Countertop space is the one thing none of us have enough of, so when Ninja rolled out a machine that promises to replace both your microwave and your air fryer, it caught our attention immediately. The Ninja Microwave Air Fryer is exactly what it sounds like, a single appliance that reheats, defrosts, air fries, bakes, and roasts, all packed into a footprint that’s barely bigger than a standard microwave.
But does combining two appliances into one actually work, or does it end up being a compromise on both fronts? I tested the features, and broke down everything you need to know before you add this thing to your cart. If you’re weighing on this against other air fryers or trying to figure out whether a microwave air fryer combo unit is even the right call for your kitchen, this guide should clear things up.
Quick Verdict on Ninja Microwave Air Fryer Combo
If you’re short on counter space, cook for one or two people, and want an appliance that can go from “reheat leftovers” to “crisp up frozen wings” without switching devices, the Ninja Ninja Microwave Air Fryer Combo is a genuinely smart pickup. It won’t replace a full-size oven for big batch cooking, and the 5.5-quart capacity means you’re not feeding a family of six in one go, but for daily use in an apartment, dorm, office break room, or as a second appliance in a busy kitchen, it earns its spot.
Table of Contents
What Is the Ninja Microwave Air Fryer Combo, Exactly?
The Ninja Microwave Air Fryer is part of a growing category of countertop appliances sometimes called air fryer oven combos. Rather than being a full toaster-oven-style unit, this one is built around a microwave chassis with air frying and convection capability layered on top. That’s a meaningful distinction it’s not trying to be a mini oven, it’s trying to be a microwave that also crisps.
Ninja markets it under the “CleanCrisp” system, which centers on a 5.5-quart glass cooking vessel instead of the usual nonstick metal basket you’d find in a typical Ninja air fryer. That glassware detail matters a lot, and I’ll get into why below.
At its core, the unit runs four main functions, microwave heating, air frying, baking, and roasting, with an auto defrost mode rounding things out. It’s controlled entirely through a digital touch and button interface, with programmable presets so you’re not guessing at times and temperatures every time you use it.
Ninja Microwave Air Fryer Specifications
Here’s the full spec sheet at a glance, pulled straight from the manufacturer’s listing.
| Specification | Details |
| Brand | Ninja |
| Product Dimensions | 17″D x 20.3″W x 14″H |
| Color | Silver |
| Capacity | 5.5-quart CleanCrisp glassware |
| Wattage | 1700 watts |
| Voltage | 120 volts |
| Installation Type | Countertop |
| Controller Type | Button, Touch |
| Human Interface Input | Buttons |
| Number of Power Levels | 1 |
| Heating Method | Convection |
| Defrost System Type | Auto Defrost |
| Cooking Programs | Air Fry, Bake, Roast |
| Special Features | Child Safety Lock, Digital Control, Programmable, Timer |
| Recommended Use | Residential |
| Included Components | 5.5-qt CleanCrisp Glassware, Chef-Inspired Recipe Book, Crisper Plate |
At 20.3 inches wide and 17 inches deep, it’s roughly the same real estate as a mid-size microwave, so it’s not going to eat up your whole counter the way some air fryer toaster oven hybrids do.
Design and Build Quality
The silver finish gives it a clean, appliance-store look rather than the black-and-stainless combo most air fryers default to these days. It’ll blend in fine whether your kitchen leans modern or more traditional.
The 17″D x 20.3″W x 14″H footprint is worth paying attention to if you’re tight on space. It’s not quite as compact as a dedicated small oven or a basic mini oven, but it’s noticeably smaller than a full air fryer toaster oven combo, which typically needs closer to two feet of depth once you account for door swing and back clearance.
One thing I appreciated, the door swings out and down rather than sliding, which makes loading and unloading the glassware straightforward, even with oven mitts on.
The CleanCrisp Glassware A Bigger Deal Than It Sounds
Most air fryers use a nonstick-coated metal basket. Ninja swapped that out here for a 5.5-quart glass vessel. There are a few real advantages to this
- No nonstick coating to wear down over time. If you’ve read up on non-toxic cookware or worried about flaking Teflon in your appliances, glass sidesteps that concern entirely. It’s a similar philosophy to what you’ll see in an air fryer without Teflon.
