In a world where convenience, speed, and healthier cooking matter more than ever, the kitchen appliance you choose can make a big difference. The Ninja DZ201 Dual Basket Air Fryer promises a transformation of your cooking experience — allowing you to cook two dishes at once, with less oil, and without sacrificing taste or texture. In this review, we’ll dive deep into what sets this air fryer apart, how it performs in real-world cooking, and whether it’s worth your investment.
Main Difference:
What Sets Ninja DZ201 Apart from Traditional Air Fryers
The primary advantage of the Ninja DZ201 is its “DualZone” design — two independent baskets (two cooking zones) that let you cook two different foods simultaneously, with separate settings. This dual-basket setup offers much greater flexibility than standard single-basket air fryers: you can roast chicken in one basket while air-frying fries in another; or bake vegetables and reheat leftovers at the same time. The dual-basket design, combined with features like “Smart Finish” and “Match Cook,” makes the Ninja DZ201 a standout for anyone cooking full meals rather than single dishes.
Overview of Core Features
- Dual Independent Baskets: Two 4-quart baskets combine for 8-quart total capacity, able to cook mains and sides or two different dishes at once.
- Multiple Cooking Functions: Offers 6-in-1 functionality: Air Fry, Air Broil, Roast, Bake, Reheat, and Dehydrate.
- Smart Finish & Match Cook: Smart Finish times dishes so both baskets finish together even when cooking different foods. Match Cook copies the same settings across both baskets.
- Large Capacity for Families: With 8-quart capacity — good for family meals or larger batches (e.g. up to ~4 lbs of fries or wings).
- Healthier Cooking: Uses hot air circulation instead of deep frying — promising up to 75% less fat compared to traditional frying.
- Good Build Quality: Stainless steel with nonstick baskets and crisper trays. Baskets are described as sturdy and generally do not warp or peel after many uses.
- Easy to Use: Digital controls, manual mode for custom recipes, and presets for common cooking tasks.
- Easy Cleaning: Baskets and trays are dishwasher-safe (though some users recommend gentle hand-washing to protect finish)
Performance & Cooking Results
In practical kitchen tests, the Ninja DZ201 has shown strong performance across a range of dishes. Homemade fries, chicken wings, roasted vegetables, fish, and even baked goods all came out well — crispy on the outside, tender and cooked through inside.
For example:
- Chicken wings: crispy skin and juicy meat, often done in under 25 minutes.
- Vegetables and protein (like salmon + broccoli): both can finish together without flavor mixing.
- Frozen snacks: heat up evenly without needing frequent shaking.
- Baked items: muffins and cookies risen and baked well when using mild temperature settings.
Usability & Convenience
The DZ201 is quite user-friendly. Setup is simple: wash baskets, plug in, and you’re ready. The controls are intuitive, and even first-time air fryer users can quickly get comfortable using presets or manual time/temp settings. :contentReference[oaicite:14]{index=14}
Cleaning is relatively easy thanks to nonstick baskets and crisper trays that are labeled dishwasher-safe — though some users report that repeated dishwasher cycles may affect the finish of chrome handles or nonstick coating, so hand washing may extend longevity.
Limitations & Downsides
- Size & Bulkiness: It is significantly larger and heavier than typical single-basket air fryers. Measurements are roughly 13.9 × 15.6 × 12.4 inches, and it weighs around 18–19.8 lbs. This can be an issue for smaller kitchens or those with limited counter space.
- Power Consumption & Possible Limits: The unit draws up to 1690 W. If only one basket is used, power draw drops, but high power requirement may matter depending on your local wiring setup.
- Learning Curve for Dual Cooking: While the dual baskets are powerful, mastering optimal time/temperature settings for two very different dishes may need a bit of trial and error.
- Not Ideal for Very Large Meals: For households cooking for many people (5-6+), 8-quart capacity might still be limiting.
- Not Perfect for Liquid-Heavy Dishes: As with most air fryers, cooking dishes with a lot of liquid (soups, stews) is not recommended.
