Ninja has added everything from ice cream makers to double-decker toaster ovens to its extensive lineup of counter-clogging appliances, but it’s only now introducing its first microwave. What makes the new Ninja Crispi Microwave stand out among its many competitors is that it doubles as an air fryer. After heating your food using microwaves, you have the option to switch over to using superheated air so the results are crispy instead of soggy, while also potentially replacing two kitchen appliances with just one multitasker. It’s available starting today through SharkNinja’s online store for $449.
It comes with a bunch of standard microwave presets including popcorn, defrost, frozen dinner, and even a setting for softening butter. Instead of a turntable, the 1,000-watt Crispi Microwave has a flatbed design inside that Ninja claims offers 40 percent more usable cooking surface than a traditional microwave. You can squeeze two bags of popcorn in there, and its design is supposedly easier to clean.
Once food is sufficiently heated, the microwave switches over to air fryer mode, which has its own assortment of presets including air bake, max crisp, and air broil. To ensure the air that’s heated to up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit circulates all the way around your food for an even crispy finish, the air fryer mode relies on a 5.5-quart glass container with an insert allowing for air circulation beneath your food. That container has enough capacity for an 8-pound chicken Ninja claims, and it comes with two lids: one for storage and one with a vent for steaming vegetables.