Ninja FG551 Review: A Smart Indoor Grill for Juicy Steaks, Crispy Air Frying & Family Meals

The Ninja FG551 Foodi Smart XL Indoor Grill and Air Fryer is designed for buyers who want indoor grilling, air frying, roasting, baking, broiling, dehydrating, and crisping in one countertop appliance. Unlike a basic air fryer, this model focuses heavily on grill-style cooking with a 9″ × 12″ grill grate, 500°F cyclonic grilling technology, and a Foodi Smart Thermometer for protein doneness control.
This model is positioned as a smart indoor grill and air fryer combo. It can sear, sizzle, air crisp, roast, bake, broil, and dehydrate while using a splatter shield and smoke control system to reduce indoor grilling mess.
On Amazon, the Ninja FG551 has a 4.7 out of 5-star rating from 15,245 customer reviews, carries the Amazon’s Choice badge, has 4K+ bought in the past month, and ranks #2 in Electric Contact Grills at the time of writing.
Its main appeal is clear: it is not only for fries or frozen snacks. It is built for steaks, burgers, chicken, salmon, vegetables, wings, and air-fried foods, especially for users who want grill-style results without using an outdoor grill.
This review is based only on the product details and Amazon customer feedback provided. No unsupported testing claims, personal scoring, or extra assumptions are added.

The Ninja FG551 Foodi Smart XL Indoor Grill and Air Fryer is best for buyers who want a powerful indoor grill that also works as an air fryer and multi-cooker.
Its strongest features are the 6-in-1 cooking functions, Smart Cook System, Foodi Smart Thermometer, 500°F cyclonic grilling technology, XL family-sized capacity, 4-quart crisper basket, 4-quart cooking pot, splatter shield, and dishwasher-safe parts.
Amazon customer feedback is very strong in important areas. Buyers praise its performance, ease of use, cookability, taste, cooking performance, cooking speed, ease of cleaning, and value for money. Many customers specifically mention that meats come out juicy, food cooks quickly, and the appliance is easy to use.
The main caution is cleaning expectations. Feedback is mostly positive, but some customers mention that cleanup can take more effort depending on food type, grease, and how well the splatter shield or grill parts are cleaned after use.
Bottom Line: The Ninja FG551 is a strong fit for buyers who want indoor grilling, air frying, and smart doneness control in one appliance. It is especially useful for steaks, burgers, chicken, salmon, crispy foods, and family-style meals.

The Ninja FG551 Foodi Smart XL Grill gives a strong first impression because it looks more like a serious indoor grilling appliance than a small air fryer. The black and silver finish, wide grill body, front touch controls, and built-in thermometer give it a premium kitchen appliance feel.
The biggest difference from a regular air fryer is the grill-focused design. The included 9″ × 12″ grill grate is made for searing and grilling, while the 4-quart crisper basket supports air frying and crisping. The 4-quart cooking pot adds more flexibility for roasting, baking, broiling, and other functions.
The Smart Cook System is another major part of the first impression. Ninja says the Foodi Smart Thermometer uses 4 protein presets and 9 customizable doneness levels, helping users cook from rare to well done with less guesswork.
This model is also clearly built for users who want indoor grilling without relying on an outdoor grill. The listing highlights a smoke control system with a splatter shield, cool-air zone, and temperature-controlled grill grate.

The Ninja FG551 includes the main accessories needed for grilling, air frying, roasting, baking, broiling, and dehydrating:
→ 1760-watt Ninja Foodi Smart XL Grill
→ 9″ × 12″ grill grate
→ 4-quart cooking pot
→ 4-quart crisper basket
→ Foodi Smart Thermometer
→ Splatter shield
→ Cleaning brush
→ Chef-created 15-recipe book
The included Foodi Smart Thermometer is one of the most important accessories because it supports the Smart Cook System. The grill grate is important for searing and grill marks, while the crisper basket is used for air crisping and healthier fried-style foods.
The listing also says the cooking pot, crisper basket, and grill grate use a nonstick PTFE/PFOA-free ceramic coating, and the product includes dishwasher-safe parts for easier cleanup.

