I made the best pizza in my 'game-changing' air fryer - it takes just 8 minutes

As someone who is not blessed with incredible cooking skills, I'm always on the hunt for ways to improve. I manage to feed my family adequately, but I'm no Jamie Oliver when it comes to whipping up a gourmet meal in minutes.

In an effort to expand my cooking capabilities, I've invested in numerous gadgets over the years, some more successful than others. From slow cookers to air fryers and everything in between, I've always been a sucker for a new kitchen appliance.

So, when I noticed that Ninja had slashed the price of their , I couldn't resist. Far more versatile than the Instant Air Fryer I already own, the Speedi offers multiple cooking functions and a dual-layer cooking system, making it an absolute game-changer for cooks of all abilities.

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When my Ninja arrived, I eagerly unpacked it, brimming with optimism and recipe ideas. However, I quickly found myself staring at this behemoth machine on my kitchen counter, utterly daunted by all the options.

What exactly is the Ninja Speedi 10-in-1 Rapid Cooker?

The is a multi-cooker and air fryer all in one, albeit in a slightly bulky box. It combines the functions of many of the brand's other popular models, acting as a steamer, grill, air fryer, roaster, dehydrator, sauté pan and slow cooker.

But it also boasts a new feature that lets you cook a full meal in around 15 minutes. The real "game-changer" for Speedi owners is the ability to prepare an entire meal in less than half an hour when used correctly.

The Speedi Meals setting, combined with the smart dual-layer design, allows you to perfectly prepare "one-touch, one-pot meals in 15 minutes" using your choice of base, vegetables and protein. To make things even easier, the pan and crisping tray can be thrown into the dishwasher after use, eliminating the need for burnt oven trays and dirty saucepans.

Can you cook pizza in a Ninja Speedi?

I decided to test my new kitchen buddy with something straightforward, so I gathered some basics and set about making one of the finest foods in the universe, the humble pepperoni pizza.

With a generous it certainly seems big enough to cook a well-rounded meal with protein, carbs, veggies and all the other good stuff, but I was slightly worried about whether it would be large enough to fit a medium pizza.

After preparing my pizza base with tomato sauce and a generous amount of cheese, I found myself staring at the Speedi for quite some time. Unsure whether to adjust the temperature or cooking time, I turned to for advice.

After watching a few videos from more experienced cooks, I switched on the Speedi and was greeted by a friendly chime. Not wanting to venture too far into unfamiliar territory, I chose the air fryer mode for 10 minutes, intending to check on it halfway through.

With my pizza base snugly fitted into the cooking pot, it was time to close the lid and let the magic begin. As the display indicated that the Speedi was pre-heating, I nervously waited nearby, hoping this would work as it was my only dinner option.

Halfway through the cooking process, I cautiously lifted the lid to find the pizza base beginning to brown and the cheese starting to bubble. Pleased with my progress, I added some pepperoni and tossed in a few dough balls for good measure.

Top tip: Wait until the cheese starts to melt before adding toppings, as the powerful air-frying function can cause items like pepperoni to fly around. Fortunately, I learned this from a YouTube user before I started cooking.

After just eight minutes, my pizza and additional doughy treats were cooked to perfection. Served with a side salad, my ravenous 13-year-old son immediately dug in.

While my simple catering experiment was a success, I couldn't help but think that honestly, it would have taken the same time to cook in the oven. The air frying capability on the Ninja Speedi was perfectly brilliant, but it's designed to offer so much more.

With a cuppa in hand, I settled down on the sofa and spent hours on YouTube watching amateur cooks whip up an incredible range of mouth-watering meals. I also joined a page where I found pictures of entire roast chickens, a plethora of meat and pasta dishes, and even the occasional cake.

For my next culinary adventure, I'll be using the highly praised Speedi Meals setting to create something truly magical. With a meal builder feature on the Ninja App and a recipe booklet included in the box, I'm sure I'll become a master chef in no time.

For anyone else looking to try their hand at some Ninja Speedi cooking, as part of the . Amazon also offers a wide range of products at reduced prices.

If you would rather stick with a regular air fryer, John Lewis is offering the ahead of and Argos has the .