Ninja Double Stack XL Air Fryer Review

Review Summary

The Ninja Double Stack XL Air Fryer is a game-changing appliance designed for large households, meal preppers, and anyone looking to cook multiple dishes simultaneously. With its unique double-stack feature, this air fryer not only saves countertop space but also allows for versatile cooking modes. It features a substantial 9.5-liter capacity split across two 4.75-liter drawers, perfect for preparing family-sized portions or even entire meals in one go. The Ninja Double Stack XL combines power and convenience with functions like Sync and Match Cook, making it an attractive choice for busy kitchens. Here’s a closer look at its performance, design, and key features.

Who It’s For

• Large households and meal preppers: With a dual-drawer setup totaling 9.5 liters, it’s an excellent choice for families or those looking to prepare large quantities of food in one session.
• Busy home cooks: The Sync and Match Cook functions help streamline meal preparation, coordinating cooking times for different foods so they’re ready together.
• Health-conscious eaters: The air fryer’s high-heat, low-oil cooking method makes it ideal for those seeking healthier alternatives to traditional frying.
• Compact kitchen owners: Despite its large capacity, the double-stacked design saves space, providing the functionality of two baskets without a sprawling footprint.
• Ninja appliance fans: Known for quality, Ninja delivers another reliable, high-performance gadget that integrates well with other Ninja products.

Design & Build Quality

The Ninja Double Stack XL Air Fryer is thoughtfully designed with a focus on maximizing capacity while minimizing space usage. Its vertical design stacks two drawers, each with a 4.75-liter capacity, making it possible to cook multiple items without taking up too much room on the countertop. The exterior has Ninja’s signature sleek and modern look, with a black matte finish that resists fingerprints and looks sharp in any kitchen setup.

Each drawer is made of durable, non-stick material, which simplifies both cooking and cleaning. The drawers slide smoothly and are easily removable for a quick rinse or dishwasher loading. The appliance’s build quality is robust, and it feels sturdy and reliable even during extended use. However, at nearly 15 pounds, this air fryer is on the heavier side, so it’s best suited to a permanent spot in your kitchen as moving it frequently could be cumbersome.

Cooking Performance & Key Features

The Ninja Double Stack XL Air Fryer includes six cooking modes: Air Fry, Max Crisp, Roast, Bake, Dehydrate, and Reheat. These modes provide a range of cooking options that make it versatile enough to replace or supplement other kitchen appliances like the oven or microwave. The air fryer can reach temperatures up to 240°C (475°F), allowing it to quickly and effectively cook food, delivering the crispy textures and even browning associated with traditional frying, but with far less oil.

During testing, foods like fries, chicken wings, and roasted vegetables came out perfectly crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, thanks to the Max Crisp setting, which is specifically designed for rapid, high-temperature frying. Meanwhile, the Bake and Roast modes are ideal for foods that need more gradual heating, such as muffins, potatoes, and even whole chickens.

The Double Stack XL’s most innovative features are Sync and Match Cook, which simplify cooking multiple items at once. The Sync function allows each drawer to cook at different temperatures and settings but coordinates their finish times, ensuring that both items are ready simultaneously. This is particularly useful for cooking a main dish and a side at the same time. In contrast, the Match Cook function duplicates the settings across both drawers, ideal for when you need a larger portion of the same food.

For additional flexibility, the Double Stack mode allows the use of wire racks to add a second cooking layer within each drawer, letting you stack items vertically and further maximize capacity. This mode is fantastic for foods with similar cook times, such as a batch of chicken wings or small snacks. However, users should note that turning or shaking food on the lower layer can be tricky, as it requires careful removal of the top rack to access items beneath.

Ease of Use & User Interface

The Ninja Double Stack XL’s user interface is intuitive, though it may take a bit of initial setup time to fully understand the Sync and Match Cook features. The control panel is located on the right side and consists of a combination of buttons and a central dial for adjusting time and temperature. The settings are clearly labeled, and the icons for each mode are easily distinguishable. While there is a learning curve for first-time users, the controls become straightforward after a few uses.

One aspect that may be divisive is the volume of the alerts. The appliance beeps loudly to signal each cooking stage, which is helpful to ensure you don’t miss any notifications but could be disruptive for those sensitive to sound. Additionally, while it’s easy to pull out a drawer to check on food mid-cook, this action temporarily pauses cooking in both drawers to ensure even results.

Cleaning & Maintenance

Cleaning the Ninja Double Stack XL Air Fryer is easy and hassle-free. Both drawers and the wire racks are dishwasher-safe, though they’re also simple to clean with a quick hand wash thanks to their non-stick coating. Unlike some air fryers, which can accumulate grease or oil residue in hard-to-reach places, the Double Stack XL’s design minimizes mess, keeping most of the residue contained within the drawers. However, users should be cautious when cooking particularly greasy foods, as oil splatter can occasionally collect behind the baskets.

Additional Considerations

Although this air fryer excels in many areas, there are a few considerations to keep in mind. First, its stacked design, while saving space, can complicate access to the lower layer if you’re using both tiers simultaneously. Additionally, at around $249, this model is positioned in the premium price range, though its high capacity and multi-functionality offer good value for families or avid cooks.

The Double Stack XL is also quite energy-efficient compared to a traditional oven, given its rapid heating capabilities and smaller cooking space. For those concerned with energy consumption, this is a good alternative that doesn’t sacrifice cooking quality.

Overall Verdict

The Ninja Double Stack XL Air Fryer is a versatile, high-capacity air fryer that offers significant convenience for busy kitchens. Its dual-drawer design and large capacity make it ideal for families or anyone looking to streamline their cooking process, allowing multiple dishes to be prepared simultaneously. Features like Sync, Match Cook, and Double Stack Pro add flexibility and functionality that many standard air fryers lack. While its weight and loud alerts may deter some users, those in need of a powerful, multi-functional air fryer will find it a worthy investment. The Ninja Double Stack XL successfully balances capacity, functionality, and space-saving design, making it one of the best choices on the market for those who want an efficient way to cook large quantities of food.

Overall Score - 4/5

A feature-rich, family-friendly air fryer with excellent cooking capabilities and advanced functionality, though its weight and premium price may be drawbacks for some users.