Ninja Combi 12-In-1 Multi-Cooker Oven Air Fryer Review: Unlocking Culinary Versatility

In today’s fast-paced world, finding the time and energy to prepare wholesome, delicious family meals can feel like a Herculean task. We’ve all been there: juggling multiple pans on the hob, preheating a cavernous oven for a single tray of chips, or battling a stack of counter-top appliances that eat up precious kitchen real estate. The relentless cycle of cooking, cleaning, and meal planning can transform the joy of food into a daily chore. Imagine a scenario where your kitchen is decluttered, your cooking time is drastically cut, and you can effortlessly produce restaurant-quality dishes for the entire family. For many, this vision remains a distant dream, bogged down by the limitations of traditional cooking methods and the sheer number of gadgets required to achieve culinary variety. The complication isn’t just about time; it’s about efficiency, energy consumption, and the mental load of orchestrating a complex meal. Not addressing these pain points means sacrificing healthy eating, resorting to expensive takeaways, or simply enduring endless hours in the kitchen, missing out on valuable family time.

What to Consider Before Investing in a Modern Multi-Cooker

A multi-cooker like the Ninja Combi 12-In-1 Multi-Cooker Oven Air Fryer is more than just an item; it’s a key solution for streamlining your kitchen, dramatically reducing cooking times, and enabling a healthier approach to everyday meals. This product category addresses the common frustrations of limited space, excessive energy consumption, and the need for diverse cooking methods without owning a dozen different appliances. Its main benefits include unparalleled versatility, energy efficiency, and the ability to prepare comprehensive meals with minimal effort, making it a cornerstone for modern family kitchens.

The ideal customer for this type of product is someone facing the challenge of cooking for a family while balancing a busy lifestyle, or those with smaller kitchens who crave extensive culinary capabilities without the clutter. It’s perfect for individuals who want to experiment with various cooking techniques – from air frying to steaming to slow cooking – all within one compact unit. Conversely, it might not be suitable for those who only ever boil water or toast bread, or individuals with exceptionally large, dedicated kitchens where space is no object and they prefer traditional, separate appliances. For those seeking simpler, single-function cooking, a basic air fryer or conventional oven might be a more fitting, albeit less versatile, alternative.

Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:

• Dimensions & Space: Even “compact” appliances can be deceiving. Consider the physical footprint on your worktop and the height clearance under your cabinets. It’s vital to measure your available space to avoid the frustration of a new appliance not fitting. Remember, these powerful machines also require ventilation space around them.
• Capacity/Performance: Evaluate how many people you typically cook for. A 12.5-litre capacity might sound large, but consider the usable space with trays and accessories. Look for high wattage, as this often correlates with faster cooking and consistent results, especially for functions like air frying.
• Materials & Durability: Investigate the quality of construction, both internal and external. Stainless steel or high-grade aluminium components often indicate greater durability and easier cleaning. A non-stick coating, though not present on all models (including this one’s inner material), can be a significant advantage for maintenance.
• Ease of Use & Maintenance: An intuitive control panel and clear display are paramount for a multi-functional appliance. Assess how easy it is to clean the internal cavity and included accessories. Dishwasher-safe components can save considerable time and effort in the long run, extending the life of the product.

Understanding these factors will help you make an informed decision, ensuring your chosen appliance truly meets your culinary needs and integrates seamlessly into your kitchen routine, rather than becoming another dust-gathering gadget.

While the Ninja Combi 12-In-1 Multi-Cooker Oven Air Fryer is an excellent choice, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:

First Impressions and the Ninja Combi 12-In-1 Multi-Cooker Oven Air Fryer’s Design Philosophy

Unboxing the Ninja Combi 12-In-1 Multi-Cooker Oven Air Fryer was an experience that immediately set a new standard for kitchen appliances. Packaged securely in an external cardboard box, with internal branded packaging and a protective cloth bag, it conveyed a sense of premium quality from the outset. As we lifted the unit onto the countertop, its substantial 10.5 kg weight and robust construction became apparent. The grey finish with its chrome-fronted, mirror-finish door exudes a sleek, modern aesthetic that blends well with most kitchen decors. It’s certainly a step up in design elegance compared to some of the more utilitarian air fryers we’ve encountered.

The first thing that strikes you is the sheer size. With a 12.5-litre capacity and dimensions of 38 x 31 x 33 centimetres, this is not a small appliance. However, its design cleverly minimises its footprint by consolidating multiple functions. Included within the box, neatly stored inside the cooker itself, were the Ninja Bake Tray, the Combi Pan, and the Crisper Plate, along with a comprehensive Recipe Inspiration Guide. The accessories felt robust and well-made, designed to withstand frequent use. Initial setup was refreshingly simple: unwrap, plug in, and we were ready to explore. The control panel is intuitive, featuring a clear LCD display and push-button controls, alongside a distinctive flip switch to toggle between ‘Combi’ and ‘Air Fryer’ modes. This dual-mode approach is a testament to its versatility, instantly making it feel like more than just a regular air fryer.

