Ninja Foodi Grill: Tips & Tricks

Grill

Tips & Tricks:

• The oil matters: For less smoke, use oils with a high smoke point like canola, coconut, avocado, vegetable, or grapeseed oil instead of olive oil.
• Don't overcrowd: Evenly arrange and space out ingredients in a single layer to ensure consistent browning and even charring.
• Batch cooking: Empty the fat/oil from the bottom of the pot if batch cooking more than twice. For best results, allow the unit to run for three minutes between batches to reheat the grill grate.
• Check your food temp: The Foodi Grill cooks quickly, so monitor doneness with a food thermometer. Internal food temperature continues to rise as food rests, so remove it 5°F before target temperature is reached.

Air Crisp

Tips & Tricks:

• Shake, shake, shake: When air fry crisping, check food and shake crisper basket frequently for even browning. Remove food at desired level of brownness.
• Use oil for crispiness: For best results with fresh vegetables, use an even, light coating of canola oil.
• Don't overcrowd: Evenly arrange and space out ingredients to ensure consistent browning.
• Secure your food: Secure light food with toothpicks so it won't be blown around by the fan.

Bake/Roast

Tips & Tricks:

• Convert traditional recipes: Use the Bake or Roast function to prepare foods typically cooked in the oven. Reduce the temperature by 25°F. Check food often to avoid overcooking.
• Prevent oxidation: Fruits like apples and pears brown quickly when cut. To prevent oxidation, soak them in water with a squeeze of lemon juice for 5 minutes.
• Trim the fat: Before dehydrating meat, make sure to trim off all fat, as it does not dry out and could spoil.
• Pasteurize jerky: Finish off dehydrated meats and fish by using the Roast function at 330°F for 1 minute.

Preheat for better results

For best grilling results, preheat the Foodi Grill before adding food. It may take about 8 minutes. Adding food before or during preheat may lead to overcooking.

Approx. 8 MINS

Here's what's in the box

• Foodi Grill
• Splatter Shield: Must always be installed when unit is in use.
• Removable Cooking Pot: Must always be installed when unit is in use. Cook directly in the pot when roasting or baking.
• Grill Grate: Use in the cooking pot for best grilling results.
• Crisper Basket: Use in the cooking pot for best air crisping results.
• Roasting Rack: Use in the cooking pot to elevate proteins to achieve all-around char and caramelization.
• Cleaning Brush with scraper tip
• Kebab Skewers: Use when grilling meat and vegetable kebabs.

Cleaning Instructions

• Allow base to cool: Before moving the unit, as the sides will be hot after cooking.
• Use cleaning brush: To help clean the accessories. The opposite end of the brush is a scraper to help remove baked-on food.
• Remove splatter shield: After it cools and clean after each use. Soak overnight and use cleaning brush to help remove baked-on grease from the frame and front tabs. Deep clean the splatter shield by putting it directly into a pot of water. Once water comes to a boil, leave inserted for 10 minutes.
• All parts, except the main unit, are dishwasher safe.

Grilling 101

Use your Ninja Foodi Grill to grill indoors – to get even char, grill marks, and juicy flavor.

Grill Grate: Unique design promotes optimal airflow for even cooking, crisping, and charring.

Want juicier meat? After grilling, remove meat and let rest at least 5 minutes before cutting it.

Approx. 5 MINS

Using your grill's functions

Grill

Accessory Used: Grill Grate

Temp: 500°F

Time: 10 MINS

Preheat: Yes (Approx. 8 minutes)

Description: Best for steaks, chicken, and burgers. For less smoke, use high smoke point oils. Adjust temp between Low and Max. Set time, in minutes, and press START/STOP. PRE will appear, and blinking bars will show preheating progress. Once preheated, "Add Food" will display.

Air Crisp

Accessory Used: Crisper Basket

Temp: 390°F

Time: 20 MINS

Preheat: Yes (Approx. 3 minutes)

Description: Crisp without the guilt of deep frying. Adjust temp between 300°F-450°F. Set time, in minutes, and press START/STOP.

Roast

Accessory Used: Removable Cooking Pot (with Grill Grate, Crisper Basket, or Roasting Rack)

Temp: 375°F

Time: 15 MINS

Preheat: Yes (Approx. 3 minutes)

Description: Roast your favorite foods right in the pot. Adjust temp between 250°F-500°F. Set time, in minutes, and press START/STOP.

