My Top 5 Ninja Kitchen Items I Actually Use (and Love)

Ok let’s be honest… I love cooking, but I am NOT one of those neat little “clean as you go” people. If I’m making dinner, my kitchen looks like I hosted a cooking show and lost control halfway through.

So for me, kitchen appliances have to be simple, fast, and actually worth the space they take up — because I’m not trying to deal with complicated buttons, 12 parts, or anything that’s a pain to clean.

That’s why I’m obsessed with Ninja products. They’re the kind of kitchen tools that make cooking easier (even for messy people like me), and they seriously save me time whether I’m making a quick weeknight meal, prepping for a wine night, or throwing together something fun for friends.

These are my top 5 Ninja kitchen items I truly use all the time — and if I had to start over, I’d buy every one of them again in a heartbeat.

Quick note before we get into it…

Some of the links in this post are Amazon affiliate links, which means if you click and purchase, I may earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). It helps support my blog and lets me keep sharing my favorite finds — so thank you so much for being here 💛

Ok… let’s get into my top 5 Ninja favorites 👇

1. Ninja Foodi Smart XL 6-in-1 Indoor Grill

If I could only keep ONE Ninja product, it would honestly be this one.

I use my Ninja Foodi Smart XL indoor grill at least once or twice a week — and it has completely changed the way I cook at home. First of all, it heats up fast (about 10 minutes), which is huge when you don’t feel like standing around forever waiting for the oven.

But my favorite part? The smart thermometer.

You literally plug it in, choose your cook level, and it tells you exactly when to flip… and when it’s done. No guessing, no cutting into your steak “just to check,” and no overcooking.

And the grill marks?? So good. It gives you that real grilled look and flavor without even going outside.

And it’s not just a grill…

This thing does a lot. It grills, air fries, roasts, bakes, broils, dehydrates — basically, it’s like having a mini restaurant kitchen on your counter.

And the air fryer on this is SO good. We made sweet potato fries in it that were honestly the best I’ve ever had — crispy, golden, and not soggy at all.

A few real-life tips from someone who uses this all the time:

• This thing gets WAY hotter than you think. Like… shockingly hot.

• I usually set the cooking temperature about 10 degrees lower than the “official” temp.(Example: if medium rare steak is 140°, I set it for 130°.)

• Use canola spray (it works best for grilling).

• When you’re done cooking, take the meat out right away and let it rest — that’s how you keep the juices intact.

• For cleanup: let the grill plate soak for a bit before scrubbing. Don’t rush it.

• It comes with a little groove-cleaning tool… but I lost mine many moons ago (and it still cleans fine).

I’ll be honest — when you use the baking function, you may want to keep an eye on it because it cooks faster than a regular oven (ask me how I know… RIP tomatoes 😭😂). But once you get the timing down, it’s amazing.

If you love steak, chicken, burgers, or anything grilled… this is 100% worth it.

Ninja DG551 Foodi Smart XL 6-in-1 Indoor Grill with Air Fry, Roast, Bake, Broil, & Dehydrate, Foodi Smart Thermometer, 2nd Generation, Black/Silver

👉 Shop the Ninja Foodi Smart XL Indoor Grill here  https://amzn.to/4bFBFes

2. Ninja Foodi Knife Set

How I went 54 years without a good set of knives is honestly beyond me.

I was once talked into buying a Cutco paring knife years ago, and I always liked it… but for some reason, I never fully committed to spending the money on a real knife set.

Well… my life has officially changed since buying this Ninja NeverDull set.

These knives are SHARP SHARP — like the kind of sharp that makes cooking feel easier, faster, and way less frustrating

. Cutting vegetables, slicing meat, even prepping for a charcuterie board… everything is smoother.

And if you’ve ever tried cutting a spaghetti squash with a dull knife (and felt like you needed a gym membership afterward 😅)… you know exactly what I mean.

The best part?

It comes with a built-in sharpener right in the knife block, so when a knife starts feeling a little dull, you just slide it through and in a few seconds it’s sharp again.

No fancy tools, no sending knives out, no messing around.

This is one of those purchases where you don’t realize how much you needed it until you have it… and now I’ll never go back.

Why I love this knife set:

• Sharp enough to actually make cooking enjoyable

• Comes with a built-in sharpener (so they stay sharp!)

• Makes prepping veggies, meat, and fruit so much faster

• Perfect for hosting (charcuterie boards, slicing cheese, etc.)

• Looks sleek on the counter and doesn’t feel cheap

Ninja Knife Set, Knife Sharpener, Knife Block Set, Stainless Steel Knives, 14 Piece Set, Steak Knives, Chef Knives and More, Foodi NeverDull, Black, K32014​

👉 Shop the Ninja NeverDull Knife Set here https://amzn.to/4kmQRPJ

3. Ninja CREAMi Ice Cream Maker

If you asked my daughter, this would honestly be #1 on the list.