The Ninja FG551 Foodi Smart XL Indoor Grill and Air Fryer includes six cooking functions:
→ Grill
→ Air Crisp
→ Roast
→ Bake
→ Broil
→ Dehydrate
This makes the FG551 more flexible than a standard indoor grill or basic air fryer. The main purpose is not only to grill steaks or burgers, but also to air crisp fries and wings, roast meats and vegetables, bake smaller foods, broil, and dehydrate items like fruit slices.
This function set is one of the strongest reasons buyers choose the FG551. Instead of buying a separate indoor grill, air fryer, and small oven-style appliance, this model combines several cooking jobs into one countertop unit.

The Smart Cook System is one of the most important features of the Ninja FG551. The product listing says the included Foodi Smart Thermometer uses 4 smart protein settings and 9 customizable doneness levels.
This feature is designed to reduce guesswork when cooking proteins. Instead of only checking by time, users can use the thermometer to help reach doneness levels from rare to well done.
📷 Image Placement: Use Image FG551 (9) showing Foodi Smart Thermometer with steak.
For buyers who cook steak, chicken, burgers, pork chops, or other meats, this is a major advantage. Amazon customer feedback also supports this feature, with buyers mentioning steaks, chicken, pork chops, burgers, and salmon coming out well when used properly.
This should be understood as Ninja’s official feature claim and customer-supported feedback, not an independent Nestify Designs test.

The Ninja FG551 uses 500°F cyclonic grilling technology. According to the product listing, this technology uses cyclonic air to char-grill food evenly on the grill grate.
This is the key feature that separates the FG551 from normal air fryers. A regular air fryer mainly focuses on crisping food with hot air, while this model is also designed to give grill-style results and sear marks indoors.
The grill function is especially relevant for:
→ Steaks
→ Burgers
→ Chicken breasts
→ Chicken thighs
→ Salmon
→ Pork chops
→ Vegetables
Customer feedback strongly supports grilling performance. Many buyers mention that meats come out juicy, well-cooked, and flavorful.

The Ninja FG551 is marketed as an XL family-sized indoor grill. The product listing says the grill grate fits up to 6 steaks or 24 hot dogs.
This makes it more suitable for family meals than smaller indoor grills. It is also useful for users who want to cook mains and sides without relying on an outdoor grill.
The product image mentions 50% more food vs Ninja Foodi Grill, which should be treated as a Ninja comparison claim, not an independent test.
The listed capacity is 4 quarts, and the included accessories include a 4-quart cooking pot and 4-quart crisper basket.

The Ninja FG551 is not only an indoor grill. It also works as an air fryer through the Air Crisp function and included 4-quart crisper basket.
The product listing states that it can produce crispy fried-style textures with up to 75% less fat than traditional frying, tested against hand-cut, deep-fried French fries.
This is an official product claim. It should not be presented as a universal result for every food. The safest way to describe it is that the FG551 is designed to create crispy air-fried foods with less oil than traditional deep frying.
This feature is useful for:
→ French fries
→ Wings
→ Frozen snacks
→ Chicken strips
→ Vegetables
→ Crispy tofu
Amazon customer feedback also supports the air crisp function, with customers mentioning crispy foods, juicy meats, and good air frying results.

The extra cooking functions make the Ninja FG551 more useful for everyday meals. Buyers are not limited to grilling only.
The Roast function can help with meats and vegetables. The Bake function gives more flexibility for smaller baked foods. The Broil function supports high-heat finishing, and Dehydrate is useful for foods that need low, slow drying.
Customer feedback also mentions that users cook salmon, chicken, vegetables, burgers, steaks, and baked potatoes. This supports the FG551’s multi-cooking purpose.

The product listing says the Ninja FG551 uses a Smoke Control System with:
→ Splatter shield
→ Cool-air zone
→ Temperature-controlled grill grate
This system is designed to reduce smoke during indoor grilling. This is important because grilling indoors can create smoke, grease, and cooking smell if not managed properly.
Customer reviews show mostly positive cooking results, but top reviews also mention that greasy foods can still create smoke or cooking smell. So the accurate wording is that the FG551 is designed to reduce smoke, not completely remove all smoke in every cooking situation.
For best results, buyers should follow Ninja’s instructions and clean the splatter shield and grill parts regularly.