Bake

Accessory Used: Removable Cooking Pot (with Grill Grate, Crisper Basket, or Roasting Rack)

Temp: 300°F

Time: 15 MINS

Preheat: Yes (Approx. 3 minutes)

Description: Make cakes and other baked goods easily and quickly. Adjust temp between 250°F-400°F. Set time, in minutes, and press START/STOP.

Dehydrate

Accessory Used: Not included (typically a dehydrator rack or the unit's accessories used in a specific configuration)

Temp: 135°F

Time: 6:00 (hours)

Preheat: No

Description: Create delicious homemade chips and jerky. Adjust temp between 105°F-195°F. Add food, set time, in hours, and press START/STOP. There is no preheat.

Grilling Cheat Sheet

New York Strip Steaks (2 steaks, 14-16 oz. each, 1 ½ in. thick): Pat dry. Rub with 1 tsp canola oil. Season with salt and pepper. HIGH 9-11 mins. Frozen: MED 18-24 mins. Flip halfway through cooking.

Boneless Chicken Breasts (4 breasts, 7-9 oz. each): Pat dry. Rub with 1 tsp canola oil. Season with salt and pepper. HIGH 14-18 mins. Frozen: MED 22-26 mins. Flip halfway through cooking.

80% Lean Burgers (4 patties, 4 oz. each): Season with salt and pepper. Store-bought: HIGH 4-6 mins. Handmade: HIGH 5-9 mins. Frozen: MED 10-15 mins. Flipping not necessary.

Salmon (4 fillets, 5-6 oz. each): Pat dry. Rub with 1 tsp canola oil. Season with salt and pepper. MAX 7-9 mins. Frozen: MAX 10-13 mins. Do not flip during cooking.

Fresh Bone-in Chicken Thighs (4 thighs, 7-9 oz. each): Pat dry. Rub with 1 tsp canola oil. Season with salt and pepper. HIGH 23-26 mins. Frozen: MED 25-28 mins. Flip halfway through cooking.

Boneless Pork Chops (4 chops, 8 oz. each): Pat dry. Rub with 1 tsp canola oil. Season with salt and pepper. HIGH 14-16 mins. Frozen: MED 20-23 mins. Flip halfway through cooking.

Hot Dogs (4 hot dogs): Whole. HIGH 3-5 mins. Flip halfway through cooking.

Sausages (6 sausages, 3-4 oz. each): Whole. LOW 8-12 mins. Frozen: LOW 10-14 mins. Flip halfway through cooking.

Shrimp (1 lb Jumbo, 16-18 count): Pat dry. Rub with 1 tsp canola oil. Season with salt and pepper. MAX 3-5 mins. Frozen: MAX 4-6 mins. Do not flip during cooking.

Bone-In Marinated/Barbecue Chicken Thighs (4 thighs, 7-9 oz. each): MED 18-21 mins. LOW 20-25 mins if using a thick sauce. Flip 2 to 3 times while cooking.

Boneless Marinated/Barbecue Chicken Breast (4 breasts, 7-9 oz. each): MED 16-19 mins. LOW 19-24 mins if using a thick sauce. Flip 2 to 3 times while cooking.

Pineapple (6-8 slices or spears, 2 in. thick): MAX 7-9 mins. Flip gently several times during cooking.

Peppers & Onions (1 pepper, 1 onion): Cut in 1-in. slices. Brush lightly with canola oil. Season with salt and pepper. MAX 11-13 mins. Stir gently several times during cooking.

Yellow or Green Squash (3-4 each): Cut in quarters lengthwise. Toss with canola oil. Season with salt and pepper. MAX 12-16 mins. Flip several times during cooking.

Fresh Corn on the Cob (4 ears): Season with salt and pepper. MAX 10-13 mins. Flip halfway through cooking.

Fresh Asparagus (1 bunch): Toss with canola oil. Season with salt and pepper. MAX 5-7 mins. Spread evenly on grill grate. Do not flip.

For more charts, please reference the included Inspiration Guide.

Sneak a Peek

Lift the hood while cooking to check on or flip food. Unit will automatically pause cooking when hood is lifted and resume when it is closed.

Important Notes:

• Do not add food before preheating is complete.
• Grill preheat can take approximately 8 minutes because of the grill grate's high density.
• Air Crisp, Roast, and Bake preheat takes approximately 3 minutes.
• If you just used a different function, and the grill grate is at room temperature when you place it in the unit, "Add Food" may appear on the screen immediately.
• We recommend allowing the grill grate to heat up for at least 6 minutes before placing ingredients on it.