The Ninja TenderCrisp is a pressure cooker that claims to also function as an air fryer. There has been some debate over whether the TenderCrisp truly air fries or if it simply uses a convection fan to circulate hot air. In this article, we’ll take an in-depth look at the Ninja TenderCrisp and examine if it can truly replace a dedicated air fryer.
What is the Ninja TenderCrisp?
The Ninja TenderCrisp is a digital pressure cooker that Ninja markets as an 8-in-1 multi-cooker. It has pressure cooking, slow cooking, yogurt making, steaming, sautéing, baking/roasting, broiling, and air frying functions. The main components are:
- 6.5 quart ceramic coated pot
- Removable cooking pot with ceramic coating
- Stainless steel steam rack
- 4 quart air fry basket
- TenderCrisp lid with pressure lid and air fryer lid
- 3600 watt heating element
- Built-in pressure regulator
- Digital control panel
The key feature that allows the TenderCrisp to “air fry” is the removable lid. The pressure cooking lid transforms it into an electric pressure cooker. The air fry lid contains a heating element and fan. According to Ninja, the top-down heat from the heating element combined with the rapid air circulation mimics deep frying without the oil.
How does the Ninja TenderCrisp air fry?
Here is a quick overview of how the TenderCrisp operates in air fry mode:
- Food is placed in the 4 quart air fry basket.
- The air fry lid goes on top and seals the pot shut.
- The heating element heats up the air inside to between 105°F and 400°F.
- The fan circulates the hot air rapidly around the food.
- The food cooks quickly from the exposure to constant, high heat airflow.
This rapid circulation of hot air helps create a crispy exterior on foods like french fries, chicken wings, and fish fillets. The browning on the outside combined with the hot airflow cooking the interior aims to mimic the results of deep frying.
How does it compare to real air frying?
There are some key differences between the cooking method of the Ninja TenderCrisp air fryer function and a dedicated air fryer like the Philips XXL or Instant Vortex.
Real Air Fryers
- Have an open basket design that allows air to freely circulate from all sides.
- Use high-powered heating elements (often around 1700 watts) and fans specifically designed to optimize airflow.
- Typically have adjustable racks and mesh bottoms that allow air to reach all sides of food.
- Only function is air frying – tailored for that sole purpose.
Ninja TenderCrisp Air Fry
- Has a closed pot design that restricts airflow from below.
- Uses a less powerful, multi-purpose heating element and fan.
- Food usually sits on a solid surface restricting air underneath.
- Has mixed functions beyond just air frying.
These differences mean that the Ninja TenderCrisp operates slightly differently from an appliance solely dedicated to air frying:
| Ninja TenderCrisp | Dedicated Air Fryer |
|---|---|
| Air flows from top and sides | Air flows all around food |
| Less airflow directly underneath | Airflow under and around all sides |
| Lower wattage heating element | Higher wattage heating element |
| Multipurpose fan and lid | Specialized fan and open basket |
The more restricted airflow and lower powered heating element mean the Ninja TenderCrisp may not achieve the exact same level of crispiness compared to an air fryer designed specifically for that job. However, many users feel the difference is negligible and the TenderCrisp can still produce excellent air frying results.
Ninja TenderCrisp Air Fry Review
Here is an overview of the pros and cons of using the Ninja TenderCrisp for air frying based on customer reviews:
Pros
- Can match or come extremely close to “true” air fryer results.
- Performs very well at making french fries with crispy exteriors.
- Chicken wings and nuggets come out crispy on the outside.
- Makes reheating fried foods like pizza pockets simple.
- 6.5 quart capacity allows cooking for multiple people.
- Being a multi-cooker allows other cooking beyond just air frying.
- Very convenient cooking multiple things at once using layers.
Cons
- Restricted airflow from below may inhibit full crispiness potential.
- Can’t visually monitor food as it cooks like an open basket model.
- May require some trial and error when cooking new foods.
- Size makes it less convenient for small batches or single servings.
- High price point, especially for those just wanting air fry function.
Overall, the concensus seems to be that the Ninja TenderCrisp does an excellent job of air frying most foods. The closed pot design necessitates a bit of experimentation to get the timing and flipping right, but results are very solid once you get the hang of it. An open-style dedicated air fryer still has advantages for ease of use and maximum crispiness potential. But the TenderCrisp can replicate air frying well for most people’s needs.