Performance feedback is very strong. Amazon data shows 754 customers mention performance, with 680 positive and 74 negative comments.
Customers say the Ninja FG551 performs very well, cooks foods properly, and works especially well for grilling and air frying. Many buyers describe it as an excellent appliance and say it saves time without sacrificing taste.
This is one of the strongest feedback categories for the FG551. The high number of performance mentions also gives this section more weight than smaller feedback categories.

Cookability feedback is also highly positive. Amazon data shows 270 customers mention cookability, with 263 positive and only 7 negative comments.
Customers mention that it grills burgers, chicken, lamb chops, and steaks well. Some buyers also mention baked potatoes, salmon, tofu, and vegetables.
This feedback supports the FG551 as a true cooking appliance, not just a reheating or frozen-snack machine. It is especially strong for buyers who want meat-focused cooking and indoor grilling.

Taste feedback is very positive. Amazon data shows 223 customers mention taste, with 213 positive and 10 negative comments.
Customers say food comes out juicy, crispy, tender, and well-cooked. Several buyers especially praise grilled meats, air-fried foods, and vegetables.
This is important because performance alone is not enough. A grill-air fryer combo needs to deliver food that tastes good, and the customer feedback strongly supports this area.

Cooking speed is another strong point. Amazon data shows 215 customers mention cooking speed, with 184 positive and 31 negative comments.
Customers mention fast cooking, quick preheating, and dinners being ready quickly. Some reviews mention meals being ready in around 10–15 minutes, but this should be treated as customer feedback, not a guaranteed result for every food.
Cooking speed depends on the food type, thickness, quantity, selected function, and doneness level. The safest conclusion is that most customers find the FG551 fast and time-saving.

Ease of use feedback is excellent. Amazon data shows 399 customers mention ease of use, with 381 positive and 18 negative comments.
Customers describe the FG551 as simple to use, convenient, and helpful for making dinners easier. Some buyers also say it makes cooking more enjoyable because the settings and prompts are easy to follow.
Because this appliance has several functions, buyers should still read the instructions. But customer feedback shows that most people find it easy to operate after setup.

Cleaning feedback is mostly positive, but it needs balanced wording. Amazon data shows 448 customers mention ease of cleaning, with 370 positive and 78 negative comments.
Many customers say it is easy to clean, especially because parts are dishwasher safe and the included cleaning brush helps. The product listing also states that the cooking pot, crisper basket, and grill grate are dishwasher safe.
However, some customers mention that cleaning can take more effort when cooking greasy foods or when the splatter shield gets dirty. This is normal for an indoor grill, but it should be mentioned honestly.

Value feedback is also positive. Amazon data shows 184 customers mention value for money, with 154 positive and 30 negative comments.
Customers describe the FG551 as worth the money, especially because it combines grilling, air frying, roasting, baking, broiling, and dehydrating in one appliance.
The value depends on how the buyer plans to use it. For someone who mainly wants basic fries, a simpler air fryer may be enough. But for buyers who want indoor grilling plus air frying, the FG551 offers stronger functional value.

The Ninja FG551 Foodi Smart XL Indoor Grill and Air Fryer has strong customer support across almost every major buying category.
Its strongest feedback areas are:
→ Performance
→ Ease of use
→ Cookability
→ Taste
→ Cooking performance
→ Cooking speed
→ Value for money
→ Ease of cleaning
The most important watch point is cleaning. Most customers still find it easy to clean, but compared with ease of use, taste, and cookability, cleaning has a higher number of negative mentions. This makes sense because indoor grilling can create grease, splatter, and cooking residue depending on the food.

Yes, the Ninja FG551 Foodi Smart XL Indoor Grill and Air Fryer is a strong choice for buyers who want indoor grilling, air frying, and smart meat doneness control in one appliance.

