Yes, most Ninja Foodi multi-cookers include built-in air frying through an Air Crisp or crisping lid function, though features vary by model.
If you have a Ninja Foodi on your counter, you might be wondering, does the ninja foodi have an air fryer? Or do you need a separate air fryer. The answer depends on which Foodi you own, how its lids work, and which cooking functions sit on the control panel.
Does The Ninja Foodi Have An Air Fryer? Model Basics
The original Ninja Foodi multi-cooker line was designed as a pressure cooker that also air fries. Later, the brand added more Foodi machines, including dual basket air fryers and SmartLid models, so not every Foodi looks or cooks the same way.
In many multi-cookers, the pressure lid locks in steam for fast cooking, while a second crisping lid or built-in SmartLid uses powerful fans and high heat to brown and crisp food, the same way a traditional air fryer does. Other Foodi units drop pressure cooking and focus only on air frying with one or two baskets.
Common Ninja Foodi Families And Their Air Fry Role
To answer that question for your kitchen, it helps to place your appliance into one of the main families below.
| Foodi Family | Air Fry Feature Name | Appliance Type |
|---|---|---|
| OP300 Series TenderCrisp | Air Crisp / TenderCrisp lid | Pressure cooker and air fryer in one pot |
| OL SmartLid Multi-Cookers | Air Fry / Air Crisp under SmartLid | Single-lid multi-cooker with steam and crisp modes |
| Foodi MAX / Pro Multi-Cookers | Air Fry, Roast, Grill style presets | Large-capacity pressure and air fry combo |
| Foodi Dual Zone Air Fryers (DZ, AF series) | Air Fry, Max Crisp, Bake, Reheat | Stand-alone dual basket air fryer |
| Foodi Single Basket Air Fryers | Air Fry, Roast, Dehydrate | Stand-alone drawer style air fryer |
| Foodi Indoor Grill And Air Fryer | Air Crisp, Grill, Roast | Indoor grill with air fry function |
| Foodi Multi-Cooker MAX 9-in-1 | Air Fry / Crisp, Dehydrate | Family size pressure and air fry multi-cooker |
On the official product pages, Ninja lists air fry or Air Crisp as a core function on its Foodi multi-cookers, alongside pressure cook, slow cook, and other modes, showing that combo design is central to the range.
Ninja Foodi Air Fryer Function By Model And Year
Foodi branding lives on many products, from pressure cookers to dual basket air fryers. That can make the core question a bit confusing, because the label on the front does not always spell out every cooking mode.
Most multi-cooker Foodi machines follow the original TenderCrisp idea: they pressure cook or steam first, then switch to a high-heat air circulation mode to crisp the outside. Newer SmartLid units fold these steps under one lid, while stand-alone Foodi air fryers drop pressure and act as regular air fryers with extra presets.
How To Check Your Specific Ninja Foodi
To figure out whether your Foodi has full air fry capability, start with the model number printed on the rating label, usually on the side or base of the unit. Once you have that code, you can look it up on the Ninja Foodi pressure multicookers page or in the digital manual.
Next, scan the control panel. Buttons labeled Air Crisp, Air Fry, Max Crisp, Roast, or Bake use air fryer style heat and airflow. If at least one of those appears, your Foodi covers standard air fryer recipes, even when the word “air fryer” is not printed in large letters on the front.
Pressure Cooker Only Models
A few pressure cookers on the market lack any crisping lid or air fry option. If your Foodi has only pressure, steam, slow cook, and sear or sauté buttons, with no crisping lid or basket, you will need a separate air fryer for dry, high-airflow cooking.
How The Ninja Foodi Air Fry System Works
Whether you own a multi-cooker or a stand-alone basket model, the air fry feature in the Foodi family follows the same basic idea. A strong fan pushes hot air around food at high speed, cooking it from all sides while a perforated basket or rack lets excess fat drip away.
Pressure Cook Then Crisp In One Pot
On multi-cooker Foodi models, you often start by pressure cooking meat, grains, or dense vegetables. That gives tender, evenly cooked food. After releasing pressure and swapping to the crisping lid or SmartLid setting, hot air flows around the food to brown the outside, turning stews into gratins or soft chicken into crisp-skinned pieces.
This two-step method is handy for large cuts of meat, whole chickens, or mixed dishes like pasta bakes that need both moisture and a crunchy top. Instead of heating a separate oven, you finish the meal right in the pot.
Basket And Dual Zone Air Fryers In The Foodi Line
Foodi air fryer baskets and dual zone models skip pressure cooking and focus on hot air circulation. A crisper plate lifts food so air reaches all sides, and dual zone units add a second basket so two foods can finish at the same time. Preset buttons such as Air Fry or Max Crisp set common temperatures, though you can still adjust time and heat to suit each recipe.
What You Can Cook In A Ninja Foodi Air Fryer
Once you know your Foodi can air fry, the fun part starts. Whether you rely on the multi-cooker version or a basket model, you can cover quick snacks, family dinners, and leftovers without turning on a full oven.
