Air fryers have been a staple in many kitchens for some time, but the Ninja Combi 12-in-1 multi-cooker takes that convenience to a new level. And it got me thinking: just how many things in a standard kitchen could be replaced by this single slightly-smaller-than-a-microwave-sized box? We’ve been living with it for a few months, and I can tell you, it’s a revelation.
Pros
+ Generous 12.5-litre capacity — plenty for family meals
+ Versatile cooking functions cover everything from rice to roasts
+ Excellent rice cooking
Cons
– Oven mitts are essential every time
– No dual-zone cooking — only one mode at a time
– Exposed heating element makes cleaning awkward
The Ninja Combi 12-in-1 multi-cooker, oven and air fryer: what is it?
Well, it’s pretty much what it says on the box. Most of us have had some kind of contact with an air fryer, but this one is just a little bit different. Rather than the more commonly seen single or double basket style, the Ninja Combi 12-in-1, with its 12.5-litre capacity, has a hinged door opening, similar to a microwave. The door features a glass front which, along with a surprisingly powerful internal light, allows you to keep an eye on the cooking process without needing to open the door, which is very helpful.
Inside, there are two levels. At the bottom, or level 1, is where the combi pan slides in and the top, or level 2, is for the baking tray. It also comes with a crisper plate that fits into the combi pan, which is excellent for roasting meats or crisping chips, among other things.
The controls for the air fryer are all on a panel that doubles as the handle. Here, you can adjust the temperature and cooking time, and select the type of cooking you’re doing, such as air frying, grilling, and baking.
What does it do?
You might struggle to think of 12 different things that this one medium-sized box can do, but thanks to the flickable switch, which changes the cooking mode between combi cooker and air fry/hob, there are 12 options — 6 in each of the modes — to choose from. Quite what the difference in some of them is, I’m not sure, but they sound impressive, nevertheless.
Combi Cooker mode is ideal for creating complete meals in the Ninja 12-in-1, rather than simply heating or air-frying a few ingredients. In this mode, you can cook rice or pasta, steam veg, prove dough or make those combi meals. Flick the lever to the air fry/hob mode, and you can select grill, air fry, bake, heat, slow cook or saute/sear.
The booklet that comes with the air fryer has some excellent recipes which help you to get to grips with how to use the different settings, as it is a slight departure from your usual air fryer or oven. Once you get the basics down, though, you can go on to adapt the recipes and incorporate your own ideas, too.
Is it any good?
Our infatuation with air fryers has been going strong for a while now, and I have to admit that I had resisted for quite some time. I, too, have joined the ranks of the converted, revelling in the ease of use and faster cooking times that an air fry provides. When I saw the Combi 12-in-1, it seemed that the humble air fryer had been usurped.
The simple answer is yes, it’s brilliant. But there are some caveats. I love that you can cook an entire family meal, like soy-honey glazed salmon with rice and broccoli, or chicken thighs with creamy mushrooms and tarragon rice, from scratch using fresh ingredients in 20 minutes or less. Just as easily, you can throw in some chicken nuggets and chips from the freezer and have the kids fed in under 15 minutes.
There are one or two downsides to the Ninja 12-in-1, too. With a basket-based air fryer, giving the chips a shake or turning the sausages partway through cooking involves pulling out the basket and giving it a good shake. With the 12-in-1, you need to wear a decent oven glove, as the trays are completely concealed within the air fryer, so you should treat it as you would a conventional oven.
Using the crisper tray does allow the hot air to circulate well around the food, giving a more even crisp at the top and bottom, but if you’re using both the combi tray with crisper and the baking tray, the flow of air isn’t as good around the crisper, making cooking slower than expected. You also can’t swap the trays around to have the crisper at the top to help solve the problem, as each tray can only slot into its specific position. These are only fairly minor issues in the overall picture, but they were a little frustrating initially.
What can the Ninja Combi replace in the kitchen?
If you’re limited for space in your kitchen, the idea of adding yet another piece of equipment to the worktop could be a step too far. But what if that one item could replace a few others? Since I started using the Ninja Combi, I’ve noticed that there are a few other things that have become obsolete.
The toaster: Just before the air fryer arrived, our toaster shuffled off this mortal coil. I decided not to replace it, instead opting to use the air fryer to make the toast. It’s not quite as quick as a toaster and does dry it out more than I might like, but it gets the job done, and I still haven’t replaced the toaster, so that speaks volumes.
The microwave: The Ninja Combi 12-in-1 is fairly sizeable and a little industrial looking, and with fairly limited worktop space, I removed the microwave to fit it in. I thought this might be something I would regret, but as I got to grips with the Combi, it became evident that our family only used it to reheat leftovers and cook rice, both of which can be done happily with the Ninja. The occasional microwave meal is a thing of the past, but that’s no great loss.
The oven: While I’m not about to get rid of the oven, it is true to say that I don’t remember the last time I used it to cook a meal. Over the last few months, everything we’ve eaten at home has been cooked using the Ninja Combi 12-in-1, the hob, or the barbecue. Larger families might struggle a little more, but it can very easily accommodate an average family, particularly in conjunction with a hob.
Ninja Combi 12-in-1 multi-cooker, oven and air fryer: The verdict
Having lived with the Ninja Combi 12-in-1 for a few months, I’m hooked. Learning to use it effectively took a while, as it’s a change from our previous cooking methods, but now it’s become second nature. I find that I’m planning meals around the Ninja, not the oven, which saves both time and energy.
It is a little frustrating that the trays aren’t available to purchase separately, as a spare combi pan would elevate the slow cooking option. To be able to simply swap out the full tray of perfectly cooked, tender meat for one with the rest of the meal in would be ideal.
The Ninja Combi isn’t just another air fryer — it’s a smart, space-saving multitasker that can genuinely transform your kitchen routine. Considering its functionality, it’s excellent value, especially if you’re replacing multiple appliances. It isn’t perfect, and there’s a learning curve, but if you’ve got the worktop space, it’s a powerhouse worth the investment.
Model tested: Ninja Combi 12-in-1 Multi-cooker, Oven and Air Fryer
Price: £280
Average Janes Rating: ★★★★☆
