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CNET
20-05-2025
- Business
- CNET
Ninja's New Ice Cream Machine Makes Swirling Soft Serve, and We Tried It
CNET's expert staff reviews and rates dozens of new products and services each month, building on more than a quarter century of expertise. 9.5 / 10 SCORE Ninja Swirl by Creami Review $348 at Amazon $350 at Target Pros Easy to use Six soft-serve settings Clean design Great for prepping desserts, healthy alternatives and protein shakes Removable parts are dishwasher safe Cons Loud operation Larger footprint that may not be good for small spaces Pricier than other ice cream machines we've tested Ninja Swirl by Creami Review 9.5/10 CNET Score $348 at Amazon Homemade ice cream has come a long way from the hand-cranked machines and rock salt of the past. These days, countertop gadgets like the newly released Ninja Swirl by Creami are shaking things up—literally—and making it easier than ever to whip up smooth, dreamy frozen treats right at home. But I've found an even better use for it: the office. Because let's be honest, nothing melts workplace stress quite like a surprise ice cream party. The CNET team got the full scoop (pun very much intended), and morale has never been higher—or creamier. Many of the Ninja Swirl's recipes require only a handful of ingredients that you probably already have in your home. Corin Cesaric/CNET After breaking open the box and setting up the machine, CNET's Social Media Manager Tara Brown prepped up Ninja's vanilla soft serve at our NYC office in one of the Ninja Swirl pints included with the machine, then let it freeze overnight. The following day, Lai Frances, one of CNET's social media producers, and I put the machine to the test. Watch this: Ninja's Creami Swirl Gave Us the Ice Cream Party We Didn't Know We Needed 01:32 After reading the instructions, getting our soft serve spun was quick and easy -- albeit loud. But despite the fact that the machine makes a sound reminiscent of NYC construction (OK, maybe not that loud, but still pretty loud) the delicious soft serve it created helped our colleagues forgive us for the ruckus we made during the process. How the Swirl differs from the original Ninja Creami The main difference between the new Swirl and the original Ninja Creami, released in 2021, is that the Swirl has six additional soft-serve settings and a dispensing nozzle, so you can either eat your dessert directly out of the pint like the original or attach it to the soft serve side and use the lever to create a perfectly smooth swirl in a cone or cup. I loved the smooth texture of the frozen yogurt. Corin Cesaric/CNET For events and large groups, that nozzle plus the additional setting options come in handy by offering more variety and making it feel like you have an ice cream or frozen yogurt vendor right in your home or office. But, is that worth an extra $170 in comparison to the price tag on the Ninja Creami? We set out to find out. How the Ninja Swirl by Creami works The Swirl offers six soft serve programs: Soft serve ice cream, soft serve lite ice cream, fruit whip, frozen yogurt, frozen custard and CreamiFit (ideal for protein mixtures). Plus, it comes with a booklet of more than 30 recipes to help you get started using the machine and it offers substitutions in case you want to make the recipes vegan or low-sugar. When we created Ninja's vanilla soft serve, I thought it was delicious and tasted a bit like pudding. The following week, I was ready to give the Swirl another whirl, so I made a few more concoctions to see how different types of frozen treats would turn out. This time, a handful of the NYC staff indulged in one-ingredient frozen yogurt and dairy-free vanilla coconut ice cream, both of which were easy to prepare. The new Ninja Swirl has six additional soft serve settings Corin Cesaric/CNET You may notice that although the prep time needed for Ninja Swirl base recipes is a quick five minutes or less, the full time needed is about 24 hours. This is because the ingredients you prepare in the pints need to be frozen overnight before you can make your dessert. But pints don't take up too much room in the freezer, as do the necessary pieces of ice cream machines, namely freezer bowls. If you're planning to use the Ninja Swirl during the next event you host, you may want to snag some additional pints to prep up enough soft serve to go around. Setting up the machine was simple and quick after getting the hang of it the first time around and it took less than a minute to get everything ready. After placing the frozen pint into the outer bowl that has a handle, I added the lid with the Creamerizer paddle and locked it into place. Then I slid the bowl under the right side of the machine and twisted until I heard the tell-tale click that let me know I was on the right track. The pint fits perfectly inside the outer bowl. Corin Cesaric/CNET Next, I chose my selections based on the recipe I was using and waited for it to complete. The frozen yogurt and vanilla ice cream both took five minutes to spin while the vegan ice cream took four minutes. It was loud but it only lasted for the quick spin time. After it was finished spinning, I removed the pint from the outer bowl and placed the dispense lid on top of it, then clicked it into place on the soft serve side of the machine before using the lever to serve it. It takes a couple of seconds to dispense once you pull down the lever. In comparison, the coconut ice cream was the creamiest and it was only slightly sweet while the vanilla soft serve was by far the sweetest and the