I bought the Ninja Crispi Pro Glass Air Fryer a few months ago. I wanted a fast cooking tool without a peeling nonstick coating. This machine uses thick glass bowls instead of a normal air fryer basket.
This Ninja AS101LG review shares how it handles busy weeknight cooking. It is great for people who hate Teflon, but the heavy glass takes time to learn. Overall, it provides fast cooking and looks great in my kitchen.
Quick Verdict
Here is my quick summary of this glass air fryer. It has clear highs and lows after daily kitchen use.
| Category | Verdict |
| Best For | Cooks who avoid Teflon and want glass. |
| Not Ideal For | Kids or people with weak wrists. |
| Biggest Strength | You can watch food cook through the glass. |
| Biggest Weakness | The heavy 6-quart bowl is hard to wash. |
| Overall Rating | 4.2 out of 5 stars. |
Unboxing & First Impressions
Unboxing this felt very different from normal air fryers. The base is modular, and you just drop the heavy glass bowls right into it. I loved that it had zero burnt plastic smell on the first run.
It does take up quite a bit of countertop space. The glass bowls feel premium, but you worry about dropping them in a wet sink. The control screen is bright, but the glossy finish shows fingerprints instantly.
Cooking Performance
This is the true test of any kitchen appliance. I cooked my family’s regular weekly meals to see how it performs.
Frozen fries
I used the Max Crisp cooking presets for frozen fries. They got a great crispy texture in 14 minutes at 450°F. I did have to use oven mitts for a basket shake halfway through fries. Watching them brown through the clear glass was super helpful.
Chicken wings
Chicken wings cooked evenly at 390°F in 22 minutes. The metal crisper plate kept the meat out of the grease. I noticed a slight grease smell after cooking wings near the side vents. The meat stayed juicy while the skin got very crispy.
Reheating pizza
The Recrisp button works magic on reheating leftovers. Reheating pizza late at night takes just four minutes. The cheese bubbles nicely without burning the bottom crust. It is much better than a microwave.
Salmon
Fresh salmon fillets took about 10 minutes. The fish cooked with perfectly even cooking and did not dry out. I used parchment liners on the crisper plate to prevent sticking. I washed the glass bowl right away to stop fish odors.
Real-Life Daily Use Experience
Using this machine every day changed my cooking routine. The preheat time is fast, often taking just two minutes. The snap-on lids let me store leftovers directly in the small bowl. I do notice warm heat coming from side vents while it runs.
There are a few small annoyances during daily use. The loud beeping is very jarring when the timer ends. Also, handling a hot glass bowl is trickier than pulling a standard plastic handle. You must use pot holders to safely grab the sides.
Ninja AS101LG Design & Build Quality
The Ninja AS101LG review would not be complete without talking about its look. It looks very high-end and unique on the counter.
| Feature | Material | Feel |
| Main Unit | Plastic | Sturdy but glossy |
| Cooking Bowls | Glass | Heavy and premium |
| Crisper Plates | Metal | Nonstick and light |
The fixed feet on the glass bowls are a brilliant touch. You can set the hot glass right on the counter safely. But the glossy touch screen smudges easily, so I wipe it often.
Air Fryer Noise Level
This appliance makes noticeable air fryer noise while running. The fan noise reminds me of a strong bathroom fan.
You can still hold a normal conversation nearby, but it hums loudly. The alert beeps are the most annoying part. They are high-pitched and you cannot mute them.
Cleaning & Maintenance
Cleaning glass is very different from cleaning a metal basket. Sticky foods come off easily, but the large bowl is heavy.
| Part | Dishwasher Safe | Ease of Cleaning |
| 6-Qt Bowl | Yes | Hard (Heavy) |
| 2.5-Qt Bowl | Yes | Very Easy |
| Crisper Plate | Yes | Easy |
I mostly hand wash the big bowl because it takes up too much room. Cleaning after messy foods takes a bit of scrubbing to remove the oil collecting in basket corners. Baking soda works perfectly for stubborn grease spots.
Pros and Cons
Every kitchen tool has clear benefits and frustrating flaws. Here is exactly what I liked and disliked.
| Pros | Cons |
| No peeling nonstick coating | Glass is heavy when wet |
| Can see food as it cooks | Very loud alert beeps |
| Glass goes from fridge to fryer | Takes up lots of counter space |
| Lids included for easy storage | Fingerprints show on the screen |
Comparison With Similar Air Fryers
I wanted to see how the glass design compares to a metal model. It is a very different cooking style.
Ninja AF161 Max XL
I used the AF161 for a long time before this one. Both models cook food very fast.
| Feature | Ninja AS101LG | Ninja AF161 |
| Basket Material | Glass | Coated metal |
| Capacity | 6-Qt & 2.5-Qt | 5.5-Qt |
| Shaking Food | Harder (Needs mitts) | Very Easy (Has handle) |
The AF161 is much easier to shake for fries. But the glass Ninja AS101LG wins for food safety and watching your food cook.
Who Should Buy This Air Fryer?
This appliance fits very specific kitchen needs. It is not for everyone.
Buy This If:
- You want to avoid traditional nonstick coatings.
- You like seeing your food while it cooks.
- You love storing leftovers in the same bowl.
Avoid This If:
- You have weak wrists or joint pain.
- You want a super quiet machine.
- You lack storage space for thick glass bowls.
Long-Term Durability
I expect this machine to last a long time. The base feels strong, and the heating element is safe inside.
The main risk is dropping the heavy glass bowls in the sink. The plastic housing holds up well to heat. However, the glossy screen might scratch if you use rough sponges.
Energy Efficiency
This model uses 1800 watts, which is standard for its size. It cooks much faster than my large oven.
It barely heats up my kitchen, which helps on hot days. The quick cooking times keep your power bill low. It is highly efficient for small, daily meals.
Final Verdict
This Ninja AS101LG review comes down to one big point. This is a fantastic choice if you hate peeling nonstick layers.
The glass design is beautiful and lets you monitor your meals. The heavy bowls can be annoying to wash, but the great food makes it worth the effort. I genuinely recommend it for cooks who want a safer cooking material.