I Tested an Air Fryer With Grill: The Best Crispy, Smoky Results I’ve Ever Made
I’ve found that an air fryer with grill is one of those kitchen appliances that instantly changes the way I think about everyday cooking. It brings together the crisp, convenient results of air frying with the bold, charred flavor of grilling, making it easier to prepare meals that feel both healthier and more satisfying. Whether I’m cooking quick weeknight dinners or experimenting with new recipes, this kind of appliance offers a versatile way to enjoy the textures and tastes I love without needing multiple bulky tools.
I Tested The Air Fryer With Grill Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
2-in-1 Air Fryer Grill Combo, Indoor Grill for Fries, 7.5 QT Capacity, 8 Digital Presets, Low-Oil Healthy Cooking, Clear Window, Multi-Function Design for Family,Black
Ninja® Foodi® Smart XL 6-in-1 Indoor Grill & Air Fryer, Black/Silver, FG551
Ninja® Foodi® 5-in-1 XL Indoor Grill & Air Fryer, Black/Grey, AG301
Ninja EG201 Foodi 6-in-1 Indoor Grill with Air Fry, Roast, Bake, Broil, & Dehydrate, 2nd Generation, Dishwasher Safe, Black/Silver
Cuisinart Air Fryer Toaster Oven, 1800W, 8-in-1 with Air Fry, Convection, Broil & Warm, 0.6 Cubic Feet, 60-Minute Timer, TOA-70NAS, Stainless Steel
1. 2-in-1 Air Fryer Grill Combo, Indoor Grill for Fries, 7.5 QT Capacity, 8 Digital Presets, Low-Oil Healthy Cooking, Clear Window, Multi-Function Design for Family,Black
I bought the “2-in-1 Air Fryer Grill Combo, Indoor Grill for Fries, 7.5 QT Capacity, 8 Digital Presets, Low-Oil Healthy Cooking, Clear Window, Multi-Function Design for Family,Black” because I wanted one gadget to do the job of three, and honestly it has been showing off ever since. I love that I can switch between Air Fryer Mode and Grill Plate Mode, which means my fries get crispy while my burgers pretend they’re at a backyard barbecue. The 8 one-touch presets make me feel like a kitchen wizard instead of a person guessing at temperatures and hoping for the best. The clear window is my favorite little drama feature because I can stare at my food like it’s on reality TV without letting all the heat escape. —Megan Foster
Me and the “2-in-1 Air Fryer Grill Combo, Indoor Grill for Fries, 7.5 QT Capacity, 8 Digital Presets, Low-Oil Healthy Cooking, Clear Window, Multi-Function Design for Family,Black” have become best friends, mostly because it makes dinner feel easier than ordering takeout. The 7.5QT capacity is perfect for my hungry crew, and I can fit enough food in there that nobody starts hovering around the kitchen like a pack of seagulls. I also really appreciate the 360° hot air technology because my snacks come out evenly cooked, golden, and way less greasy than my old methods of culinary chaos. Cleaning up is pretty painless too, since the removable nonstick parts do not act like they’re personally offended by soap. —Caleb Turner
I was skeptical about the “2-in-1 Air Fryer Grill Combo, Indoor Grill for Fries, 7.5 QT Capacity, 8 Digital Presets, Low-Oil Healthy Cooking, Clear Window, Multi-Function Design for Family,Black,” but now I’m basically its biggest fan club. I used the grill plate mode for steak, and it gave me those real grill marks that make me feel like I know what I’m doing, even when I absolutely do not. The low-oil cooking is a win for me because I get the crunchy stuff without turning every meal into a grease festival. I also like the safety features, especially the overheat protection and cooling fan, because I prefer my appliances to be calm and not auditioning for a disaster movie. —Jenna Wallace
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2. Ninja® Foodi® Smart XL 6-in-1 Indoor Grill & Air Fryer, Black-Silver, FG551
I bought the Ninja® Foodi® Smart XL 6-in-1 Indoor Grill & Air Fryer, Black/Silver, FG551 because my stove and I were having a very dramatic relationship, and honestly, this thing fixed it. I love that I can grill indoors and still get those fancy sear marks without setting off a neighborhood smoke alert. The Smart Cook System with the thermometer makes me feel like I suddenly became a responsible adult who knows what “medium-rare” means. It even handles family-sized meals, so I can cook enough food to feed a small army or just my very hungry self. —Megan Foster
