Can you use Ninja Foodi as a deep fryer?

The Ninja Foodi is a popular multi-cooker that can be used for air frying, pressure cooking, steaming, baking, and more. With its ability to cook foods crispy and golden brown, many wonder if the Ninja Foodi can also be used for deep frying.

Can the Ninja Foodi deep fry?

The short answer is yes, you can use the Ninja Foodi to deep fry foods. However, there are some important factors to consider.

While the Ninja Foodi excels at air frying, which uses little to no oil, true deep frying requires enough oil to submerge ingredients. The Ninja Foodi’s crisp basket is not designed to be fully submerged in oil. However, you can still deep fry in it by using a minimal amount of oil.

When deep frying in the Ninja Foodi, fill the pot with 2-3 inches of oil, enough to come up the sides of the crisp basket. The maximum fill line is at the 4-quart mark. Place your ingredients in the crisp basket and lower it into the oil slowly. Cook using the air fry setting at 375-400°F.

While this method allows you to deep fry foods in the Ninja Foodi, there are some drawbacks:

• The crisp basket is not fully submerged, so foods may not cook evenly
• You are limited on batch size and have to fry in multiple rounds
• You cannot fill the pot with as much oil as a traditional deep fryer
• No basket hooks or handles to easily lower and lift the basket
• Open basket design causes more oil splatter

Tips for deep frying in the Ninja Foodi

If you want to use your Ninja Foodi for deep frying, here are some tips:

• Use a high smoke point oil like canola, peanut, or vegetable oil
• Monitor oil temperature using a thermometer and adjust settings as needed
• Fry in small batches to maintain oil temperature
• Let oil return to temperature between batches
• Remove crumbs from previous batches to avoid burning
• Make sure ingredients are dry before frying
• Preheat oil for 5-7 minutes before adding food
• Carefully lower and lift the crisp basket to prevent oil splatter

Foods you can deep fry in the Ninja Foodi

Here are some foods that work well for deep frying in the Ninja Foodi:

• French fries
• Chicken pieces
• Onion rings
• Donuts
• Fritters
• Egg rolls
• Wontons
• Hush puppies
• Fried vegetables like zucchini, okra, mushrooms
• Seafood like shrimp, fish fillets, calamari

The key is to fry foods that are small or can be cut into pieces that fit in the crisp basket. Whole chickens or large batches may be difficult to maneuver.

Foods not recommended for deep frying in the Ninja Foodi

There are some foods that are not well suited for deep frying in the Ninja Foodi:

• Large pieces of meat
• Whole turkeys or chickens
• Foods on skewers
• Delicate batters that require ample room to fry
• Dishes that need a thick batter coating
• Anything that cannot be lowered slowly into the hot oil

For best results, choose foods that will fit and move freely in the crisp basket. And be prepared for a potential mess – deep frying without a lid causes oil to splatter.

Pros of using the Ninja Foodi for deep frying

Here are some of the benefits of using your Ninja Foodi for deep frying:

• Convenience – You don’t need a separate appliance for occasional frying
• Small footprint – Takes up less space than a full deep fryer
• Temperature controls – Allows you to set and adjust heat as needed
• Timer and auto-off features – Prevent overcooking or burning
• Air fryer lid – Can crisp up fried foods after draining
• Dishwasher safe parts – Easy cleanup

Cons of using the Ninja Foodi for deep frying

Some drawbacks to using the Ninja Foodi for deep frying include:

• Small capacity – Can only fry small batches at a time
• Messy and splattery – No lid while frying leads to oil leaks and splatters
• Not designed for immersion – Basket not made to be fully submerged
• No oil filtration – Must carefully strain oil after each use
• No basket handle or hook – Tricky oil submersion and removal
• Uneven cooking – Ingredients closer to bottom cook faster

Safety tips for deep frying with the Ninja Foodi

Deep frying comes with some safety hazards. Here are tips for staying safe:

• Never fill oil past the maximum fill line
• Always monitor frying closely and use a timer
• Wear oven mitts when handling hot basket
• Allow oil to cool completely before straining or disposal
• Avoid moving or tilting the Ninja Foodi while hot oil is inside
• Keep flammables away and have a fire extinguisher ready
• Clean up oil drips or splatters that occur right away
• Store oil in an airtight container if reusing

Best oils for deep frying in the Ninja Foodi

Choosing the right oil is key for successful deep frying. Look for oils with:

• High smoke points above 400°F
• Neutral flavors that won’t clashes with ingredients
• Affordable pricing for the amount needed

The best oils for deep frying in the Ninja Foodi include:

Oil	Smoke Point	Flavor Profile
Refined peanut oil	450°F	Neutral
Refined canola oil	400°F	Neutral
Refined vegetable oil	450°F	Neutral
Refined safflower oil	510°F	Neutral

Olive oil and extra virgin oils have lower smoke points and stronger flavors. Save them for drizzling, dressings, and low-heat cooking instead.

