Ninja’s first ever microwave replaced two kitchen appliances at once, TechCrunch finds

Two cooking methods combined

The Ninja Crispi Microwave and Air Fryer is designed to heat food quickly while giving it a crisp finish. Its FusionCrisp technology brings microwave cooking and air frying together, rather than treating them only as separate functions.

The appliance pairs a 1,000W microwave with a 1,700W air fryer system. It is priced at $449.99, making it a substantial purchase compared with a basic microwave.

Room for more cooking

The package includes a 5.5-quart glass cooking dish and a nonstick crisper plate. The plate sits on top when air frying or crisping food, and the interior has no rotating plate, leaving more room to cook dishes at once.

The appliance is intended for more than reheating. For a pasta bake, for example, the microwave can cook the pasta while the air fryer crisps the cheese on top.

Size and price trade-offs

The microwave measures 20.3 x 17.56 x 14.1 inches, so it takes up a fair amount of counter space. It could free space if it replaces a separate microwave and air fryer, but may be a poor fit for a small apartment kitchen.

At $449.99, it costs considerably more than a basic microwave. The combination may make more sense for people who regularly use both a microwave and an air fryer.

A growing appliance category

Microwave and air fryer combinations are not entirely new. Smeg has explored the concept, and many modern microwaves offer additional cooking functions. The Ninja model’s distinguishing feature is its FusionCrisp approach, designed to combine the two cooking methods. Its appeal will depend on whether the cooking features and potential to replace two appliances justify its price and size.