- No Shake Reminder: For things like fries, the fryer doesn’t remind you to shake or stir contents — which can lead to uneven crisping if you forget.
Who Is It Best For?
The Ninja DZ201 is particularly well-suited for:
- Families of 3–5 people who want to cook mains and sides together.
- Home cooks who value convenience and want to minimize time spent juggling multiple dishes or separate cooking sessions.
- Those aiming for healthier meals, wanting crispy/fried-type textures with less oil.
- People who want versatility — roasting, baking, reheating, and dehydrating, beyond just frying.
- Anyone wanting to streamline meal prep or batch-cook for the week, without needing multiple appliances.
Who Might Want to Look Elsewhere?
If you have a very small kitchen with limited counter space, or if you typically cook for a single person or couple — a compact single-basket air fryer may be easier to store. Similarly, if you often cook very large meals (for 6+ people at once) or dishes with sauces/liquids, a conventional oven or larger kitchen appliance might serve you better. For maximum portability or minimalist kitchens, the DZ201 might feel bulky.
Comparison Table: Ninja DZ201 vs Typical Single-Basket Air Fryer
| Feature / Factor | Ninja DZ201 Dual Basket | Typical Single-Basket Air Fryer |
|---|---|---|
| Cooking Zones | 2 independent baskets (DualZone) | 1 basket only |
| Simultaneous Cooking (Different Foods) | Yes — with separate settings | No — must cook one dish at a time |
| Total Capacity | ~8 quarts (two 4-qt baskets) | Varies — often 3–6 quarts |
| Cooking Functions | Air Fry, Air Broil, Roast, Bake, Reheat, Dehydrate (6-in-1) | Depends on model — many offer similar modes but limited capacity |
| Meal Flexibility (e.g. Main + Side) | High — can cook mains and sides together | Limited — must cook sequentially or in batches |
| Oil / Fat Reduction vs Deep Frying | Up to 75% less oil needed | Comparable (since both use air fry tech) |
| Footprint / Counter Space Required | Large — heavier and bulkier | Smaller — better for compact kitchens |
| Good For Families / Multiple Dishes | Yes | Less ideal — small capacity |
- The First Air Fryer With 2 Independent Baskets That Lets You Cook 2 Foods, 2 Ways, At The...
- Dualzone Technology Features Smart Finish Feature For Cooking 2 Foods 2 Ways That Finish...
- 6 Customizable Programs- Air Fry, Air Broil, Roast, Bake, Reheat, And Dehydrate
- Xl 8-Quart Air Fryer Capacity Lets You Fit Mains And Sides At The Same Time For Making...
Final Verdict: Is Ninja DZ201 Worth It?
If you’re someone who cooks regularly for family or multiple people, enjoys preparing full meals (mains + sides), or values convenience and versatility, the Ninja DZ201 Dual Basket Air Fryer is likely worth the investment. Its flexibility, dual-zone design, and 6-in-1 cooking modes make meal prep faster and more efficient, without sacrificing quality or taste.
However, if you live alone, have a very small kitchen, or typically cook small portions, the larger footprint and higher price may not be justified — in that case, a compact, single-basket air fryer might suit your needs better. Similarly, for dishes requiring a lot of liquid (like soups or stews), an oven or stove might remain more appropriate. But for everyday frying, roasting, baking, reheating and more — especially multiple dishes at once — the Ninja DZ201 shines.
In short: the Ninja DZ201 is not just another air fryer — it is a multitasking kitchen companion that can significantly streamline cooking for busy households, making it an excellent choice for anyone looking to upgrade from a basic air fryer or conventional oven.
- The First Air Fryer With 2 Independent Baskets That Lets You Cook 2 Foods, 2 Ways, At The...
- Dualzone Technology Features Smart Finish Feature For Cooking 2 Foods 2 Ways That Finish...
- 6 Customizable Programs- Air Fry, Air Broil, Roast, Bake, Reheat, And Dehydrate
- Xl 8-Quart Air Fryer Capacity Lets You Fit Mains And Sides At The Same Time For Making...