fro-yo was more tart as we used Greek yogurt to create a higher protein snack. The vegan ice cream had a great consistency after it spun in the machine. Corin Cesaric/CNET How we rated the ice cream we made We, of course, paid close attention to the taste and texture when rating the ice cream the Swirl made and compared it to store-bought ice creams we've had. Although taste often comes down to personal preference, in the office this week it was clear that the coconut ice cream beat out the frozen yogurt thanks to its distinct flavor, smooth texture and fresh taste. Nasha Addarich Martínez, managing editor at CNET and taster of numerous vegan ice creams, was impressed. "It's very comparable to high-end vegan ice creams, but this one tasted a lot fresher," she says. "I also liked that it wasn't overly sweet like some you find at the supermarket. This one just tasted like coconut deliciousness." Nasha Addarich Martínez dispensing the coconut vanilla soft serve during our taste test. Corin Cesaric/CNET When the soft serve runs out of the pint, the Swirl automatically retracts the pint for easy removal from the machine, then you can rinse off the pint and lid and pop it in the dishwasher until you're ready to create another batch. "I think it's so cool that you can create a tasty coconut ice cream whenever you want," said Meara Isenberg, a CNET writer, adding that she's excited to see what we will whip up with it next. Is the Ninja Swirl by Creami worth it? It ultimately depends on how often you will use it. Although $350 is nothing to scoff at, if you plan to use this machine weekly, then yes, it's worth the price tag. A pint of quality ice cream costs upwards of $9 while the ingredients to make one at home costs more like $2 or $3. If you just want to create frozen snacks occasionally and don't care as much about the texture or how they look at the end of the process, the less expensive Ninja Creami, which you can now find for as low as $180, will likely do the trick. The biggest advantage of the Ninja Swirl is that it offers nearly double the amount of settings than the Ninja Creami, making it possible to create six different and delicious types of soft serve. So no matter what dietary restrictions or preferences you may have, you can whip up something just as delicious -- if not more -- and far less expensive than what you'd find at any ice cream shop or grocery store.
CNET
15-05-2025
- Health
- CNET
We Tried MealPro Meal Delivery, and It Was Better Than Takeout
CNET's expert staff reviews and rates dozens of new products and services each month, building on more than a quarter century of expertise. 9.0 / 10 SCORE MealPro Buy at MealPro Pros Health-focused meals, and you can shop by diet and medical conditions Large portions Vacuum sealed for extended freshness and freezable No subscription needed, but you can opt in or out of recurring deliveries Meals are customizable (you can double the protein, remove carbs, etc.) Cons Pricier than other options Fewer vegetarian and vegan options Can only purchase a minimum of 18 meals per delivery MealPro 9/10 CNET Score Buy at MealPro When I learned that we were going to start taste-testing premade meal delivery services for CNET, I thought I would be hard-pressed to find one that not only tasted fresh and delicious but was also healthy. MealPro proved me wrong. This high-end service boasts flavor and plenty of meals to choose from, so whether you're training for a body-building competition, need to cut back on your cholesterol or simply want to eat heart-healthy meals that don't take hours of cooking, MealPro can step in and help. Here's everything to know about the service. How MealPro works MealPro is a premade meal delivery service that offers healthy and customizable meal plans. According to its website, the meals are cooked daily so they can be delivered as fresh as possible. You can order one box at a time or opt in or out of recurring orders. The website is pretty straightforward. If you're planning to order from the regular menu, you will select what size box you want from two choices: 18 or 21 meals. Then, you choose your meals from a selection of 24. In addition to the meals, there are nine protein and side options that you can add to your cart. MealPro's website is simple to navigate. Corin Cesaric/CNET If you don't see something on that main menu that you like, there are several additional options when you scroll to the bottom of the website. On the left-hand side, you will see the following options: Fitness Meals, Medical Meals, Custom Meals, Vegan Meals and A La Carte Menu. These menu filters allow customers to get hyperspecific with nutrition goals. Under Fitness Meals, there are six plans to pick from: Bodybuilding Meal Plan 400 Calorie Meal Plan Keto Meal Plan Paleo Meal Plan (Whole 30 compliant) GLP-1 Friendly Meal Plan Low-Carb Meal Plan Under each meal plan, there are various meals that are not on the regular menu. For the medical meals, there are 10 plans available: Diabetic Meal Plan Low-Sodium Meal Plan Renal Meals Stage 1-3 Renal Meals Stage 4 (Pre-dialysis) Renal Meals Stage 5 (Dialysis) Heart-Healthy Meal Plan Crohn's & Ulcerative Colitis Meal Plan Low Cholesterol Meal Plan Celiac Meal Plan Anti-Inflammatory Meal Plan For each specialty meal plan, you can choose to buy the full plan or shop them a la carte. Each meal also includes a full nutrition label, so you know exactly what you're getting. MealPro pricing The MealPro price varies widely depending on what meal or plan you choose. For the regular menu, prices vary between $7.99 and $21.49 per meal or