Types of foods you can “air fry” in the Ninja TenderCrisp
Here are some of the foods you can make in the Ninja TenderCrisp’s air fry setting:
French Fries
The Ninja TenderCrisp excels at making french fries with a crispy exterior and fluffy interior. The key is using the air fry setting at a high temp (390°F – 400°F) and frequently shaking the basket. Cut potatoes into uniform fries, soak in water for 30 mins to remove starch, pat dry, toss with oil, and cook for 15-20 minutes shaking occasionally. Thinner fries may take less time. Season with salt after cooking.
Chicken Wings
The TenderCrisp can make excellent crispy chicken wings. Coat the wings in a starch like corn starch along with spices. Mist with oil spray. Air fry wings for 20-25 mins at 400°F flipping halfway. The wings come out crispy and browned outside with juicy meat.
Chicken Nuggets
For crispy chicken nuggets, coat frozen nuggets in oil or cooking spray. Air fry at 400°F for 10-12 minutes until browned and crispy, flipping once. You can also coat raw chicken pieces in egg and breadcrumbs before air frying.
Fish Sticks
Fish sticks come out nicely crisped in the air fry mode. Simply mist frozen fish sticks with oil and cook at 400°F for 7-10 minutes until hot and browned flipping once. The air fry function adds crunch without needing to deep fry.
Reheating Fried Foods
The air fry function excels at reheating leftover fried foods like french fries, chicken tenders, fried shrimp, egg rolls, etc. Simply place the leftovers in the air fryer basket and cook at 350°F for several minutes until warmed through and crispy.
Fresh Vegetables
You can “air fry” fresh veggies like broccoli, carrots, brussels sprouts, etc. Toss cut veggies with oil, seasonings, and a bit of starch like corn starch. Air fry at 375°F for 10-15 minutes until browned and tender, shaking occasionally.
Other Foods
In addition to the foods above, the TenderCrisp can air fry things like bacon, sausage, frozen snacks and appetizers, roasted vegetables, tofu, fish fillets, and more. The key is using high heat and monitoring closely. While results may vary slightly from a dedicated air fryer, the TenderCrisp does an impressive job across a wide range of foods.
Tips for getting the best air fry results
It may take a few tries to get the hang of air frying in the Ninja TenderCrisp. Here are some tips for achieving the best possible results:
- Use the air fry setting at the highest temperature, usually 390°F – 400°F.
- Let the TenderCrisp preheat for 5 minutes before adding food for faster cooking.
- Flip or shake foods midway during cooking for even browning.
- Mist foods lightly with oil before air frying for increased browning and crispiness.
- For wet batters like chicken tenders, let sit 5-10 mins before air frying so coating adheres.
- Use cornstarch, panko, or puffed rice on foods to increase crunch.
- Spray the basket with oil before air frying for better food release.
- Cook foods that will drip like wings or fish on a wire rack or in a pan.
- Air fry in small batches for best results.
With some experimentation, you’ll find which cooking times and methods work best for different foods. Take notes so you can replicate the results. Soon you’ll be air frying like a pro!
Should you buy the Ninja TenderCrisp as an air fryer?
The Ninja TenderCrisp makes an excellent multifunctional cooker, but is it worth buying solely for the air fry function? Here are some things to consider:
Pros of buying for air frying
- Produces crispy “air fried” results for most foods.
- Larger capacity than many air fryers.
- Can cook a complete meal using different functions.
- Replaces several appliances with its 8-in-1 functionality.
- High-quality construction and trusted brand.
Cons of buying for air frying
- More expensive than many dedicated air fryers.
- Lacks see-through window of traditional air fryers.
- Restricted airflow compared to open basket designs.
- Learning curve to get crispiest results.
- Bulky for those with limited kitchen space.
For someone wanting a multipurpose cooker, the TenderCrisp is an excellent choice with the ability to pressure cook, slow cook, sauté, steam and more. The air fry function is a nice bonus on top of the other abilities. However, if you are only interested in air frying, a dedicated appliance may be a better choice for cost and performance.
Conclusion
The Ninja TenderCrisp utilizes a combination of high heat and air circulation to “air fry” foods, producing crispy exteriors and moist interiors. While it may not achieve the exact same level of crispiness as an open basket air fryer, it replicates air fried results very well for the majority of foods. The TenderCrisp makes an excellent multi-cooker for pressure cooking, slow cooking and air frying in one convenient appliance. For those simply wanting to air fry, a dedicated air fryer could be a better choice. But the TenderCrisp is an outstanding option for home cooks looking for a variety of cooking abilities including air frying crispy dishes.