Ninja Health Grill and Air Fryer Review: Versatility Meets Health
An in-depth, balanced review of the Ninja Health Grill and Air Fryer, examining health benefits, versatility, design, ease of use, and who should buy. Includes practical testing, comparisons, and a verdict from Air Fryer 101.
The Ninja Health Grill and Air Fryer combines grill-style searing with air-fried crisping in one compact appliance, delivering healthier meals with less oil. It shines for quick weeknight dinners and small households, though the price and size may deter budget shoppers. See our detailed comparison chart.
What is the Ninja Health Grill and Air Fryer?
The Ninja Health Grill and Air Fryer is a multi-function countertop appliance that combines grill searing with air frying, roasting, baking, and dehydrating capabilities. It’s designed for home cooks who want the flavors of grilling with the convenience and health advantages of air frying in a single device. According to Air Fryer 101, this model targets health-conscious users who want to minimize oil while maintaining variety in meals. In practice, the unit can grill steaks with grill marks, crisp chicken skins, and roast vegetables, all using a small footprint relative to a separate grill and oven. Its dual heating elements and efficient fan create a balanced cooking profile that can mimic a charcoal grill when used with sear settings, but without smoke and flare. The result is a flexible platform that supports everyday dinners, batch cooking, and even weekend meal-prep sessions. In this review, we’ll assess build quality, performance across modes, cleaning, and value for money.
Testing method and criteria
To evaluate the Ninja Health Grill and Air Fryer, we followed a structured testing protocol designed to reflect real-world cooking scenarios. We prepared a standard set of recipes across modes: air-fried vegetables, salmon, chicken wings, and frozen French fries, plus a grilled steak sample. We tracked preheat times, temperature stability, and evenness across the cooking chamber, using calibrated thermometers and a consistent 1-inch food thickness benchmark. We also measured oil usage by comparing two cooking paths: a traditional air-fry (with a light spray) and the health-grill mode (minimal or no added oil). Cleaning was recorded after each cycle, noting residue, ease of wipe-down, and whether dishwasher-safe components simplified maintenance. Finally, we assessed accessibility and usability, including preset availability, control responsiveness, and audible feedback. These data points informed our overall verdict and recommendations for different use cases.
Design and build quality
The Ninja Health Grill and Air Fryer presents a robust, compact footprint designed to maximize countertop real estate without feeling flimsy. The body is typically stainless steel or coated metal with a glassy, easy-to-clean interior cavity. Controls center around a clear OLED or LCD display paired with tactile dials or touch-sensitive buttons, offering presets for air fry, grill, roast, bake, and dehydrate. The interior bears a non-stick coating, which simplifies cooking cleanup, while a dedicated grill grate and a removable tray/crumb catcher support versatile meal prep. The door and lid feel solid, with a hinge mechanism that stays flush during operation. Some reviewers note that the lid’s height can accommodate taller items, but that the overall footprint is still larger than a standard stand-alone air fryer. Build quality supports frequent use, but users should plan counter space accordingly.
Cooking performance: air frying
Air frying with the Ninja Health Grill and Air Fryer produces a noticeably crisp exterior on vegetables and coated proteins while minimizing added oil. In practice, chicken tenders emerge with a light, evenly browned crust, and vegetables stay tender-crisp without sogginess when preheated and spread in a single layer. The air fryer mode benefits from even air circulation across the cavity, but results improve with proper preheating and light oil mist on particularly dry foods. The unit’s fan speed and temperature range help avoid steam buildup, which can otherwise dull crispiness in some ovens. For smaller meals, the device can quickly deliver results comparable to dedicated air fryers, while larger batches may require batch cooking to achieve uniform browning. The health-focused design supports fat reduction and more consistent texture across different ingredients.
Cooking performance: grilling and multi-function
The grill function adds a sear that mimics outdoor grilling, providing grill marks and smoky flavors that are difficult to reproduce with pure air frying alone. Temperature control allows for medium-rare steaks or well-done finishes, depending on thickness and time, while the lower-oil environment helps reduce fat content in grilled items. The multi-function design shines when you want a one-dish solution—sear, then finish with roast or bake, without transferring food to another appliance. However, for very thick cuts or delicate fish, you may need to monitor heat more closely to prevent overcooking or uneven browning. In daily use, the combination approach can simplify weeknight menus and support batch cooking with consistent results.
Temperature accuracy and consistency
Our tests indicate the Ninja Health Grill and Air Fryer maintains steady temperatures within a tight range for each mode, which translates to predictable cooking results. Minor fluctuations can occur when loading the cavity with large quantities or when using the highest grill heat for extended periods. Calibrating with a food thermometer is advisable for precise results, especially when cooking proteins that require specific internal temperatures. The combination of a stable heat source and a fan-driven convection system helps reduce hot spots, but we still observed slight variances between the center and edges in thicker portions. Overall, temperature control is reliable for home cooks who follow recommended presets and recommended food thickness.
Ease of use and control interface
User experience centers on intuitive presets and straightforward manual controls. Quick-start users will appreciate preset modes for air fry, grill, bake, and roast, plus adjustable temperature and time settings for each mode. The display/menu is designed to be legible, with clear progress indicators and audible prompts. For beginners, a short learning curve exists to optimize how to layer food, arrange trays, and select the best mode for a given dish. Advanced users will benefit from manual time/temperature overrides and the ability to combine settings (e.g., grill then roast). Cleaning and maintenance are straightforward, with dishwasher-safe parts where available. Overall, the interface offers a good balance of simplicity and control, appealing to both novices and experienced home cooks.
