You want an air fryer that actually makes life easier. I wanted one that did not leave a weird plastic taste on my food. That is exactly why I started testing the Ninja Crispi Pro.
In this Ninja AS101DG review, I will share exactly what it is like to live with this glass air fryer every day. It has some huge strengths, but also a few heavy annoyances. Let’s look at how it handles real cooking in a busy kitchen.
Quick Verdict
This quick summary helps you decide fast before reading the full details.
| Category | Verdict |
| Best For | Families who want chemical-free glass cooking. |
| Not Ideal For | People with weak wrists who cannot lift heavy glass. |
| Biggest Strength | You can prep, cook, and serve in the same glass bowl. |
| Biggest Weakness | Finding a safe spot to set down the hot power base. |
| Overall Rating | 4.5 out of 5 stars. |
Unboxing & First Impressions
Taking this machine out of the box was a real surprise. The setup felt entirely new.
The packaging felt very premium. The first thing I noticed was the weight of the 6-quart and 2.5-quart CleanCrisp glass bowls. They are heavy compared to a normal metal air fryer basket. The ash gray modular base looks very nice on my kitchen counter.
There was a faint plastic smell from the top unit during the first burn-in run. However, the glass bowls themselves had zero smell. The cord is a decent length, and the tall design does not take up too much countertop space.
Cooking Performance
The heating power of this machine is very strong. I tested it on my family’s favorite busy weeknight meals.
Frozen fries
Fries became crispy in 16 minutes at 390°F. The glass let me watch them brown. This was amazing. They cooked evenly, but I still had to toss them halfway through. The crispy texture was perfect.
Chicken wings
Wings took about 22 minutes on the Max Crisp setting. The skin bubbled up nicely. Oil collected at the bottom of the glass corners. This kept the meat juicy but not soggy. There was a slight grease smell in the kitchen afterward.
Vegetables
Broccoli roasted beautifully in just 10 minutes at 375°F. I loved that I could prep the veggies in the 2.5-quart bowl, cook them, and serve them in the exact same dish. There were no extra pans to wash.
Reheating pizza
Late at night, I threw two slices into the wide 6-quart bowl. I used the Recrisp function for 4 minutes. The crust got perfectly crunchy again. It was way better than a soggy microwave slice.
Real-Life Daily Use Experience
Living with this machine changes how you make dinner. It forces you to learn new cooking habits.
The preheat time is incredibly fast. I usually just toss the food in and start it right away. Handling the hot glass takes some getting used to. You have to use oven mitts because there is no plastic handle on the bowl itself.
The display is bright and very easy to read. One small annoyance is finding space to set the hot modular base down when you take it off the glass. But I love that the glass does not hold onto strong garlic odors like my old air fryer did.
Design & Build Quality
This appliance looks completely different from standard models. It feels like a high-end kitchen tool.
| Feature | Material | Feel |
| Bowls | Thick Glass | Heavy and premium |
| Power Base | Plastic | Sturdy but glossy |
| Crisper Plates | Metal | Non-stick and smooth |
The glass feels very high quality and thick. The modular power base is mostly plastic but feels sturdy. I did notice some fingerprints on the glossy finish after a few days. The heat protection mats that let you place the hot glass on the table are a genius touch.
Noise Level
This is not a silent kitchen gadget. You will definitely hear it running.
The air fryer noise is quite loud, especially on the Max Crisp setting. It sounds like a strong bathroom exhaust fan. The loud beeping is also sharp and piercing when the timer ends.
You can easily hear it from the next room. If you are having a conversation right next to it, you might need to raise your voice slightly. It is louder than my microwave. However, fast cooking means the noise does not last long.
Cleaning & Maintenance
Cleaning is where this model really shines. It beats traditional baskets easily.
| Part | Dishwasher Safe | Ease of Cleaning |
| Glass Bowls | Yes | Very Easy |
| Crisper Plates | Yes | Easy |
| Modular Base | No | Wipe clean only |
Food sticking is barely an issue because the bowls are glass. After cooking messy foods like wings, I just put the bowl straight into the dishwasher. There are no tiny basket corners where grease gets permanently trapped. The nonstick coating on the crisper plates washes off easily in the sink with warm soapy water.
Pros and Cons
Here is a quick look at the best and worst parts of this machine. I want to keep this realistic.
| Pros | Cons |
| Cook and serve in the same bowl | Glass bowls are heavy to lift |
| Glass has no toxic coatings | Power base needs a safe resting spot |
| Clear view of food cooking | Fan noise is pretty loud |
Comparison With Similar Air Fryers
How does the Ninja AS101DG stack up against a classic model? I wanted to see the differences clearly.
Ninja AS101DG vs Ninja AF101
Here is how the new glass design compares to the classic basket model I used before.
| Feature | Ninja AS101DG | Ninja AF101 |
| Basket Material | Heavy Glass | Coated Metal |
| Sizes Included | 6-qt and 2.5-qt | 4-qt only |
| Checking Food | Look through glass | Must pull out basket |
I used the classic AF101 for years. The AS101DG is much more versatile because of the cooking presets, two bowl sizes, and the clear glass material. However, the AF101 is lighter and simpler to dump fries out of because it has a built-in handle.
Who Should Buy This Air Fryer?
This model is perfect for some people, but wrong for others. Know your needs before buying.
Buy This If:
You hate Teflon and non-stick chemicals.
You want to serve food directly from the cooking bowl.
You love checking on your food without opening the lid.
Avoid This If:
You have weak wrists and cannot lift heavy glass bowls.
You have very low upper cabinets that block the tall power base.
You want a whisper-quiet machine for a small apartment.
Long-Term Durability
I expect this machine to last a long time. The parts feel solid and well-made.
The thick glass will survive years of use. You just cannot drop it. Since there is no basket coating to peel off, you avoid the biggest issue most air fryers face over time.
The modular base snaps on securely every time. The buttons have not worn down or faded at all. The silicone seals still look brand new after weeks of washing.
Energy Efficiency
It uses electricity, but it saves a lot of time. It feels very cheap to run.
It cooks much faster than my full-sized oven. Heat comes from the side vents, but it does not heat up the whole kitchen on a hot summer day. This makes a huge difference.
I find myself using the smaller 2.5-quart bowl daily for quick snacks. This feels very efficient compared to turning on a massive electric stove. Reheating leftovers is so fast that it is definitely worth using every single day.
Final Verdict
This is a massive upgrade for healthy cooking at home. It solves the biggest problems with old air fryers.
If you want to avoid plastic and metal coatings, the Ninja Crispi Pro is amazing. The heavy glass takes some getting used to at first. However, the food tastes incredibly fresh, and the cleanup is simply unbeatable.
Overall, my Ninja AS101DG review is highly positive. Despite the loud fan and heavy bowls, it is a fantastic tool. I genuinely recommend it if you value clean materials, high cooking power, and total convenience.