25+ Healthy Ninja Foodi Recipes
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Wondering whether you should buy a Ninja Foodi pressure cooker air fryer combo? We answer some of your top questions about the most popular pressure cooker/air fryer machine, plus we include 25 healthy Ninja Foodi recipes for you to get started!
Since electric pressure cookers have spiked in popularity the past few years, we’ve seen some pretty neat pressure cooker variations come onto the market! The most popular of which is a pressure cooker/air fryer combined into one machine.
Pressure cookers help to make cooking a little bit easier (less time babysitting a pot on the stove), and air fryers make healthy cooking a bit easier since you don’t have to use so much fat to get that crispy fried texture to your favorite foods.
What’s not to like about combining them into one machine!
The most popular pressure cooker/air fryer combo machine on the market right now is the Ninja Foodi Pro Pressure Cooker.
The Ninja Foodi brand actually covers several different types of appliances and cookware (like their grill, toaster oven, blender, etc.), but in this post, we’re going to focus on the Ninja Foodi Pressure Cooker.
We’re going to answer your top Ninja Foodi pressure cooker questions today, and we included 25 healthy Ninja Foodi recipes to get you started!
What can I cook in my Ninja Foodi?
You can cook just about anything in the Ninja Foodi pressure cooker!
Pretty much anything you can think of can be prepared in your Ninja Foodi pressure cooker:
- eggs,
- potatoes,
- rice,
- bacon,
- beans,
- meat,
- desserts,
- and everything in between.
People have even come up with ways to make pressure cooker dulce de leche with sweetened condensed milk still in the can!
What if you’re not sure about cooking in it?
If you’re cooking anything unusual in your Ninja pressure cooker, always check your owner’s manual. For example, if you’re cooking expanding foods (like rice or beans) or foods that bubble or foam (like applesauce), make sure you’re using a recipe created for a Ninja Foodi or pressure cooker since they can clog the pressure valve. You don’t want to fill expanding foods more than halfway in the pot since they will expand as they cook.
If in doubt about whether a food should be cooked in your Ninja Foodi machine, always check the owner’s manual. If that doesn’t have your answer, check Google or reach out to the Ninja company directly.
The official Ninja pressure cooker cookbooks will also have some good info about what can be cooked in a Foodi machine, so check out those cookbooks as well. (We’ve got links below!).
Is the Ninja Foodi worth the money?
Ninja makes 4 models of their pressure cooker, the cheapest one is just a pressure cooker with 5 functions and no air fryer and it runs $99.99 on their website. The prices go up from there with each model, with the highest price at $279 for the Ninja Foodi 8-qt. 9-in-1 Deluxe XL Pressure Cooker & Air Fryer.
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Ninja just recently released a Foodi pressure cooker with more functions (11 instead of just 9) but is slightly smaller (6.5 quart vs. 8 quart). It’s priced at $199.99.
Is it worth the price to pay more for a Ninja Foodi compared to something like an Instant Pot or a Crock Pot Express?
That ultimately depends on what kind of food you’d like to cook.
If you’re happy with the regular pressure cooking abilities of an Instant Pot, it’s worth sticking with one of those since they have pretty much everything you’d need in a pressure cooker, including a yogurt function and a slow cooker option.
But if you want more options than the average pressure cooker and want crispy food, pay the extra money for a Ninja Foodi.
One big complaint about pressure cooked food is that it doesn’t get crispy like it would get in the oven, and if you’re cooking things like a whole chicken, having the outside crispy adds taste, texture, and visual appeal to your meal.
The newest Ninja Foodi 11-in-1 6.5-qt Pro Pressure Cooker + Air Fryer not only includes an air fryer function to crisp up your pressure cooked foods, it also has options for broil, bake, dehydrate, and sous vide. If those options are what you’re looking for, it’s worth spending the extra money.
Shop all of the Ninja Foodi Options Here
What is the best Ninja Foodi cookbook?
While there are several Ninja Foodi cookbooks on the market, we found 2 cookbooks that have much higher sales and ratings on Amazon than any of the others we found. Both cookbooks are written by the same author and both are affordable. Both are less than $18 each for the paperback version.
- The Ninja Foodi Complete Cookbook for Beginners by Kenzie Swanhart 4.5/ 5 out of 3K+ ratings.
- The Big Ninja Foodi Pressure Cooker Cookbook by Kenzie Swanhart 4.5/5 out of 700+ ratings.
Since both of these cookbooks are books are written by one of the people who helped develop the Ninja Foodi machine, they are able to help readers with the ins and outs of cooking with the machine!
How do I use my Ninja Foodi as a slow cooker?
The Ninja Foodi machine comes with a slow cook function that allows you to cook your food at a lower temperature for a longer time.
Here are the steps for using the slow cooker function in your machine:
- Add your food to the machine below the max fill line.
- Close and lock the pressure lid, then set your pressure valve to the vent position.
- Press the Slow Cooker button and using the up and down temp arrow buttons, select low or high heat.
- Use the up and down time arrow buttons to select your time (it will go in 15 minute increments up to 12 hours).
- Press the Start/Stop button to begin cooking.
You can always refer to your Ninja Foodi owner’s manual (or use their online one) to check on the necessary steps and precautions for using your Ninja Foodi as a slow cooker.
