Ninja Foodi FlexBasket Air Fryer review for 2026: A mega help in the kitchen

Air fryers, it seems, are here to stay. Estimates say around 60% of the population now has one in their kitchen. If you're among the 40% still air fryer-less, or you've had yours for a while but your family's needs have evolved, it may be time for an upgrade. Enter the Ninja Foodi FlexBasket Air Fryer , which I named one of the best air fryers of 2026 for its sleek frame, dual capacity and incredible versatility.

​As a Senior Home Writer at Yahoo, I — with the help of my colleagues — have tested more than a dozen air fryers over the past few years, so when I say the Ninja Foodi FlexBasket is legit, you can believe me. I've used it to crisp up fresh veggies and proteins like potatoes, Brussels sprouts, salmon and a whole chicken, along with the usual frozen delicacies — all to juicy, crispy perfection. Below, I'll share more about what makes this multitasking mega-machine so great, along with some things to consider before making the investment. (And if you happen to be in the market for another time-saving kitchen appliance, be sure to check out our guide to the best Instant Pots. )

Ninja Foodi FlexBasket Air Fryer review 2026

What I like about the Ninja Foodi FlexBasket Air Fryer

✅ It's flexible:I'll start with the headline here, which is that the this air fryer lets you cook two, 3.5-quart batches of food at once on different cooking functions and with different temperatures and durations. Just select your preferences and the air fryer will ensure both batches are ready at the same time. Or remove the divider to cook larger portions of up to 7 quarts, particularly helpful for larger roasts or when you need more surface area. You can put a maximum of 8 pounds of food in the air fryer at once.

✅ It's versatile:The Ninja Foodi FlexBasket comes with six cooking modes: air fry, air broil, roast, bake, reheat and dehydrate. You can cook a wide range of fresh and frozen foods, and there's a pause feature, so you can check on them while they cook without worrying about having to re-enter settings or forgetting where you left off with timing.

✅ It's effective:I've made some of the tastiest chicken tenders, wings and crab rangoons I've ever had. Additionally, I used the dual-basket feature to broil salmon and steak side by side (they came out delicious at the same time). And for my most ambitious act, I removed the basket divider and successfully roasted an entire juicy-on-the-inside, crispy-on-the-outside chicken, complete with sides, in about an hour, with only a few minutes of preheating and without warming up the entire kitchen.

✅ It's intuitive:The digital display features bright, LED-lit touchscreen buttons, which I found especially helpful for evening cooking. And operating the fryer is super easy: power it on, select a setting and zone, enter your cooking temp and time, and you're good to go. 

✅ It's low-maintenance:The fully touchscreen display makes for easy cleaning — I wait until it cools down and wipe it with a damp microfiber towel. Given the mostly matte finish, I've also noticed that fingerprints aren't as visible on this air fryer as they are on models with glossier finishes. Bonus: Both the crisper plates are nonstick and dishwasher-safe!

What I don't like about the Ninja Foodi FlexBasket Air Fryer

❌ It's windowless:I appreciate the pause feature for checking on my food, and not having a clear panel on an air fryer tends to be the norm. That said, I prefer a window (like with Cuisinart's 6-Quart Air Fryer, which remains my top pick overall ).

❌ It's somewhat clunky:At 18 pounds, it's heavy. I am able to lift it onto my counter or to a nearby buffet fairly easily, but I wouldn't want to have to move it around frequently. As is typical with higher-capacity air fryers, this baby is also on the wider side, so you'll need to ensure you have enough counter space to accommodate it.

❌ It gets hot:While Foodi's most flexible air fryer doesn't get as hot to the touch as stainless steel models I've tested (and certainly not as hot as a stovetop), the top and sides do heat up, so you'll want to keep it out of reach of children and heed caution when cooking. The display buttons and handle remain cool to the touch, however, even when in use.

Is the Ninja Foodi FlexBasket Air Fryer worth buying?

This air fryer is the ultimate, well, air-frying flex! I've used it mostly for just that, but also for baking all kinds of veggies and proteins. I've even used the dehydrate setting on strawberries for zhushing up cereal and yogurt and orange slices for simmers and potpourris during the holidays.

I use this instead of my own induction oven frequently, as it cuts down on preheating and cooking time, but I've also found it a great supplement when I want to air fry, roast or bake sides — or party snacks! — at a different temp so they're ready at the same time or ahead of time.

I'd love a window, and this is on the bulkier side, but as someone who's tested a bunch such devices, windows are rare and fryers this size typically come at a higher price. Speaking of costs, this retails for $200, but is often on sale for much less, making it a pretty good bargain. And that's not factoring in the money you'll likely save on electricity bills from not regularly running your oven. 

If you're ready to hit "add to cart," you should also check out these must-have air fryer accessories for additional ways to take your cooking to the next level.