With the rising popularity of air fryers for quick and healthy cooking, many people wonder if their existing appliances can also air fry. One such appliance is the Ninja XL grill, a versatile indoor grill that uses rapid cyclonic air technology to grill, roast, bake, and dehydrate foods. But can the Ninja XL grill also function as an air fryer? Let’s take a closer look.
How Air Fryers Work
Air fryers use rapid air circulation and high heat to mimic the results of deep frying. A mechanical fan circulates hot air around the food at high speed, cooking the food and producing a crispy outer layer. Air fryers cook food faster than a traditional oven, using less oil than deep frying. This makes them an appealing option for quick weekday meals and healthier cooking.
Most air fryers have a basket design that allows for maximum air flow. The food sits in a mesh basket suspended over a drip tray. As hot air swirls around the food, any drippings fall through the basket into the tray below.
Key Features of the Ninja XL Grill
The Ninja XL grill offers several different cooking functions using rapid cyclonic air technology. Here are some of its key features:
- 500F maximum temperature
- Cyclonic grilling technology with 500F rapid cyclonic air
- 4-in-1 functionality: Grill, Air Crisp, Roast, Bake, Dehydrate
- Flat plate grill grate for cyclonic grilling
- 9-in-1 cooking capacity for extra large meals
- Digital easy-to-use control panel
With its grilling, roasting, baking, and dehydrating functions, the Ninja XL grill is designed as a versatile countertop cooking appliance. The cyclonic air technology allows high heat air to cook foods quickly and evenly. But how does this technology compare to a dedicated air fryer?
Comparing Ninja XL Grill Air Crisp vs. Dedicated Air Fryer
There are some notable differences between the Ninja XL grill’s air crisp function and what you would get with a dedicated air fryer appliance:
Cooking Chamber Design
The Ninja XL grill features a flat grilling plate with ridges, designed for direct contact grilling. Air passes over and around the grilling surface. A dedicated air fryer would have a basket design optimized for maximum air flow.
Temperature Range
The Ninja XL grill has a maximum air crisp temperature of 500°F. Many dedicated air fryers can reach 400°F to 450°F for air frying. The Ninja’s higher maximum temperature allows it to mimic deep frying and char or sear meats.
Cooking Capacity
With its 9-in-1 capacity, the Ninja XL can hold more food than most compact air fryers. The grilling surface and interior can fit up to two 9-inch pizzas or nine burgers. An average air fryer basket holds 2-3 servings.
Preheating Time
The Ninja XL grill preheats in under 10 minutes for air crisp mode. A typical air fryer preheats in 3 to 5 minutes. The Ninja’s larger chamber takes a bit longer to reach temperature.
Cooking Time
Cooking times can vary depending on the recipe, model, and capacity of each appliance. But in general, cooking times are roughly comparable between the Ninja XL grill’s air crisp function and a dedicated air fryer.
Features
Here is a comparison of features between the Ninja XL grill and a typical dedicated air fryer:
| Feature | Ninja XL Grill | Dedicated Air Fryer |
|---|---|---|
| Rapid air circulation technology | Yes, cyclonic air | Yes, mechanical fan |
| Air frying function | Yes, “Air Crisp” mode | Yes, main function |
| Temperature range | 105°F – 500°F | 180°F – 400°F |
| Capacity | 9-in-1 cooking capacity | 2-5 qt basket |
| Presets and customizable settings | Yes | Yes |
| Digital controls | Yes | Yes |
| Other functions | Grill, roast, bake, dehydrate | Mostly just air fry |
Results: How Does the Ninja XL Grill Perform as an Air Fryer?
Based on its features and technology, the Ninja XL grill can certainly mimic and perform many air frying functions. Its rapid cyclonic air can produce crispy fried texture and flavors with less oil than deep frying. The higher max temperature allows for more caramelization and charring as well. However, there are some limitations to using it as a complete air fryer replacement.
The grill grate design does not optimize air flow the way a mesh basket does. The grate is better suited for searing and grill marks. To compensate, you may need to increase cooking time and flip or shuffle food more frequently to expose all sides to the circulating air.
The larger chamber also requires more preheat time than a typical compact air fryer. So you lose some of the quick convenience that air fryers are known for.
On the plus side, the XL grill’s spacious interior can cook more servings at once. So if you routinely cook large batches, the extra capacity could be an advantage over a smaller air fryer.
Air Frying Results
Here are some examples of how the Ninja XL grill performs when air frying different foods:
- French fries: Crispy exterior, creamy interior. Fries came out nicely browned and crunchy, similar to deep-fried. Grill marks appear on some sides.
- Chicken wings: Tender and juicy inside with crispy skin. Grill lines provide added texture. Tossing halfway through ensures even browning.
- Vegetables: Roasted veggies like broccoli and cauliflower develop light charring with crisp-tender texture.
- Meat skewers: Kebabs get browned and caramelized exterior while staying juicy inside.
- Fish: Fish fillets and steaks achieve flaky interior with crispy outer crust.
One downside is that batter-coated foods or small pieces may stick to the grates more than an air fryer basket. But the XL grill can achieve similar crispy air fried results for most foods with a little trial and error.
Tips for “Air Frying” with the Ninja XL Grill
Here are some tips to get the most out of using your Ninja XL grill for air fryer-style cooking:
- Use the 400°F or 500°F temperature setting for air frying. The 500°F setting will mimic deep frying the closest.
- Brush or spray a small amount of oil on foods to promote browning and crispiness.
- Flip or shuffle foods halfway through cooking to expose all sides to the circulating air.
- For things like fries or nuggets, spread them out in a single layer for best results.
- CCheck food frequently and adjust cooking time as needed. Air flow may be different than an actual air fryer.
- Use a meat thermometer for foods like chicken to ensure they reach safe internal temperatures.
- Watch for any excess smoking, reducing temperature if needed. Some foods may cook faster than expected.
- Line the grill plate with foil or parchment for easier cleanup if needed.
Conclusion
While the Ninja XL grill was not specifically designed as an air fryer, its rapid cyclonic air technology allows you to replicate many air fried results. With some experimentation to adjust cooking times, temperatures, and food placement, you can enjoy crispy fried foods with less guilt. However, the grill grate design does not optimize air flow like a mesh basket air fryer would. For best performance, use the Ninja XL grill’s air crisp function for quick single batches rather than large quantities. Supplement with other cooking methods like grilling, baking, or broiling for larger meals. Overall, the Ninja XL grill is a versatile appliance that can achieve air fried textures along with much more.