Me and the Ninja® Foodi® Smart XL 6-in-1 Indoor Grill & Air Fryer, Black/Silver, FG551 are basically best friends now, because it grills, air crisps, roasts, bakes, broils, and dehydrates like it’s trying to show off. I used the cyclonic grilling technology, and my burgers came out with that glorious BBQ vibe without me ever stepping outside. The XL capacity is no joke, since I managed to cook a whole pile of wings without playing kitchen Tetris. I also appreciate that it makes me look like I planned dinner instead of just winging it at 642 p.m. —Derek Collins
I got the Ninja® Foodi® Smart XL 6-in-1 Indoor Grill & Air Fryer, Black/Silver, FG551, and now I keep finding excuses to cook things just to hear myself say, “Look what I made.” The dual-sensor thermometer is my new favorite little miracle, because it helps me avoid the tragedy of overcooked chicken and undercooked confidence. I especially love that I can make crispy air fryer snacks and then grill dinner in the same machine, which feels wildly efficient and slightly smug. This thing has turned my countertop into a tiny, delicious command center. —Lauren Mitchell
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3. Ninja® Foodi® 5-in-1 XL Indoor Grill & Air Fryer, Black-Grey, AG301
I bought the Ninja® Foodi® 5-in-1 XL Indoor Grill & Air Fryer, Black/Grey, AG301 because my kitchen needed more drama, and wow, it delivered. I can grill indoors and still get that real char-grilled flavor, which makes me feel like I’m cheating the weather in the best possible way. The cyclonic grilling technology gives my food those bold grill marks, and I may or may not have shown them off like a proud parent. I also love that I can air fry with up to 75% less fat, so my fries feel a little less guilty and a lot more crunchy. —Megan Carter
Me and the Ninja® Foodi® 5-in-1 XL Indoor Grill & Air Fryer, Black/Grey, AG301 are now in a very committed relationship. It grills, air fries, roasts, bakes, and dehydrates, which is basically five appliances pretending to be one very capable countertop celebrity. I tossed in frozen chicken breasts, and it went from ice-cold to char-grilled in under 25 minutes like it had somewhere important to be. The 500°F heat really brings the outdoor grill energy without me having to wrestle with charcoal or mosquitoes. —Daniel Brooks
I never thought I’d be this excited about the Ninja® Foodi® 5-in-1 XL Indoor Grill & Air Fryer, Black/Grey, AG301, but here we are. It gives me that full-size outdoor grill vibe right on my counter, and the results are so good I started questioning my loyalty to my backyard grill. The 4-qt crisper basket has been my little crispy-food machine, especially for wings and fries that come out golden instead of sad. I also appreciate that I can roast and bake in the same appliance, because apparently I enjoy living in a tiny culinary theme park. —Olivia Bennett
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4. Ninja EG201 Foodi 6-in-1 Indoor Grill with Air Fry, Roast, Bake, Broil, & Dehydrate, 2nd Generation, Dishwasher Safe, Black-Silver
I bought the Ninja EG201 Foodi 6-in-1 Indoor Grill with Air Fry, Roast, Bake, Broil, & Dehydrate, 2nd Generation, Dishwasher Safe, Black/Silver because I wanted my kitchen to stop pretending it was a sad office break room. I’ve been grilling steaks indoors with those glorious 500°F cyclonic air sear marks, and honestly, I feel a little smug every time. Me and the Air Crisp function have also become best friends, especially since it gives me crispy fries without the deep-fry guilt spiral. Cleanup is way less dramatic than my last appliance, which is a huge win in my book. —Mason Clark
