Ninja Foodi Multi-Cooker review

Stuart Forster reviews the Ninja Foodi Multi-Cooker, an easy-to-use all-in-one cooker.

Disclosure: Stuart was gifted a Ninja Foodi Multi-Cooker to facilitate this review, which Ninja has not reviewed or approved. Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

The Ninja Foodi Multi-Cooker is a one-pot machine that pressure cooks, steams, slow cooks, sautés, air crisps, bakes/roasts and grills food. It’s easy to use and I’ve cooked some delicious dishes in it. I find it a fantastic piece of kitchen equipment; I’ve been singing its praises to friends and family during the month that I’ve been testing it. I would say this is the best multi-cooker I have ever used.

The best multi-cooker, a Ninja Foodi review

I love cooking, finding it a great way of relaxing. Planning a meal, prepping the ingredients and cooking is a way of shutting off from the outside world and being creative. I’m normally reluctant to adopt new equipment into my routine but have been highly impressed with the Ninja Foodi. I’ve used it frequently over recent weeks. It’s an all-in-one machine and has a Ninja Foodi air fryer, a Ninja Foodi pressure cooker, a Ninja Foodi grill and much more. It’s basically your all-in-one cooker.

Ninja Foodi Multi-cooker with the pressure cooker lid.
Ninja Foodi Multi-cooker with the pressure cooker lid.

The Get to know your Foodi pamphlet

First off, it’s easy to use. It comes with a four-page Get to know your Foodi pamphlet. The easy-to-read document explains the functions of the multi-cooker and provides an overview of how to use them. It has a cooking cheat sheet on the back page, providing ideas about how to cook a handful of ingredients using the various settings.

The cooking mode is controlled via buttons on the front of the machine. The duration of cooking and temperature or intensity, depending on the mode, is also set via buttons. It really is simple to use.

Buttons on the front of the Ninja Foodi.
Buttons on the front of the Ninja Foodi.

On opening the packaging when the Ninja Foodi Multi-Cooker arrived, I was initially perplexed by why it came with a ‘spare’ lid. Get to know your Foodi explains that the loose lid is for use while pressure cooking ingredients. It twists on and off and has a vent at the back; flipping the vent after pressure cooking is complete releases a jet of steam. The lid doesn’t unlock until the unit has depressurised.

Southern-style spicy air crisped chicken.
Southern-style spicy air-crisped chicken.

Using the Ninja Foodi Multi-cooker

Admittedly, I was sceptical as I unpacked the Foodi. I didn’t believe that it would be able to do all the things that it promised. Cooking a herb-roasted chicken, the first dish I attempted, helped win me over and start believing that the Ninja Foodi was the real deal. In approximately 50 minutes a pasty whole organic chicken was transformed into a delicious, crisp-skinned roast bird that smelt and looked as good as anything basted and roasted in an oven for a couple of hours or more.

Herb-roasted chicken cooked in the Ninja Foodi.
Herb-roasted chicken cooked in the Ninja Foodi.

That encouraged me to get hold of a couple of racks of ribs. I marinated them for 24 hours before first pressure cooking and then air crisping them. The result was fall-off-the-bone, succulent meat with outstanding flavour.

Rack of ribs cooked in the Foodi.
Rack of ribs cooked in the Foodi.

While in a Chinese supermarket on Stowell Street in Newcastle’s Chinatown I bought a selection of frozen dim sum. I placed a selection of it on the reversible metal rack that comes with the Foodi, added water and selected the steamer mode to prepare the dim sum. Easy.

I subsequently steamed vegetables and served them with rice.

Ninja Foodi chicken, a raw organic chicken in the pot
Raw organic chicken in the pot. Less than 50 minutes later the herb-roasted chicken was cooked and ready to eat.

Inspiration from the Ninja Foodi booklet

Leafing through the 50-page Ninja Foodi booklet provided me with inspiration for dishes such as Buffalo wings and potato wedges. I was impressed by how little oil was required during cooking. That encouraged me to try making chips to serve alongside rump steak. I pressure cooked the chips for four minutes then seasoned them and added a dash of olive oil before air crisping for 20 minutes.

