How the Ninja Crispi Glass Air Fryer Changed My Weeknight Cooking

Tested by Taylor Murray

I've tested a lot of air fryers, and at this point, it takes something genuinely different to catch my attention. The Ninja Crispi Glass Air Fryer seems to satisfy an interesting gap in the market. Instead of a bulky plastic basket, this system relies on clear glass containers and a removable lid that houses the heating component. The result is an air fryer that feels more flexible than your average model.

It lets you see your food as it cooks and easily transitions from cooking to storage. For home cooks who want fast, crisp results without committing to another oversized countertop appliance, the Crispi promises a smarter, more streamlined approach to air frying. I put it through a variety of tests to see how well the performance could stack up to the claims.

What Is the Ninja Crispi Glass Air Fryer?

The Ninja Crispi is a four-in-one air fryer system built around two tempered glass cooking containers (a four-quart and a six-cup) paired with Ninja's removable PowerPod heating lid. It offers four cooking functions: Air Fry, Max Crisp, Bake and Recrisp. In the box, you get both glass containers, two crisper plates, two storage lids, a container adapter and the PowerPod itself.

Everything is dishwasher-safe (except for the PowerPod), and the lids allow you to go straight from cooking to storage. It's a modular system that feels intentionally designed for real-life cooking, not just good looks. If good looks are your thing, it comes in a variety of colors so you can match it to whatever kitchen aesthetic suits you.

How Does the Ninja Crispi Glass Air Fryer Work?

Instead of the common basket-and-base setup, the Crispi uses an electric PowerPod that sits directly on top of the glass container. This pod houses the heating element and fan, directing hot air downward and around the food. The interface is refreshingly simple: One button cycles through the four cooking modes, another starts the cook, and plus/minus buttons adjust the timer. Swapping between the two container sizes requires attaching or removing an adapter, which takes a few seconds but quickly becomes second nature.

How I Tested

I unboxed the Ninja Crispi after it arrived, read through the manual (which includes helpful timing charts and recipe guidance), and gave everything a quick once-over with a wet rag. After that, I started testing using each of the four cooking functions: Air Fry, Max Crisp, Bake and Recrisp.

Chicken Breast Test: I cooked three boneless chicken breasts using the Air Fry setting. Although the manual suggests 20-25 minutes for this protein, mine were fully cooked and beautifully browned in just 16 minutes. The exterior developed a deep golden color, and the interior stayed juicy — far better than I'd expect from oven roasting.

Fresh Veggies Test: Using the Air Fry setting again, I cooked diced zucchini. In just seven minutes, the pieces were evenly browned on all sides, incredibly crisp and completely free of sogginess. This was one of the most impressive results I've gotten from any air fryer when cooking veggies.

Frozen French Fries Test: For French fries, I tested the air fryer in two stages. First, I followed the instructions on the bag to air fry for eight minutes. This produced a perfectly adequate fry that was crisp and tender on the inside. For the second stage, I followed the Ninja Crispi instructions for cooking fries, which uses the Max Crisp setting. The results from this test were significantly better than the package directions, producing fries that were shatteringly crisp on the outside and fluffy inside.

Muffins Test: For baking, I used the Bake setting with store-bought muffin mix, following Ninja's guidance to reduce bake time by 50 percent and use liners on the crisper plate. The muffins were fully baked in 10 minutes, compared to the suggested 16. While the tops baked a little oddly due to airflow differences, the interior texture was excellent and surprisingly tender.

Leftovers Test: I reheated a leftover meal using the Recrisp setting, which consisted of a baked salmon filet, mac and cheese, and roasted green beans. After about six minutes, everything was hot but not rubbery like typically found when reheating in a microwave. The mac and cheese developed a slightly crisp exterior and didn't drip through the holes of the crisping plate. The green beans did overcook slightly, so vegetables require a closer eye on this setting.

After each test, I cleaned the Crispi in the dishwasher and by hand, noting if either caused any damage.

My Review Based on Testing

Performance: Across all tests, the Ninja Crispi delivered fast, consistent and impressively crisp results without any added oil. From chicken breasts to fresh vegetables, the results were not only quicker than a standard oven but noticeably better, with deeper browning and more even crisping on all sides. In multiple tests, the finished food had a texture and color I simply couldn't replicate with conventional roasting.

Features and Appearance: The glass containers feel premium and practical, making it easy to monitor food as it cooks. The interface is simple and intuitive, and the modular design makes the system far more versatile than a standard air fryer basket.

Care and Maintenance: Most components are dishwasher-safe, and nothing retained odors or stains during testing. The crisping plates are made of silicone, and after being run through the dishwasher, have a tendency to spring back when the plate is placed into the glass base. It's not a huge issue, but it can cause the crisping plate to settle unevenly the next time you go to use it.

Price and Value: This isn't the cheapest air fryer on the market, but it comes with a great value that is worth its price. The thick glass construction, strong performance, array of components, and ease of cleanup make the Crispi feel like a worthwhile investment in any kitchen, especially one with frequent air fryer use.

Bottom Line: Is the Ninja Crispi Glass Air Fryer Worth Buying?

Yes, the Ninja Crispi Glass Air Fryer is worth buying, especially if you're looking for a nontoxic, thoughtfully designed air fryer that actually delivers on performance. The Ninja Crispi is ideal for home cooks who value speed, great texture and easy cleanup. Cooking and storing food in the same container makes this an easy choice for anyone doing regular meal prep. It's not the best choice for baking large batches at once, but for everyday meals, leftovers and quick prep, it's one of the more impressive air fryers I've tested.

Why You Should Trust Our Tester

Taylor Murray is a graduate of Johnson and Wales University with a degree in Culinary Nutrition. She worked as a professional chef for over 10 years before moving into recipe and product testing and development. She has tested several hundred products for Food Network and other brands over the last six years, covering everything from carbon steel pans to food dehydrators.

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