Ninja Foodi, Dual Zone Air Fryer AF3000UK, Review

Reviewed by Alexander Wilde

The Ninja Foodi range of air fryers have taken the world, and social media, by storm, promising to revolutionise the way we cook – saving both time and money in the process.  As someone who appreciates efficient kitchen gadgets (that make it out of the cupboard regularly), I was intrigued to see if this appliance could truly live up to its hype.  In this review, I’ll walk you through my experience with the setup and functions of the Ninja Foodi Dual Zone Air Fryer AF3000UK,  its potential as an oven replacement for a family of four, its suitability for caravan cooking, and decide whether its just another “fad” or a “fab” addition to a household.

Setup & Functions
The Ninja Foodi arrived packaged sustainably by courier from AO.com.  A convenient two-hour delivery window was communicated via text and email.  I’m not a big fan of reading set-up guides or instruction manuals, as I like to see how intuitive a gadget is straight from the box.  Setting up was a breeze; within a couple of minutes, I had the machine ready for action.  It really was as simple as removing the protective wrapping/inserts, washing the two cooking compartments and plugging it in.  Moulded in sleek grey and black, with silver trims this is an attractive product which would look good in any kitchen.  It comes with an Instruction Booklet and User Guide.  The latter contains hints & tips, cooking charts for a range of foods, and a handful of recipes to try.

There are only three components the user needs to be aware of: the two non-stick zones or drawers – containing removable crisper plates; and the large control panel for selecting modes, adjusting the temperatures/times.  What immediately caught my attention were the dual zones, allowing for independent cooking in two separate compartments – at different temperatures and times, with a function which allows for the synchronising of end times. Able to air fry, roast, bake, reheat and dehydrate, the Ninja Foodi seemed poised to cover a wide range of cooking needs.  Would this be a game-changer for multitasking in the kitchen?

An Oven Replacement
One of the claims that caught my attention, and is lauded by owners, was that the Air Fryer could replace my traditional oven.  I put this to this to the test by attempting to cook a family-sized Chinese meal of crispy orange chicken with Quorn and vegetable fried rice.  I used the MATCH mode to duplicate the cooking time and temperature for both zones.  Drawer one contained the egg and corn flour double-coated chicken breast pieces and drawer two was lined with baking paper and filled with frozen vegetables, Quorn and cooked rice.  I tossed the chicken and stirred the rice four times during cooking to ensure it was fried evenly.  I had to extend the cooking time of the meat to get the desired crisp; this is easy to do during the cooking process using the TIME arrows. TEMP can also be adjusted during the cook cycle.  The rice stayed warm in the drawer, and alongside the cooked chicken was perfectly fried.

As a mid-week quick lunchtime treat, I used the MAX CRISP programme to make poutine-style fries.  Frozen French-fries cooked in just over twelve minutes – they were crisp on the outside and remained fluffy in the middle.  I then covered with grated cheese, crisping for a further two minutes, mixing with gravy and spring onions to serve.
Considering the family favourite roast dinner, you could cook a small chicken in one of the drawers and roast your potatoes in the other.  However, if you are a family who likes a lot of trimmings, e.g. stuffing, Yorkshire pudding and other roasted (over boiled in a pan) vegetables, then you would need to batch cook some items.  Although I am certain that when we have guests round, I will be utilising the Air Fryer over the second top oven or microwave. While the cooking capacity of this Air Fryer is impressive, it really shines with composite meals.  This led me to conclude that while the Ninja Foodi is a versatile appliance, it might not entirely replace a full-sized oven for certain culinary endeavours. 

The Air Fryer heats quickly and does significantly reduce cooking time.  I found I needed to reduce the temperature of labelled foods by 10°C.  Theoretically, this should reduce my energy costs, particularly as I didn’t use my electric oven at all for a full-week, nor my gas hob for some of the time.

The crisper trays inside the drawers allow the air to circulate around the food, ensuring even cooking.  They also have the additional benefit of the draining away excess fat and oils.  When required, for all recipes I used Spray-Lite to further reduce the amount of oil used.  The quality of the non-stick coating is superb; warm soapy water with a gentle cloth is all that is required to clean.  As recommended, I did use silicone utensils to protect these while mixing and removing food.  I also believe it would be beneficial to buy additional racks to stand inside the drawers; this would utilise the depth of the drawers and reduce the need to batch cook/times.  I have seen these are available at ninjakitchen.co.uk.  In exploring the manufacturer website, I discovered ninjatestkitchen.eu with lots of free recipe ideas tailored to specific Ninja devices.  I’ve already bookmarked a fair few and I am looking forward to testing out the BAKE programme to prepare some sweet treats.

Caravan Cooking
We love holidaying in the UK, whether it be caravanning or camping.  However, with the cost-of-living continuing to increase, it can be an expensive way to travel – particularly if you’re eating out.  Therefore, I much prefer to ‘cook in’ where possible: planning meals and taking food and ingredients with us.  Unfortunately, this can be a frustrating experience: typically, I’ve found that gas ovens in caravans double cooking times compared to my conventional fan oven at home; and the cost is significantly higher.  Could the Air Fryer put an end to these inconveniences? 

At the end of my week-long testing, we visited our friend’s static caravan and I put the Air Fryer to the test by whipping up a few meals, from quick breakfasts to simple dinners.  The efficiency with which it cooked food continued to impress me, and its versatility meant I could prepare a wide range of dishes without feeling limited by being away from home.  Pre-baked croissants were warmed in four minutes; roasted sausages with egg-friend bread were on the plate in fifteen; and using the SYNC mode, fresh fish goujons and roasted smoked-paprika potatoes, served with a salad in twenty.

This version’s size and dual cooking zones made it an excellent choice for the smaller surfaces in the caravan.  I see no reason why you couldn’t take it camping either, assuming you have an electric hookup and consider all safety precautions.  One of the standout reasons to purchase this Air Fryer is its suitability for caravan or motorhome cooking.

Conclusion
In conclusion, the Ninja Foodi Dual Zone Air Fryer AF3000UK is undoubtedly a versatile addition to any kitchen.  Its dual zone cooking capability and range of functions make it an excellent choice for busy households and those with limited kitchen space.  While it might not completely replace a traditional oven for certain cooking tasks, it shines in its ability to prepare meals efficiently and evenly.  Caravan enthusiasts will find it to be a valuable companion, elevating the culinary experience on the road and saving a significant amount of time and money.  Overall, this product lives up to its promise, and its presence has certainly earned its place on my countertop. 

In a realm where versatility meets innovation, this appliance emerges as a powerful ally for the modern kitchen. Rated “FAB, not fad.”

Rating: 5/5

The Ninja Foodi AF3000UK is on offer for £169.00 at AO.com https://ao.com/product/af300uk-ninja-foodi-dual-zone-fryer-grey-76745-97.aspx. Delivery costs from free to £8.00, seven days a week.
RRP £219.00.