How to dispose and reuse frying oil

Properly handling used frying oil is important. Here are some tips:

• Allow oil to fully cool and settle before moving it
• Strain oil through a fine mesh sieve to remove food particles
• Funnel or pour oil into an airtight container
• Label container with type of oil and date
• Store oil in a cool, dark place like a cabinet
• Use or discard reused oil within 2 months
• Drop-off used oil for recycling at approved locations
• Never pour hot or warm oil down the drain – it can clog pipes

Avoid reusing oil that smells rancid, is dark in color, or feels thick and gloppy. Maximum reuses depends on the food fried but 2-3 uses is typical.

How to clean the Ninja Foodi after deep frying

Getting the Ninja Foodi crisp basket and pot clean after deep frying can be tricky. Here are some tips:

• Wear gloves to avoid burns
• Remove large debris with tongs or slotted spoon
• Allow oil to cool completely before discarding
• Hand wash with hot soapy water and scrub off oil
• Soak tough grime in hot water and degreasing dish soap
• Use a soft sponge or brush – abrasives can damage the pot
• If needed, fill pot with water and bring to a boil to loosen particles
• Rinse and dry thoroughly after cleaning
• Repeat cleaning if any oil residue remains
• Run an empty “air fry” cycle to remove odors
• Clean splatters inside the Foodi promptly

Avoid harsh chemicals or abrasive scrubbers. With some hot sudsy efforts, you can get your Ninja Foodi fryer gleaming again.

Is it worth deep frying in the Ninja Foodi?

The Ninja Foodi can be used for occasional deep frying with small batches, but has limitations compared to buying a separate deep fryer. The benefits are convenience and multi-use functionality. The drawbacks are capacity, mess, and handling challenges.

For most home cooks doing infrequent frying, the Ninja Foodi gets the job done reasonably well. But avid deep frying fans may want the larger oil capacity, lidded frying, oil filtration, and handling mechanisms of an appliance solely designed for deep frying. It comes down to your needs and preferences.

Alternatives for deep frying without the Ninja Foodi

Here are a few alternatives if you don’t want to deep fry in your Ninja Foodi:

• Dedicated deep fryers – Offer larger oil capacity and features specifically for deep frying
• Dutch ovens or heavy pots – Allows you to deep fry on the stovetop
• Electric skillets or roaster ovens – Provides temperature regulation for deep frying
• Air frying – Use little to no oil and the Ninja Foodi’s air fryer lid instead
• Baking – Mimic the crunch of deep fried foods without the oil

There are definitely other options beyond using your multi-cooker if you do a lot of deep frying or want better results.

Reasons to buy a separate deep fryer

You may want to consider buying a dedicated deep fryer if:

• You deep fry foods often
• You want to fry large batches of food
• You deep fry large pieces of meat or whole turkeys
• You want handy basket hooks and an immersible fry basket
• You need a lid to minimize oil splatter
• You want built-in oil filtration and cleaning
• You need a appliance designed just for deep frying

The right deep fryer can make the process easier, safer, and accommodate larger-scale frying. Models range from small 2-3 quart fryers to full-sized restaurant-style fryers.

Top picks for deep fryers

Here are top-rated deep fryers to consider purchasing:

Deep Fryer	Key Features
T-fal Deep Fryer	1700 watts, 2.6 pound food capacity, dishwasher-safe parts, oil filtration
Presto Dual Basket Pro Fryer	Separate baskets for multiple foods, commercial-style, high capacity
Hamilton Beach Electric Deep Fryer	350 degree to 375 degree range, dishwasher lid and pot, view window, odor filter
Cuisinart CDF-200 Deep Fryer	4 quart capacity, stainless steel housing, adjustable thermostat
Secura 1700-Watt Stainless-Steel Deep Fryer	4.2L capacity, cool zone below heating coils, detachable parts

Look for elements like adjustable heat, dishwasher-safe parts, large capacity, oil filtration, and commercial-grade fry baskets. Prices range from $50 to over $200.

Conclusion

While the Ninja Foodi isn’t designed specifically for deep frying, it can handle the task reasonably well for small batches. Benefits include an all-in-one appliance and precise temperature control. However, a dedicated deep fryer offers far greater oil capacity, lidded frying, built-in filtration, and handling mechanisms suited for immersing foods.

Occasional deep frying can be done in the Ninja Foodi, but large batches, whole turkeys, or frequent frying is better suited for a full deep fryer. Consider your needs and usage. With some care, experimentation, and acceptance of its limits, the Ninja Foodi can provide an alternate route for making deliciously crispy fried fare in your kitchen.