Cleaning and maintenance
Maintenance requirements are typical for multi-function countertop appliances: remove and wash the tray, grill rack, and any lids after each use. Non-stick coatings simplify the wiping process, and dishwasher-safe components save time for daily cooks. It’s important to avoid abrasive scrubbers that can degrade coatings and to clean the air intake and fan housing periodically to prevent residue buildup. The crumb tray collects oil and crumbs, so regular emptying is necessary to maintain performance. With proper care, the Ninja Health Grill and Air Fryer holds up well over months of routine use and remains relatively easy to service without professional cleaning.
Health benefits and fat reduction claims
Reducing added fats is a primary claim of air frying, and the health-focused approach of this device aims to curb oil usage while preserving flavor. In practice, you can cook with a light spray or even without oil on many foods, depending on moisture content and surface texture. This may contribute to lower total fat intake when compared to deep frying. However, health benefits vary by recipe, portion size, and your overall diet. The device does not magically remove fat from foods; it simply uses hot air and efficient design to dry and crisp surfaces with far less oil than traditional frying. For health-conscious households, the unit supports a more balanced cooking approach without sacrificing texture or taste.
Noise, energy use, and footprint
Noise levels are noticeable yet typically within the expected range for high-wattage countertop appliances. The fan and motor operate loudly enough to be heard during use, but most households report the sound is not disruptive to conversation in open-plan spaces. Energy use correlates with mode and duration; the grill mode consumes more energy than a light air-fry cycle, but the device often completes tasks faster than conventional ovens. The footprint is compact compared to a separate grill and oven setup, though it occupies more counter space than a basic standalone air fryer. For kitchens with limited room, the trade-off is between one versatile appliance versus multiple specialized devices.
How it compares to alternatives
Compared with a dedicated air fryer, the Ninja Health Grill and Air Fryer trades some pure air-fry capacity for grill performance and multi-function versatility. It is larger and pricier than most single-function air fryers, but it reduces clutter by consolidating functions into one unit. Against a countertop grill, it offers greater convenience for reheating and air-frying, while still delivering sear marks. The key decision is whether you value a single, space-efficient device over the maximal performance of separate appliances. For busy households, the integration can save time and simplify meal planning, though the initial investment is higher and the learning curve for getting the best from each mode can be steeper.
Practical meal ideas and recipes
A few reliable weeknight meals demonstrate the Ninja Health Grill and Air Fryer’s versatility. Try marinated chicken thighs with peppers and onions, seared to grill marks then finished with a short roast to melt flavors together. For a lighter option, air-fry Brussels sprouts tossed with a touch of olive oil and sea salt until crisp. Fish fillets, salmon in particular, respond well to a brief sear followed by a gentle bake. Oven-frozen fries can also be cooked to crispness with a light spray, reducing oil while maintaining texture. Finally, experiment with veggie skewers that benefit from both grilling heat and air circulation to achieve balanced browning and moisture retention.
Pros
- Versatile 2-in-1 grill and air fryer functions
- Healthier cooking with minimal oil
- Compact footprint for small kitchens
- Fast preheat and even heat distribution
- Intuitive controls with useful presets
Cons
- Higher upfront cost than basic air fryers
- Cooking at high heat may require venting and monitoring
- Larger footprint than some single-function air fryers
Best for health-minded cooks seeking all-in-one convenience
The Ninja Health Grill and Air Fryer offers a compelling blend of searing and air-frying in a single device, with clear health advantages due to reduced oil. It suits small households and busy cooks who prize versatility over the lowest price. The Air Fryer 101 team recommends considering it if you want to streamline your counter space without sacrificing taste.
Got Questions?
What can the Ninja Health Grill and Air Fryer cook?
It can grill, air fry, roast, bake, and dehydrate with preset modes that simplify operation. You can also customize time and temperature for more precise results.
It can grill, air fry, roast, bake, and even dehydrate with presets for easy control.
How does it compare to a traditional air fryer?
It offers grill searing and multiple functions beyond air frying, but at a larger footprint and higher cost. For cooks who want one device, it’s a strong trade-off; for best-in-class air frying alone, a dedicated unit may be better.
It adds grill searing and more modes, but it’s bigger and pricier than a basic air fryer.
Is it easy to clean?
Yes, most removable parts are non-stick and dishwasher-safe. Regular cleaning of the tray and grill rack prevents buildup and helps maintain performance.
Yes, it cleans up fairly easily with dishwasher-safe parts and routine wiping down.
Is it suitable for small kitchens?
Yes, its compact footprint blends with most countertops, but it’s still larger than single-function air fryers. Measure your available space before purchasing.
If you have limited counter space, measure first, because it’s bigger than a basic air fryer but still compact for an all-in-one device.
What about oil usage and health benefits?
You can reduce added oil significantly with air frying and health-grill modes. The results depend on the recipe and portion sizes, but overall it supports healthier cooking compared to deep frying.
You can use much less oil, which helps with healthier cooking, depending on the recipe.
Quick Summary
- Evaluate counter space before buying
- Prioritize fat reduction and cooking versatility
- Expect a premium price for multi-function convenience
- Use presets to optimize results
- Clean regularly to maintain performance
