Ninja is a renowned name in the kitchen appliance industry. Almost everyone who has a basic knowledge about the brands related to the kitchen appliance knows the name of Ninja. AF161 is an intermediate-level air fryer that has been designed for medium to big families. In this article, I am going to review Ninja AF161 air fryer so that you can understand the ins and outs of it. After the read, you will be able to make a proper decision on whether this model is suitable for you or not.
Specifications – Ninja Max XL AF161
| Model | Ninja AF161 Max XL Air Fryer |
| Weight | 11 lbs |
| Dimension | 14 x 11 x 14.75 inches |
| Size | 5.5 qt |
| Power | 1750 W |
| Cord Length | 2.6 ft |
| Temperature Range | up to 450°F |
Features of Ninja 5.5 QT Air Fryer
Cooking Capacity
As I mentioned, Ninja AF161 is an intermediate-level air fryer, the basket size of this unit is 5.5 quarts. Therefore, it is suitable for cooking for 4 to 5 persons in a single batch maximum. If you are looking for an air fryer for a medium to a large family, then you can check this model.
Weight and dimension
The dimension of Ninja AF161 is 14 x 11 x 14.75 inches. The coffeemaker-like air fryer is better for a smaller countertop. The weight of this unit is 11 lbs. It is not suitable for portability. If you are a travel lover, looking for a portable air fryer, then this one is not good for you.
Temperature range
The maximum temperature that can be achieved with this air fryer is 450°F. An ordinary air fryer may have a maximum temperature of around 400°F. Therefore, Ninja AF161 will get an edge over the competitors in this respect. For this reason, high-temperature cooking such as broiling can be done with this air fryer. On the other hand, low-temperature cooking functions such as dehydration are also possible with it.
Control Panel
Ninja AF161 air fryer has a digital control panel with seven preset cooking functions. It has a separate touch panel to set the temperature and time. The preset cooking modes include max crisp, air fry, air roast, air broil, bake, reheat, and dehydration function. Overall, the panel is user-friendly.
Cooking Functions
You can do plenty of other things than just air frying with it. Baking and broiling are two cooking functions that need a higher temperature. With a maximum temperature of 450°F, Ninja AF161 is capable of doing this high-temperature cooking. Other than these, it is capable of doing regular air frying and low-temperature cooking such as dehydration.
Basket property
The food basket is ceramic coated and functions perfectly at high temperatures. The air fryer is equipped with a ceramic coated plate that will help the air pass uniformly around the food. Thus, it ensures a crispier texture on the food surface. To ensure high-temperature cooking, you will get a broiling rack with an air fryer that will ensure to take the food closer to the heater. The basket, rack, and all other accessories of this air fryer are dishwasher safe. The inside of the basket is non-stick. Therefore, it is easy to clean.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Ninja AF161
What I liked about Ninja Max XL
The most prominent feature of this Ninja air fryer that I liked most is the high-temperature cooking functions. It is not that common in air fryers of this range. The rated power of this unit is 1750 W which is considerably high. Higher power means fast and convenient cooking. The food basket is big enough to cook for a big family in a single batch. It is ceramic coated, non-stick, and dishwasher safe as well. The control panel has a sufficient number of preset modes that are better for beginners.
Cons but not a dealbreaker
The overall shape and dimension of this unit may seem a little bulkier. Although it is not the bulkiest compared with the competitors having a similar capacity. You may smell burnt plastic during the first few days of cooking. This is a common issue with maximum air fryers in the market. It will go away after using a few days. You may have some dry run before using it.
What is Ninja AF161 Best For?
Ninja AF161 air fryer is suitable for medium to large families. Therefore, if you have 3 to 5 members in your family, then it will perfectly fit you. You may need moderate counter space to set it in your kitchen. Therefore, check the dimension before making the decision. Apart from regular air frying, this unit is good for high-temperature cooking. If you love these kinds of cooking then Ninja AF161 is going to be a perfect choice for you. Prepare air-fried avocados and other tasty foods with it at home.
If you are in a small family, you should not spend more money on AF161. You should read our extensive article on Ninja AF101 air fryer that is suitable for a small family.
FAQ
What is the largest air fryer of Ninja?
Ninja AF161 is the largest air fryer from Ninja with a cooking capacity of 5.5 quarts. However, there are air fryer ovens that have more cooking capacities ( air fryer and air fryer ovens are not the same). Ninja DT251 is a good option if you require more cooking capacity.
Ninja air fryer or foodi, which one is better?
Ninja air fryer is good for only air fying. It has some other cooking functions but you can not avail those functions comfortably because of the less cooking capacity. On the other hand, Ninja foodis are good for availing multiple cooking functions such as pressure cooking, grilling, air frying, broiling and so on ( Ninja foodi comparison ).
Can Ninja AF161 cook for a large family?
An air fryer with 5.5 qt cooking capacity is suitable for a medium size family. How many members are there in a large family? If it is 4, then AF161 is good for a large family as well.
Can Ninja Max XL can dehydrate?
Ninja AF161 can dehydrate. But to fully avail the dehydrate function, you need more cooking capacity. It is a good idea to get a full fleged dehydrator if you dehydrate food in a large amount too often.
What are other good air fryers of Ninja?
Ninja AF101 is another good air fryer option from Ninja. Apart from these two, Ninja currently does not have any other air fryer options. However, you can avail air frying in some of the Ninja Foodi or Foodi grill models.
Apart from Ninja, what are other good air fryers?
Ninja offers somewhat better features and benefits compared with other air fryers in the market. If you want to compare other similar air fryers, then you can compare Ninja with Philips. Otherwise, Nuwave is also a good option.
Final words
Ninja improved the size and functions of Ninja AF161 compared to the AF101 model. Both models are popular. If you have a smaller family, I suggest you go for the Ninja AF101 air fryer. Comparing the features, I think AF161 is slightly overpriced. That’s all. If you find the article, you may share it with others. We appreciate it if you let us know your experience with anything related to cooking through the comment section. Have a good day!
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- Difference between Ninja AF161 and AF101
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