Ninja just launched "the microwave that crisps" - it might make you rethink your air fryer
Ninja has put microwaves back on the menu
Ninja's first ever microwave is finally here - and it solves the one thing that microwaves have always been bad at: making your food crispy and crunchy.
Ninja's microwave is the hybrid that we've all been begging for. They've taken the brand's famous air fryer functions, combined them with modern microwave technology, and created a kitchen appliance that's free from toxic coatings and packed full of clever features.
This is the moment that modern microwaves stopped being an afterthought and started being the most useful tool in your kitchen. They might be the biggest threat your air fryer has ever seen.
Weight: 18.6 kgs
Dimensions: 52 x 45 x 36 cm
Cord length: 82 cm
Capacity: feeds up to 8, with 4 bowls or 5.3L glassware
Functions: 8 microwave pre-sets and 5 air fry pre-sets
Wattage: 2,100
Warranty: 2 years
The Ninja Crispi Microwave is available to buy today from Ninja and trusted retailers including John Lewis.
The Crispi name is a clue for the biggest and best feature on this microwave. Ninja has carried the signature technology from its Crispi air fryers across into a microwave for the first time. Rather than soggy microwave meals, it will give your food some proper crunch.
The idea, says James Kitto, SVP Managing Director of EMEA at SharkNinja, grew out of Ninja's ongoing mission "to solve everyday consumer frustrations." As he puts it, the microwave has "historically forced a trade-off between fast and good," while standard air fryers "didn't offer the transparency or clean-cooking reassurance of glassware." The Crispi is built to close that gap, giving consumers speed, capacity, and "perfect crispy textures they actually want without compromise."
It's a workhorse, too, with dedicated functions for popcorn, potatoes, defrosting, beverages, soup, frozen dinners, frozen vegetables, and even softening butter. And as someone who loves a sparkling clean home, it's even easy to clean thanks to the design and shape.
The all-new flatbed design swaps out the traditional turntable for 20% more usable surface area, which is perfect for feeding the family. And if you're in a hurry, the "superheated cyclonic air" technology takes food from frozen to crispy in as little as 10 minutes, which a 60% cut in cooking time compared to a conventional oven.
Ninja has also been a pioneer of the non-toxic air fryer, so have made sure that the interior of the Crispi Microwave non-toxic, PFAS-free CleanCrisp Glassware has enough capacity to cook a 3kg roast chicken.
Alternative modern microwaves that we love
Russell Hobbs has worked hard to prove that microwaves can work for more than just ready meals. Teamed up with Masterchef Winner, Brithi Parathapan, this is one of their many microwaves which can be used to cook a meal from the beginning to end. It comes in different finishes and sizes, but is compact enough to squeeze into small spaces.
This works as a grill, fan oven, air fryer, and microwave functions into one appliance (with 25 automatic recipes and 3 combination modes). It's versatile, adaptable, and highly covetable. The combination modes are particularly special, because they blend microwave energy with fan oven and grill heat to reduce cooking time.
This boasts a 1000W Smart Inverter which precise cooking power without any cold spots. There's also a touch display and a physical dial, so you can use your microwave in whichever way suits your style. A handy LED lamp will help you keep an eye on your grilled salmon and cheese toasties as well as your curries and roasts.
With microwaves firmly back on the menu, there's room to experiment beyond the basics, too. MasterChef winner Brithi Parathan recently shared his tips for toasting nuts and making spices more aromatic using a microwave - and the Ninja opens up even more possibilities. So the question isn't when you'll use yours. It's what you'll make in it first.
