The Ninja Foodi XL Pro air oven is a popular countertop appliance that can bake, roast, broil, dehydrate, reheat, and air fry. With its large 5.5 quart capacity, it can accommodate most sizes of pizzas. However, the maximum pizza size for the Ninja Foodi XL Pro will depend on a few factors.
In this article, we’ll discuss what size pizzas can fit in the Ninja Foodi XL Pro air oven. We’ll consider the interior dimensions, cooking functions, and other usage tips for getting the most out of this versatile appliance when making pizza. Read on to find out what pizza capacities are possible with the Ninja Foodi XL Pro air oven.
Interior Dimensions
First, let’s look at the interior size of the Ninja Foodi XL Pro air oven. This will give us a good starting point for figuring out the maximum pizza capacity.
According to the product specifications, the XL Pro has an interior width of 12 inches and depth of 11 inches. The total cooking surface area is 15 square inches.
Knowing these measurements, we can estimate that a 12-inch pizza should fit comfortably in the Ninja Foodi XL Pro. A pizza larger than 12 inches likely won’t fit as easily due to the 11 inch depth constraint.
Smaller personal sized pizzas around 6 inches wide would have plenty of room to bake in the XL Pro air oven. The relatively spacious interior can hold multiple individual pizzas for feeding a crowd.
Cooking Functions
Beyond just the size, we also need to consider which cooking functions work best for pizza in the Ninja Foodi XL Pro.
The air fry setting reaches temperatures up to 500°F, which is ideal for getting pizza crusts crispy on the outside while melting cheese inside. Air frying uses super heated air for quick cooking and browning with little to no oil needed.
You can also bake pizzas in the Ninja Foodi XL Pro, with temperatures ranging from 250°F to 450°F. Baking gives a more traditional, convection oven style results.
The XL Pro’s pizza setting is specially designed to crisp up crusts with melty cheese in minimal time. It combines air frying and baking elements to optimize the cooking process.
For convenience, you may also want to reheat leftover pizza slices in the Ninja Foodi XL Pro. The reheat function gently warms pizza without drying it out.
So air fry, bake, pizza, and reheat modes are all great options for cooking pizza in this oven. The versatile functions expand how much pizza you can make and accommodate both fresh and leftover pies.
Making Large Pizzas
While a standard 12-inch pizza should fit in the XL Pro air oven, you may wonder about baking larger pizzas up to 15 inches wide.
The good news is that it is possible to cook bigger pizzas in the Ninja Foodi XL Pro, though it requires some extra effort.
Here are some tips for fitting and cooking oversized pizzas:
– Use a pizza pan or baking steel no more than 12 inches wide so it fits in the oven. Build the pizza directly on the surface. The edges can overhang the pan slightly.
– Consider making a rectangular, grandma-style pizza which maximizes the surface area. A 15 x 10 inch rectangle can work well.
– Parbake the crust before adding toppings. Partially bake the dough first until just set, then add sauce and toppings to finish cooking in the oven. This prevents an overflowing edge.
– Add toppings sparingly toward the center so the inner pizza cooks through before the outer edges burn.
– Cook at a lower temperature around 375°F to allow time for the middle to bake without overbrowning the sides.
– Rotate the pizza during cooking for even results. Wear oven mitts to carefully lift out and turn the pizza midway.
– Finish on the stovetop if needed. You can transfer a partially cooked pizza to a skillet on the stovetop on low heat to finish crisping up the excessive outer crust.
With some effort, it is possible to stretch this oven’s capacity for pizzas up to 15 inches or so. But it’s often easier to stick to 12-inch or smaller pies.
Number of Slices
Beyond the diameter size, another consideration is how many pizza slices can fit in the Ninja Foodi XL Pro air oven.
For reference, here’s a guide to how many slices typically come from different pizza sizes:
Pizza Size | Number of Slices |
---|---|
6 inches | 2-4 slices |
8 inches | 4-6 slices |
10 inches | 6-8 slices |
12 inches | 8-10 slices |
14 inches | 10-12 slices |
16 inches | 12-16 slices |
Based on most pizza cutting conventions, a 12-inch pizza yields around 8-10 slices. Since a 12-inch pizza should fit in the Ninja Foodi XL Pro air oven, you can expect to cook up to 10 slices at a time.
For reheating leftover pizza, you can feasibly fit 5-8 slices in the XL Pro by arranging them carefully. When air frying fresh pizzas, stick to just one whole pizza with up to 10 slices for the best results.
This oven may not hold an entire extra large 16+ inch pizza. But its capacity can still accommodate pizza night for 1-4 people when making personal or medium 12-inch pies.
Using Pizza Pans
Pizza pans are circular baking pans ideally sized to hold whole pizzas. They have small holes across the bottom for air circulation and to allow moisture to escape from the crust.
Using a pizza pan in the Ninja Foodi XL Pro air oven has several advantages:
– Hold and contain pizza dough during rising and baking. Prevent spillover.
– Allow you to evenly rotate and remove the pizza during cooking.
– Promote browning and crisping with exposure to air flow.
– Catch any drips from cheese or toppings to reduce mess.
– Enable you to prep the pizza on the counter then slide the whole pan into the oven.
Look for pizza pans around 12 inches in diameter so they can easily fit within the Ninja Foodi XL Pro’s interior width. Thinner pans with minimal edges usually work best.
You can also use a perforated baking steel, pizza stone, or pizza crisping tray. These all help form a nice crisp crust just like a pizza parlor.
Parchment paper can work in a pinch to contain pizza and make removal simpler too. Avoid pans with tall, pronounced edges that could obstruct air flow and cause uneven cooking.
With the right pizza pan or stone, you can optimize the pizza potential of the Ninja Foodi XL Pro air oven.
Tips for Reheating Pizza
Leftover pizza often ends up in the microwave which can make it soggy. The Ninja Foodi XL Pro air oven does a much better job of reviving and crisping up pizza slices.
Here are some tips for reheating pizza in the XL Pro:
– Use the reheat, air fry, or pizza setting around 300°F. The temperature won’t need to be as high as for cooking raw dough.
– Place slices on a baking sheet or pizza pan so you can remove easily. Parchment paper also works well.
– Avoid overcrowding slices, which steams versus crisps them.
– For speed, use the reheat function and check often as it heats rapidly. Or use air fry at a lower temp for 5-7 minutes.
– If the crust is soggy, air fry at 375°F to recrisp and brown it back up after microwaving.
– Add any extra toppings you want after reheating so they don’t burn.
With just a few minutes in the Ninja Foodi air oven, leftover pizza tastes like you just ordered it fresh again!
Conclusion
The Ninja Foodi XL Pro air oven can accommodate most medium sized pizzas around 12 inches wide or smaller based on its interior capacity. While you can stretch its limits to hold larger 15 inch pies, it’s easiest to stick to personal or small sized pizzas cut into 8-10 slices. Using the right pans and tools along with the air fry, bake, and pizza functions will allow you to prepare fresh, homemade pizzas and reheat leftovers with excellent results. With some clever cooking techniques, the XL Pro oven can deliver tasty pizza creations to satisfy your cravings.