Ninja Foodi Digital Oven Review

This appliance prepared some of the tastiest meals we've ever made using a toaster oven.

Toasting Performance

When it comes to the fundamental task of making toast, the Ninja Foodi proved itself to be remarkably capable during our hands-on testing. What particularly caught our attention was the evenness of browning across each slice. Unlike many toaster ovens that leave you with spots that are either too dark or too light, the Ninja Foodi produced uniformly beautiful, golden toast that would satisfy even the pickiest breakfast enthusiasts. The results remained consistently excellent across the board.

The digital controls make it simple to dial in your preferred level of toastiness, and we appreciated that the settings were reliable from batch to batch. Once we determined our ideal setting, we could count on getting the same results every time. This consistency is something we don't always see, even in higher-priced models. The toast function also worked efficiently, getting our bread to that perfect golden-brown state without making us wait around impatiently for our morning meal.

Baking/Roasting Performance

Starting with frozen pizza, we were pleased to find that the Ninja Foodi delivered a crispy crust with properly melted cheese every time. The heat distribution was impressive, eliminating those frustrating scenarios where one side of your pizza is perfectly done while the other remains undercooked.

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We placed the pizza directly on the rack as directed, and after following the package instructions for timing, we consistently pulled out restaurant-quality results.

Our cookie dough test revealed similarly impressive results. The cookies emerged with golden-brown edges and perfectly soft centers, demonstrating the oven's ability to maintain consistent temperatures throughout the baking process. We noticed that batches baked evenly across the entire tray, something that can't be said for many toaster ovens we've tested.

Frozen tater tots came out wonderfully crispy on the outside while maintaining a fluffy interior—exactly what you want from this freezer staple. The air frying capability really enhanced this particular test, giving us results that rivaled deep-frying without all the oil. Even better, we didn't need to flip them halfway through cooking to achieve even browning, though doing so did improve the crispiness.

The skin of our chicken thighs crisped up beautifully while the meat remained juicy and tender. We used our meat thermometer to verify that the internal temperature reached safe levels, and the chicken consistently cooked through without drying out. The only limitation we encountered was with larger items. While the cooking area is spacious enough for multiple chicken thighs or a small roast, the interior height prevented us from fitting a whole chicken comfortably, which might disappoint those hoping to use this for Sunday roast dinners.

Ease of Use

The digital display is bright, clear, and positioned at an angle that's easy to read, whether you're standing directly in front of the oven or approaching from the side. Unlike some models with cryptic symbols or confusing button layouts, the Ninja Foodi's interface feels intuitive right out of the gate.

The control panel clearly labels functions for each cooking mode—toast, air fry, bake, roast, broil, dehydrate, and more. We particularly appreciate the dedicated buttons rather than having to cycle through endless menus to find the function we wanted. The digital display shows both time and temperature simultaneously, eliminating the guesswork that comes with simpler models. Even team members who hadn't used the oven before could figure out the controls without consulting the manual.

One standout feature that enhanced usability was the preset cooking programs. While we typically prefer manual control for our testing, these presets proved remarkably accurate for common tasks. The flip-up design deserves special mention here. It's not just a space-saving gimmick but a genuinely useful feature that's executed well. The mechanism feels sturdy and locks securely in both positions. When flipped up, the oven takes up minimal counter space, making it practical even for smaller kitchens.

The interior light is another thoughtful touch that we used constantly during testing. Being able to check on food without opening the door helps maintain consistent temperatures and prevents heat loss. The door itself opens smoothly and stays in position at various angles, making it easy to check on or retrieve food without the door slamming shut or falling completely open.

Temperature Accuracy

This unit managed to keep temperatures within around seven degrees of our desired temperature, which is quite accurate compared to other units we tested (some of which varied by 15 degrees or more).

During our preheating tests, the Ninja Foodi reached 350°F in an average of just 1.8 minutes across three trials—one of the fastest preheat times we recorded. This rapid heating not only saves time but also indicates efficient heating elements and good insulation. We found this quick preheating particularly valuable for weeknight dinners when every minute counts.

What really impressed us was the consistency between trials. Some ovens might nail the temperature once but vary wildly on subsequent uses. The Ninja Foodi delivered reliable results every single time we tested it. This consistency extended across different temperature settings as well—whether we were broiling at high heat or using lower temperatures for gentle baking, the oven hit its marks with impressive accuracy.

The even heat distribution throughout the cooking chamber meant we rarely needed to rotate food for even cooking, though the option to do so easily (thanks to the well-designed door and interior light) was always there. This temperature precision translated directly into better cooking results across all our tests, from perfectly risen baked goods to evenly roasted vegetables.

Should You Buy the Ninja Foodi Digital Oven?

We think this is a great option for those looking for a multi-use appliance that can dehydrate, bake, roast, air fry, and broil well for under $200. This unit is also great for those looking to maximize space on their kitchen counter. But, if you plan to use your toaster oven to bake large meals or an entire chicken, we recommend sizing up.

What Other Toaster Ovens Should You Consider?

As much as we love the Ninja Foodi, it's also a pricier option. For those looking for a toaster oven under $100, we recommend the Easy Reach 4-Slice. This unit makes crunchy toast with relatively even browning and even manages to roast juicy, crispy chicken thighs. Though it doesn't have the same crisping abilities as the Ninja Foodi for veggies or frozen meals, they're still tastier than other premium options we tested.