This Ninja model performed beautifully in a range of cooking tests and really impressed us with its ease of use and cleaning. It had no trouble making deliciously crispy french fries, wings, and shrimp, instant pot duo nova with a basket and crisper plate that go right in the dishwasher after cooking. Its wings were probably the best in all of our testing, with crisp, golden-brown skin and a juicy, evenly cooked interior.
In terms of performance, it offers the same high-quality build and fantastic results – and I’ll happily take that in a smaller size over a progress bar. Also missing are a few of Instant Vortex’s more premium features, such as OdorErase and ClearCook; but for the Slim’s price and convenience, this isn’t the end of the world. The Instant Vortex is ideal for reheating leftovers like day-old french fries or mozzarella sticks. Just place the foods in the basket, select the air fry function, and fry at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for anywhere from 5-10 minutes depending on which food you choose. Millie Fender is Head of Reviews on the Homes and Gardens Ecommerce team. She specializes in cooking appliances, such as the best kettles, and also reviews outdoor grills and pizza ovens.
In comparison, a dual air fryer such as the Ninja AF300UK weighs around the 8.2kg mark. However, if you don’t particularly think you will be using the clear view window, don’t mind getting down to eye level. Either unit cooks perfectly and functions like good solid Air Fryers. This is pretty much a non-issue if you plan on using the unit once a week or so. However, if you are cooking all day with appliances, the tilted display and accessibility are all welcome additions.
You’ll need some practice assembling the accessories and a few tries before you figure out just how to cook your favorite meals. For the rest of us, I’d recommend holding on to your current air fryer or toaster oven for now. Set the time and temperature, then add the food when instructed.
All air fryers contain a heating mechanism and fan that keeps the heated air circulating around the food. The VeSync app is a neat feature that lets you customize the onboard settings and run specialized cooking programs right from your phone. The problem is, the app can’t actually start the cooking process—you can use it to set all the options, but you still have to hit the physical start button on the machine. Overall, that’s a minor annoyance, and the app has an always-growing library of recipes for inspiration even without its smart features. The perforated basket liner and outer basket have a nonstick coating that makes cleanup easy (and they’re dishwasher-safe).
The dial also moves smoothly and is fast for navigating minutes and temperature degrees, compared to holding down a button. A lot of the air frying experience—just like cooking in general—is trial and error. When you’re trying out your own recipe or heating up something that isn’t listed in a recipe book instant pot duo nova or app, you often have to use your best judgment and cross your fingers. We tried a range of foods in these air fryers to see how they perform. We tested the first edition of the Vortex Plus back in 2019 and had some mixed feelings. Maybe you’re Team Instant Pot forever and you’ve just got to have it.
Many attachments had unclear uses (what exactly does one do with a “steak cage”?), and none had handles to help us remove them from the fryer when hot. Instead, we had to rely on the laughable “lifter” tool, which was essentially a flimsy pair of extra-long tweezers. After a second set of more extensive Lab testing, The Spruce Eats Commerce Writer Jason Horn updated the roundup with those results. After more instant pot duo nova than 15 years as a food and drink writer, he still doesn’t own an air fryer, but he’s pretty sure that he’ll end up buying one at some point soon. You typically can’t layer foods and compared to the size of the whole unit, the available cooking surface can be quite small (depending on your model and size). This results in sometimes having to do multiple batches – especially if you have a larger family.