Five fillets, and I could probably have fit a sixth in. Despite its small dimensions, there's no space wasted in the Ninja Air Fryer Pro 4-in-1, and although it doesn't compete with larger fryers such as the Ninja Foodi DualZone I'm confident that it could handle family meals if you only have a small kitchen at your disposal.  

Ninja Air Fryer Pro 4-in-1 review: Verdict

The Ninja Air Fryer Pro 4-in-1 is simple and effective. It doesn't feature any flashy gimmicks, but what it does, it does well. However, if you want to add smart cooking to your repertoire, you could invest in Ninja's ProChef wireless thermometer. I've been so impressed during testing this air fryer that I've been tempted to replace my old faithful, the Instant Vortex. However, this is an expensive air fryer, and you could find a cheaper alternative from the likes of Cosori for under $100. If you're on a budget, this might be a better bet, but if you can get past the price tag I think the Ninja Air Fryer Pro 4-in-1 is an investment you'll be glad you made. Easy to use and easy to clean, it's one of the most capable air fryers I've tested, and I'm a fan of the modern but compact look, which won't become an eyesore in your kitchen.