Using the crisper plate in the Ninja air fryer is recommended but not absolutely necessary. The crisper plate helps facilitate air flow and allows hot air to circulate around food for quick, crispy, and delicious results. However, there are some instances where you may get decent results without the crisper plate.
What is the Ninja Air Fryer Crisper Plate?
The Ninja air fryer comes with a removable crisper plate (also called a basket or tray). This is a raised mesh platform that sits inside the air fryer basket. It has holes throughout to allow maximum air flow from all sides.
The crisper plate serves a few key functions:
- Allows air to circulate under and around food for quick, even cooking.
- Helps food cook crispy by promoting browning and crisping on all sides.
- Allows excess fat and grease to drip away from foods.
- Prevents foods from sitting in accumulated grease.
- Keeps foods from sticking to the inside of the air fryer basket.
So in short, the crisper plate optimizes air flow and facilitates crispy, crunchy results. It’s an important accessory for getting the most out of your Ninja air fryer.
Do You Have to Use the Crisper Plate?
While using the crisper plate is recommended, it is not 100% required in all cases. Here are some general guidelines on when you need to use it versus when you may be able to get by without it:
Times When the Crisper Plate is Essential
- Air frying foods with a lot of small pieces – Things like french fries, tater tots, chicken nuggets, and other bite-sized foods need maximum air flow and heat transfer to get crispy. The crisper plate helps facilitate this.
- Cooking fatty/greasy foods – The holes allow excess fat to drip through so foods don’t end up soggy.
- Making breaded foods – You want the outer coating to get crispy, not sit in a pool of grease.
- Dehydrating fruits/veggies – Air needs to circulate fully for effective dehydration.
- Anytime crispness is your goal – The crisper plate helps create that desirable crunch.
Times When You May Be Able to Omit the Crisper Plate
- Cooking large bulky foods – Things like whole chickens, roasts, meatloaf, etc. have enough mass that they don’t necessarily need the crisper plate to cook evenly and achieve crispy externals.
- Reheating leftovers – You’re just warming pre-cooked food through, so maximum air flow isn’t as important.
- Making baked goods – Items like cakes, muffins, and cookies don’t need as much air flow and direct heat to cook properly.
- Cooking foods in sauce – Braising meat in sauce, cooking enchiladas, etc. The sauce keeps everything moist, so the crisper plate is less important.
Pros of Using the Crisper Plate
Here are some of the biggest benefits to using the Ninja air fryer’s crisper plate:
- Crispier results – The crisper plate allows air to circulate all around food for excellent browning and crisping.
- Cooks faster – The increase in air flow means heat reaches your food quicker.
- Food isn’t soggy – Excess oil and grease can drip away so food isn’t sitting in it.
- Reduces fat – Since less oil sticks to food, you typically cut down on fat and calories.
- Prevents sticking – Food won’t stick as easily to the inside of the air fryer basket.
- Easy to clean – Crumbs and grease fall through the holes, so cleanup is simpler.
If you want to get those signature crispy air fryer results, the crisper plate is the best tool for the job.
Cons of Using the Crisper Plate
The crisper plate does come with a few disadvantages to consider as well:
- Takes up room – The crisper plate takes up usable space in the air fryer basket, so you can’t cook as large a quantity of food at once.
- Can be annoying to clean – Food debris can get stuck in the holes and edges of the crisper plate.
- One more part to store – When not in use, you need a place to keep the crisper plate.
- Can damage non-stick coating – If you aren’t careful inserting and removing the crisper plate, it could scratch the basket’s non-stick surface over time.
- Not ideal for large foods – Very bulky items like roasts or whole chickens may not fit with the crisper plate inside.
While the crisper plate has benefits, it’s good to be aware of the potential negatives as well.
Cooking Without the Crisper Plate
If you do choose to cook without the crisper plate, here are some tips:
- Use a cooking spray or oil to grease the basket – This prevents sticking since foods will be in direct contact with the surface.
- Flip foods halfway through – To promote even browning without the air flow benefits of the crisper plate.
- Brush sauces/glazes on towards the end – To help foods crisp up at the end without direct air flow.
- Add a bit more oil than usual – The crisper plate allows excess oil to drip away, so you’ll need a bit more oil for moisture and browning without it.
- Don’t overload – Leave some space between pieces so air can still circulate a bit.
With a few adjustments, it is possible to get decent results without the crisper plate under the right circumstances.
Replacing a Lost or Damaged Crisper Plate
If your Ninja air fryer didn’t come with a crisper plate or it has gone missing or become damaged over time, you have a few options to replace it:
- Contact Ninja support – They can send you an official replacement part for your specific model.
- Check Amazon – Many replacement Ninja air fryer parts and accessories can be found on Amazon.
- Buy a generic one – A generic mesh crisper plate/basket made for air fryers can work as long as it fits your model.
- Use a small cooling rack – A wire cooling rack designed for baking can work in a pinch.
- Switch to a mesh basket – Some brands sell alternative mesh basket liners that serve the same purpose.
Here are some example crisper plate replacements for the Ninja air fryer that can be purchased online if needed:
| Replacement Part | Details | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Official Ninja Replacement | Exact match for your model | $10-$20+ |
| Tikikii Mesh Basket Liner | Fits Ninja, Cosori, Instant Vortex | $11 |
| AUZKIN Cooling Rack | 6.3 x 11 inches | $12 |
| GoldenVantage Crisper Tray | Fits Ninja, Philips, Instant, etc. | $15 |
No matter the replacement route you choose, getting a replacement crisper plate is recommended to get the best performance from your Ninja air fryer.
FAQs
Why is my Ninja air fryer not crisping with the crisper plate?
If foods are still not getting crispy enough even with the crisper plate, here are some possible reasons:
- The air fryer is overcrowded – Leave space for air to flow freely around foods.
- Breading isn’t adhering well – Wet batters slide off and separate from foods.
- Batter is too thick – Thick, dense batters won’t get as crispy.
- Cooking temperature is too low – Try increasing it by 25 degrees F.
- Cooking time is too short – Increase cooking time for crispier results.
- High-moisture foods – Wet produce like mushrooms needs extra time to evaporate moisture.
- Basket is greasy – Clean the basket and plates thoroughly between uses for best performance.
What can I use instead of a crisper plate?
If you don’t have the crisper plate, reasonable substitutes include a wire rack meant for baking, a vegetable steaming basket, or a mesh liner intended for air frying. You can also place foods directly in the basket, but mist it with oil first and frequently flip foods for even cooking.
Should I put aluminum foil on the Ninja air fryer crisper plate?
It’s not recommended to use aluminum foil to cover the crisper plate. Foil will prevent air from flowing through the perforations and hinder the cooking process. It can also potentially damage the plate or air fryer basket if it melts from the heat. Just give the crisper plate a good scrub between uses instead of using foil.
Conclusion
While the Ninja air fryer crisper plate is not absolutely essential in every case, it is highly recommended for getting the best air fried results. The increased air flow and circulation it provides allows for faster, crispier, and more even cooking. When in doubt, take advantage of this handy accessory that comes included with your Ninja air fryer. For the crispiest possible fried foods without all the fat, the crisper plate is your friend!