Ninja Foodi: Cooking Cheat Sheet & Quick Start Guide

Welcome to the Ninja Foodi family! This guide helps you get started with your multi-cooker, covering essential functions, cooking parameters, and a delicious recipe.

Get to know your Foodi

Please make sure to read the enclosed Ninja Owner's Guide prior to using your unit.

What's in the box

Foodi Unit
Pressure Lid
Crisping Lid
Removable Cooking Pot (Must always be inserted when Foodi is in use.)
Cook & Crisp™ Plate (Use in the cooking pot for best air crisping results, and with TenderCrisp recipes.)
Broil Rack (Use in the cooking pot for steaming veggies or flip over to broil proteins.)
Instruction Booklet
Recipe Inspiration Guide
Cooking Cheat Sheet

Why are there 2 lids?

The two-lid design allows you to pressure cook and crisp in the same pot. Use both lids to unlock a world of delicious, TenderCrisp meals.

Pressure Lid: Used for Pressure Cook, Steam, Slow Cook, Sear/Sauté, Yogurt.
Crisping Lid: Used for Air Crisp, Bake/Roast, Broil, Dehydrate. It can also be used for Sear/Sauté when the Pressure Lid is not needed.

First time pressure cooking? Try this water test to practice.

Follow these steps to practice building and releasing pressure:

Add 3 cups ? to the cooking pot.
Lock the Pressure Lid and turn the valve to [SEAL] ⚙️.
Push the PRESSURE button, select High (HI), set the time to 2 minutes, and press START/STOP.
The display will show [PRE], indicating pressure is building. Some steam release ♨️ is normal. When pressurized, a countdown will begin.
When your Foodi beeps, turn the valve to [VENT] ? for a quick release. The unit will finish releasing pressure.

Cooking Cheat Sheet

PRESSURE

Food	Details	Water	Pressure	Time	Release
Fresh Boneless Chicken Breasts	6 small or 4 large (2 lbs)	1 cup	HIGH	8-10 mins	Quick release
Fresh Pork Shoulder	4 lbs	1 cup	HIGH	1 hour 30 mins	Quick release
Long-Grain White Rice*	1 cup	1 cup	HIGH	2 mins	Natural release
Brown Rice*	1 cup	1½ cups	HIGH	15 mins	Natural release
Russet Potatoes (for mashing)	2 lbs, peeled, cut in 1-inch thick slices	1½ cup	HIGH	6 mins	Quick release

*Rinse rice for best results.

STEAM

Food	Preparation	Rack Position	Water	Time
Fresh Broccoli	1 head, cut in florets	Broil Rack in steam position	2 cups	5-9 mins
Fresh Corn on the Cob	4 ears, whole, husks removed	Broil Rack in steam position	2 cups	4-9 mins
Fresh Asparagus	1 bunch, whole spears	Broil Rack in steam position	2 cups	7-15 mins
Fresh Green Beans	1 bag (12 oz)	Broil Rack in steam position	2 cups	6-12 mins
Fresh Carrots	1 lb, peeled, cut in 1-inch pieces	Broil Rack in steam position	2 cups	7-12 mins

AIR CRISP

Food	Component	Temperature	Time	Action
Frozen Breaded Chicken Cutlets	Cook & Crisp™ Plate	390°F	20 mins	Flip halfway through
Frozen Chicken Nuggets	Cook & Crisp Plate	390°F	12 mins	Shake halfway through
Frozen Fries	Cook & Crisp Plate	360°F	19 mins	Shake halfway through
Fresh Burgers	Cook & Crisp Plate	375°F	8-10 mins	Flip halfway through
Fresh Brussels Sprouts	Cook & Crisp Plate	390°F	15-18 mins	Shake halfway through

TenderCrisp® Examples

Food	Component	Water	Pressure	Release	Air Crisp / Broil	Temp	Time
Fresh Whole Roast Chicken	Cook & Crisp Plate	1½ cup	HIGH	Natural release 5 mins, then quick release	Air Crisp	400°F	8-18 mins
Fresh St. Louis Ribs	Cook & Crisp Plate	1½ cup	HIGH	Quick release	Air Crisp	400°F	10-15 mins
Head of Cauliflower	Cook & Crisp Plate	1½ cup	LOW	Quick release	Air Crisp	390°F	10 mins
Frozen Chicken Wings	Cook & Crisp Plate	1½ cup	HIGH	Quick release	Air Crisp	390°F	15-20 mins
Frozen New York Strip Steaks	Broil Rack in broil position	1½ cup	HIGH	Quick release	Broil	N/A	13-16 mins

TenderCrisp® 101: Herb-Roasted Chicken

Use both lids to create a TenderCrisp take on this classic recipe.