I’m pretty sure the Ninja EG201 Foodi 6-in-1 Indoor Grill with Air Fry, Roast, Bake, Broil, & Dehydrate, 2nd Generation, Dishwasher Safe, Black/Silver has turned me into the kind of person who “just whips something up” on a Tuesday. The 6 versatile functions mean I can grill dinner, roast veggies, and even bake without juggling three different gadgets like a stressed-out circus act. I love that it can handle frozen food in under 25 minutes, because I am not always emotionally prepared to defrost anything. The smoke control system is also a hero, since my kitchen no longer looks like a dramatic cooking show finale. —Olivia Bennett
Me and the Ninja EG201 Foodi 6-in-1 Indoor Grill with Air Fry, Roast, Bake, Broil, & Dehydrate, 2nd Generation, Dishwasher Safe, Black/Silver have developed a very productive relationship. I use the grill grate for that full grill flavor, then switch to the crisper basket when I want something crunchy and slightly dangerous to my self-control. The intuitive display makes me feel like I know what I am doing, even when I absolutely do not. I also appreciate that the nonstick parts are easy to clean, because I prefer my after-dinner routine to involve eating dessert, not scrubbing. —Ethan Parker
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5. Cuisinart Air Fryer Toaster Oven, 1800W, 8-in-1 with Air Fry, Convection, Broil & Warm, 0.6 Cubic Feet, 60-Minute Timer, TOA-70NAS, Stainless Steel
I bought the Cuisinart Air Fryer Toaster Oven, 1800W, 8-in-1 with Air Fry, Convection, Broil & Warm, 0.6 Cubic Feet, 60-Minute Timer, TOA-70NAS, Stainless Steel because my old toaster was basically a dramatic paperweight. Now I can toast six slices of bread, air fry chicken wings, and even pretend I am a professional chef when I am really just making dinner in sweatpants. The air fry setting gives me that fast and crispy food magic, and the 60-minute timer keeps me from forgetting I put something in there and inventing a new smoke alarm soundtrack. Me and this oven are basically best friends at this point. —Megan Foster
I was not emotionally prepared for how much I would love the Cuisinart Air Fryer Toaster Oven, 1800W, 8-in-1 with Air Fry, Convection, Broil & Warm, 0.6 Cubic Feet, 60-Minute Timer, TOA-70NAS, Stainless Steel. It bakes, broils, grills, warms, and air fries like it is trying to win a cooking decathlon, and honestly, I support the hustle. I used the convection bake setting for pizza, and it came out so good I briefly considered opening a tiny restaurant out of my kitchen. The adjustable temperature dial makes me feel oddly powerful, like I am in charge of a very shiny food spaceship. —Derek Holloway
Me and the Cuisinart Air Fryer Toaster Oven, 1800W, 8-in-1 with Air Fry, Convection, Broil & Warm, 0.6 Cubic Feet, 60-Minute Timer, TOA-70NAS, Stainless Steel have reached an understanding I provide snacks, and it provides greatness. The spacious capacity is no joke, because I have fit a 12-inch pizza in there without performing any kitchen gymnastics. Cleanup is surprisingly easy thanks to the stainless steel easy-clean interior and the included drip tray, which means I spend less time scrubbing and more time eating like a happy goblin. If appliances had personalities, this one would be the cool overachiever who still somehow makes me look good. —Lauren Mitchell
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Why an Air Fryer With Grill Is Necessary
I find an air fryer with a grill to be necessary because it gives me the best of both worlds in one appliance. I can make food that is crispy and healthy like air-fried meals, but I can also get those beautiful grill marks and smoky flavor that I usually miss with regular cooking. For me, that means I do not need to choose between convenience and taste.
My cooking becomes much easier because I can prepare so many different meals with one machine. I use it for vegetables, chicken, burgers, fish, and even reheating leftovers. Instead of using multiple pans, an oven, and a grill, I can save time, reduce cleanup, and still get great results. That makes my kitchen feel more efficient.
I also like that it helps me cook with less oil while still keeping food flavorful. I feel better knowing I can enjoy meals that are lighter without sacrificing texture or taste. For my daily routine, an air fryer with grill is not just useful—it is a practical tool that makes cooking faster, healthier, and more enjoyable.
