After testing 25 models for our best air fryer toaster oven guide, my all-time favorite is the Ninja Foodi XL Pro Air Fry Oven (DT201). It works like a standard oven but emits less heat in your kitchen while using less energy. It's ideal for people living in small rental homes or apartments, anyone who hates heating the kitchen during warm months, and families who need extra cooking space during holiday meals.
While the Ninja toaster oven handles most daily cooking tasks well, it won't replace your full-sized oven for big roasts. Plus, air fryer toaster ovens don't compare to the classic basket air fryers when it comes to cooking speed. If you're just cooking for one or two people and don't need the capacity of a toaster oven, check out our guide to the best air fryers for recommendations.
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With its massive 26-quart size, the Ninja Foodi DT201 10-in-1 XL Pro Air Fry Convection Toaster Oven is one of the largest countertop air fryers you can buy, large enough to fit a 12-pound turkey.
What we like
What we don't like
Getting started
Setting up the Ninja Foodi XL Pro is a breeze. All you need to do is unbox it, plug it in, and choose a cooking function. The interface is clearly labeled so you can adjust the time and temperature or scroll through the 10 presets.
I especially liked that I could get it up and running without any mis-presses, a testament to the thoughtful design. One pro tip from extensive appliance testing: operate the unit empty at maximum temperature for at least 10 minutes before first use to eliminate the chemical odor common to new toaster ovens. This tempering of the appliance will ensure your food is untainted by ghastly aromas.
Cooking performance
Fries
The Ninja Foodi XL Pro took 18 minutes to turn frozen fries into fast-food-quality eats. The fries had a satisfying crispiness and a fluffy interior. The results were fairly uniform: no burned edges or underdone centers.
Pizza
We also made great frozen pizza in 12 minutes, which is about average for countertop ovens. The convection cooking created perfectly melted cheese and a beautifully crisp crust, though with too quick browning around the edges. The Ninja has an impressive capacity, accommodating two 12-inch pizzas.
Chicken
The Ninja Foodi XL Pro did an outstanding job roasting a whole chicken, finishing a five-pound bird in 70 minutes — notably faster than most models. It cooked remarkably even throughout both white and dark meat portions. The finished chicken was textbook: impressive juiciness and perfectly crispy skin with consistent golden coloration. Most importantly, my family gobbled it up.
Heating speed and consistency
The Ninja Foodi XL Pro's preheating speeds were average: about eight minutes to reach 350 degrees Fahrenheit and just over nine to reach 425 degrees. However, it maintained precise temperatures. We set the oven to 350 degrees and measured the temperature every 15 minutes for two hours. The Ninja stayed between 349 and 352 degrees throughout our testing period, which is among the lowest variance we've seen. This precise temperature control makes the oven an excellent choice for following recipes and baking temperature-sensitive foods.
Accessories, presets, and cleaning
The Ninja Foodi XL Pro comes with two sheet pans and wire racks that allow you to cook multiple levels of food. The air fry basket is designed for maximum air circulation, and a dedicated roasting tray collects juices while preparing roasts.
The oven has 10 preset cooking modes: whole roast, air roast, air fry, bake, dehydrate, broil, toast, pizza, and reheat. While most units only come with one wire rack, the Ninja has two, so you can dehydrate two layers of food simultaneously.
Cleaning is mildly annoying. Only the air fry basket is dishwasher safe, and the remaining components should be washed by hand. The crumb tray is easily accessible to facilitate regular cleaning after every couple of uses, which we recommend to avoid grease buildup.
Cons to consider
Despite its impressive performance, the Ninja DT201 has a few drawbacks. It requires significant kitchen space — potentially problematic for space-starved apartments.
Hand-washing most accessories (excluding the air fryer basket) is more time-consuming. I recommend placing your food on air fryer liners, foil, or parchment paper to speed up cleaning.
The Ninja Foodi XL Pro is expensive for a toaster oven, retailing for $300, but we think the capacity and performance warrant the price. Plus, it's often marked down to $230 and sometimes as low as $200 on deal days.
What are your alternatives?
