By the Cottage Coach
Outdoor cooking has come a long way from burgers and foil-wrapped potatoes. With the right gear, you can pull off dishes that rival your indoor kitchen (and sometimes blow it out of the water).
That’s where Ninja comes in. Their performance-driven lineup of outdoor appliances makes it easy to master everything from wood-fired pizzas to low-and-slow brisket, all without the mess, the smoke alarms, or the crowded stovetop.
I’ve grilled, griddled, smoked, and blended with just about everything. But these five summer dishes? You can’t pull them off without Ninja’s outdoor cooking gear. Here’s what I make, what I use, and why it’s better outside with Ninja.
Neapolitan-style pizza in under 5 minutes with the Ninja Artisan™ Outdoor Oven
Forget the kitchen oven. If you want blistered crusts, bubbling cheese, and that irresistible wood-fired flavour, you need high heat. That’s where the Ninja Artisan™ Outdoor Oven shines. I use it to crank out thin-crust pies with crispy bottoms and perfectly chewy edges in just minutes.
What makes it magic? Temperature control and even heat distribution. Toss in some wood pellets for a touch of smoke, and you’ve got a pizza that tastes like it came straight out of Naples. My go-to? A simple sauce made from crushed San Marzano tomatoes, a few fresh toppings, and a blazing-hot preheat to 700°F.
Coach’s tip: Less is more. Let that high heat do the heavy lifting. Your crust will thank you.
Brisket that’ll fool the BBQ snobs with the Ninja Woodfire Pro Connect™ XL Outdoor Grill & Smoker
Brisket at the cottage? Yep. I pulled off a full, slow-cooked brisket outdoors with my Ninja Woodfire Pro Connect™ XL, and I’m not exaggerating when I say it blew people’s minds. Wrapped, rested, and carved dockside, it was juicy, tender, and packed with smoky flavour. Folks were asking what BBQ joint I brought it from, and they didn’t believe me when I said it came off a Ninja.
The key is steady heat and precise smoke control, which this gear delivers in spades. After the cook, I kept the brisket warm until dinner in a cooler and served it up with a lakefront view. Doesn’t get more crowd-pleasing than that.
Coach’s tip: Cook the brisket low and slow, wrap it to rest, then pair with something sweet and smoky to finish strong.
Smash burgers (and dessert!) done right with the Ninja FlexFlame™ Grill & Griddle
You want drama? Try searing a smash burger indoors and see how fast the smoke alarms go off. Outdoors with the Ninja FlexFlame™, you get the sizzle, the crust, the juicy centre, and zero stress.
I use a half-griddle, half-grill setup: the burgers get smashed onto the hot griddle while corn or skewers cook over open flame on the other side. Add some pellet-smoked wings and veggies, and you’ve got the ultimate cottage cookout, without flare-ups or mess.
Then, when it’s time for dessert, I flip back to the griddle for my go-to: grilled peaches with caramelized edges, a splash of bourbon, and a dollop of whipped cream. Simple, fast, and next level.
Coach’s tip: Don’t crowd the griddle. Give each burger room to crisp up, and don’t flip too soon.
A full diner breakfast, lakeside with the Ninja FlexFlame™ Griddle
There’s something iconic about a cottage breakfast: bacon sizzling, eggs sunny-side up, hashbrowns crisping, and pancakes flipping golden brown. With the Ninja FlexFlame™, I do it all outside. That means no lingering smells and no crowded kitchen.
I like to work in zones: bacon at the back, pancakes on one side, eggs cooked last to stay soft. The Ninja FlexFlame’s precise control and ample cooking space let me manage the full greasy-spoon spread at once. And the best part? You get to sip your coffee while watching the lake.
Coach’s tip: Use a heat-safe tray to keep the first batch warm while the rest finishes cooking.
Docktails, smoothies, and blends made literally anywhere with the Ninja Blast Max™ Portable Blender
Whether it’s a protein smoothie after a morning paddle or a jalapeño margarita at sunset, the Ninja Blast Max™ goes everywhere I go. It’s cordless, compact, and powerful enough to crush ice right on the dock.
This little beast lives in my beach bag all summer. And yes, it even works mid-paddle. I’ve blended drinks from the back of the pontoon more than once.
Coach’s tip: My go-to blend? Frozen banana, banana protein, a spoon of peanut butter. It’s breakfast gold.
Not just “burgers and dogs” anymore
If you still think outdoor cooking stops at hot dogs and foil-wrapped potatoes, you haven’t seen what Ninja can do. With this gear, anything you can cook indoors, you can do outside, with better views and fewer dishes.
So this summer, step out of the kitchen and discover why it’s better outside with Ninja. Your next signature dish is waiting just beyond the back deck.
Ready to level up your cottage cooking? Explore Ninja’s full lineup of outdoor-ready gear at ninjakitchen.ca, and discover how easy it is to make every meal better outside.