The Ninja Foodi is a popular multi-cooker that can pressure cook, air fry, steam, slow cook, bake, broil, sauté, and more. One of the key components of the Ninja Foodi is the removable cooking pot that serves as the pressure cooker pot and air fryer basket. So what size basket does the Ninja Foodi use?
Ninja Foodi Basket Sizes
The basket size used in the Ninja Foodi varies slightly across the different models. Here is an overview of the cooking pot and basket sizes for the major Ninja Foodi models:
| Ninja Foodi Model | Cooking Pot Size | Air Fry Basket Size |
| Ninja Foodi OP300 | 6.5 quarts | 4 quarts |
| Ninja Foodi OP301 | 8 quarts | 5 quarts |
| Ninja Foodi OP302 | 6.5 quarts | 4 quarts |
| Ninja Foodi OP305 | 6.5 quarts | 4 quarts |
| Ninja Foodi OP400 | 8 quarts | 5 quarts |
As you can see, the most common basket sizes are 4 quarts and 5 quarts depending on the model. The 4 quart basket fits in the 6.5 quart cooking pots, while the 5 quart basket fits in the 8 quart pots.
4 Quart Basket Details
The 4 quart air fry basket that comes with many Ninja Foodi models has the following dimensions:
- 9.5 inches wide
- 9.5 inches long
- 5.375 inches high
This provides a good amount of interior air fry space while still fitting comfortably in the 6.5 quart cooking pot. The 4 quart basket is made of a lightweight mesh material on all sides to allow for maximum airflow and even crisping.
In terms of capacity, the 4 quart basket can hold about 2 pounds of french fries or 3 pounds of chicken wings. It’s a great size for cooking for 3-4 people.
Pros of the 4 Quart Basket
- Fits well in 6.5 quart cooking pot models
- Large enough for cooking for 3-4 people
- Allows for maximum airflow and crisping
- Lightweight and easy to handle
Cons of the 4 Quart Basket
- Too small for cooking for large groups or meal prepping
- Food needs to be cooked in batches for larger quantities
- Can’t make use of full capacity of 8 quart cooking pot
5 Quart Basket Details
The 5 quart air fry basket fits in the 8 quart cooking pots on larger Ninja Foodi models. The dimensions are:
- 10.5 inches wide
- 10.5 inches long
- 6 inches high
The 5 quart basket maximizes the cooking surface area for crisping and air frying in the 8 quart pots. In terms of capacity, the 5 quart basket holds around 2.5 pounds of fries or 4 pounds of chicken wings.
Pros of the 5 Quart Basket
- Takes full advantage of 8 quart cooking pot space
- Can cook larger quantities of food
- Great for meal prepping or cooking for groups
- Allows for maximum airflow
Cons of the 5 Quart Basket
- Too big to fit in 6.5 quart pots
- Height may block lid from closing properly
- Bigger capacity means longer preheat time
Cooking Capacity Guidelines
To give you a better idea of how much food the 4 quart and 5 quart baskets can hold, here are some cooking capacity guidelines:
| Food Item | 4 Quart Basket Capacity | 5 Quart Basket Capacity |
| French Fries | 2 pounds | 2.5 pounds |
| Chicken Wings | 3 pounds | 4 pounds |
| Chicken Nuggets | 20-24 ounces | 28-32 ounces |
| Frozen Veggies | 16 ounces | 24 ounces |
Keep in mind that these cooking capacities can vary a bit depending on factors like the cut of the food and how you arrange the items in the basket. But it gives a helpful estimate for planning recipes and meals.
Choosing the Right Basket Size
When choosing between the Ninja Foodi’s 4 quart and 5 quart air fry baskets, there are a few factors to consider:
- How many people are you cooking for? The 4 quart basket is great for 1-3 people, while the 5 quart basket can feed up to 6.
- What model Ninja Foodi do you have? Make sure to choose the basket size made to fit your pot size.
- Are you meal prepping? The 5 quart will give you more batch cooking capacity.
- What foods do you cook most? The basket size should fit the quantities of your go-to recipes.
Also keep in mind that you can purchase an alternate size air fryer basket separately if you want flexibility. For example, using a 4 quart basket in an 8 quart pot leaves extra room for layering ingredients creatively.
Tips for Cooking in 4 and 5 Quart Baskets
Here are some handy tips for getting the most out of the 4 and 5 quart Ninja Foodi air fry baskets:
- Don’t overfill the basket – leave some space for airflow.
- Flip or shake ingredients midway during cooking for even browning.
- Brush or spray oil on foods to get a crispy texture.
- Arrange foods in a single layer whenever possible.
- For larger quantities, cook in batches to avoid overcrowding.
- Check cooking progress early and extend time if needed.
- Use cooking liners or parchment to simplify cleanup.
Conclusion
The Ninja Foodi uses both 4 quart and 5 quart removable air fryer baskets depending on the model. The 4 quart baskets are designed for the 6.5 quart cooker pots, while the 5 quart baskets fit best in the 8 quart pots. When choosing a size, consider how much you’ll be cooking and which Foodi model you have. Both basket sizes allow you to enjoy crispy, perfectly cooked air fried foods!