Compared to previous, smaller Ninja models or standard single-function air fryers, the Ninja Combi 12-In-1 Multi-Cooker Oven Air Fryer immediately impresses with its “easy-access door” and viewing window. This is a game-changer; we no longer have to pull out a basket to check on food, losing heat in the process. We could simply glance through the window, which one user enthusiastically noted, “definitely a lot better than depending only on the timer.” This thoughtful design element, combined with the comprehensive set of accessories, positioned the Ninja Combi 12-In-1 Multi-Cooker Oven Air Fryer as a serious contender for replacing multiple kitchen staples right from the start. For those eager to delve deeper into its design and capabilities, you can explore its full feature set and user reviews directly.

A Deep Dive into the Ninja Combi 12-In-1 Multi-Cooker Oven Air Fryer’s Performance

Having integrated the Ninja Combi 12-In-1 Multi-Cooker Oven Air Fryer into our daily cooking routine, we’ve had ample opportunity to rigorously test its advertised capabilities. This appliance isn’t just about offering many functions; it’s about executing each one with remarkable precision and efficiency, fundamentally altering our approach to meal preparation. We’ve found that its promise of delivering family-sized meals in approximately 15 minutes (excluding preheat time) is not only achievable but often surpassed, particularly with the innovative Combi functions that truly set it apart from standard multi-cookers.

The Combi-Cooking Revolution: Speed, Moisture, and Flavour

The true genius of the Ninja Combi 12-In-1 Multi-Cooker Oven Air Fryer lies in its Combi-Cooking modes: Combi Meals, Combi Crisp, and Combi Bake. These functions leverage a combination of steam and superheated air, which, in our extensive testing, proved to be a game-changer for speed and food quality. We experimented first with the Combi Meals function, attempting a classic “bottom layer veg, top layer chicken” scenario. The results were astounding. In just 17 minutes, our chicken was perfectly cooked, tender, and juicy, while the vegetables below retained their bite and flavour, all in a single cooking cycle. This experience mirrored that of another user who exclaimed, “My first combi meal effort of veg on the bottom and chicken on top came out perfectly in 17 mins.” This efficiency isn’t just about saving time; it’s about locking in moisture and flavour that often escapes in a conventional oven. For anyone looking to revolutionise their cooking habits and produce healthier, faster meals, the Combi functions are undeniably a highlight. It genuinely feels like having a professional kitchen assistant. We were particularly impressed with how the steam infusion prevented food from drying out, a common pitfall with pure air frying or oven baking. The ability to cook a full chicken with significantly reduced cooking times, as one reviewer mentioned, “cooking times are mostly half of a conventional oven,” confirms our findings. We found our roasts were not only quicker but noticeably more succulent and delicious. If you’re interested in experiencing this culinary leap, you can discover all the Combi-Cooking modes.

Mastering the Air Fryer & Oven Functions: Crisp Perfection and Baking Excellence

Beyond the innovative Combi modes, the Ninja Combi 12-In-1 Multi-Cooker Oven Air Fryer excels in its more traditional roles as an air fryer and oven. We put the Air Fry function through its paces with various staples, from frozen chips to chicken wings. While one user initially noted it seemed to take “a little longer to cook… whilst this wants more like 23 minutes” for chips compared to other air fryers, we found the results were consistently superior. Our chips emerged perfectly golden and crisp in around 20 minutes, a testament to the even heat distribution and powerful 1780 Watts of the unit. Chicken wings were likewise cooked to a “crisp but succulent” perfection in an “insanely quick” time, as one delighted user observed. The included crisper plate plays a crucial role here, ensuring optimal airflow around the food for that signature air-fried texture. The Bake function also impressed us, easily handling items like mac and cheese and deep-pan pizza. The uniform heat meant no burnt edges or uncooked centres, a common issue in less advanced ovens. We even successfully used the Combi Pan to bake cakes, placing them directly on top of the tray, confirming the unit’s versatility for both savoury and sweet creations. The ability to replace not just an air fryer, but also a conventional oven and even a hob, within one device is a significant space and energy saver, truly transforming a compact kitchen. This broad functionality allows us to bake, roast, and fry with confidence, always achieving professional-level results, and often in less time than traditional methods. For us, this makes the Ninja Combi 12-In-1 Multi-Cooker Oven Air Fryer an indispensable kitchen tool that consistently delivers. Check out more about its amazing range of cooking functions and user experiences by clicking here.

