my food isn't getting crispy, it's just steaming at the bottom. what am i doing wrong?

Diagnosis

Your food is steaming instead of crisping because moisture is pooling at the bottom of the air fryer basket. This is almost always caused by overcrowding the basket, using insufficient oil, or not using the included crisper plate correctly. The Ninja Crispi's system relies on hot air circulating *underneath* and around food to dry and crisp the surface; without that, you're essentially just baking food in its own steam.

How to Fix It

Follow this sequence for crispy results:

1. Always use the crisper plate. This is the perforated metal plate that sits inside the glass cooking pot. It is essential for elevating food and allowing air flow underneath. Never place food directly on the bottom of the pot.
2. Arrange food in a single, even layer. Avoid piling or overlapping ingredients like french fries or chicken wings. They must have space between them for the air to circulate. If needed, cook in batches.
3. Pat your food dry. Before cooking, thoroughly pat dry any moisture from thawed frozen foods or fresh vegetables like potatoes or zucchini with paper towels.
4. Use enough oil. For most vegetables and potatoes, toss with at least 1 tablespoon of oil (like olive or avocado oil) in a bowl before adding to the basket. The oil helps conduct heat and promotes browning.
5. Shake or toss halfway. Pause cooking halfway through the programmed time, pull out the basket, and shake it or turn the food with tongs. This ensures even exposure to the air flow.

If That Didn't Work

Check that you are not overloading the 4-quart capacity. For wetter items like marinated meats or very moist vegetables (mushrooms, broccoli), preheat the air fryer for 3-5 minutes before adding food. Also, verify you are selecting the correct "Air Fry" function and not a "Roast" or "Bake" setting, and try increasing the temperature by 25°F. For frozen foods, a light spritz of oil on top can enhance crispiness.

Heads Up

Do not use aerosol non-stick cooking sprays containing lecithin, as they can damage the non-stick coating on the crisper plate over time. Use a pump-style oil sprayer or simply toss food in oil in a bowl.