Ninja ST100 Foodi 2-in-1 Flip Toaster Review

At 16.2" long and 6.4" wide, the Ninja Foodi Flip takes up more counter space than some competitors, but considering it packs two appliances into one, it can ultimately save space for those who want the capabilities of a toaster and a toaster oven but might not have the space.

Bread Toasting

When it comes to the fundamental task of toasting bread, the Ninja ST100 delivers mixed results.

On the light setting, the Ninja consistently underperformed. The bread emerged barely warmed rather than properly toasted, lacking the golden color and crispy texture we expect even from a light toast setting. This is frustrating if you want gentle toasting for delicate breads or when preparing toast for young children who prefer minimal browning.

However, the Ninja ST100 redeemed itself on medium and high settings. The medium setting produces beautifully golden toast with an ideal balance of crispness on the outside while maintaining some softness within. The high setting delivers deeply bronzed slices with satisfying crunch throughout — perfect for those who enjoy their toast well-done.

We particularly appreciate the consistency between toasting cycles. It produces slices that are evenly browned, no matter the bread type or thickness. This consistency comes from the quartz heating elements, which heat up quickly and maintain stable temperatures throughout use. However, they retain significant heat after each round of toasting, and while it doesn't affect the quality of single batches, it does mean you'll need to wait a bit between rounds if you're toasting for a crowd.

The flip design requires you to adjust your toasting routine. You need to ensure the unit is properly positioned in toaster mode before inserting bread, and the slightly different slot configuration takes some getting used to. However, once you adapt to these quirks, the actual toasting process is straightforward.

Bagel Toasting

The Ninja ST100 Foodi truly shines in bagel toasting, offering exceptional performance that rivals dedicated bagel toasters. Using the bagel function on medium heat, we achieved near-perfect results that had our testing team reaching for the cream cheese.

Our bagels came out with beautifully caramelized cut sides featuring just the right amount of crispness, while the outer sides remained gently warmed without becoming tough or overly crunchy. This ideal contrast — crispy interior, soft exterior — is exactly what bagel lovers seek but rarely achieve with standard toasters.

The evenness is also impressive; many toasters struggle with bagels' density and irregular shape, often leaving cold spots or burning edges. Not so with the Ninja ST100, it heated our bagels uniformly from edge to center, eliminating those disappointing bites of cold dough or charred crust. Even thicker bagels that often challenge standard toasters posed no problem here, emerging perfectly toasted without requiring multiple cycles.

Credit goes to the quartz heating elements and the toaster's design, which positions bagels optimally for even heat distribution. The bagel function intelligently adjusts heat output to focus more energy on the cut side while gently warming the back. We tested various bagel types — everything from dense New York-style to lighter grocery store varieties — and the Ninja handled them all admirably. This sophisticated approach delivers restaurant-quality results.

Frozen Waffle Toasting

The Ninja ST100 performed admirably in the challenging frozen waffle test, though not quite reaching the excellence it showed with bagels.

It has a dedicated frozen setting, and the Ninja produces waffles with pleasantly crispy exteriors, with good structural integrity, and properly heated centers. The texture satisfied our testers — no soggy spots or cold centers that plague many toasters when handling frozen items.

The quartz heating elements again prove their worth here, providing intense, even heat that penetrates frozen waffles effectively. We noticed minimal difference in quality between the first and second rounds, though the retained heat from the elements means you need to shorten toasting times for subsequent batches.

Standard frozen waffles toast perfectly in a single cycle, but those seeking extra-crispy results might need to experiment with higher settings or run a brief second cycle. Very thick Belgian-style frozen waffles occasionally need a second cycle to achieve optimal crispness.

Ease of Use

Daily usability often determines whether an appliance earns a permanent spot on your counter, and the Ninja ST100 presents both conveniences and complications. Using the flip design, while innovative, isn't like using a traditional toaster. You must position it depending on what you want to toast, which adds a new step to your morning routine until it becomes habitual.

The crumb tray doesn't come out completely, which we found very annoying. The tray captures debris effectively in both toaster and oven modes, though you should empty it regularly to prevent crumbs from migrating when changing positions.

Cleaning the stainless steel components of the Ninja ST100 also requires attention to detail. The exterior shows every fingerprint and smudge, and we found ourselves wiping it down frequently to maintain its appearance.

The control panel has an intuitive layout: there are clear buttons for different functions, a prominent timer dial, and indicator lights that make operation straightforward even without consulting the manual. The timer function — rare in traditional toasters — adds genuine value, especially when using the oven mode for reheating or light cooking tasks.

Beyond standard toasting, the Ninja offers dedicated settings for bagels and frozen items with multiple shade selections. The flip-to-oven feature allows you to reheat pizza slices, melt cheese on open-faced sandwiches, or even perform light broiling tasks.

Toasting speed is average: toasting two slices on the medium setting takes about two minutes and ten seconds. The quick-heating quartz elements help achieve reasonable speeds despite the unit's additional complexity.

Should You Buy The Ninja ST100 Foodi 2-in-1 Flip Toaster?

Despite its premium price, the Ninja ST100 Foodi's versatility might make sense for specific households. Small kitchens will benefit most from the dual functionality, as you are essentially getting two appliances in one compact footprint. Bagel lovers will appreciate the exceptional performance that rivals dedicated bagel toasters. The versatility appeals to those who occasionally need toaster oven functions but can't justify the counter space for a full-size model. However, households seeking a simple, budget-friendly toaster for basic bread toasting should look elsewhere.

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