Frozen Favourites And Easy Weeknight Snacks
Frozen fries, nuggets, popcorn chicken, fish fillets, and similar snacks are classic air fryer candidates. They come par-cooked and coated in oil, so they brown well in the hot airflow of a Foodi basket or on a rack inside the pot. In many cases, you can follow the air fryer directions on the package almost exactly.
Finger foods like mozzarella sticks, spring rolls, and small pies also work well. Place them in a single layer with space between pieces so air can move freely. A light spray of oil helps with browning when the coating looks dry or crumbly.
Fresh Meals, Veggies, And Mains
Fresh vegetables such as broccoli florets, carrot sticks, and Brussels sprouts roast quickly in a Foodi air fryer. Toss them in a small amount of oil and seasoning, then cook in the basket or on the rack until edges turn golden and tender.
Chicken thighs, drumsticks, pork chops, sausages, and burgers also benefit from air frying. The fan renders fat and crisps the surface, while the inside stays moist. Thick cuts may need a lower temperature at first, then a hot blast at the end to finish the crust.
Using The Multi-Cooker Pot For Crispy Toppings
If you own a pressure and air fry combo Foodi, baked pasta dishes, casseroles, and stews can stay right in the pot. Cook them on pressure or slow cook settings until tender, then switch to Air Crisp with the lid closed until the top bubbles and browns.
Cooking Times And Temperatures For Foodi Air Frying
Control panels vary across the Foodi range, yet the cooking times and temperatures fall within similar ranges. Most air fry presets work between 160°C and 210°C (around 325°F to 410°F), while Max Crisp modes can run hotter for fast results.
| Food Type | Typical Temp Range | Approximate Time |
|---|---|---|
| Frozen fries or wedges | 190–200°C / 375–390°F | 15–22 minutes |
| Bone-in chicken pieces | 180–200°C / 360–390°F | 22–30 minutes |
| Boneless chicken breast | 180–190°C / 360–375°F | 14–20 minutes |
| Roasted vegetables | 180–200°C / 360–390°F | 10–18 minutes |
| Breaded fish fillets | 190–200°C / 375–390°F | 12–18 minutes |
| Reheated pizza or leftovers | 160–180°C / 325–360°F | 5–10 minutes |
| Whole small chicken (multi-cooker) | 180–190°C / 360–375°F | 20–30 minutes after pressure cook |
Pros And Limits Of Using A Ninja Foodi As Your Only Air Fryer
Plenty of home cooks rely on a single Foodi multi-cooker for both pressure cooking and air frying. That setup saves counter space and still covers everyday meals, yet it also comes with a few trade-offs when compared with a dedicated large air fryer.
Advantages Of Foodi Air Frying
| Aspect | What Foodi Does Well | When It Helps Most |
|---|---|---|
| Space | One base handles several cooking methods at once. | Small kitchens and shared spaces. |
| One-pot meals | Pressure then crisp in the same pot or under one lid. | Weeknight stews, pasta bakes, whole chicken. |
| Capacity | Deep pot fits tall items like roasts and small poultry. | Family dinners and batch cooking. |
| Versatility | Modes for pressure, slow cook, steam, air fry, roast, and more. | Home cooks who like to try new recipes. |
Where A Stand-Alone Air Fryer Still Shines
Basket-style air fryers with wide drawers spread food out more than a deep pot can, which helps with big batches of fries or wings. A dual zone Foodi air fryer also lets you cook two foods at separate times and temps, and a separate basket model keeps pressure cooking free for rice, soups, or other dishes.
Safety Notes, Recalls, And Good Habits
Because Foodi units can work under pressure and high heat, safe use matters just as much as recipe timing. In 2025, the Consumer Product Safety Commission publicly announced a recall for certain OP300 series Foodi pressure cookers due to a lid issue that caused burn injuries.
If your model number falls within that group, follow the steps in the official CPSC recall notice. The air fry and crisping functions remain safe to use once you have the updated lid, yet the pressure program should stay off until the hardware is replaced.
Day to day, treat your Foodi air fry setting the same way you treat a normal oven. Give the machine air space around its vents, keep the cord clear, use heat-safe mitts on hot parts, and check food as it cooks so sugar or coating does not burn under Max Crisp style settings.
Is Your Ninja Foodi Enough As An Air Fryer?
For most owners, the answer is yes. If your Foodi has an Air Crisp, Air Fry, Max Crisp, or similar button, it functions as an air fryer, whether it holds a deep multi-cooker pot or one or two baskets.
For a few models built as plain pressure cookers, the front label still says Foodi but the controls do not include air fry modes or a crisping lid. Those units pair well with a stand-alone air fryer, especially if you cook larger batches of fries, wings, or sheet pan style dinners.
If you are still unsure, ask yourself again, does the ninja foodi have an air fryer? Then check the model number, look up the digital manual, and scan the control panel. Once you confirm air fry capability, you can test a batch of fries or vegetables and adjust time and temperature until the results match your taste.