I’d been eyeing a better air fryer for some time… my old non-stick metal one was fine, but always felt limited: parts scratch, coatings degrade, I always had to open it to check food, plus the cleanup was annoying. When the Ninja Crispi came along with its glass cooking containers and modular “PowerPod” top, I thought, maybe this is the upgrade that solves those pains. So, I got one to see if it truly delivers or is just another gadget that looks pretty.
What Is the Ninja Crispi Glass Air Fryer?
The Ninja Crispi is a portable, glass-based air frying system with 4-in-1 functions (Air Fry, Max Crisp, Bake, and Re-crisp) using Ninja’s TempWare glass containers. It includes two glass dishes (one about 4-quart / 3.8-L size and one smaller 6-cup / ~1.4-L), each with protective holders and storage lids. The cooking happens by clipping the heating “PowerPod” unit on top of these dishes. The glass is borosilicate (they say it’s resistant to thermal shock, which means you can move from freezer to frying in theory; there are lids that turn the cooking containers into storage vessels). Cleanup is supposed to be easier thanks to glass, no non-stick baskets to peel off.
Why I Tried It
I got this because I wanted something that’s more durable and “safe”, no worries about non-stick coatings flaking, less cleaning hassle, being able to fry or roast with clarity so I don’t burn food, and ideally an appliance I can use for reheating, small batches, leftovers. Also, because small kitchens mean limited space, the glass containers + lids promised good storage + serving functionality (cook => store in the same dish).
My Experience Using It
From day one, the glass containers impressed. There’s something satisfying about being able to watch food inside without opening the lid, fries, wings, frozen snacks all get that nice golden crisp, and being able to see helps adjust time so things don’t overcook. Using the smaller 6-cup dish is great for single servings or snacks; the larger one is adequate for two people or simple mains.
Cooking maker functions like Max Crisp deliver that extra crunch (though you have to wait a little longer or accept slightly more noise). The Re-crisp mode is a highlight for me… leftover pizza or fried food reheated in that mode comes out much better than I expected, crisp edge again, not soggy.
Clean-up is way more pleasant than my older air fryer. The glass sides don’t stain easily, and after washing they stay clear. The lids for storage are genuinely useful; I’ve cooked, snapped the lid on, stuck the dish in the fridge, and later reheated in the same container.
That said, “Perfection” doesn’t come. A few things annoyed me:
- Handles / holders get hot; you have to be careful, particularly with the larger glass container. Using oven mitts is a must.
- The lack of fine temperature control is frustrating. It has preset modes but you can’t dial exact temps, and I noticed the actual temperature is often cooler than what the mode claims. For example, the Max Crisp setting takes a little more time to reach its maximum heat, and food browning is slower.
- Capacity is decent but not gigantic. If you’re cooking for a family of 4+ or big roast, you might need to batch cook.
- The PowerPod module (the heating component) is bulky and needs clearance overhead; it limits how you can place the appliance (you need space above).
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Transparent glass containers: easy to monitor food, safer (less likely to over-burn)
- Dual container sizes + storage lids… cooks, serves, stores in same dish
- Re-crisp and Max Crisp modes that actually add value for leftovers
- Easier cleaning: glass is less fussy than non-stick metal baskets
Cons
- No precise temp adjustment; relies on preset modes which may run cooler than claimed
- Larger containers and handles get quite hot; risk of burns if careless
- Not huge capacity for big batch cooking or large meals
- The price is on the high side for what some would consider “basic air fryer with glass”
Is It a Scam?
No, this is not a scam. It delivers many of what it advertises: crisping, better storage, glass containers, modular design. But marketing leans heavily on “this will do everything perfectly,” which in some user’s experience feels overstated. If you expect “best of everything” regardless of dish size, food type, etc., you may feel let down.
Where to Buy & Price Point
- It retails around US $160 in many markets.
- Usually sold on Amazon, Best Buy, Ninja’s own site, and in some kitchen appliance retailers.
- Sometimes sold out due to popularity; pricing can vary.
Alternatives
Here are a few air fryers / cooking systems people often recommend instead, if any of the Crispi’s downsides bother you:
- Instant Vortex Plus (larger capacity, good brand reliability)
- Cosori Pro (or ones with better temperature control & metal baskets)
- Ninja Foodi series (if you want more features + larger size)
Conclusion: Would I Recommend It?
Yes, but with conditions. If you’re someone who values aesthetics, ease of cleaning, storage, and you mostly cook for 1-2 persons or small meals, the Crispi is a strong buy. It brings joy to cooking with its glass design and good crisp performance, especially for snacks and leftovers.
If instead you cook big meals, want perfect temperature precision, or need very large capacity, you might wish you’d invested in a more traditional air fryer with more power. For me, the Crispi replaced my old metal basket fryer for almost all of my everyday use, but I still pull out a bigger fryer for bigger roasts or batch cooking.
Also Read – Rachel-Newyork.com Review: Should You Trust Its Clearance Sale? Read This Before Shopping!