In her words… “it’s amazing.”  And she’s not wrong.

The Ninja CREAMi makes the most delicious, smooth, creamy ice cream, gelato, smoothie bowls, and milkshakes — and the texture comes out shockingly good. Like… better than you’d expect from something sitting on your counter.

Why we love it:

It’s perfect for a quick snack or sweet treat without feeling like you’re eating junk. You can make it as healthy (or as indulgent) as you want.

Her go-to favorite is using Clean Simple Eats protein powder with any kind of milk, then adding mix-ins like:

• fruit

• chocolate

• cookies

• muffins…and honestly anything else you can think of.

  
  

The possibilities are endless, and it’s one of those appliances that actually gets used — not just shoved in a cabinet. If you have kids, love smoothie bowls, or want healthier desserts at home, this one is a total win.

Ninja NC301 CREAMi Ice Cream Maker, for Gelato, Mix-ins, Milkshakes, Sorbet, Smoothie Bowls & More, 7 One-Touch Programs, with (2) Pint Containers & Lids, Compact Size, Perfect for Kids, Silver

👉 Shop the Ninja CREAMi here https://amzn.to/4bGi9hQ

4. Ninja Ceramic Cookware Set

Ok… I’m going to be honest. I never thought I’d be the kind of person who gets excited about pots and pans.

But this Ninja ceramic cookware set? I LOVE it.

First of all, it’s the prettiest navy blue color (which matters because if it’s going to sit on my stove, it better be cute). And second… it actually WORKS.

This set is nonstick, but like… real nonstick. The kind where eggs slide out, sauces don’t turn into glue, and you’re not standing at the sink scrubbing like you just cooked for 30 people.

And as someone who is a messy cooker (hi, it’s me 🙋🏼‍♀️)… this set is basically a lifesaver.

Why it’s worth it...

• It’s PTFE free, which I love.

• The handles are super comfortable (not awkward and slippery).

• It can go in the oven.

• It’s dishwasher safe (because I’m not trying to hand wash everything like I’m in a cooking competition).

• And it just makes cooking feel easier and smoother.

  
  

I’ve used these for everything — pasta, sauces, veggies, chicken, even those “I have no plan” dinners — and they hold up beautifully.

Honestly, if you’re tired of cheap pans that scratch, stick, or make everything burn, this set is such a good upgrade.

Quick tip from me

Don’t crank your heat to high like a maniac — medium heat works best, and it keeps the ceramic coating looking brand new.

Ninja Ceramic Cookware Set, Extended Life 11-Piece Kitchen Cookware Sets with Comfort Grip, Nonstick Fry Pans, Pots, PTFE Free, Oven & Dishwasher Safe, Stovetop Compatible, Navy Blue, CW49011

👉 Shop the Ninja CREAMi here https://amzn.to/4qFqkyZ

5. Ninja Hand Mixer + Immersion Blender Combo

Let me just start by saying: why did it take me this long to get a good hand mixer/immersion blender combo???

Honestly, I’ve had everything from cheap mixers that sputter like they’re alive… to wimpy blenders that are basically glorified stirring sticks.

But this Ninja Power Mixer System? It’s the real deal.

Why I love it...

This thing is like the Swiss Army knife of small appliances — it’s a hand mixer, an immersion blender, and it comes with:

• whisk

• beaters

• a 3-cup blending vessel

So whether you’re whipping up pancake batter, blending a smoothie bowl, or pureeing soup right in the pot, it does it all and does it well.

Real life wins

• The 750 peak watts means it doesn’t stall when things get thick.

• The immersion blender is PERFECT for soups, sauces, and blending right in your pot — no dirtying a big blender.

• The whisk and beaters actually whip like they’re supposed to (no more arm workout that doesn’t work).

• The blending vessel is great for smoothies, dips, pancake batter, and even dressings.

  
  

All that in one tool means:✔ fewer gadgets✔ fewer dishes✔ more time eating✔ less time cleaning

Which, let’s be real… is the dream. 💛 If you want an all-around kitchen hand tool that actually gets used — not just shoved in a drawer — this is it.

Ninja Hand Mixer, Immersion Blender, Foodi Power Mixer System, 750-Peak-Watt Handheld Emulsion Blender & Electric Hand Mixer Combo With Whisk, Beaters & 3-Cup Blending Vessel,120 volts, Black CI101

👉 Shop the Ninja Hand Mixer + Immersion Blender Combo here https://amzn.to/4aej4nd

Final Thoughts

If you’re thinking about investing in Ninja products, these are the ones I personally use the most and would absolutely buy again. They’ve made cooking easier, faster, and honestly a lot more fun — even for someone like me who can make a mess out of a “simple dinner”.

If you’re just starting out, I’d say start with the Ninja Foodi Smart Grill or the NeverDull knife set — both are total game changers.

Thanks for being here, and if you end up grabbing any of these, I’d love to hear what you think! 💛

Now excuse me while I go pour a glass of wine…