While the Ninja Foodi XL Pro is our best overall pick, it may not be right for every kitchen or home cook.
Check out our guide to the best air fryer toaster ovens for more recommendations. If you're looking for a space-saving design , a different aesthetic, or specialized smart features, here's how Ninja compares to its closest rivals.
| Our pick | Price | Aesthetic and interface | Best for |
| Ninja Foodi XL Pro Air Fry oven | $380 | Industrial stainless steel with an integrated digital display handle. | Large families and batch cooking for those who need a true full-size oven replacement. |
| Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro | $400 | Premium brushed stainless steel with an LCD display and traditional dials. | Home chefs who want sophisticated heating technology and high-end build quality. |
| Café Couture Oven with Air Fry | $449 | Matte finishes with signature copper accents and digital LCD controls. | Tech-savvy users who want a stunning aesthetic and smart home connectivity. |
| Ninja Digital Air Fry Countertop Oven | $450 | Stainless steel, low-profile design with a digital control panel. | Small kitchens and those who want an oven without sacrificing permanent counter space or installation. |
The precision rival: If you want (arguably) the most sophisticated heating technology on the market, the Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro is a stellar choice. Powered by Breville's intelligent Element iQ system, it delivers exceptionally even heat to eliminate cold spots. It features 11 versatile cooking functions and a brushed stainless steel design, though you will be trading some of the Ninja's vertical interior capacity for Breville's premium build quality.
The smart tech rival: If you love connected appliances and kitchen aesthetics are important to you, the Café Couture Oven with Air Fry is a gorgeous, high-tech alternative. Finished in bold matte colors with the brand's signature copper accents, it boasts 14 cooking modes and built-in WiFi. You can even use voice control via Amazon Echo or Google Home, and program recipes using the SmartHQ app.
The space-saving rival: If you have limited counter space but still want the versatility of an oven, the Ninja Digital Air Fry Countertop Oven is a fantastic alternative. The clever, low-profile design flips up and stores vertically against your backsplash when not in use, making it space-efficient while still managing to fit a 13-inch pizza or nine slices of toast.
Is Ninja a good brand?
If you love the reliability and multi-functional performance of the brand's countertop ovens, we recommend checking out the rest of Ninja's product ecosystem. The brand consistently excels at packing professional-grade power and intuitive Auto-iQ technology into countertop appliances that simplify everyday cooking and prep.
Here are some of the Ninja brand kitchen appliance and products we have tested and recommend.
Matching the lowest price ever at Amazon, the Ninja Professional Plus Blender is perfect for those who like multi-purpose appliances. Not only is the Ninja Total Crushing Kitchen System a powerful blender, but it has an eight-cup food processor bowl and two 18-ounce personal cups. It's the perfect option for smaller kitchens or apartments. What's more, the containers, lids, and blades are all safe to clean in the dishwasher for quick cleanup.
The Ninja Dualbrew Pro offers all the same features and brewing options as the Ninja Specialty, with the addition of an attachment that allows the user to brew coffee from pods.
The Ninja Foodi DualZone XL Air Fryer is like having two air fryers in one, with two 5-quart baskets that cook independently at different temperatures.
Beloved across social media, the Ninja Creami is a countertop ice cream maker that can produce frozen treats within minutes. It's one of the fastest ways to make milkshakes, ice cream, and gelato at home.
The Ninja 12 cup coffee maker is a user-friendly machine with simple-to-operate programming buttons, two brew settings, and even a small batch function.
The Ninja Combi acts as both an oven and an air fryer — and you'll never have to defrost a thing again, since the cooker thaws frozen food for you.
The Ninja Woodfire Grill also brings stereotypical indoor cooking methods to the backyard. All seven cooking functions impressed us and can be used on the go, leaving the heat and smells outside your home kitchen.
The bottom line
My full-size oven got lonely while I was testing the Ninja Foodi XL Pro. I could cook everything in this toaster oven without consuming as much energy or putting out as much heat. It's your best bet when you don't have room for a standard oven, or you want an extra appliance for cooking sides when entertaining.
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