Found! The one compact air fryer every family needs

If you have a large family, then you will know the hassle of cooking different meals to suit everyone’s preferences.

That’s where Ninja’s DoubleStack Smart XXXL air fryer comes in handy. It has a stacked, dual-basket design that lets you cook up to four different foods at once, and even features smart technology to deliver perfect results.

Here’s why we think the air fryer deserves a spot in every household.

NOTE: Prices are accurate at the time of publishing.

Ninja DoubleStack XXXL Smart at a glance...

Was $479.99, now $299

Pros: Compact vertical design, huge total capacity, effortless multitasking, perfect results, great smart technology.

Cons: Pricey, vertical stack design limits each basket’s space compared to wider baskets.

Who it’s for: Large families, hosts, people who need to maximise space and meal preppers.

What we appreciated almost immediately

From the moment you open the comically large box, you’ll notice how Ninja has considered those who cook a lot. It features two 4.75L drawers (total 9.5L capacity) and two stacked meal racks that allow you to layer food.

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I air fried my lunch at work for a week

Thanks to its airflow design, you’ll get food crisping from top to bottom – which we took advantage of to make extra-crispy veggies.

Though, the appliance does feel a little scary at first with all the buttons on the side, but they’re actually all intuitive. The machine features six adjustable settings: air fry, roast, max crisp, reheat, bake and dehydrate.

But here’s the real trick: With the Smart Finish and Match Cook functions, the air fryer takes care of the timing and temperature settings for you.

Testing revealed this to be perfect for syncing up proteins and veggies across both baskets, and the included temperature probe ensures desired results. Don’t want to sync it? Each basket can cook independently, too.

If you want one appliance that can replace your oven for everyday meals, lunch batch prep, snacks and whole toasts, this is it.

How we tested the air fryer

In our tests, the air fryer delivered great results every time. The appliance has serious power, so make sure it’s in a safe spot first, with enough space for airflow behind it.

Pro tip: It’s best to put proteins on the top of the rack and sides below the rack in each basket.

Here are the results:

• Chicken schnitzel: Cooked just right and was crispy.
• Chips: Drizzle a bit of oil, pop on a bit of salt and voilà, crispy chips.
• Roasted veggies: Broccolini, potatoes, beans, and carrots all turned out well-roasted when placed below the rack in the baskets.
• Crispy veggies: Placing the veggies above the rack made them deliciously crispy.
• Roast chicken: Thanks to the temperature probe, the chicken came out perfect and very juicy. Using the sync button, the veggies in the top basket were ready at the same time. This was a convenient option for after work, as it was ready in about 40 minutes.
• Steak: By using the 1-9 setting scale to select our preferred cooking level and hitting the match button, the air fryer produced juicy, medium-rare steaks in both baskets in a matter of minutes. I recommend marinating the steaks beforehand; our veggies below the rack caught some of the marinade too (which we loved).

The benefit of the dual-rack design became obvious throughout the testing. The sync technologies are a game-changer, as they mean you don’t have to babysit two dishes finishing at different times.

Oh, and as for clean up? Pop out the drawers and racks, give them a handwash or pop them in the dishwasher, wipe the exterior, and you’re done.

Consider this before buying

While this air fryer consistently delivers crispy food, a few things warrant a mention. It’s definitely a workhorse machine, so the price is higher than basic models, but given the capacity and smart technologies, the value is clear.

The vertical stacking is different from traditional horizontal baskets. You’ll want to be conscious about how you’re going to layer food and allow for airflow.

You’ll also want to think about placement. It’s 38.5cm tall, so it won’t fit under every cabinet. However, it is about as compact as a regular air fryer in terms of horizontal space, sitting at 28.6cm wide and 48.8cm depth.

The final verdict

Was $479.99, now $299

If you’ve been searching for an air fryer with great space efficiency, cooking power and ease of use, the Ninja DoubleStack XXXL Smart is a top choice. Though if you only cook for one or two people occasionally, or want something a bit cheaper, it might be overkill.

We found that this air fryer great for simplifying cooking routine and delivered results that rival, and in some cases, outshine traditional ovens.

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