'I made the perfect pizza in my Ninja air fryer and it took just 8 minutes'

As someone who doesn't possess exceptional cooking skills, I'm always on the lookout for easy ways to improve them. I manage to feed my family adequately, but I'm no Jamie Oliver when it comes to preparing a gourmet meal in minutes.

In an attempt to broaden my culinary abilities, I've invested in numerous gadgets over the years, with varying degrees of success. From slow cookers to air fryers and everything in between, I've always been a sucker for a new kitchen appliance.

So, when I noticed that Ninja had reduced the price of their 10-in-1 Ninja Speedi Rapid Cooker, I couldn't resist. Far more versatile than the Instant Vortex Air Fryer I already own, the Speedi offers multiple cooking functions and a dual-layer cooking system, making it a game-changer for cooks of all skill levels.

When my Ninja arrived, I eagerly unpacked it, filled with optimism and recipe ideas. However, I quickly found myself staring at this colossal machine on my kitchen counter, utterly overwhelmed by all the options.

What exactly is the Ninja Speedi 10-in-1 Rapid Cooker?

The Ninja Speedi 10-in-1 Rapid Cooker is a multi-cooker and air fryer combined into one, albeit in a slightly bulky box. It combines the functions of many of the brand's other popular models, acting as a steamer, grill, air fryer, roaster, dehydrator, sauté pan and slow cooker.

The Speedi has been hailed as a "game-changer" for its ability to whip up an entire meal in less than half an hour when used correctly. The innovative Speedi Meals setting, along with the appliance's smart dual-layer design, enables users to effortlessly create "one-touch, one-pot meals in 15 minutes" by combining their choice of base, vegetables, and protein.

Plus, for added convenience, the pan and crisping tray are dishwasher safe, saving you from the hassle of scrubbing burnt oven trays and dirty saucepans.

Can you cook pizza in a Ninja Speedi?

Curious about the Ninja Speedi's capabilities, I decided to put it to the test with a simple task: making a pepperoni pizza, arguably one of the finest foods known. Despite some initial concerns over whether the Speedi's generous 5.1L capacity could accommodate a medium-sized pizza, after layering my pizza base with tomato sauce and a hearty sprinkle of cheese, I found myself pondering over the Speedi.

Hesitant about adjusting the temperature or cooking time, I eventually turned to Google for guidance.

After taking some tips from seasoned cooks via online videos, I fired up the Speedi to a welcoming chime. Opting for familiar territory, I selected the air fryer mode for 10 minutes, planning to check on it midway.

With my pizza base comfortably nestled in the cooking pot, it was time to shut the lid and let the magic unfold. As the display showed the Speedi pre-heating, I anxiously stood by, banking on this working as it was my sole dinner plan.

Midway through the cook, I gingerly lifted the lid to find the pizza base starting to brown and the cheese beginning to bubble. Satisfied with my progress, I threw in some pepperoni and a handful of dough balls for good measure.

Top tip: Hold off adding toppings until the cheese begins to melt, as the potent air-frying function can send items like pepperoni flying. Luckily, I picked up this tip from a YouTube user before I began cooking.

After a mere eight minutes, my pizza and bonus doughy delights were cooked to perfection. Accompanied by a side salad, my famished 13-year-old son wasted no time tucking in.

While my basic culinary experiment was a hit, I couldn't shake the thought that honestly, it would have taken the same amount of time to cook in the oven. The air frying feature on the Ninja Speedi was absolutely fantastic, but it's designed to offer so much more.

With a brew in hand, I nestled into my couch and spent hours on YouTube, engrossed in videos of amateur chefs creating an array of tantalising dishes. I also joined a Facebook group where I discovered images of whole roast chickens, a variety of meat and pasta meals, and even the odd cake.

For my next kitchen escapade, I plan to utilise the highly commended Speedi Meals setting to whip up something truly extraordinary. With a meal builder feature on the Ninja App and a recipe booklet included in the package, I'm confident I'll be a culinary whizz in no time.

For those keen to try their luck with some Ninja Speedi cooking, the 10-in-1 Ninja Speedi Rapid Cooker is currently reduced from £229.99 to a mere £149.99 as part of the Ninja Black Friday deals. Amazon also has a broad selection of Ninja products at discounted rates.

If you'd prefer to stick with a standard air fryer, John Lewis is selling the Philips Dual Basket for just £99.99 ahead of Black Friday, and Argos has the Ninja 3.8L Air Fryer for £69.

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