I was skeptical of Ninja’s microwave + air fryer — but it fixes the worst thing about microwaves
Ninja reinvents the microwave with its new Fusion Crisp technology: Here’s what I think so far.
When I first heard about Ninja's Crispi Microwave, which combines microwave reheating with air frying technology, I was skeptical. However, my initial doubts have been replaced with admiration for the device. The most impressive feature is FusionCrisp, allowing food to be heated in microwave mode before switching to air frying for a crispy finish. The appliance's quick heating time, 50% faster than a conventional oven, is another standout feature.
Despite its dimensions being larger than my existing microwave, Ninja's Crispi Microwave takes up only a bit more space. With its sleek design and four inches of clearance on the sides and top, I can safely operate it in my kitchen. The controls are initially a bit complex, but after a quick review of the instructions, I found them easy to use.
The appliance's standout feature, FusionCrisp, is what I've found most appealing. It lets me heat food in the microwave and then switch to air fry to achieve a crispy texture. The included Quick Start Guide, complete with recipes, makes it easy to get started. I was particularly drawn to the apple berry crumble recipe, which I adapted to use plums instead of the suggested apples and berries.
Using the glass basket with the FusionCrisp function was a breeze, though I did find it somewhat heavy and cumbersome to handle. However, the substantial size of the basket means that I can make generous portions of food, which is especially useful when cooking for a family.
One drawback is the lack of a turntable, which allows for more space and fits an 8lb chicken. This is a significant improvement over my previous air fryer, which had a smaller capacity. I plan to test the Ninja Crispi Microwave with a whole chicken soon to see how it performs.
Apart from FusionCrisp, I've also used the appliance's standalone microwave and air fry functions. Heating chicken soup in the microwave was quick and easy, while the air fry function produced a delicious grilled cheese sandwich with perfectly melted cheese. I've since experimented with other grilled cheese recipes, achieving excellent results each time.
Written by urgent.news from Tom's Guide's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
