Ninja Air Fryer Max XL (AF161) Review
RATING 9/10
Ninja Air Fryer Max XL (AF161) is a great mid-sized air fryer pick. It really shows the versatility of the Ninja line to provide when put against other similar household appliances. It’s suitable for use in the kitchen up to a family of four and is designed to hold up to even those who like to cook a lot with its 5.5-quart basket. It’s an upgrade of 1.5-quarts from size of the AF101 and adds 50 degrees Fahrenheit to its max temperature up from 400 on the AF101. Like all products in the Ninja line, it is an attractive product with a modern look.
It’s important to note that air fryers aren’t the same as deep fryers; they don’t use much oil at all and are designed to give food a crispy coating while retaining moisture inside. This means it’s ideal for cooking meats, potatoes, vegetables, and even pastries. As you can imagine there’s a huge number of possibilities with this device!
Specifications
Dimensions: H14 inches x W11 inches x D14 inches
Appliance Weight: 11.7lbs
Capacity: 5.5 Quarts
Available Colors: Grey
Dishwasher Safe: Yes
Wattage: 1750W
Min/Max Temperature: 105°F/450°F
Appearance 9/10
The AF161 has been thoughtfully designed; it doesn’t look out of place in any modern kitchen thanks to the eye-catching aesthetic and intuitive control panel; there are no unnecessary buttons or switches. Its glossy grey finish is complemented by chrome detailing on the top and handle, which helps to tie the device into its surroundings.
The Ninja AF161 air fryer is a safe, easy to use, and highly efficient way to make food without oil.
Capacity 8/10
With the ability to cook up to 1.5 quarts more than the smaller Ninja Air Fryer, you’ll be able to feed more people at once using the same amount of space as the previous model. The extra capacity will also come in handy if you’re cooking for one and want to have leftovers for later!
The broil rack included with this air fryer allows you to cook two layers of food at once. This means you can cook meat on top while vegetables or potatoes cook underneath – all in one single appliance!
Functionality 9/10
The wide temperature range from 105°F (41°C) to 450°F (204°C) lets you cook a variety of foods from chicken wings, fries, and steakhouse burgers all in one go. You also have the option of choosing between hot air frying or baking mode depending on what type of food items you’re cooking.
Going from left to right this air fryer has the following functions:
Max Crisp: The ‘Max Crisp’ function to get your food extra crispy by using the max temperature and rapid fan speed.
Air Fry: The “classic” setting. It can air fry, meaning it cooks food quickly and healthily. You can enjoy delicious comfort food without worrying so much about calorie intake.
Air Roast: Roast foods just like you would in a traditional oven only quicker and with less preheat time. Roast products for up to three hours using this setting.
Air Broil: High heat to cook crispy, caramelized meats. Just like the oven but faster and crispier using the broiling rack the heat is closer to the surface of the meat.
Bake: The ‘bake’ function makes it possible to make baked goods like bread, cake and treats or to finish meats like in an oven.
Reheat: Use this function to reheat any leftovers. Unlike in the microwave, the even temperature created by the Ninja’s fan ensures foods taste as good reheated as fresh.
Dehydrate: Slowly create dehydrated snacks or use this setting to take the moisture out of a block of tofu. Low temperature and a quiet fan allow the air fryer to make things like apple chips and jerky.
Performance 10/10
This was the air fryer that we most recently added to our kitchen for the size, versatility, and reliability it really can’t be beaten. It has held up well to months of daily use and has been easy to clean.
- LESS FAT: Up to 75% less fat than traditional air frying methods. Tested against hand-cut, deep-fried French fries.
- MAX CRISP TECHNOLOGY: Delivers 450 degrees of superheated air to cook foods up to 30 % faster (Versus Ninja AF100) for hotter, crispier results with little to no oil for guilt free fried favorites.
- XL CAPACITY: The 5.5 QT ceramic coated nonstick basket and crisper plate fit 3 pounds of french fries or chicken wings.
- 7-IN-1 FUNCTIONALITY: Includes 7 versatile cooking programs: Max Crisp, Air Fry, Air Roast, Air Broil, Bake, Reheat & Dehydrate.
- EASY CLEANING: The ceramic basket is both nonstick & dishwasher safe.
Ninja Air Fryer Max XL (AF161)
Conclusion 9/10
If you’re new to the world of air fryers, the first thing that stands out with the Ninja Air Fryer Max XL (AF161) is how simple it is to use. This design makes it ideal for someone who is just starting out and may not be so familiar with all the things an air fryer can do. The cooking functions are all easy to read and understand, and you can even pre-program your meal if you desire.
In short, if you’re in the market for an air fryer, give the Ninja Air Fryer Max XL (AF161) a look. It really shows why this is one of the most popular lines of kitchen appliances.