If you’ve previously been tempted to buy an air fryer, but were put off by the thought of a bulky appliance on your worktop, this might be the model to change your mind. For starters, the biggest part of the Ninja CRISPi 4-in-1 is a 3.8L glass container (there’s also a smaller 1.4L option included), and the heating element and control panel are built into the fryer’s lid to make it more streamlined.

Aside from the sleeker-looking design, the compact elements of the CRISPi can be disassembled easily, making it easier to store in a cupboard when it’s not being used.

Fundamentally, its core function remains the same as other air fryers: it’ll cook food quickly, evenly, and with less preparation than a conventional oven. A piece of fish can cook in less than ten minutes, while a whole chicken can be cooked in an hour – and all using less oil or fat than a conventional oven or deep fryer. Impressive, but entirely in keeping with similar devices on the market.

As its name suggests, though, the CRISPi comes into its own when frying. Its removable crisping shelf allows you to crisp food, achieving the texture of shallow-fried dishes without all the oil. For meat, potatoes or roasted vegetables, it’s a game-changer.

A nice touch is the Keep Warm function, which allows one dish to be left standing while you finish up another. Additionally, the Roast option means the small device can handle heftier cuts of meat, cooking them to a perfect finish.

For a compact fryer, this one punches above its weight. It feels like less of a commitment than other, bigger machines, but it might just be the one to convince you to switch to an air fryer for good.

★★★★★