Which function when

The SmartSwitch splits the Combi in two. The Combi Cooker side uses steam (with water in the Combi pan). The Air Fry/HobAir Fry/Stovetop side cooks dry. Below: what each function is for, and what the recipes here use it for.

I want…

If you want	Use
A whole meal at once: rice or pasta, plus protein and vegetables	Combi Meals
Crisp outside, juicy inside: chicken, roast potatoes, pastry, crusty bread	Combi Crisp
Moist cakes, cheesecakes, soft enriched bread, gentle roasts	Combi Bake
Biscuits, cookies, gratins: anything that should stay dry	Bake
Fries, wings, quick snacks, roasted vegetables	Air Fry
Browning onions or meat before the main cook	Sear/Sauté
Melting cheese, blistering crackling, a final colour	GrillBroil
Dumplings, idli, buns, vegetables, potatoes	Steam
Rising dough	ProveProof
Plain rice or pasta with nothing on top	Rice/Pasta
Long braises (expect mixed results)	Slow Cook

Combi Cooker side

Combi Meals

Steam and hot air together for a whole meal: grains or pasta with their liquid in the Combi pan below, protein and vegetables on the tray above.

Dial range (India manual): 150–240°C300–465°F
Recipes use: 150–240°C300–465°F, 5–30 min on the dial
On: US 14-in-1, UK/EU 12-in-1, India 14-in-1
Indexed recipes: 34

Common for: Rice dishes, Chicken pieces, Dal & lentils, Pasta & noodle bakes

Examples: Basil pesto pasta · Chicken Fajitas with Rice & Beans · Chicken Satay with Coconut Jasmine Rice · BBQ Maultaschen mit Mischgemüse a. d. Ninja® Combi

Combi Crisp

A short burst of steam, then crisping heat. Juicy inside, browned outside: chicken, roast potatoes, pastry, crusty bread.

Dial range (India manual): 150–240°C300–465°F
Recipes use: 150–220°C300–430°F, 5–65 min on the dial
On: US 14-in-1, UK/EU 12-in-1, India 14-in-1
Indexed recipes: 24

Common for: Bread loaves, Pork cuts, Rolls, buns & biscuits, Chicken pieces

Examples: Gobhi Manchurian with dry gravy · Beef Roast with Root Vegetables & Red Wine Pan Sauce · Breakfast Sausage & Egg biscuit · Ninja Combi Turkey Breast

Combi Bake

A long steam phase (about 20 minutes) before baking. Moist cakes, cheesecakes, enriched breads and gentle roasts.

Dial range (India manual): 105–210°C220–410°F
Recipes use: 107–205°C225–400°F, 3–45 min on the dial
On: US 14-in-1, UK/EU 12-in-1, India 14-in-1
Indexed recipes: 17

Common for: Cakes & sweet bakes, Pasta & noodle bakes, Whole chicken & turkey, Beef cuts

Examples: Ladi pav · Apple Cake · Low Roasted Turkey · Ninja Combi whole chicken

Rice/Pasta

Automatic no-drain rice or pasta in the Combi pan; keeps warm when done.

On: US 14-in-1, UK/EU 12-in-1, India 14-in-1
Indexed recipes: 2

Common for: Pasta & noodle bakes

Examples: Mix Sauce Pasta

Steam

Steam only, no temperature to set. Dumplings, idli, vegetables, potatoes, buns.

On: US 14-in-1, UK/EU 12-in-1, India 14-in-1
Indexed recipes: 13

Common for: Steamed dumplings & cakes, Vegetables, Dal & lentils, Pork joints & roasts

Examples: Boiled Potato · Brokkoli a. d. Ninja® Combi · Dhokla · Idiyappam

ProveProof

Warm, humid air for rising dough, usually 35°C (95°F).

Dial range (India manual): 20–35°C70–95°F
Recipes use: 35°C95°F, 30–90 min on the dial
On: US 14-in-1, UK/EU 12-in-1, India 14-in-1
Indexed recipes: 14

Common for: Bread loaves, Rolls, buns & biscuits, Pizza & calzone, Steamed dumplings & cakes

Examples: Farmhouse pizza · Loaded Deep Dish Pizza · Cinnamon Raisin Bread Recipe · Ladi pav

Air Fry/HobAir Fry/Stovetop side

Sear/Sauté

The bottom element as a hob: brown meat, soften onions, reduce sauces. Door open, settings Lo1 to Hi5.

