Ninja SP101 Foodi 8-in-1 Air Fry Toaster Oven review and features

Description

A Comprehensive Look at the Ninja SP101 Foodi 8-in-1 Air Fry Large Toaster Oven

Design and Build Quality
The Ninja SP101 Foodi 8-in-1 Air Fryer immediately caught my attention with its sleek piano shiny BLACK finish, which adds a modern and polished touch to any kitchen. Its compact design is surprisingly deceptive because, despite its extra-large capacity, it doesn’t dominate your countertop. The ability to flip it up and store it against your backsplash is a game-changer for saving space. I’ve tested plenty of kitchen gadgets, but this one stands out for its smart engineering. The dropdown door with stainless steel material feels durable and is easy to clean, while the overall construction appears robust enough to withstand frequent use.

One thing to note is the slightly short cable length of 3 feet, which could be limiting depending on your kitchen layout. My setup required a slight rearrangement to make it work, but it wasn’t a dealbreaker.

Versatile Features for Everyday Use
What I love most about this appliance is its versatility. With eight distinct cooking functions, including Air Fry, Air Roast, Air Broil, Bake, Bagel, Toast, Dehydrate, and Keep Warm, it feels like you’ve got an entire arsenal of cooking tools in one device. I tested the air fry function on chicken wings, and the results were nothing short of perfection—crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, all without the guilt of deep frying.

The 13-inch pizza capacity is another highlight. It comfortably fit a frozen pizza, cooked evenly, and the crust was perfectly crisp. For toast lovers, the toast darkness selector is a nice touch. I was able to fine-tune the settings to get my bread exactly the way I like it—golden brown without being too crunchy.

However, the standout feature has to be the dehydration option. I made apple chips using the air fry basket, and they turned out incredibly light and crispy. It’s not often that you find a toaster oven capable of such a wide range of cooking techniques.

Ease of Use and Maintenance
Using this device is straightforward, thanks to the knob-style control panel. It’s intuitive, even for someone who’s not particularly tech-savvy. Preheating is impressively quick—just 60 seconds, which means no more waiting around to get dinner started.

Cleaning is another area where this product shines. The crumb tray can be easily removed, and the accessible back panel makes it simple to wipe away grease or crumbs. I’ve used appliances in the past that felt like a chore to clean, but this one is refreshingly hassle-free.

Key Benefits

• Space-saving design: Flip it up and store it against your backsplash.
• Versatility: Eight cooking functions for a wide variety of meals.
• Quick preheating: Ready to go in just 60 seconds.
• Easy cleanup: Crumb tray and accessible back panel simplify maintenance.

Areas for Improvement
While this product excels in many areas, it’s not without its flaws.

• Cable length: The 3-foot power cord feels a bit restrictive.
• Weight: At 10.12 pounds, it’s not the easiest to move around frequently.
• Noise: The fan can get a little loud during the air fry and roast functions.

Competing Products
One of the biggest competitors to this appliance is the Cuisinart TOA-60 Air Fryer Toaster Oven. The Cuisinart offers similar functions, but I found its design bulkier and less space-efficient compared to the flip-away feature of the Ninja SP101. That said, the Cuisinart has a slightly quieter fan, which could be appealing if noise is a concern.

Another contender is the Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer. While it offers advanced features like dual-speed convection, it comes at a significantly higher price point. Additionally, the Breville’s interface isn’t as intuitive as the knob controls on the Ninja SP101.

Ultimately, the Ninja SP101 strikes a better balance between functionality, design, and price, making it an excellent choice for most home kitchens.

Bang for the Buck
One thing that’s clear is that this product offers substantial value for money. The combination of multiple cooking functions, space-saving design, and time-saving features makes it a worthwhile investment. While it’s not the cheapest option on the market, the quality for the price is undeniable. If you’re looking for a device that can replace several kitchen appliances, this one delivers.

I’ve used a lot of kitchen gadgets over the years, and this one has quickly become a favorite. Its ability to handle everything from air frying to toasting makes it an incredibly cost-effective solution for daily cooking needs.

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