Last updated: March 2026 | Reading time: 12 minutes

If you’re a UK parent drowning in “best air fryer” listicles and wondering if the Ninja 5 in 1 air fryer is actually worth £149.99 (currently £50 off), I get it.

I resisted buying an air fryer for TWO YEARS. Another bulky kitchen gadget? More plastic clutter? No thanks.

Then my oven broke during half-term. Three hungry kids. No backup plan. I panic-bought the Ninja 5-in-1.

Six months later, it’s the most-used appliance in my kitchen. Yes, even more than the kettle.

Here’s everything you actually need to know – no fluff, no sponsored BS. Just a real review from a real mum who uses this thing every single day.

What Is The Ninja 5-in-1 Grill & Air Fryer?

The Ninja 5 in 1 air fryer is one of the most popular air fryers in the UK right now – and for good reason.

The Ninja 5 in 1 air fryer (model EG351UK) is a countertop appliance that:

• Air fries (crispy chips, chicken, veg – no oil needed)
• Grills (steaks, salmon, halloumi)
• Roasts (whole chicken, roast veg)
• Bakes (brownies, jacket potatoes)
• Dehydrates (fruit leather, veggie crisps)

It’s basically five kitchen functions in one 3.8L machine that sits on your worktop.

What I Actually Cook In The Ninja 5-in-1 (Real Mum Life)

Forget the Instagram-perfect recipe videos. Here’s what I ACTUALLY use this for during chaotic weeknights:

Weeknight Dinner Lifesavers

Fish Fingers & Chips

• Cook time: 12 minutes
• Result: Crispy, golden, no soggy bottoms
• Kids think they’re from the chippy

Chicken Nuggets (Homemade or Frozen)

• Cook time: 8-10 minutes
• No preheating needed
• 70% less oil than deep frying

Salmon Fillets

• Cook time: 8 minutes on Grill mode
• Perfectly flaky, no fishy kitchen smell
• Serve with air-fried veg (same basket!)

Roast Veg Medley

• Peppers, courgettes, red onion, cherry tomatoes
• 15 minutes at 200°C
• Toss in olive oil, done

Jacket Potatoes

• 40 minutes (yes, faster than the oven)
• Crispy skin, fluffy inside
• No heating the whole kitchen

Snacks & Sides

• Homemade chips (8 mins, crispy as hell)
• Garlic bread (toasted perfectly in 4 mins)
• Frozen spring rolls (better than takeaway)
• Halloumi fries (no oil needed, 6 mins)
• Roasted chickpeas (healthy snack, kids love them)

Weekend Experiments

Sunday Roast Chicken

• Whole 1.2kg chicken fits perfectly
• 55 minutes, juicy inside, crispy skin
• Free up the oven for Yorkshire puddings

Dehydrated Fruit

• Apple slices, strawberries, mango
• 6-8 hours overnight
• Zero sugar, healthy lunchbox snacks

Brownies

• Yes, you can bake in this thing
• 20 minutes, gooey centre
• Kids think you’re magic

The Honest Pros & Cons (After 6 Months Of Daily Use)

Is The Ninja 5-in-1 Worth It For Families?

YES, if you:

• Cook for 2-4 people regularly
• Want faster, healthier weeknight dinners
• Hate preheating the oven for small meals
• Have limited time/energy after work
• Want to reduce energy bills
• Need easy cleanup (dishwasher-safe parts)

MAYBE NOT, if you:

• Have a family of 6+ (get the Ninja Foodi MAX 9.5L instead)
• Never cook at home
• Have zero counter space
• Already own a combination microwave/oven that air fries

Ninja 5-in-1 vs Other Air Fryers (Quick Comparison)

Why I Chose Ninja: The grill function sold me. Being able to sear salmon or grill halloumi in the same basket I air-fry chips? Game over.

How To Get The Best Results (Tips From 6 Months Of Use)

1. Don’t Overcrowd The Basket – Leave space for air circulation. One layer = crispy. Piled high = soggy.
2. Shake Halfway Through – For chips, nuggets, anything small—shake the basket at the halfway mark. Even cooking, no burnt edges.
3. Use A Spray Bottle For Oil – You don’t need much. A quick spray of olive oil makes everything crispy without adding calories.
4. Preheat For Certain Foods – Steaks, burgers, thick chicken breasts—give it 3 minutes to preheat for that seared crust.
5. Line With Parchment (Optional) – Air fryer liners (£5 on Amazon) make cleanup even easier. Not essential, but nice.
6. Check Food 2 Minutes Early – Every air fryer runs slightly different. Check early, add time if needed.
7. Clean After Every Use – Wipe it down while it’s still warm. Crusty burnt bits = harder to clean later.

Common Questions UK Mums Ask

Can you cook from frozen?

YES. Frozen chips, fish fingers, chicken nuggets, spring rolls—all go straight from freezer to basket. Add 2-3 minutes to cooking time.

Does it make food crispy without oil?

Mostly yes. Foods with natural fat (chicken thighs, salmon) crisp up beautifully. Lean foods (chicken breast, veg) need a light spray of oil for best results.

How much electricity does it use?

1760W. About 15p per 20-minute cook (at current UK energy prices). Compare that to heating a 3kW oven for 40 minutes (55p).

Is it safe around kids?

The outside gets warm but not burning hot. I still keep it out of reach during cooking. Auto shut-off after 60 minutes is reassuring.

Can I cook a whole frozen pizza?

Not a full-size one. A 7-inch personal pizza fits. Large pizzas need to be cut into quarters.

What’s the difference between the 5-in-1 and the Foodi?

The Foodi has pressure-cook and slow-cook functions. The 5-in-1 is simpler, smaller, cheaper. For most families, the 5-in-1 is plenty.

Where’s the cheapest place to buy?

Right now, Ninja’s official site has it £50 off (£149.99). Argos and Currys sometimes price-match, but this is the best deal I’ve seen.

Final Verdict: Should You Buy The Ninja 5-in-1?

If you’re a busy UK parent looking for faster, healthier, easier weeknight dinners—yes, absolutely.

This isn’t a life-changing miracle gadget. It won’t make your kids eat vegetables or stop them fighting at bedtime.

But it WILL:

• Save you 20+ minutes on dinner prep
• Reduce your energy bills
• Make cooking less stressful
• Give you crispy, delicious food without deep frying

At £149.99 (currently £50 off), it’s one of the best investments I’ve made for our kitchen.

Is it perfect? No. The basket coating wears, it takes up counter space, and you still have to actually cook.

But for real, busy, exhausted parents trying to feed their family something that isn’t beige and frozen? This thing delivers.