Should You Spend $280 on Ninja’s New Crispi Pro Glass Air Fryer? My Take After Testing

Air fryers have become indispensable countertop appliances, and their popularity has increased thanks to famous chefs. Having more than two dozen models evaluated Thanks to extensive testing, I was the clear winner when Ninja introduced their first glass fryer last year.

This original Crispy Ninja was very close to getting the perfect result, but Ninja doesn't stop there. The company has just released a larger and feature-rich update – a new Krispy Pro – designed to get ahead of competitors. I spent over three weeks testing the larger, more versatile glass fryer to compare its performance to that of its predecessor.

The Crispi Pro has a lot of bones like the previous model—nontoxic glass cooking chambers that double as storage, tons of air-frying power, and durable construction—but there are big differences between the two, including price, that an air fryer buyer should be aware of.

Here's my review of the Crispi Pro and my opinion on which of the two iterations is better to buy.

---

Never miss any of our unbiased technical content and behind-the-lab reviews. Add CNET as Google's preferred source.

---

The Pro is larger and more modular than the original.

The Pro's most significant benefit is its increased cooking power. The set includes a massive 6 liter cooking chamber and a 2.5 liter shallow baking dish. Both are made of glass, making them easy to clean, and can be closed with the included lids to store food for later use.

The large, deep 6-quart cooking chamber opens up possibilities for cooking projects that weren't previously possible, such as larger poultry and roasts. I used it to cook a 5 pound chicken – something I wouldn't have been able to fit in the original. There was even a place for the bird, separated by a tray for fresh vegetables. While the bird was cooking, the potatoes absorbed all the juices. Needless to say, it was amazing.

The Crispi Pro air fryer takes a stronger stand.

The original Crispi model was unique among air fryers in that the cooking mechanism was completely separate from the base. In reality there was no real base; you simply place the fryer on top of the glass cooking chambers and turn it on.

The Crispi Pro has a base that really should live on your countertop. The glass cooking chambers are inserted into the base and their height can be adjusted using a removable shelf.

Just like the original Crispi, the glass chamber allows you to monitor progress without stopping cooking.

The Crispy Pro also comes with a 2.5-quart shallow baking dish. This option is ideal for browning mac and cheese, English muffins, pizza, sweet potato casseroles and desserts because the food is placed directly under the heating element. To be fair, these cooking tasks were easy enough to accomplish in the original Crispi.

I used a shallow pan for cooking. baconallowing the fat to drain through the crisper rack and separate from the bacon, leaving me with extra crispy, less greasy strips.

I also cooked up a batch of meatballs – again letting the fat drip off to create a leaner ball with a nice crispy exterior.

New cooking modes.

The original Crispi only has four cooking modes—bake, refry, air fry, maximum crisp—and has no temperature control. The new Crispi Pro features two additional functions—dehydrate and fry—and provides precise temperature control down to the degree.

I found the new cooking modes and temperature adjustments to be largely unimportant, as I was always able to reach my target temperature with the original Crispi without any problems. Those who plan to dry, bake, or cook delicate foods in the air fryer will appreciate the precise control.

Crispi Pro is easy to use and clean.

For those who are experienced with air fryers, this model requires no training. You simply place the chambers in place and set the dial to your desired cooking mode and temperature. There is an adjustable timer and an alarm that sounds when time is up.

The adjustable rack easily locks into place, allowing you to use the shallow roasting chamber closer to the heat source when you want to brown your green bean casserole. Thanksgiving Day or blueberry crumble.

Even large cooking utensils fit in my dishwasher and came out sparkling clean—one of the best features of a glass fryer. Those with less dishwashers or countertop models may lack luck during installation.

One big reason I stick with the original Ninja Crispi.

While I love the extra space for larger fried chicken and the roasting chamber is a great idea, what ultimately makes me think about the Crispi Pro is one of the things I like most about this model. original krispy – its portability.

The unassembled original fits easily in a cabinet or large drawer, while the Crispi Pro has a stand that will likely remain on your countertop permanently. Even as someone who air fries every day, if not more, I appreciate the ability to tuck it away when not in use.

Those with larger kitchens may prefer to leave the air fryer turned off at all times. If you belong to this camp, it is better to buy the Crispi Pro as it is capable of cooking full meals and large cuts of meat.

The Crispi Pro is expensive for an air fryer.

The Crispi Pro launched at a cool $280. I wouldn't want to pay nearly $300 for an air fryer, even one this versatile and well thought out. The original Crispi costs about $160—an obvious choice for me considering the Crispi does everything I need and fits neatly in my drawer when I want to free up counter space. If you plan to cook large cuts of meat in the air fryer or use the dehydrating mode, it is better to buy a larger size Crispi Pro.

Read more: My favorite air fryer is completely non-toxic and easy to clean.