Its strongest features are clear:

→ 6-in-1 cooking functions
→ Grill, Air Crisp, Roast, Bake, Broil, and Dehydrate
→ Foodi Smart Thermometer
→ Smart Cook System
→ 4 smart protein settings
→ 9 customizable doneness levels
→ 500°F cyclonic grilling technology
→ 9″ × 12″ grill grate
→ 4-quart crisper basket
→ 4-quart cooking pot
→ Splatter shield and smoke control system
→ Dishwasher-safe parts
→ PTFE/PFOA-free ceramic-coated included cooking parts
→ Amazon’s Choice badge
→ 4K+ bought in the past month at the time of writing
→ 4.7-star Amazon rating from 15,245 reviews at the time of writing

Customer feedback supports the product strongly. Amazon data shows very positive feedback for performance, ease of use, cookability, taste, cooking performance, cooking speed, and value for money.

The main caution is cleanup. Most customers still find it easy to clean, but the negative cleaning mentions are higher than categories like ease of use, taste, and cookability. This makes sense because the FG551 is a grill-focused appliance, and greasy foods can create more residue than simple air frying.

What cooking functions does the Ninja FG551 have?

The Ninja FG551 has six cooking functions:
→ Grill
→ Air Crisp
→ Roast
→ Bake
→ Broil
→ Dehydrate

Does the Ninja FG551 include a thermometer?

Yes. The Ninja FG551 includes a Foodi Smart Thermometer that works with the Smart Cook System.

What does the Foodi Smart Thermometer do?

According to Ninja, the Foodi Smart Thermometer uses 4 protein presets and 9 customizable doneness levels to help cook proteins from rare to well done.

Is the Ninja FG551 good for steaks?

Yes. The product is designed for indoor grilling, and customer feedback strongly mentions steaks, burgers, chicken, pork chops, and other meats cooking well.

What is the maximum temperature of the Ninja FG551?

The Ninja FG551 has a maximum temperature setting of 500°F.

Is the Ninja FG551 easy to clean?

Mostly yes. Amazon data shows 448 customers mention ease of cleaning, with 370 positive and 78 negative comments. The product also includes dishwasher-safe parts and a cleaning brush.

Does the Ninja FG551 reduce smoke?

The product includes a smoke control system with a splatter shield, cool-air zone, and temperature-controlled grill grate. However, greasy foods can still create smoke or cooking smell, so it should not be described as completely smoke-free in every situation.

What comes in the box?

The included components are:
→ Ninja Foodi Smart XL Grill
→ 9″ × 12″ grill grate
→ 4-quart cooking pot
→ 4-quart crisper basket
→ Foodi Smart Thermometer
→ Splatter shield
→ Cleaning brush
→ Chef-created 15-recipe book

Is the Ninja FG551 better than a regular air fryer?

It depends on the buyer’s needs. The FG551 is better for users who want indoor grilling plus air frying. A regular air fryer may be better for buyers who only want a smaller appliance for fries, snacks, and reheating.

The Ninja FG551 Foodi Smart XL Indoor Grill and Air Fryer is a strong option for buyers who want more than a basic air fryer. Its biggest advantage is that it combines indoor grilling, air crisping, roasting, baking, broiling, and dehydrating in one countertop system.

The Foodi Smart Thermometer, Smart Cook System, and 500°F cyclonic grilling technology make it especially useful for meat-focused cooking. Buyers who regularly cook steaks, burgers, chicken, salmon, pork chops, vegetables, wings, or crispy air-fried foods will get the most value from this model.

Amazon customer feedback is strongly positive, especially for performance, ease of use, cookability, taste, cooking performance, speed, and value. The product also has a large review base with 15,245 reviews at the time of writing, which gives its customer feedback more weight than products with smaller review pools.

It is not perfect for everyone. Buyers with very limited counter space, or those who only need a simple air fryer, may prefer a smaller model. Cleanup can also require more attention after greasy grilling.

Overall, the Ninja FG551 is best for home cooks who want indoor grill flavor, air fryer convenience, and smart thermometer support in one appliance.