snack. The meals can also be adjusted to your preference, such as adding double protein or purchasing a larger size, which incurs an upcharge. Below is a snapshot of a handful of the meals available and the prices. Meal Price Protein Pancakes (10oz) $7.99 Clam Chowder (16 oz) $9.99 Lentil Stew (20oz) $11.99 Roasted Chicken (19oz) $13.99 Spinach Lasagna (16oz) $14.99 Carnitas (20oz) $15.99 Atlantic Salmon (20oz) $20.99 Pulled Brisket (16oz) $21.49 The specialty plans also vary in price based on what meals you choose. Meal Plan Meal Price Pre-Dialysis Couscous Prawns (11oz) $17.49 Low-Cholesterol Turkey Bolognese (14oz) $13.99 Celiac Zucchini Chicken (14oz) $14.99 Diabetic Southwest Tilapia (13oz) $15.99 Bodybuilding Teriyaki Chicken (20 oz) $15.99 Vegan Cauliflower Bean Blend $13.99 Paleo White Fish & Yam Mash (16oz) $16.99 First-time customers can use the code HEALTHY10 for $10 off their first order, but the service doesn't offer any other promotions or discounts. The box of 18 meals also has an additional shipping cost. Free delivery is offered for the box of 21 meals to certain states on the West Coast. You can customize the meals you purchase as well. Corin Cesaric/CNET MealPro packaging The meals are shipped with a thermal lining and dry ice to keep them cool in transit, and each individual meal is vacuum sealed. The shipping box is recyclable, and the company also offers the option to enroll in the 'Recapture and Reuse Return Label Program' in order to send back the thermal lining for reuse by the company. (If you want to enroll in that program, all you have to do is type 'Recapture & Reuse' into the delivery instructions field on your order.) The food trays that hold each meal are recyclable and 'moisture resistant, oven- and microwave-safe,' according to MealPro's website. What we ate and how we liked it At the CNET office, we tasted five MealPro meals, and they were some of our favorites when compared to numerous other prepared meal kits we've tested. Here's everything we had. Beef Barbacoa: I loved this meal. It was flavorful and the portion was enough for two people to share for lunch. I defrosted it in the microwave for 10 minutes, then heated it up for four minutes and it was ready to be eaten. The meat was tender and it paired perfectly with the refried beans and rice, which was perfectly cooked, too. I would have never guessed this meal was frozen before eating it. The beef barbacoa was perfectly seasoned. Corin Cesaric Spinach Lasagna: This was another favorite of mine. It was also a large portion and had more than enough cheese. It was well-liked in the office, and even without a side, it felt like more than enough food for a satisfying meal. This hearty lasagna was full of cheese and spinach and heated up perfectly. Corin Cesaric/CNET Pulled Brisket: This was another tasty meal served with mashed potatoes and vegetables. I slightly preferred the flavor of the barbacoa over this brisket, but this meal was still nothing to scoff at, and everyone enjoyed it, too. Carnitas: Our taste-testers agreed that although the rice and beans were flavorful and cooked well, the pork carnitas lacked flavor and could have used more seasoning. Overall, this was the least favorite meal in the bunch. While the rice and beans were flavorful, the pork could have used more seasoning. Corin Cesaric/CNET Atlantic Salmon: Because this was heated up in a microwave, the salmon was slightly dryer than when served fresh, according to our taste testers. And although it looked like a well-plated meal, it could have benefited from more seasoning or being heated up in the oven instead. Who is MealPro good for? MealPro is clearly targeting the health and wellness crowd, and it's a great choice for people with specific diets or restrictions. Because the service also offers custom meals as an option, there is truly a meal for everyone. It's also a great choice for anyone who is trying to cut down on the time they spend meal planning or for those who simply don't want to cook lunch or dinner. Corin Cesaric/CNET Who is MealPro not good for? Compared to other prepared meal services like CookUnity and Factor, MealPro is quite a bit more expensive, and it doesn't follow a clear-cut pricing structure, so it might not be the best choice for someone on a strict budget. However, to me, the large portion size of these meals did help make up for the cost, especially if you can split a meal with another person or save it for a second meal the following day. Plus, when I compared it to your average lunch or dinner prices in NYC, it was still a steal in my eyes. How we test meal kits or food services Like all of the meal kits we've tested, we consider various factors, including the freshness, healthiness, taste, value and recipe variety. Using those metrics, we calculate the final score of the service. We also test out how easy or difficult it is to use the website and look at the packaging and delivery. Final verdict on MealPro I personally enjoyed the taste and quality of these meals. They were some of the best-tasting premade meals that I've had. Dare I say the barbacoa was restaurant quality? I could see myself ordering these meals in the future to have a freezer full of quick lunch and dinner options on hand. If there's a downside, it's that you have to order at least 18 meals per box, but because they are freezeable and vacuum-packed, they can stay fresh longer than some other options. (Up to six weeks in the freezer and four days in the fridge.) So you should have plenty of time to polish them off, especially if you're sharing with a spouse or family.