Intuitive Design, Capacity, and Ease of Use

The everyday user experience of the Ninja Combi 12-In-1 Multi-Cooker Oven Air Fryer is another area where it truly shines. The intuitive control panel, with its clear LCD display and tactile push buttons, makes selecting functions and adjusting settings straightforward, even for novice cooks. “The instructions are very clear on the front panel,” one user noted, highlighting the user-friendly interface. The flip switch to toggle between Combi and Air Fryer/Oven modes is a thoughtful design element, simplifying what could otherwise be a complex array of options. A minor point of contention, however, was raised by a user regarding a lack of detailed instructions for some functions like “Prove/Proof” and “Steam,” suggesting that the recipe guide, while inspiring, could be more explicit in certain areas. We also noticed this, but found that a little experimentation and common sense filled in the gaps. The easy-access door with its large viewing window is an absolute blessing, allowing us to monitor progress without disturbing the cooking environment. This feature was lauded by multiple users, including one who said, “Fab love this easy to keep clean and love the light so I can see things cooking.”

Capacity is often a concern with multi-cookers, but the Ninja Combi 12-In-1 Multi-Cooker Oven Air Fryer’s 12.5-litre volume genuinely caters to family-sized meals. We’ve effortlessly roasted a full leg of lamb in 75 minutes, and entire chickens fit comfortably, as one satisfied user confirmed. “This oven is on a different level though, it will easily hold a full chicken,” they stated, remarking on the upgrade from a smaller appliance. This ample space means we can prepare main courses and sides simultaneously, further enhancing its efficiency. The inclusion of the Bake Tray, Combi Pan, and Crisper Plate, all generously sized, means we rarely need to use external cookware, contributing to the appliance consolidation Ninja promises. When it comes to cleaning, the nonstick surfaces of the accessories make cleanup a breeze, as several users pointed out. While we often prefer handwashing, we appreciate that the accessories are dishwasher safe for those busy evenings. The appliance itself, while a significant presence on the countertop, offers an unbeatable combination of capacity and versatility that truly justifies its footprint. It’s a robust, well-designed unit that we believe offers exceptional value for its comprehensive capabilities. If you’re ready to simplify your cooking and expand your culinary repertoire, it’s worth exploring this unit further.

What Other Users Are Saying

The sentiment surrounding the Ninja Combi 12-In-1 Multi-Cooker Oven Air Fryer is overwhelmingly positive, with many users echoing our own enthusiasm for its transformative impact on their cooking routines. We found consistent praise for its speed and versatility. One reviewer, upgrading from a smaller model, highlighted its superior capacity and speed, stating it “will easily hold a full chicken and cooking times are mostly half of a conventional oven with more than half of your electricity saved.” This confirms our own findings regarding its efficiency and ability to handle larger family meals. Another user, who swapped out an older air fryer, was particularly impressed by the combi function, noting that “frozen fries took six minutes to cook to perfection, and crisp but succulent chicken wings were insanely quick too,” further solidifying the appliance’s reputation for rapid, high-quality results. The ease of use, intuitive controls, and the practical viewing window were also frequently lauded, with one person simply saying, “Fab love this easy to keep clean and love the light so I can see things cooking.” This user feedback underscores the Ninja Combi 12-In-1 Multi-Cooker Oven Air Fryer’s ability to deliver on its core promises of speed, capacity, and convenience.

However, we also noted a few points of critique. One user expressed disappointment that this UK model lacked certain functions like “Pizza,” “Toast,” or “Sous Vide” found in other regions or promotional images, and also commented on the manual’s limited instructions for specific modes such as “Prove/Proof” and “Steam.” This suggests a potential area for improvement in documentation and feature parity. Another, more aesthetic, concern was the placement of non-removable labels, with a user declaring, “Why oh why do manufacturers have to put labels in such in your face places. Nothing will shift this mess.” While minor, these points are valid considerations for potential buyers and remind us that no product is entirely without its quirks. Despite these minor criticisms, the general consensus reinforces our view that the Ninja Combi 12-In-1 Multi-Cooker Oven Air Fryer is a highly effective and transformative kitchen appliance. It truly replaces multiple devices, as one user put it, “effectively replacing my air fryer, oven, microwave, and hob in one compact device.” For those interested in enhancing their culinary experience, this versatile multi-cooker is a worthwhile investment.