- You can actually see your food cooking. No more guessing whether those fries are golden or burnt you just look through the glass.
- It goes from cooking vessel to serving dish. Glass looks a lot better on the table than a basket ever will.
- Dishwasher-friendly. Glass typically holds up better to repeated dishwasher cycles than a nonstick basket, which tends to degrade faster with harsh detergents.
The included crisper plate sits inside the glassware and elevates food slightly, letting hot air circulate underneath for that classic crispy texture on things like wings, fries, and frozen appetizers.
Features Breakdown
Digital Touch and Button Controls
The interface mixes touch elements with physical buttons, which in our experience tends to be more reliable long-term than an all-touch panel (fewer dead zones, easier to use with greasy fingers). The display is straightforward pick your function, set time and temperature if needed, and go.
Programmable Presets
Rather than manually dialing in settings every single time, the programmable function lets you save your go-to combinations. If you air fry frozen fries at the same setting every week, you don’t need to re-enter it.
Built-In Timer
The timer runs alongside whichever cooking mode you’ve selected and will shut the unit off automatically once your food is done, so you’re not stuck babysitting it the way you might with an air fryer with auto shut off that lacks a proper countdown.
Child Safety Lock
If you’ve got curious little hands running around the kitchen, the child lock function disables the controls until you unlock them again. It’s a small feature, but it’s one that matters if this unit is going to live on a counter that’s within reach of kids.
Auto Defrost
The auto defrost setting calculates timing based on weight rather than forcing you to guess, which is a genuine time-saver on busy weeknights when you forgot to pull dinner out of the freezer that morning.
Four Cooking Programs
- Air Fry – for crisping frozen foods, reheating leftovers with a crunch, and cooking things like wings, fries, and breaded proteins.
- Bake – handles smaller baking tasks like muffins, cookies, or a single-serve casserole.
- Roast – suited to smaller cuts of meat or vegetables where you want browning and caramelization.
- Microwave – standard reheating and cooking at 1700 watts, which is on the higher end for a countertop microwave and should mean faster heat-up times than typical 900–1100 watt units.
Convection Heating Method
Because the unit uses true convection (a fan circulating hot air) rather than just radiant heat, food cooks more evenly than it would in a standard microwave-only unit, and you get that air-fried texture rather than the soggy result microwaves are known for.
How It Performs in Real Use
The 1700-watt output is genuinely strong for a unit this size. Reheating leftovers is noticeably faster than a standard microwave, and because you have the air fry option right there, you can reheat pizza, fried chicken, or fries without them turning rubbery a common complaint with microwave-only reheating.
For frozen foods, the auto defrost setting does a solid job of evenly thawing without accidentally starting to cook the edges, which is a common issue with manual defrost settings on cheaper microwaves.
Air frying performance is comparable to what you’d get from a dedicated countertop unit, though the 5.5-quart capacity means you’re working in smaller batches than something built specifically as a family-size air fryer. If you’re cooking for a bigger household, it’s worth comparing this against a dual basket air fryer or a larger-capacity option before committing.
Baking is limited to smaller items this isn’t going to replace your oven for a full tray of cookies or a casserole dish. Think single-serving muffins, small ramekins, or a modest batch of biscuits rather than anything sheet-pan sized.
Cleaning and Maintenance
This is where the glass CleanCrisp system really shines. Glass doesn’t hold onto odors or stains the way some nonstick baskets do after cooking something like fish or bacon, and because it’s dishwasher-safe, cleanup is genuinely low-effort. The crisper plate pops out for separate washing as well.
If you want to extend the life of the interior even further, some owners like using air fryer liners or a reusable silicone air fryer liner to catch drips and crumbs before they hit the glass. Just make sure whatever you use is rated for the temperatures you’re cooking at.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- 1700-watt microwave output heats faster than most standard countertop microwaves
- Glass CleanCrisp vessel means no nonstick coating to worry about and easy visibility while cooking
- Four cooking programs (air fry, bake, roast, microwave) cover most everyday cooking needs in one device
- Auto defrost takes the guesswork out of thawing frozen food
- Compact footprint (17″D x 20.3″W x 14″H) fits where a microwave would normally go
- Dishwasher-safe glassware and crisper plate make cleanup fast
- Child safety lock adds peace of mind in households with kids
- Programmable presets and timer streamline repeat cooking tasks
Cons
- 5.5-quart capacity is on the smaller side, so it’s not ideal for cooking large family portions in a single batch
Who Should Buy the Ninja Microwave Air Fryer Combo?