CNET
15-05-2025
- CNET
Wondering Where the Amazon Alexa Plus AI Upgrade Is? Me Too
When Amazon announced the massive AI upgrade to its voice assistant Alexa in February, it seemed like Alexa Plus was right around the corner -- even if it cost some of us money or lost Echo privacy. Reports indicated that by March, we would be trying out demonstrated Alexa AI features like casual conversations that could book reservations, set flexible reminders, let Alexa learn your likes and dislikes, analyze home video footage, and operate smart home devices like a finely tuned orchestra. Now it's mid-May, and we're still waiting. Read more: Amazon Alexa Just Changed Its Privacy Settings. CNET Survey Reveals 73% of Device Users Were Already Worried Alexa Plus stalls out: We've seen this before Alexa Plus promised a lot. Reports indicate it's simply not ready yet. Amazon So, where's the AI? For now, it's still in early access, and that early access period appears to be limited. Even the few who have tried out Alexa Plus have been quiet about it. Those who've spoken up have said the AI is lacking critical features that were mentioned at the announcement, including ordering food on Grubhub with a conversation, entering into a story mode with kids, visually identifying family members during conversations, brainstorming ideas in a casual conversation mode, and using Alexa Plus on the Web. In other words, it's just not ready yet. I've seen this before, very recently, with Apple's announcement that it will be delaying Siri's big AI upgrade, not only for a year after WWDC 2024, but then again in 2025 and possibly for as long as until 2027 according to our latest info. It's possible Amazon watched the fallout from these delay announcements plus leaked employee complaints, and decided to be much quieter about the Alexa Plus rollout. Either way, it could be months before the average consumer sees an option to upgrade to Alexa Plus, and with staggered rollouts, some Amazon customers could be waiting quite some time for the chatty new Alexa. No one at CNET has gotten an early access look at Alexa Plus yet, but the testing period is still ongoing, so we're hopeful to get our hands on it very soon. Waiting for the Show Moments before Amazon Alexa upgrades were announced on Feb. 26. Corin Cesaric/CNET We're ready with Amazon Echos, Echo Shows, home cameras, smart gadgets and more to test out just what's changed with Alexa Plus and what features have actually arrived (and what we still can't do). But for now, it looks like we're waiting for our own wake word -- and I wouldn't be surprised if Alexa Plus is on a similar trajectory to Siri's AI delays, sans the troubling announcements and exposes we saw with Apple. If you're desperate to see what Amazon is doing with the latest Alexa AI technology, there is a way to get to the front of the line. Amazon has mentioned that during the early access period, it will focus on releasing Alexa Plus for Echo Shows. If you have an Echo Show 8, Show 10, Show 15 or Show 21, you're more likely to see an offer for Alexa Plus if you sign up for the program. Otherwise, we'll keep you updated. Stop our AI Atlas to get the latest on Siri, Google Gemini, ChatGPT, Grok and, yes, Alexa Plus as we learn more and test out new capabilities. (Disclosure: Ziff Davis, CNET's parent company, in April filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.)