Prep: 10 minutes | Total Cook Time: 66 minutes | Servings: 6

Approx. Pressure Build: 10 minutes | Pressure Cook: 40 minutes | Pressure Release: 1 minute | Air Crisp: 15 minutes

Ingredients

1 whole fresh (not frozen) uncooked chicken (6-7 pounds)
Juice of 2 lemons (1/4 cup lemon juice)
1/4 cup hot water
1/4 cup honey
2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons kosher salt, divided
1 tablespoon whole black peppercorns
5 sprigs fresh thyme
5 cloves garlic, peeled, smashed
1 tablespoon canola oil
2 teaspoons ground black pepper

Instructions

Remove packet of giblets, if included in cavity of the chicken. Rinse chicken and tie legs together with cooking twine. [Image: Chicken cavity with giblets removed, then chicken tied with twine.]
In a small bowl, mix together lemon juice, hot water, honey, and 2 tablespoons salt. Pour mixture into the cooking pot. Place whole peppercorns, thyme, and garlic in the pot. [Image: Ingredients being mixed in a bowl, then poured into the cooking pot with aromatics.]
Place chicken on the Cook & Crisp™ Plate. [Image: Chicken positioned on the Cook & Crisp™ Plate inside the cooking pot.]
Assemble the Pressure Lid, making sure the pressure release valve is in the [SEAL] position. Select PRESSURE and set to High (HI). Set time to 40 minutes. Select START/STOP to begin. [Image: Pressure lid locked onto the Foodi unit.]
When pressure cooking is complete, allow pressure to natural release for 5 minutes. After 5 minutes, quick release the pressure by moving the pressure release valve to the [VENT] position. Carefully remove lid when unit has finished releasing pressure. [Image: Foodi display showing pressure building, then valve being turned to VENT for quick release.]
Brush chicken with canola oil or spray with cooking spray. Season with salt and pepper. Close the Crisping Lid. Select AIR CRISP, set temperature to 400°F, and set time to 15 minutes. Select START/STOP to begin. Cook until desired level of crispness is reached. [Image: Chicken being brushed with oil and seasoned, then crisping lid closed.]
Cooking is complete when internal temperature reaches 165°F. Remove chicken from pot using the Ninja roast lifters (or 2 large serving forks). Let rest 10 minutes before serving. [Image: Foodi display showing AIR CRISP settings, then the final crispy chicken being removed from the pot.]

*The Ninja roast lifters are sold separately on ninjaaccessories.com.

Using your Foodi's functions

FUNCTION	ACCESSORY	REQUIRED LID	TEMP/PRESSURE	TIME	KEY TIPS
PRESSURE		Lock Pressure Lid and turn valve to SEAL	HIGH	Set time, in minutes, and press START/STOP	Wait for unit to build pressure. Turn valve to VENT for quick release. When complete, unit will switch to Keep Warm and count up.
STEAM	Broil Rack	Lock Pressure Lid and turn valve to VENT	N/A	Set time, in minutes, and press START/STOP	Wait for unit to come up to temp. When complete, unit will switch to Keep Warm and count up.
SLOW COOK		Lock Pressure Lid and turn valve to VENT	Adjust temp from LO to HI as needed	Set time, in minutes, and press START/STOP. When complete, unit will switch to Keep Warm and count up.
YOGURT		Press SLOW COOK/YOGURT twice for YOGURT		Set time, in 30-minute increments, and press START/STOP. Unit will display "BOIL" while pasteurizing. When done, unit will beep and display "COOL". Once cooled, unit will prompt you to "ADD" and "STIR" cultures. Then press START/STOP to start incubating.
SEAR/SAUTÉ		No lid necessary. If using Pressure Lid, turn valve to VENT	Adjust temp from LO to HI as needed	Set time, in minutes, and press START/STOP
AIR CRISP	Cook & Crisp™ Plate	Crisping Lid down	Adjust temp from 300°F to 400°F as needed	Set time, in minutes, and press START/STOP	Lift the lid while cooking to check on food. Unit will automatically pause. Shake basket or toss with silicone-tipped tongs for even browning.
BAKE/ROAST	Cook & Crisp™ Plate	Crisping Lid down	Adjust temp from 250°F to 400°F as needed	Set time, in minutes, and press START/STOP	Lift the lid while cooking to check on food. Unit will automatically pause.
BROIL	Broil Rack	Crisping Lid down	No temp adjustment available	Set time, in minutes, and press START/STOP	Lift the lid while cooking to check on food. Unit will automatically pause.
DEHYDRATE	Cook & Crisp™ Plate	Crisping Lid down	Adjust temp from 80°F to 195°F as needed	Set time, in minutes, and press START/STOP	Lift the lid while cooking to check on food. Unit will automatically pause.

Go to ninjakitchen.com for how-to videos.

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