Try making some of our 21 day fix slow cooker recipes in your Ninja Foodi!
Healthy Ninja Foodi Recipes
Want to get started with some healthy Ninja Foodi recipes? Here are 25+ healthy recipes from breakfast to dinner that you can make in your Ninja Foodi.
Breakfast and sides
Best Air Fryer Blueberry Bread
This easy air fryer blueberry bread is so soft, moist and loaded with blueberries! This healthy, homemade recipe is super quick to throw together and tastes better than a bakery! Plus it packs protein to keep you feeling satisfied!
Air Fryer Hash Browns from Scratch
Ready for the crispiest, crunchiest hash browns ever?? These air fryer hash browns are made from scratch with just 3 ingredients plus an optional fourth and make a perfect addition to your brunch or breakfast.
Air Fryer Bacon
This Air Fryer Bacon recipe is super crispy and the perfect addition to your breakfast plate or favorite recipe. Ninja Foodi instructions included!
Keto Cauliflower Mac and Cheese
Keto Cauliflower Mac and Cheese is the perfect no fuss and family favorite side dish that is a perfect choice for a holiday menu. Delicious, creamy, and totally the best recipe. It is so simple to bring a side dish to your next potluck that will leave you with nothing, but an empty container to take home.
Air Fryer Smashed Garlic Parmesan Baby Potatoes
These potatoes serve perfectly anywhere french fries or roasted potatoes are. I love them with a burger and salad!
Air Fryer Spaghetti Squash
Perfect air fryer spaghetti squash, every single time! It’s simple, with just a few ingredients required, and it’s ready in 25 minutes or less.
Air Fryer Zucchini
With just 4 ingredients, these Air Fryer Zucchini are easy to make, crispy, and delicious! They're also vegan, gluten-free, low-carb, and keto!
Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts
These garlicky, parmesan Brussels sprouts are crispy and tender. Plus, they come together quickly, by frying them up in an air fryer.
Air Fryer Carrots
Whether you want sweet or spicy, these air fryer carrots make an absolute winning side dish. Simple to prepare, with two incredible flavour options, and a perfectly delicious veggie to add to your dinner rotation.
Air Fryer Falafel with Low Fat Tahini Sauce (THM E, Low Fat)
Are you sitting down? You should, because crispy-outside, soft-and tender-inside Falafel without deep frying is enough to make you weak in the knees. And, it’s not a fairy tale either! Thanks to the modern wonders of air frying technology you can enjoy crispy, tender falafel and still be on-plan with your Trim Healthy Mama E meal. Seriously. I’m not kidding!
Air Fryer Kale Chips
Since I started my low carb diet, I have been hunting for crispy foods. These air fryer kale chips are super easy to make and satisfy the crispy craving.
Main dish recipes
The BEST Air Fryer Salmon
Salmon is packed with healthy fats and lean proteins, and this air fryer salmon is so quick, easy, and delicious.
Mushroom Tofu Ramen
This Mushroom Tofu Ramen is an easy, cozy, meatless meal that is packed with protein and nutrients, it’s made with a rich mushroom broth and crispy tofu.
Pressure Cooker Turkey Breast
The turkey meat is seasoned perfectly with herbs and so juicy! It’s absolutely delicious and incredibly easy to make. No brining and no basting needed!
Ninja Foodi Beef Recipes
Pressure Cooker Pot Roast Soup
This pot roast soup hits your right in the soul. It's the comfort food that I personally crave the most.
Air Fryer Steak and Chicken Kabobs
Air fryer steak and chicken kabobs turn out so juicy and tender. The skewers have sirloin, chicken, zucchini, onion, red and yellow peppers, and grape tomatoes.
Ninja Foodi Pressure Cooker Pot Roast Recipe
This Pot Roast recipe includes just 5 ingredients and is perfect for meal prep or when feeding a group. For those who are keto & low carb, I include side-dishes. I also provide options for using this meat in other easy meals!
Ninja Foodi Chicken Recipes
Mexican Shredded Chicken Thighs
Tender chicken thighs pressure cooked with a blend of Mexican spices and cerveza then shredded and broiled to crispy perfection.
Ninja Foodi Whole Chicken Recipe
Ninja Foodi Roasted Chicken Recipe. Perfect for a quick and healthy weeknight meal.
Keto White Chicken Chili
Make this Keto White Chicken Chili Recipe in the Pressure Cooker, Instant Pot, Ninja Foodi, or the slow cooker. It is a low carb dinner that you will love.
Dry Rub Chicken Wings
These dry rub chicken wings are coated beautifully with a homemade dry rub seasoning. It’s so tasty and addictive.
Tools & Books You May Like
Ninja FD401 Foodi 8-Quart 9-in-1 Deluxe XL
This model is a Pressure Cooker, Broiler, Dehydrator, Slow Cooker, Air Fryer, and More!
Ninja Foodi 5-in-1 4-Qt.
We love that this one model acts as a air fryer, and it can roast, bake, dehydrate, and has a grill option!
Sarah Jane Parker is a food and healthy living blogger at The Fit Cookie, an ACSM Certified Personal Trainer, ACE Certified Health Coach, Revolution Running certified running coach, YogaFit Level 1 certified yoga instructor, ACE Fitness Nutrition Specialist, and ACE Functional Fitness Specialist.