Buffalo wings: my first attempt to make them.
Buffalo wings: my first attempt to make them.

It’s proving fun to experiment with the Ninja Foodi. Prior to sitting down to write this review, I cooked a brunch hash in it. My ‘weekend special’ featured chunks of potato, chopped red pepper, onion, chorizo and halloumi. Tasty and filling, it was ideal for after a morning workout.

Weekend brunch: a hash featuring potato, halloumi, chorizo, red pepper and onion.
Weekend brunch: a hash featuring potato, halloumi, chorizo, red pepper and onion.

Another reason why I like the Foodi is that it enables me to cook food straight from the freezer without waiting to heat up the oven. That has been very welcome when calls have overrun around lunchtime and I’ve just wanted to warm something while continuing to work.

The fact it’s easy to clean is also something I find positive. All the cooking takes place inside of a non-stick six-litre pot.

All told, the Ninja Foodi Multi-cooker is a well-designed, robust piece of kitchen equipment. The fact it’s so easy to use and clean makes it a joy to cook with. I’m looking forward to trying new recipes that I find online and experimenting with my own creations. It also has helped me to create some healthier dishes using the Ninja Foodi grill part too.

Steak, chips and grilled cabbage. I served this with a peppercorn sauce.
Steak, chips and grilled cabbage. I served this with a peppercorn sauce.

Further information

Read more about the Ninja Foodi on the Ninja website which sells the Ninja Foodi Multi-Cooker OP300UK (RRP £199.99). The Ninja website also has recipe suggestions. A 26-page instruction booklet provides details about using the Ninja Foodi in various settings, cleaning and maintenance, accessories and troubleshooting, should anything go wrong.

The Ninja Foodi Multi-Cooker is sold via Amazon:

The Ninja Foodi Max Multi-Cooker (OP500UK) electric pressure cooker and air fryer is available via Amazon in brushed steel and black:

 

Enjoy cooking? Read this post about my experience cooking with French chef Marc Meurinn.

Photos illustrating this post are by Why Eye Photography. Why Eye Photography is based in North East England. To discuss photography projects contact 07947 587136.

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8 Comments

  • Sharon Martin

    January 31, 2020 at 15:17 Reply

    This is the best kitchen gadget ever. I have not used my stove or oven since Thanksgiving. Greatest invention ever. Love, Love, Love it!

    • Stuart Forster

      February 8, 2020 at 14:44 Reply

      I agree wholeheartedly. I cook all kinds of dishes using the Foodi.

  • Leanne McDonald

    May 9, 2020 at 18:18 Reply

    I wish the price would go down

    • Go Eat Do

      May 10, 2020 at 12:41 Reply

      Thanks for visiting Go Eat Do, Leanne. It’s a quality piece of kitchen equipment and I use it a lot. I think it justifies serious consideration.

  • Caroline Latta

    October 14, 2020 at 12:45 Reply

    Leanne the foodi is now £136 on Amazon prime today for prime day! I used Stuart’s affiliate link as well. It comes tomorrow I’m very excited!

    • Go Eat Do

      October 14, 2020 at 13:14 Reply

      That looks like a great deal. Thanks for visiting Go Eat Do and making a purchase after visiting. Enjoy your cooking with the Foodi!

  • Caroline Latta

    November 1, 2020 at 16:05 Reply

    I love the Foodi – It is my new obsession. I have used it everyday and has replaced the oven. I love how crisp the food is on the air fryer, and how to combine a very short pressure cook with an air fry. Not to mention quick soups in the pressure cooker. Just brilliant kitchen technology.

    • Go Eat Do

      November 5, 2020 at 14:36 Reply

      It’s by far my favourite piece of kitchen kit. I’m glad to hear that you like it and are enjoying cooking with it.

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