Ninja Sizzle Pro XL Review: Can It Feed a Big Family All at Once?

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Let me tell you a secret about our house: I don't cook. Ryan does all the cooking. (Yes, the same husband who snores. He has many talents.)

And cooking for as many kids as we have is no joke, especially at night. Pancakes, burgers, bacon, or anything in between: by the time one batch is done, the first kid is asking for seconds and the last kid hasn't even gotten firsts.

That's why the Ninja Sizzle Pro XL has earned a permanent spot in our kitchen.

Ninja Sizzle Pro XL Review: Feeding a Big Family in One Batch

The Sizzle Pro XL is an indoor griddle and grill with a huge 20-inch cooking surface. Ninja says it can feed 8 to 10 people at once, and for a family our size, that's the whole point.

With it, Ryan can cook as many burgers, pancakes, or whatever the kids want, all with ease. No more cooking in shifts while everyone hovers around the stove asking "is it ready yet?"

Pancakes, Burgers, Bacon and Everything In Between

It comes with two plates you can swap out:

• The flat griddle plate for pancakes, eggs, bacon, grilled cheese and smash burgers
• The grill plate for burgers, chicken and veggies with grill marks, no backyard required

You set the exact temperature, up to 500°F, and Ninja's ProTemp IQ is designed to heat evenly all the way to the edges. Testers at TechGearLab, who reviewed the Ninja Sizzle, found it heated very consistently from the center to the corners. That matters when you're cooking a whole tray of pancakes and every kid wants theirs perfectly golden.

Fast Nonstick Cleanup (and No Overflowing Dishwasher)

This might be my favorite part, and I don't even cook. The nonstick plates come right out and clean up really fast. Instead of a sink full of pans and a dishwasher packed with skillets after every big meal, there's basically one plate to wipe down.

In a house with six kids, dishwasher space is prime real estate. Anything that keeps a stack of pans out of it is a win.

The Real Downsides

• It's big. The XL is about 21 inches long and weighs around 23 pounds, so you need counter or cabinet space for it. Reviewers also call it bulky to store with the lid and extra plate.
• It can smoke a little. TechGearLab saw some smoke come through the lid when charring meat at high heat, though not enough to set off a smoke alarm.
• Plan on hand-washing the plates. They're quick to clean, but reviewers wash them by hand instead of in the dishwasher.
• It needs a few minutes to preheat. Give it about five minutes before the food goes on.
• Watch the grease on bacon nights. Testers found the grease channel can fill up with a big batch of bacon or sausage, so keep an eye on it.

Fair Warning

• Once the kids know it can make everyone's pancakes at once, "breakfast for dinner" requests will go way up.
• Your husband may start calling himself a short-order cook. Let him.
• Nobody will want to go back to waiting for their turn at the stove.
• The smell of bacon will bring every single child into the kitchen. Every. Single. One.

If you have a husband who does all the cooking and snores all night, you might also like my Hatch Restore 3 review. It's how I sleep through the snoring.

Is the Ninja Sizzle Pro XL a Good Gift?

Yes, especially for the family cook. It's a great holiday gift for a big family, a dad who loves to grill or anyone tired of cooking in batches. Bonus: it's perfect for big holiday breakfasts when the whole family is home. The Ninja Sizzle Pro XL is the kind of gift the whole house gets to enjoy.

The Verdict: Is the Ninja Sizzle Pro XL Worth It for Busy Families?

For us, absolutely. It takes one of the hardest parts of our night, cooking for a whole crew of kids, and makes it easy. Ryan can make pancakes, burgers, bacon or whatever the kids are asking for all at once, and cleanup is quick without a mountain of dishes. It's big and you'll want to hand-wash the plates, but if you're feeding a large family, the Sizzle Pro XL is a game changer.

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Quick Answers for Busy Moms

How many people does the Ninja Sizzle Pro XL feed?
Ninja says it feeds 8 to 10 people, thanks to its 20-inch griddle and grill plates.

Can you make pancakes and burgers on the Ninja Sizzle Pro XL?
Yes. Use the flat griddle plate for pancakes, eggs and bacon, and the grill plate for burgers and chicken with grill marks.

Are the Ninja Sizzle Pro XL plates nonstick?
Yes. Ninja says the plates are nonstick and PFAS-free, and they lift out for quick cleaning. Reviewers hand-wash them.

Does the Ninja Sizzle Pro XL smoke?
It can smoke a little at very high heat, especially when charring meat, but reviewers say it's usually not enough to set off a smoke alarm.

How hot does the Ninja Sizzle Pro XL get?
Ninja lists an adjustable temperature range up to 500°F.

About Krystiana: I'm a mom of six sharing the things that actually make busy-mom life a little easier. If it survives my house, it makes my Favorites list.