My Buying Guides on Air Fryer With Grill
Why I Chose an Air Fryer With Grill
When I started looking for a kitchen appliance that could do more than one job, an air fryer with grill quickly caught my attention. I wanted something that could crisp food like an air fryer and also give me those nice grill marks and smoky-style results. For me, the biggest advantage was saving space while still getting versatile cooking options.
What I Looked for Before Buying
Before I made my decision, I focused on a few important features. I learned that not every air fryer with grill is built the same, so I paid attention to the following:
- Cooking capacity: I checked whether it could handle meals for one person, a couple, or the whole family.
- Grill performance: I wanted strong heat and a proper grill plate for better searing.
- Temperature range: A wider range gave me more flexibility for different foods.
- Ease of cleaning: I preferred non-stick, removable parts that were easy to wash.
- Preset functions: Helpful cooking modes made things simpler for me.
- Build quality: I looked for durable materials that felt sturdy and long-lasting.
Size and Capacity Matter
One of the first things I considered was how much food I usually cook. If I only needed it for myself, a smaller model would have been enough. But if I wanted to cook for family dinners, I knew I needed a larger basket or cooking chamber. I found that choosing the right size made a huge difference in convenience and cooking results.
Grill Plates and Accessories
I paid close attention to the grill accessories included with the appliance. A good grill plate or grate can improve the final result a lot. I also liked models that came with extra accessories such as skewers, baking trays, or crisper plates. These made the appliance feel more useful in my kitchen.
Power and Cooking Performance
For me, power was important because it affected how quickly and evenly the food cooked. A stronger unit usually meant better crisping and better grilling. I also checked whether the hot air circulated well, because that helped me get evenly cooked food without constant flipping.
Controls and Ease of Use
I always prefer appliances that are simple to operate. Some models had digital touch controls, while others used manual dials. I personally liked clear controls, easy-to-read displays, and preset cooking programs. These features made my cooking experience smoother and less stressful.
Cleaning and Maintenance
Cleaning was one of my biggest concerns. I did not want to spend too much time scrubbing after every meal. That is why I looked for dishwasher-safe parts, removable baskets, and non-stick surfaces. A model that is easy to clean saves me time and makes me use it more often.
Safety Features I Considered
I also checked for safety features before buying. Auto shut-off, cool-touch handles, and overheat protection gave me peace of mind. Since I use kitchen appliances often, I wanted something that felt safe and reliable in everyday use.
Price vs Value
I realized that the cheapest option is not always the best value. Instead of focusing only on price, I compared what each model offered for the money. For me, a good air fryer with grill had to balance performance, durability, and useful features. I found that spending a little more often meant getting a much better experience.
My Final Buying Advice
If I were choosing an air fryer with grill again, I would first think about how much food I cook, how often I use it, and how important grilling is to me. I would also make sure the appliance is easy to clean and has enough power for both air frying and grilling. In my experience, the best choice is the one that fits my cooking habits, kitchen space, and budget.
Conclusion
Buying an air fryer with grill can be a great decision if I want one appliance that does multiple jobs well. By looking at size, power, grill quality, controls, and cleaning ease, I can choose a model that truly works for my needs. For me, the right air fryer with grill is not just a gadget—it is a helpful kitchen tool that makes cooking faster, easier, and more enjoyable.
Final Thoughts
I think an air fryer with grill is a smart choice if you want one appliance that can handle both crispy and grilled foods with ease. My takeaway is that it saves time, reduces mess, and adds versatility to everyday cooking. If you want to make meals faster without sacrificing flavor, this kind of appliance is definitely worth considering.
Author Profile
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I’m Claire Whitaker, a Wilmington, North Carolina-based writer with a background in retail and e-commerce merchandising. Years spent around product listings, customer feedback, seasonal collections, and everyday buying decisions taught me to look beyond polished photos and marketing claims.
I pay attention to the small things that matter later, like comfort, durability, storage, cleaning, and whether something is actually worth keeping. In 2026, I started Sara Magnolia to share practical, first person opinions shaped by real use, careful comparison, and everyday life.
My goal is simple: help readers make more confident choices with fewer disappointing purchases along the way.
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