The first time I pulled the Ninja DoubleStack XL 2-Basket Air Fryer out of the box, I’ll admit I wasn’t sure how often I’d actually use it. I already owned a standard single-basket air fryer and thought this might just be another bulky kitchen gadget. But after a few weeks of cooking family dinners, weekend snacks, and even experimenting with full meals inside this machine, I can confidently say it’s become one of my most-used appliances.
The stacked design is unlike anything I’ve seen before. It manages to fit double the cooking space into a much slimmer footprint. And with its ability to cook up to four foods at once, it feels like having two air fryers in one compact unit.
Here’s my full take on the Ninja DoubleStack XL 2-Basket Air Fryer (SL401) after hands-on use.
Key Features of Ninja DoubleStack XL 2 Basket Air Fryer
| Feature | Details |
| Model | Ninja DoubleStack XL 2-Basket Air Fryer (SL401) |
| Capacity | 10 Quarts (feeds up to 8 people, fits two 5 lb chickens) |
| Design | DoubleStack vertical design, 40% slimmer than traditional 2-basket air fryers |
| Functions | 6-in-1: Air Fry, Roast, Bake, Reheat, Dehydrate, Air Broil |
| Special Features | Smart Finish, Match Cook, Dual Zone cooking |
| Baskets | 2 independent baskets with 2 removable stacked racks each (cook 4 foods at once) |
| Dimensions | 11.25” D x 19.22” W x 15.14” H |
| Oven-Safe Temp Range | Up to 450°F |
| Care | Dishwasher-safe parts for easy cleaning |
| Color | Grey |
| Buy on Amazon | Buy on Amazon |
My Detailed Review Of Ninja DoubleStack XL 2 Basket Air Fryer
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Design & Build Quality
The first thing I noticed about the DoubleStack XL is how compact it actually is. Traditional 2-basket air fryers are wide and eat up half the counter, but Ninja’s vertical stacked design makes this one surprisingly slim for its capacity. It slides neatly under my kitchen cabinets, and I don’t have to shuffle appliances around every time I want to use it.
The build feels sturdy, and the grey finish blends in nicely with my stainless steel appliances. Both baskets slide smoothly in and out, and the handles stay cool even during long cooking sessions. The stacked racks inside each basket are a clever addition, basically doubling the cooking area without needing a bigger machine.
- SPACE SAVING DESIGN: Ninja’s stacked design lets you cook double the food in nearly half the space...
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Ease of Use
I was a little intimidated at first because of the dual-basket setup, but Ninja made the controls very straightforward. The digital interface is clear, with separate settings for each basket.
The Match Cook button has been my go-to when I want both baskets to run on the same time and temperature like when I’m making a large batch of fries or roasting two trays of veggies. On the other hand, the Smart Finish feature is pure magic. It lets me cook two completely different foods at different settings, but they both finish cooking at the same time. No more juggling oven timers or waiting around.
Within a couple of tries, I felt totally comfortable switching between modes, and my family now requests that I “double-basket” meals almost daily.
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Cooking Performance
This air fryer is a workhorse. With 10 quarts of capacity, I managed to cook two whole 5-pound chickens side by side, crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and done in under an hour. For a weeknight family dinner, that’s unbeatable.
What really impressed me was using the stacked racks. One night I air-fried salmon fillets on the bottom rack and roasted asparagus on the top rack of the same basket. Both came out evenly cooked, with the salmon tender and the asparagus crisp but not burnt. The airflow inside this machine really does surround food from all angles.
I’ve also baked brownies, roasted potatoes, reheated leftovers, and even dehydrated apple slices. Each function delivered consistent results, and the cooking was noticeably faster than using my full-sized oven.
- SPACE SAVING DESIGN: Ninja’s stacked design lets you cook double the food in nearly half the space...
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Cleaning & Maintenance
One of my biggest complaints with earlier air fryers has always been the cleanup. Grease and crumbs usually cling to the baskets and racks. With the Ninja DoubleStack XL, I was pleasantly surprised.
Both baskets and racks are dishwasher safe, and the nonstick coating really does its job. Most of the time, I just give them a quick rinse with warm soapy water and they’re spotless. Even after cooking greasy chicken wings, cleanup was minimal.
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Everyday Practicality
This isn’t one of those appliances that looks cool but ends up collecting dust. Because of its size and versatility, I find myself using it several times a week. It’s especially handy for:
- Family meals: Cooking proteins and sides at the same time.
- Entertaining: Making four different appetizers without firing up multiple ovens.
- Meal prep: Roasting vegetables while air-frying chicken for the week ahead.
- Reheating leftovers: Pizza and fried foods taste as if they were freshly made.
I also appreciate how much faster it is than my oven plus, it doesn’t heat up the entire kitchen in the process.
- SPACE SAVING DESIGN: Ninja’s stacked design lets you cook double the food in nearly half the space...
Pros √
- Compact design saves counter space despite large 10-qt capacity
- Cook up to 4 foods at once with stacked racks
- Smart Finish syncs two different foods to finish together
- Match Cook makes it easy to duplicate settings across baskets
- Crispy, even results with all foods tested
- Feeds up to 8 people; perfect for families or gatherings
- Dishwasher-safe baskets and racks for easy cleanup
Cons x
- Slightly heavier than a standard single-basket air fryer (not as easy to move around)
- Learning curve at first with multiple baskets and racks
- Stainless steel or black finish would have been a nicer premium option than just grey
My Final Thoughts:
After weeks of using the Ninja DoubleStack XL 2-Basket Air Fryer, I can confidently say it’s more than just a novelty. The design is smart, the cooking performance is reliable, and the ability to prepare multiple foods at once has made dinner prep so much easier.
If you’re cooking for a family or love entertaining, this air fryer is a game changer. I’d especially recommend it if you’ve ever felt limited by a single-basket air fryer you’ll never have to cook in batches again.
For me, it’s replaced my oven for at least half the meals I make during the week, and I don’t see myself going back. Ninja really nailed the balance of capacity, compactness, and convenience with this model.
If you’ve been on the fence about upgrading your air fryer, the Ninja DoubleStack XL SL401 is absolutely worth it.
