The Ninja Air Fryer Pro AF140UK is a single-drawer mini convection oven that, I must say, looks rather stylish on my kitchen counter – but what did I think of its use?
The interesting features of the Ninja Air Fryer Pro include its ability to air-fry, roast, reheat and dehydrate. Trying out the roast and air-fry options, I chose a vegetarian dish that starred in its quick start guide manual.
With up to 15 chef-created recipes, I attempted the stuffed aubergine with mozzarella as a side dish.
Wanting to pair the side dish with something else (cod), I worked out how that would work (much similar to timing with a normal oven).
Luckily, there was enough space to fit both dishes inside the Ninja Air Fryer that can hold 4.7 litres of food (although I made a serving for one, and not four).
Stuffed aubergine with mozzarella recipe
- Makes: four servings
- Prep: 20 minutes
- Cooks in: 30 minutes
Ingredients
- Two small aubergines, stalk trimmed, cut in half lengthwise
- One tbsp of olive oil
- Salt and pepper
- 100g cherry tomatoes, cut in quarters
- 10 basil leaves
- 150g mozzarella, cut into cubes
- 25g grated Parmesan
Method
Brush the flesh of the aubergine with olive oil, then season with salt and pepper.
With the crisper plate in the air-fryer drawer, place the aubergine cut side down on the crisper plate and insert the drawer into the unit.
Select “roast”, set the temperature to 190C, and set the time to 20 minutes; now press “start” to begin cooking. When cooking is complete, transfer the aubergines to a board and hollow out the flesh with a spoon.
Place the flesh in a large bowl along with the tomatoes, mozzarella, basil, and seasoning, and mix until well combined. Evenly fill the aubergines with the prepared mixture and top with parmesan cheese.
Place the stuffed aubergines on the crisper plate, filling side up, and insert the drawer into the unit. Select “air fry”, set the temperature to 200C and set the time to 12 minutes. Select “start” to begin cooking.
When cooking is complete, serve the stuffed aubergines with salad, pasta, or crusty bread.
My verdict
I don’t know why, but I was surprised by how noisy the Ninja Air Fryer Pro AF140UK is; perhaps I was expecting silence.
As I planned to make breaded cod to go alongside the side dish (more to try out different recipes than anything else), I realised I had forgotten the panko breadcrumbs needed for that part of the recipe.
Pressing “stop” while I popped to the local shop, I was disappointed on my return to find out that the unit doesn’t remember how long is left on the timer.
Thankfully, I did, but if you want to pause a dish like I did, it’s best to open the air-fryer drawer and not press stop.
As for the aubergines with mozzarella, they tasted delicious, but they are definitely best served – as recommended – with crusty bread. And for the Ninja Air Fryer Pro AF140UK, I’d say it’s stylish, easy to clean, and does the job well.
Alternative air fryers and Ninja air-fryer models can be purchased at Argos and Currys.
