Ninja DZ201 Foodi Dual-Zone Air Fryer Review

Overview

The Ninja DZ201 Foodi Dual-Zone Air Fryer is a two-basket, 8-quart countertop cooker built to help you make two different foods at the same time. Each 4-quart zone has its own heating element, fan, temperature, and timer—something you don’t get with most single-basket models.

It includes six cooking functions (Air Fry, Air Broil, Roast, Bake, Reheat, and Dehydrate) with temperatures that run from low dehydrating settings up to 450°F. The standout is Ninja’s DualZone technology, with Match Cook and Smart Finish modes that let you copy settings across both baskets or have different foods finish together—even at different temps and times.

In day-to-day use, the DZ201 shines for fast, dry-heat cooking and reliably crispy results. It’s wide on the counter but not especially tall, and the straightforward digital controls keep the learning curve easy—even if you’re new to air frying.

Who it is for

This air fryer is a great match for households that regularly cook for three to five people and want to get a protein and a side done at the same time. Think chicken in one basket and vegetables or fries in the other—or two different proteins for picky eaters.

It also works well for meal preppers who like to cook in smaller batches and anyone who wants crispy, oven-like results without heating up the whole kitchen. If your oven is often busy, the DZ201 is a handy second “mini convection oven” for sides and snacks.

If you have very limited counter space or you usually cook large, flat items (like a full pizza), a toaster oven–style air fryer may be a better fit. The DZ201 is designed for flexibility across two baskets rather than one large cooking surface.

How it feels and performs

Design and controls

The DZ201 has a low, wide footprint that usually fits under upper cabinets, but it does take up noticeable counter space. The exterior is mostly matte plastic with stainless accents, and the two large front-pull basket handles feel sturdy and comfortable.

The center control panel has a bright digital display, dedicated buttons for each zone, and a single dial to adjust time and temperature. After one cook, the flow feels natural: pick a function, choose a zone, set time and temp, and start. Smart Finish and Match Cook are placed front and center, which makes it easy to use the dual-zone features instead of treating it like two separate machines.

Cooking performance and texture

For everyday cooking, the DZ201 delivers the crisp, browned texture most people want from an air fryer. Frozen fries typically come out crunchy on the outside and fluffy inside in about 18 to 20 minutes at 390°F, with a shake halfway through. Fresh chicken wings usually finish in about 22 to 25 minutes at 400°F with nicely blistered skin and juicy meat.

Boneless chicken breasts tend to stay moist at 375°F for about 15 to 18 minutes (depending on thickness), especially with a light coating of oil. Salmon fillets often cook in 9 to 12 minutes at 390°F with browned tops and tender centers. Vegetables like broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and carrots roast quickly between 380°F and 400°F, picking up caramelized edges without going soft.

Heating is generally even across each basket, so food browns consistently as long as you don’t overcrowd. Compared with a conventional oven, preheating is faster and the heat is more direct, which helps breaded foods and skin-on meats crisp with minimal oil. For the best results, leave space between pieces and shake or flip during longer cooks.

Dual-zone features in practice

The biggest reason to choose the DZ201 over a single-basket model is the ability to cook two foods independently. Each basket can run its own temperature and time, and Smart Finish can coordinate the timing so both baskets finish together. For example, you can cook bone-in chicken thighs in one basket for 24 minutes at 390°F and potato wedges in the other for 18 minutes at 400°F, and Smart Finish will time the start so they’re ready at the same time.

Match Cook is ideal when you want a bigger batch of the same food. Set one zone, press Match Cook, and it mirrors the settings in the second basket—handy for party-sized wings or fries without re-entering the same numbers. Because each zone has its own heater and fan, airflow stays strong compared with piling everything into one oversized basket.

Speed, noise, and heat

The DZ201 is rated around 1,700 watts, so it heats quickly. For many foods, it gets up to temperature in about 2 to 3 minutes—much faster than a full-size oven. Cook times are typically shorter than conventional baking and competitive with other strong air fryers.

Noise is similar to a microwave on high: a steady fan sound that’s noticeable but not disruptive. The sides and front get warm, and the back exhaust vents hot air, so leave a few inches of clearance from the wall and avoid pushing it tight into a corner.