On: US 14-in-1, UK/EU 12-in-1, India 14-in-1
Indexed recipes: 31

Common for: Chicken pieces, Mince, meatballs & patties, Vegetables, Pasta & noodle bakes

Examples: Chettinad Chicken · Beef Roast with Root Vegetables & Red Wine Pan Sauce · One-Pot Baked Ziti Recipe · Ninja Combi Roast Chicken and Crispy Rice Casserole

Air Fry

Fast dry hot air with no steam: fries, wings, crisp vegetables, quick snacks.

Dial range (India manual): 150–240°C300–465°F
Recipes use: 160–205°C320–400°F, 3–35 min on the dial
On: US 14-in-1, UK/EU 12-in-1, India 14-in-1
Indexed recipes: 35

Common for: Vegetables, Eggs, Steamed dumplings & cakes, Toast & sandwiches

Examples: Aalo tacos · Crispy Parmesan Broccoli · Air Fryer Cornish Game Hens · Shoyu Mushrooms for Kale Salad

Bake

A plain oven without steam. Biscuits, bakes, gratins, anything that needs to stay dry.

Dial range (India manual): 120–210°C250–410°F
Recipes use: 150–200°C300–390°F, 5–90 min on the dial
On: US 14-in-1, UK/EU 12-in-1, India 14-in-1
Indexed recipes: 50

Common for: Pasta & noodle bakes, Cakes & sweet bakes, Pastry & pies, Pork joints & roasts

Examples: Aloo patties · Chicken & Leek Pie · Cheddar Jalapeño Biscuit Recipe · Ninja Combi Roast Chicken and Crispy Rice Casserole

GrillBroil

Strong top heat to brown and melt: cheese toppings, crackling, finishing touches.

Recipes use: 240°C465°F, 3–20 min on the dial
On: US 14-in-1, UK/EU 12-in-1, India 14-in-1
Indexed recipes: 7

Common for: Pork joints & roasts, Fruit, Pasta & noodle bakes, Pork cuts

Examples: Classic Mac & Cheese Bake · Mediterranes Ofengemüse m. Putengyros a.d. Ninja® Combi · Grilled Pineapple · Loaded Baked Potatoes

Pizza

Preset for fresh or frozen pizza on the bake tray.

Recipes use: 190°C375°F, 12 min on the dial
On: US 14-in-1, India 14-in-1
Indexed recipes: 2

Common for: Pizza & calzone

Examples: Farmhouse pizza · Loaded Deep Dish Pizza

Toast

Toast by number of slices and shade.

On: US 14-in-1, India 14-in-1
Indexed recipes: 1

Common for: Eggs

Examples: Nutella Stuffed French Toast

Slow Cook

Low or High for hours in the Combi pan. Reviews are mixed, so favour smaller cuts and check doneness.

On: US 14-in-1, UK/EU 12-in-1, India 14-in-1
Indexed recipes: 2

Common for: Mince, meatballs & patties, Pork joints & roasts

Examples: Slow Cooked Bolognese Sauce · Pulled Pork a. d. Ninja® Combi

Reheat

Gently rewarms leftovers with some crisping (UK and India models).

On: UK/EU 12-in-1, India 14-in-1
Indexed recipes: 0

Other

Sous Vide

Holds a low, precise temperature for hours (US 14-in-1 only).

On: US 14-in-1
Indexed recipes: 1

Examples: Homemade Yogurt ~ Ninja Combi Recipe

Good to know

Steam comes first. Combi Cooker functions show progress bars while they build steam, and the countdown starts after that: about 20 minutes on Combi Bake, a few minutes on Combi Meals and Combi Crisp. Sources: SFP701IN instruction booklet, The Salted Pepper, SharkNinja Singapore.
Want steam but not 20 minutes of it? Bakers use Combi Crisp instead of Combi Bake for short bakes (pretzel buns, egg biscuits).
Sear/Sauté runs with the door open and has no timer (settings Lo1 to Hi5). Booklet.
Biscuits and scones rise better on Bake than on Air Fry; the fan sets the tops too early (The Salted Pepper).
Slow Cook gets mixed reviews. CHOICE found it borderline and suggests smaller cuts (CHOICE).

Full ranges by food: cooking charts. Which model has which function: model differences.