Ninja CRISPi air fryer review: a big win for my small kitchen

The Sun

3 days ago

I'VE used air fryers for years, and wouldn't go without one for quick, easy meals.
However, they can take up a lot of countertop real estate, which is something that's in short supply in my small kitchen.
I've done a Ninja CRISPi air fryer review to see if the uniquely compact model could solve my problem, and more broadly, find out whether a portable air fryer is something the world actually needs.
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Ninja CRISPi 4-in-1 Portable Glass
The new Ninja CRISPi is just one model in Ninja's wide range of air fryers, but it also has the most unique features.
It launched in the UK just this year, hitting the shops (and online shelves) in March 2025.
Like all air fryers, it promises to cook food quicker than an oven, and as the name suggests, it produces crisp food, replicating a fried effect but without lots of oil.
It's described as a portable cooking system because the actual cooking mechanism is housed within the compact "PowerPod" lid, which snaps onto the top of one of two glass dishes.
One glass container is 1.4L and the other is 3.8L.
Once cooked, the food can immediately be served or stored in the fridge without decanting into another dish.
There are three colours to choose from (blue, stone and sage green), and in classic Ninja style, they're aesthetically pleasing and buck air fryers' reputation for being big, bulky and ugly.
Pros
Cons
The capacity isn't huge; it's suitable for two to three people max if you're cooking full meals
The temperatures are pre-set and can't be changed
Overall rating: 8/10
How I tested the Ninja CRISPi Portable Air Fryer
As The Sun's Home and Garden eCommerce writer, I'm no stranger to testing out kitchen gadgets.
I've also owned an air fryer for about five years now, so I know what to look out for when choosing a new one.
I tried cooking a few different types of food with the Ninja CRISPi, focusing on what I'd use an air fryer for day-to-day.
The smaller container was ideal for snacks, starters or canapés, while the larger container was great for cooking a full meal for two or meat for six or seven people.
How much does the Ninja CRISPi cost? At full price, the air fryer costs £179.99, but it's currently on sale for £119.99with the code NINJA20. Within the Ninja range, it's priced somewhere in the middle.
Who is it best for? Those with small kitchens who want a compact air fryer that's easily cleaned and packed away.
What I loved: The convenience of having the glass containers eliminated the need to put leftovers into Tupperware after cooking. I also loved its clever design, which is far more sleek and compact than other air fryers.
What I didn't: The containers aren't big enough to fit more than two complete meal portions (if you were cooking meat, potatoes and veg in one go).
Ninja CRISPi 4-in-1 Portable Glass Air Fryer, £179.99 £119.99 with code NINJA20 - buy here
Ninja CRISPi 4-in-1 Portable Glass Air Fryer review: The Nitty Gritty
First impressions
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Ninja CRISPi 4-in-1 Portable Glass Air Fryer, £179.99 £119.99 with code NINJA20
When I opened the box (which was larger than I expected), I was pleased to see how compact the CRISPi's components were.
It's easy to assemble with no fiddly parts to worry about, so it would be pretty straightforward for anyone to get going.
To set it up, all I had to do was drop the crisper plate inside of one of the glass containers (there's a tray to fit each size), place my food inside, pop the PowerPod on top and plug it in.
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When using the larger container, you'll need to secure the adaptor onto the PowerPod to make it fit.
Then I selected the cooking mode I wanted from the display at the top by clicking the 'mode' button. There are four to choose from: Air Fry, Roast, Keep Warm and Recrisp.
Finally, I selected the time I wanted.
Temperatures are pre-selected for each setting, meaning you can't change them, which is slightly annoying.
Does it deliver?
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Ninja CRISPi 4-in-1 Portable Glass Air Fryer, £179.99 £119.99 with code NINJA20
BUY HERE
I decided to test out cooking chicken thighs, something I always rely on an air fryer for.
They took 20 minutes to cook on the Air Fry setting, and came out with perfectly crisp skin and juicy meat; an immediate tick from me.
They took 20 minutes to cook on the Air Fry setting, and came out with perfectly crispy skin and juicy meat; an immediate tick from me.
I cooked six thighs in the large glass container, but there was still space remaining, so you could probably fit eight in there — enough for a family of four, if you cook your other components separately.
I liked how you could see the food cooking and keep an eye on it throughout.
There is also the small container, which is handy for cooking snacks and quick bites — I tried mozzarella dippers and they were crispy and oozy after just seven minutes.
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Unfortunately, though, because there's only one PowerPod, you wouldn't be able to use both sizes simultaneously.
If you were looking to cook an entire meal (for example chicken, potatoes and veg), you're probably going to be limited to two or three portions because the food needs to be spread out as a single layer.
That means that the air fryer is best suited to couples and small families.
Once the food is cooked, you simply remove the PowerPod, and you can wash the glass container or keep it in the fridge.
I popped mine in the dishwasher and it came out perfectly clean.
The containers can also be used straight for serving to the table, minimising washing up.
You could use the smaller 1.4L container for storing lunch or leftovers, although one downside is that the glass containers are attached to the handles and base, making them bulky — however, they are okay to go in the microwave.
The Ninja CRISPi is easy to use and easy to clean, but the biggest selling point is the compact storage.
It dismantles into its separate components in seconds, which makes it ideal for storing, and you could even fit it completely out of sight in a cupboard.
The majority of air fryers are large, square and will take up a considerable amount of counter space, so if you've put off buying an air fryer for that reason, this could be the one for you.
How much is the Ninja CRISPi?
At the time of testing, the Ninja CRISPi air fryer retails for £119.99, with a £60 discount available on Ninja's website with the code NINJA20.
There are both cheaper and more costly options, but the Ninja CRISPi is unique in its format, so there aren't many other brands that rival it.
It's also definitely a useful gadget that genuinely helps save time with cooking, as opposed to a novelty impulse buy.
Where to buy the Ninja CRISPi
As well as Ninja's own website, the air fryer can be found at several other major retailers.
Ninja CRISPi 4-in-1 Portable Glass Air Fryer alternatives
While I'd recommend the Ninja CRISPi for its unique features, there are other air fryers to consider.
For a budget option with a similar idea to Ninja's, the Cookworks Halogen 15L Air Fryer is available to buy at Argos, and is reduced to just £32.
Or, for a larger capacity, the Lakeland Dual Basket Air Fryer costs £99.99 and has two drawers, so food can cook separately and with different cooking times.
Ninja also has the space-saving Double Stack 2-Drawer Air Fryer reduced from £229.99 to £199.99, with the benefits of having two drawers, but a stacked design that minimises counter space.