CNET
14-05-2025
- General
- CNET
There's One Reason Your Air Fryer Wings Aren't Turning Out Perfect
Perfecting air fryer chicken wings takes some technique. The most crucial step? Always cook your wings in a single, even layer. Overcrowding the air fryer or stacking the wings will result in uneven cooking, and worse, soggy skin. If you're making a larger batch than what fits in one layer, cook the wings in multiple rounds. Make sure none overlap. While the wings will shrink as they cook, it's still important to give each piece enough space to crisp up properly. You have no shortage of sauce options or spice combos to try when making air fryer wings -- so don't be afraid to experiment. As long as you nail the cooking steps and don't under- or overcook them, you're likely to end up with a restaurant-quality snack that costs a fraction of the price and takes very little effort to whip up. Here's how to nail air fryer chicken wings next and every time. Ingredients for buffalo chicken wings 1 pack chicken wings (about 15 wings) 1/2 cup Frank's RedHot Hot Sauce 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 teaspoon garlic powder 1 teaspoon onion powder 1 teaspoon paprika 1 teaspoon pepper How to make air fryer chicken wings in 25 minutes Step 1: Pat dry the chicken wings and place them in a large mixing bowl and drizzle olive oil over them. Step 2: Combine the seasonings and sprinkle them on the wings, then mix well so that the meat is fully covered. The four seasonings you will need for air fryer chicken wings. Corin Cesaric/CNET Step 3: Place the wings in a single layer in the air fryer and cook at 400 degrees for 10 minutes, then flip them and cook for another 10 minutes. Do not overcrowd the air fryer, and cook them in multiple batches if needed. Don't stack the chicken wings in the air fryer. Instead, make sure they're all in a single layer. Corin Cesaric/CNET Step 4: While the wings are cooking, melt the unsalted butter in a small saucepan. Add Frank's RedHot Hot Sauce (or a hot sauce of your choosing) and simmer on low heat for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally. If you would rather use a buffalo sauce instead of traditional hot sauce, you do not need to add butter to this recipe. Corin Cesaric/CNET Step 5: When the wings are done cooking and have reached an internal temperature of at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit, place them in a clean mixing bowl and pour the buffalo sauce mixture over them. These air fryer chicken wings are simple and quick, making them perfect for a week night meal. Corin Cesaric/CNET Step 6: Toss the wings until they're fully coated and serve immediately with dipping sauce and carrots and celery. These wings are perfectly crispy every time. Corin Cesaric/CNET Read more: 7 of the Best Air Fryer Accessories More tasty air fryer recipes to try
CNET
13-05-2025
- Business
- CNET
Save $180 Off Our Favorite Meal Delivery Service Ahead of Memorial Day Weekend
We live busy lives and sometimes a trip to the grocery store can feel like a hassle. One way to save time but still keep up with creating healthy, fresh meals is to consider a meal delivery kit. These kits provide the ingredients you need to whip up dinner without having to meal plan and shop. One of our favorites, Blue Apron, is currently offering an enticing special ahead of Memorial Day. From now until June 29, new customers can enjoy up to $180 off their first five boxes from Blue Apron. That's the equivalent of up to 22 free meals and the first week ships free. Blue Apron is a custom meal delivery kit that provides all the ingredients you need to prepare your chosen meal. They also have some prepared meals that you can just heat and serve for those super busy nights. Meals with this offer begin shipping May 19 and include a delicious array of recipes to choose from. The offer requires you to sign up for five weeks of continuous service. The service will auto renew at the end of five weeks, but you can cancel or change it once the five weeks is up. Hey, did you know? CNET Deals texts are free, easy and save you money. Although previously rated as the top pick overall for meal delivery, our reviews team recently tried Blue Apron and compared notes. Flex editor Corin Cesaric appreciated that the meals were fairly simple to cook while still offering an impressive flavor palate. Wellness editor Anna Gragert found that for those of us who are vegetarian, Blue Apron offers a impressive variety of veg-friendly recipes. She also found the produce to be high quality. There is no special offer code required to redeem this offer, but you must be a new customer. Visit Blue Apron's site to redeem the offer, browse pricing categories and choose your meals. You can customize your box not only by meal preferences, but also by frequency and quantity. Recipes included in this offer are fit for a Memorial Day feast. Think crab cakes and spicy caper mayo, honey-habanero potato salad, buffalo chicken dip and plenty more. Why this deal matters With the rising cost of groceries, being mindful of budgets and food waste can be critical. Our Senior Home and Kitchen editor David Watsky did a comparison of Blue Apron vs. groceries to see what actually cost more. He found that buying the ingredients yourself at the grocery store didn't save you money, and in fact, in many cases per serving Blue Apron was less expensive. If you're looking for a more affordable meal kit, Blue Apron is one of the most budget friendly. With the additional savings it just makes sense if you're ready to try one out.