Cleaning and build quality

The nonstick baskets and perforated crisper plates slide out easily and feel sturdy. They’re labeled dishwasher safe, and most residue comes off with a quick soak and a soft sponge. Handwashing usually helps nonstick coatings last longer, but an occasional dishwasher run after greasy cooks can be a practical time-saver.

The interior surfaces clean up well, though sugary sauces and marinades can bake onto the crisper plates at higher temperatures. Skip metal utensils and abrasive scrubbers to protect the coating. With normal care, the DZ201 tends to hold up well over time.

How to use for best results

Place the air fryer on a level, heat-resistant surface with airflow around the sides and back. Before your first real cook, run it empty at 400°F for 10 to 15 minutes to help reduce any new-appliance odor.

For crisp, even browning, pat foods dry, then toss with a small amount of oil and seasoning. Arrange items in a loose, mostly single layer with a little space between pieces. If you’re chasing maximum crispiness, preheat the basket for 2 to 3 minutes before adding food.

Use Smart Finish when you’re cooking a protein and a side. Set the longer-cooking item first, then program the second basket and press Smart Finish so the unit syncs the timing. For identical foods, use Match Cook to copy settings to the second zone.

As a starting point, these settings work well for many households:

• Frozen fries: 390°F for 18 to 22 minutes, shaking once or twice.
• Fresh chicken wings: 400°F for 22 to 25 minutes, flipping or shaking halfway.
• Boneless chicken breasts: 375°F for 14 to 18 minutes, depending on thickness.
• Salmon fillets: 390°F for 9 to 12 minutes.
• Mixed vegetables: 380°F for 12 to 16 minutes, tossing once.

Let the baskets cool before cleaning. For stuck-on residue, soak with warm, soapy water for about 10 minutes, then wipe clean with a soft sponge. Avoid aerosol cooking sprays with propellants, which can leave a sticky film on nonstick surfaces; use a refillable oil mister or toss food with oil in a bowl instead.

Pros and cons

Pros

• True dual-zone design with independent controls lets you cook two foods at once.
• Smart Finish and Match Cook make it easy to coordinate timing across baskets.
• Strong crisping performance for fries, wings, nuggets, and roasted vegetables with minimal oil.

Cons

• Wide footprint takes up more counter space than most single-basket air fryers.
• Basket shape limits very large or flat foods (like a full pizza).
• No viewing window, so you’ll need to pull the baskets out to check doneness.

See also

If you mainly care about juicy, crispy poultry, our guide to the best air fryer for chicken compares more options. If you want added toaster oven versatility, the Ninja SP300C Foodi 10-in-1 offers features the DZ201 doesn’t.

• Compare with a classic air fryer toaster oven in our Cuisinart TOA-70 air fryer toaster oven review.
• See how a larger, multi-rack design performs in our Emeril Lagasse French Door air fryer oven review.
• If you still love deep-fried texture, read our All-Clad electric deep fryer review for a different approach to crispy foods.

Frequently Asked Questions ▾

Is the Ninja DZ201 big enough for a family of four?

Yes. The two 4-quart baskets make it easy to cook a main and a side for four people. For larger groups (or very hungry teens), you may occasionally need to run a second round for items like fries or wings.

Can you cook the same food in both baskets at the same time?

Yes. Use Match Cook to copy the exact time, temperature, and function from one zone to the other. It’s the simplest way to make a bigger batch without reprogramming the second basket.

Do the baskets need to be preheated?

Preheating isn’t required for most foods, but a quick 2 to 3 minute preheat can improve browning and crispiness—especially for breaded items, wings, and frozen foods.

Are the Ninja DZ201 baskets dishwasher safe?

They’re labeled dishwasher safe, and many owners do use the dishwasher. For the longest life from the nonstick coating, gentle handwashing with a soft sponge is ideal, especially after sugary sauces or high-heat cooking.

Is it worth upgrading from a single-basket air fryer?

If you often cook a protein and a side (or two different foods) at once, the dual-zone setup is a real quality-of-life upgrade. If you mostly reheat leftovers or cook small snacks for one or two people, a single-basket model may already meet your needs.

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