Why I bought
the NINJA Foodi FlexDrawer air fryer, Dual Zone 10.4 L
for my family
After 6 months of daily use, here is my honest review of this air fryer that revolutionized the way we cook as a family.
Modern and elegant design
Non-stick basket and included accessories
Marie, 34 years old
Mother of 2, passionate about healthy cooking
My air fryer story
At home, we're real fries fans. Before, it was the traditional deep fryer: delicious, golden brown, but honestly too greasy, and the frying smell would fill the whole house for hours.
So we ended up switching to frozen oven fries. True, no more smell, much less grease... but in terms of crispiness, we were far from satisfied. There was always something missing that makes you really want to go for seconds.
And then, last summer, in the middle of a heat wave, turning on the oven to make fries was just unthinkable! That's what pushed me to try the air fryer, to see if we could get crispy fries back without overheating the kitchen or filling the whole house with smells.
First surprise: The appliance is beautiful. It fits perfectly into my modern kitchen without looking like a "gadget." My kids even thought it was "cool"!
Real-life test: From the very first use, I was amazed by how simple it was. A few frozen fries, a drizzle of oil, 15-20 minutes with a shake... and the result: golden and crispy fries, with no lingering smell in the house. Honestly, it's faster and better than the oven!
The positives: You can make everything in it: grilled vegetables, homemade nuggets, breaded fish, and even desserts (yes, cookies are amazing in it! see the recipe Chocolate cookies). Cleaning is also much simpler than my old traditional fryer.
But let's be honest: The taste? It's not exactly like a real fry, especially if you're a purist. And for a large group, you need to do multiple batches (the basket isn't that big), but about 1.2kg of fries for 4-5 people is enough. Some foods, like donuts, are frankly disappointing.
Assessment after 6 months: The air fryer isn't a miracle, but it has changed the way we cook. We eat more varied, lighter meals, and save time. It has found its place on the countertop, where other gadgets ended up in the cupboard. For us, it's a real plus... but you have to keep your feet on the ground: it's not the solution to everything.
The NINJA Foodi FlexDrawer 10.4 L in action
Why I chose the NINJA Foodi FlexDrawer air fryer 10.4 L
For the whole family
With its very large capacity (10.4L) and removable divider, I can cook for the whole family, or separate two different dishes at the same time. No more multiple batches!
Huge time saver
No preheating, I put the ingredients in, press start, and that's it!
Healthy cooking
Up to 75% less oil compared to a traditional fryer. My kids eat fries guilt-free!
My results after 6 months
What has changed:
No more constant monitoring
Roasted carrots and broccoli have become their favorites
No need to preheat the oven for small quantities anymore
The house no longer smells like frying for hours after each cook
You can cook without overheating the kitchen, even in the middle of summer
My favorite dishes:
- Fries (15 min)
- Crispy chicken (20 min, perfect)
- Roasted vegetables (10 min, crunchy)
- Fish & chips (12 min, golden)
- Individual cakes (8 min, fluffy)
Honestly, the downsides
The price: I bought it for over €200, it's an investment. But I quickly made it pay for itself in 3 months. I admit, I also fell for the style, because I couldn't decide between all the models. I think it's much cheaper right now.
The space: It takes up counter space. But since I use it every day, it stays out. It doesn't bother me.
The noise: It makes a bit of noise, but less than a food processor. And it's only during cooking.
The learning curve: It takes 2-3 tries to master the timing for different foods. But once you get the hang of it, it's perfect.
My final verdict
Marie
User for 6 months
I recommend 100%
After 6 months of daily use, the NINJA Foodi FlexDrawer air fryer 10.4 L has truly changed the way we cook. For a family, it's an investment worth making: between the cooking quality, ease of use, and extras like the dual zone, you save time and eat more varied meals.
But honestly, this applies to most air fryers: if you choose a model suited to your needs, you'll quickly see the difference in your routine. I really recommend taking the time to compare features and prices (especially on Amazon or in large stores), there are regularly good deals to grab.
Honestly, to try it is to adopt it – but as with any purchase, it's better to compare before taking the plunge!
Is the NINJA Foodi FlexDrawer 10.4L suitable for a large family?
Yes, with its large 10.4L capacity and removable divider, the NINJA Foodi FlexDrawer is perfect for large families (6+ people). The dual zone allows cooking two different dishes simultaneously, saving a lot of time.
Is the dual zone really useful?
Yes, the dual zone is very practical for families. It allows cooking two different dishes at the same time with different temperatures and times (for example, vegetables at 180°C and chicken at 200°C). It's a considerable time saver and avoids multiple batches.
Is the price justified compared to a simple air fryer?
The higher price is justified by the large capacity (10.4L), the dual zone, and Ninja's build quality. If you have a large family and cook regularly, it's an investment that quickly pays for itself in time saved and variety of dishes. For couples or small families, a simpler model may suffice.
Does the NINJA Foodi FlexDrawer take up a lot of space?
Yes, with its large capacity, the NINJA Foodi FlexDrawer takes up more space than a standard air fryer. You need to plan enough counter space. However, since it's used daily, many users leave it in place rather than storing it.
Is it difficult to use the dual zone?
No, it's intuitive to use. The divider is removable, so you can use the appliance in single zone (large basket) or dual zone (two compartments). The controls allow you to independently adjust the temperature and time for each zone.
Is cleaning more complicated with the dual zone?
Cleaning is no more complicated. The divider and baskets are dishwasher-safe. There's just one more element to clean (the divider), but it remains very simple and quick.
Our top picks
Discover our selection of products most loved by our Atelier Airfryer editorial team.
Moulinex Dual Compartment Air Fryer, Large 8.3L Capacity, 8 People, EZ901820, Black
Large capacity oil-free fryer for the whole family. Moulinex dual compartment air fryer, 8.3L capacity, 8 people, 7 automatic programs, oil-free fryer, digital touchscreen, Dual Essential Inox, EZ901820, Black
NINJA Foodi FlexDrawer Air Fryer, Dual Zone with Removable Divider, Large 10.4L Drawer, 7-in-1, Dual Zone, Dishwasher Safe, 8 People, AF500EUCP
Large capacity oil-free fryer for the whole family. Dual compartment air fryer, 8.3L capacity, 8 people, 7 automatic programs, oil-free fryer, digital touchscreen, Dual Essential Inox
COSORI Dual Zone Air Fryer 8.5L, 2 Compartments
Dual zone air fryer, 8.5L, 55% less energy, 85% less fat, temperature 30-230°C, gold finish.
NINJA Double Stack XL Air Fryer, Vertical Oil-Free Fryer, Dual Drawer, 4 Cooking Levels, White SL400EUWH
Vertical dual drawer air fryer, 9.5L, 6 functions, 2 racks, 8 portions, tongs included, black/copper.