This appliance makes the most sense for
- Apartment and dorm dwellers who don’t have room for both a microwave and a separate air fryer
- Couples or small households cooking for one to three people at a time
- Anyone replacing an aging microwave who wants to upgrade to something more versatile for roughly the same counter footprint
- People concerned about nonstick coatings who want a glass-based cooking surface instead
- Home offices, break rooms, or secondary kitchens (like a basement or garage setup) where a single do-it-all appliance beats having two separate units
Who Might Want to Look Elsewhere
- Large families who regularly cook big batches will find the 5.5-quart capacity limiting a dedicated air fryer for family of 4 or larger, or a full-size air fryer toaster oven, will serve better
- Serious bakers who want to bake full trays or casseroles will need a real oven, or at minimum a unit closer in size to a home pizza oven or countertop convection oven with more interior volume
- Anyone wanting a dehydrator function should compare this to units built with that in mind, like something from our best air fryer with dehydrator roundup, since dehydrating isn’t one of the Crispi’s listed programs
How It Stacks Up Against Other Combo Units – Comparison
Microwave-air fryer combos are still a relatively new category compared to standalone air fryers, but competition is growing. If you’re cross-shopping, it’s worth checking out how brands like Cuisinart and Breville approach the same idea our Cuisinart vs Ninja air fryer and Breville vs Cuisinart air fryer comparisons break down how those brands differ in build quality, basket materials, and control layouts.
Within Ninja’s own lineup, this isn’t their only air frying option. If the microwave combo format doesn’t appeal to you but you still want Ninja’s air frying performance, their standalone Ninja air fryer models are worth a look, and if you want to see how Ninja stacks up against other major players, our Cosori vs Ninja air fryer and Power XL vs Ninja air fryer comparisons cover that ground too.
Buying Guide – What to Look For in a Microwave Air Fryer Combo
If you’re shopping this category broadly and not just looking at the Crispi specifically, here’s what actually matters when comparing options.
1. Wattage
Microwave wattage determines how fast food heats up. Anything under 1000 watts is going to feel slow for everyday reheating. The Crispi’s 1700 watts is well above average and should noticeably cut down cook times compared to a standard microwave.
2. Capacity
Combo units range widely in size. A 5.5-quart vessel like this one is plenty for one to three people, but if you regularly cook for a crowd, look at larger-capacity units or stick with a dedicated air fryer designed for bigger batches.
3. Basket or Vessel Material
Nonstick metal baskets are still the most common, but glass and stainless steel options are gaining ground for durability and easier cleaning. If coating wear-and-tear is a concern for you, it’s worth reading up on options like an air fryer with a stainless steel basket or glass-based systems like this one.
4. Number of Cooking Functions
More functions generally mean more versatility, but also more complexity. Decide honestly whether you’ll use bake and roast modes, or if air fry and microwave alone would cover 90% of your needs.
5. Control Type
Touch-only interfaces look sleek but can be frustrating with wet or greasy hands. A mix of physical buttons and touch controls, like this unit has, tends to hold up better over years of daily use.
6. Safety Features
If kids are in the house, a child safety lock isn’t optional it’s a must. Also check for auto shut-off functionality so the unit doesn’t run indefinitely if you forget about it.
7. Footprint vs. Counter Space
Measure your counter space before buying. Combo units that try to do too much (microwave, air fryer, toaster, dehydrator) tend to be bulkier. If space is genuinely tight, prioritize a compact design over a longer feature list. Our guide on how to choose an oven covers similar sizing considerations that apply here too.
8. Cleaning Method
Check whether the basket, vessel, or accessories are dishwasher-safe before buying. Hand-washing a greasy basket every night gets old fast, and it’s one of the most overlooked factors in long-term satisfaction with any air fryer.
Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your Ninja Microwave Air Fryer
- Don’t overcrowd the glassware. Air frying relies on hot air circulating around food. Overloading it leads to uneven, soggy results the same principle that applies across pretty much every Ninja air fryer model.
- Use the crisper plate for anything you want extra crunchy. Elevating food off the base of the vessel makes a noticeable difference in texture.
- Check whether foil is safe for your specific settings. Some cooking modes and metal accessories don’t mix well in combo units that include a microwave function when in doubt, refer to guidance similar to what I cover in foil in air fryer, and always check your manual first since microwave-safe rules are stricter than standard air fryer rules.
- Use parchment carefully, and only when appropriate. The same logic from our parchment paper in air fryer guide applies it’s fine for air fry mode, but never during microwave use.
- Let the unit fully cool before deep cleaning. This protects the glassware from thermal shock, which can crack glass if you go straight from hot to a cold rinse.
- Use the programmable presets for your regulars. If you make the same reheated lunch or the same frozen snack multiple times a week, save the setting instead of re-entering it each time.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Even reliable appliances run into hiccups occasionally. A few general troubleshooting steps that apply to combo units like this one
- Food isn’t crisping properly: Check that you’re not overcrowding the glassware and that the crisper plate is inserted correctly.
- Unit won’t start: Make sure the child safety lock isn’t engaged, and confirm the door is fully closed and latched.
- Uneven cooking: Try rotating or shaking food halfway through the cycle, similar to standard air fryer best practice.
- Error codes or shutdowns mid-cycle: Unplug the unit, wait a minute, and restart. If it’s a recurring issue, check the manual’s specific troubleshooting section, similar to steps outlined in our air fryer stopped working and how to fix a malfunctioning air fryer guides, which apply broadly across brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the Ninja Microwave Air Fryer replace a full-size air fryer?
For individuals or small households, yes, largely. The 5.5-quart glassware handles typical air fry portions well. For larger families or big-batch cooking, a dedicated full-size unit will serve you better.
Is the glassware safe to put in the dishwasher?
Yes, the CleanCrisp glassware and crisper plate are both dishwasher-safe, which is one of the standout conveniences of this design compared to traditional nonstick baskets.
Does it dehydrate food?
No, dehydrate isn’t one of the listed cooking programs. It’s limited to air fry, bake, roast, and standard microwave functions, plus auto defrost.
How does 1700 watts compare to a normal microwave?
It’s above average. Most standard countertop microwaves run somewhere between 700 and 1200 watts, so 1700 watts should mean noticeably faster heating for everyday reheating tasks.
Can I use metal or foil inside it?
Because this is a combination unit that includes true microwave functionality, you need to be more careful with metal and foil than you would with a standard air fryer. Only use them during air fry, bake, or roast modes if your manual explicitly says it’s safe, and never during microwave-only operation.
Is it hard to clean compared to a regular air fryer basket?
If anything, it’s easier. Glass doesn’t stain or retain odors the way nonstick coatings can over time, and both the vessel and crisper plate go straight into the dishwasher.
Does it take up more space than a regular microwave?
Not by much. At 17″D x 20.3″W x 14″H, it’s comparable to a mid-size microwave, so most people replacing an existing microwave won’t need to free up significant extra counter space.
Is there a child lock feature?
Yes, the built-in child safety lock disables the control panel until manually unlocked, which is a helpful feature in households with young kids.
Final Thoughts
The Ninja Microwave air fryer combo hits a sweet spot for anyone who’s tired of a microwave taking up counter space while a separate air fryer sits right next to it doing a totally different job. Combining 1700-watt microwave power with genuine air fry, bake, and roast functionality all inside a dishwasher-safe glass vessel makes this one of the more thoughtfully designed combo units I’ve come across.
It’s not going to replace your oven for big cooking projects, and the 5.5-quart capacity keeps it firmly in “small household” territory. But for exactly what it’s built for fast, versatile, everyday cooking in a compact footprint it delivers. If you’re still comparing your options before buying, browsing through our broader best air fryer microwave combo coverage and general airfryers guides is a good next step to make sure you’re picking the right fit for your kitchen.