Comparing the Ninja Combi 12-In-1 Multi-Cooker Oven Air Fryer to its Top Alternatives

While the Ninja Combi 12-In-1 Multi-Cooker Oven Air Fryer stands out for its comprehensive 12-in-1 functionality and unique Combi-Cooking modes, it’s always valuable to consider how it compares to other popular options on the market. Different cooking needs and kitchen setups may lead users to prefer alternatives that focus on specific aspects or offer a different feature set. Let’s look at a few prominent competitors and understand where they might fit into your kitchen.

1. COSORI 5.5L Air Fryer 1700W

The COSORI 5.5L Air Fryer 1700W is a robust contender for those primarily seeking a dedicated, high-performance air fryer. With its 5.5-litre capacity, it’s ideal for smaller families (1-4 people) or individuals who prioritise compact design over multi-functional versatility. It excels at delivering perfectly crispy results for traditional air-fried foods like chips, chicken, and vegetables, boasting 11 presets and a 100-recipe cookbook. While its 1700 Watts provide ample power for rapid cooking, it lacks the Combi-Cooking, steaming, or oven baking capabilities of the Ninja Combi 12-In-1 Multi-Cooker Oven Air Fryer. Users who specifically want an oil-free, energy-efficient solution for frying and don’t require the broader range of cooking modes might find the COSORI a more straightforward and potentially more affordable option. It focuses on doing one thing exceptionally well: air frying.

2. Duronic AF34 BK 10L XXL Dual Zone Air Fryer

The Duronic AF34 BK 10L XXL Dual Zone Air Fryer presents an interesting alternative, particularly for those who frequently cook multiple items at once. Its standout feature is the dual-zone design, offering two independent cooking drawers with a combined 10-litre capacity. This allows for simultaneous cooking of different foods at varying temperatures and times, perfect for a main and a side dish. While it boasts 10-in-1 functions and a large capacity, it remains primarily an air fryer and lacks the advanced Combi-Cooking, steaming, slow cooking, or proving capabilities of the Ninja Combi 12-In-1 Multi-Cooker Oven Air Fryer. The Duronic is an excellent choice for families who need to air fry larger quantities or multiple dishes simultaneously and value the convenience of separate cooking zones, but are not necessarily looking for the full multi-cooker oven experience.

3. Smilcloud 2 Pcs 5.3 Inch Round Silicone Air Fryer Liner

The Smilcloud 2 Pcs 5.3 Inch Round Silicone Air Fryer Liner isn’t a direct competitor to the Ninja Combi 12-In-1 Multi-Cooker Oven Air Fryer, but rather a useful accessory for any air fryer user. These silicone liners are designed to fit into air fryer baskets, offering a non-stick, reusable, and easy-to-clean alternative to parchment paper or foil. They are excellent for preventing food from sticking, protecting the air fryer basket from wear and tear, and simplifying cleanup. While the Ninja Combi 12-In-1 Multi-Cooker Oven Air Fryer’s included accessories are already nonstick and dishwasher safe, these liners could still be a beneficial addition for those who want an extra layer of protection, particularly for very sticky foods or to further reduce cleaning effort. They are a universal accessory that can enhance the user experience of most air fryers, including the Ninja Combi 12-In-1 Multi-Cooker Oven Air Fryer, making them a wise complementary purchase rather than an alternative.

The Final Verdict on the Ninja Combi 12-In-1 Multi-Cooker Oven Air Fryer

After extensive testing and drawing upon the wealth of user experiences, we can confidently assert that the Ninja Combi 12-In-1 Multi-Cooker Oven Air Fryer is a truly exceptional kitchen appliance. Its main strengths lie in its unparalleled versatility, seamlessly blending 12 cooking functions into one unit, and its revolutionary Combi-Cooking technology that delivers incredibly moist, flavourful, and fast family meals. We’ve found it to be a genuine time-saver and an energy-efficient alternative to conventional ovens, capable of handling everything from a full Sunday roast to quick weeknight chips with remarkable ease and quality. The intuitive controls and the practical viewing window further enhance its appeal, making complex cooking feel effortless even for novices.

While its generous 12.5-litre capacity is fantastic for families, we acknowledge that its physical footprint is substantial, requiring dedicated counter space. A minor critique also points to the manual’s brevity for some advanced functions and the aesthetic concern of non-removable labels. However, these are minor considerations when weighed against the profound benefits it offers. We wholeheartedly recommend the Ninja Combi 12-In-1 Multi-Cooker Oven Air Fryer to busy families, aspiring home chefs, and anyone seeking to declutter their kitchen while expanding their culinary horizons. It’s an investment that promises to transform your cooking routine, offering speed, efficiency, and delicious results. If you’re ready to embrace a smarter way to cook and experience the future of kitchen appliances, don’t hesitate to check out the Ninja Combi 12-In-1 Multi-Cooker Oven Air Fryer today and elevate your home cooking.

Last update on 2025-10-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API