Ninja’s first-ever microwave just replaced two of my kitchen appliances at once

I never thought I’d get excited about replacing my microwave, but the Ninja Crispi Microwave and Air Fryer has made a pretty convincing case for ditching two appliances and making room for one. Combining a microwave with a built-in air fryer, it’s designed to speed up everyday cooking, give leftovers their crunch back and, perhaps best of all, free up some valuable kitchen counter space.

Priced at $449.99, it’s certainly not a budget-friendly microwave. But this is no ordinary machine for heating leftover soup. Ninja has paired a 1,000W microwave with a 1,700W air fryer system, powered by its FusionCrisp technology, which combines the speed of microwave cooking with the golden, crispy results you’d typically expect from an air fryer.

Think leftover pizza, chicken tenders, fries, and all those foods that tend to turn sad and soggy in a traditional microwave. Instead, the idea is to get food that’s piping hot and juicy on the inside, with a deliciously crisp, golden finish on the outside. In other words, no more choosing between speed and texture.

Of course, microwave and air fryer combinations aren’t entirely new. Brands such as Smeg have already explored the concept, while plenty of modern microwaves come with a range of additional cooking functions. 

What makes the Ninja Crispi Microwave particularly interesting, however, is its FusionCrisp technology, which is designed to bring both cooking methods together rather than simply offering two separate functions. It comes with a 5.5-quart glass cooking dish and a nonstick crisper plate, which sits on top when you want to air fry and crisp up your food. 

Another part that makes it stand out is that there isn’t a rotating plate inside, opening up a lot more space to cook more dishes at once.

It’s not just about reheating leftovers. For example, if you want to make a pasta bake, the microwave can cook the pasta, while the air fryer crisps up the cheese on top. 

There’s one thing to consider before buying it, though. Measuring 20.3 x 17.56 x 14.1 inches, the microwave is hardly compact. It takes up a fair amount of counter space, so while it could free up room if you’re replacing a separate microwave and air fryer, it’s not necessarily the ideal solution for a small apartment kitchen.

Then there’s the $449.99 price tag. That’s a considerable amount to spend on a microwave, particularly when a basic model can handle everyday reheating for a fraction of the cost. But if you’re someone who regularly reaches for both a microwave and an air fryer, the combination could make a lot more sense.

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Lauren covers media, streaming, apps and platforms at TechCrunch.

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