Does Ninja AF101 Air Fryer Live Up To The Hype? [REVIEW]
Ninja AF101 is an upgrade of Ninja AF100.
It is perfect for cooking enthusiasts expecting consistent results and a joyful cooking experience.
After using the air fryer countless times to see how it fares in various aspects such as cooking, ease of use, noise level, etc.
To know everything Ninja Air Fryer AF101 offers and how it compares to other air fryers, read my detailed review.
Ninja AF101 4-in-1 Air Fryer that Crisps, Roasts, Reheats, & Dehydrates
Review: Ninja AF101 Air Fryer With Crisp, Roast, Reheat, & Dehydrate Function
4.7
What’s In The Package
The Ninja air fryer Af101 comes in a sturdy box packed carefully and securely within the blocks of Styrofoam.
A basket and crisper plate coated with non-stick ceramic coating accompanies the unit.
In addition, a wire rack, a user manual, and a quick guide to start the unit are also included in the package.
The air fryer does not require assembling any parts. As soon as we removed it from its packaging, it was ready to start cooking.
Economical And Generous Cooking Capacity
With a 4 quart capacity and the various cooking function, the Ninja AF101 is a good middle-of-the-road option for daily air frying needs.
It is cheaper than the cheapest Philips air fryer, which offers only an 800g capacity.
Its 4 qt basket can accommodate around 900g of fries, enough to serve big portions to around four people and medium portions to six people.
Regarding other foods, you can fit one pound of chicken wings, drumsticks, or four frozen fish filets.
Attractive And Ingenious Design
The air fryer has a round basket shape. As far as looks, it has a high gloss finish and sports a gray exterior.
Its 1.26-inch LED display shows time and temperature in big fonts, allowing you to watch it from afar.
There are four cooking presets: Air Fry, Roast, Reheat, and Dehydrate.
You can also use the manual time and temperature settings for customized recipes.
The ceramic-coated crisper plate adjusts in the air fryer a little above the bottom of the basket.
This elevates the food, causing the excess oil and food juices to drip on the basket’s bottom.
User-Friendly Control Panel
The Ninja AF101 is one of the most user-friendly air fryers we have tested so far.
It is much easier to use than Cosori Pro LE, with its control panel on the top, which you cannot see until you are close to it.
The control panel of Ninja AF101 could not be any simpler.
Press the cooking function you want to perform (air fry, dehydrate, etc).
Configure time and temperature, press the start button, and you are ready for the magic.
The air fryer has a temperature range of 105F to 400F.
In my experience, this temperature can help you make the best air fryer recipe you desire.
Not Unbearably Noisy
The Ninja Af101 is not the quietest air fryer, but it is also not the noisiest we have tested so far.
During cooking, the air fryer produced around 60 dB of noise, similar to the noise of a dishwasher at mid-cycle.
Accurate Temperature Settings
Temperature accuracy is one of those factors that must be considered when buying an air fryer.
In this regard, we were impressed by the Ninja AF101. Its temperature accuracy is impressive.
So, if you want to buy a machine that offers consistent cooking results repeatedly, the Ninja AF101 is a commendable option.
During tests, we found that its temperature accuracy is better than Ultrean Air Fryer, Nuwave Brio, Dash Compact, and many others.
Safe And Non-Toxic Air Fryer
Ninja AF101 is made of high-quality plastic. The rubber feet attached to the crisper plate are food-grade and BPA-free.
Also, the non-stick coating on the crisper plate and basket is PTFE- and PFOA-free.
This makes the air fryer non-toxic and safe for household use.
Our Cooking Tests and Performance
In our cooking, the Ninja offered impressive cooking results for all the recipes we cooked in it.
Its cooking quality is one of the reasons making it the best-selling air fryer in the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
Here is a summary of what we cooked in it.
- Air Fried Chicken: We made fried chicken and wings, which tasted exceptional. Although, like other air fryers, the taste of the chicken cooked in it was not exactly deep fried, it was still crispy from the outside and tender inside.
- Doughnuts: We also cooked doughnuts; they had a nice crisp outside and were fluffy from the inside. As for the capacity, you can easily accommodate three medium-sized doughnuts in its round basket.
- Vegetables: In veggies, we tried okra, broccoli, and asparagus; nothing took more than 15 minutes. Veggies were succulent and juicy inside and had slight crispiness on the exterior.
Ninja AF101 Air Fryer Pros And Cons
PROS
CONS
Ninja AF101 4-in-1 Compact Air Fryer
Quick Steps To Clean Ninja AF101 Air Fryer
It is very easy to clean the Ninja air fryer, and the manufacturer recommends cleaning it after every use.
The grease and food do not cling to the basket or crisper plate too stubbornly, so you don’t need to scrub these removable parts excessively.
Below is how you can clean the Ninja AF101 air fryer.
- Switch off the appliance and let it cool before touching it.
- Use a moist cloth to gently rub the exterior and the control panel.
- Immerse the basket and crisper plate in warm water and soap solution to soften the stuck-on residue and oil.
- Using a soft brush or scrubber, remove the food stuck on the grooves and holes in the crisper plate and the small handle in the middle.
- Dry off the entire unit by wiping off the residual moisture with a dry towel.
Comparison Ninja Air Fryer AF101 Vs. AF161
The main difference between Ninja Air Fryer Af101 Vs. Af161 is their capacity and temperature range.
AF101 is smaller than AF161 and has a smaller temperature range.
A detailed comparison between Ninja Air Fryer Af101 and Af161 is given below.
| Features & Specification | Ninja AF101 | Ninja AF 161 |
| Capacity | 4 quarts Sufficient for a family of three | 5.5 quarts is Enough for a family of four/five |
| Ease of cleaning | Ceramic coated, non-stick basket and crisper plate are dishwasher safe | Ceramic coated, non-stick basket and crisper plate are dishwasher safe |
| Material | High-gloss plastic finish | High-gloss plastic finish |
| Temperature range | 105°F-400°F | 105°F-450°F |
| Cooking programs | 4 cooking functions | 7 versatile cooking programs |
| Safety features | No auto-shutoff | No auto-shutoff |
| Accessories | One multi-layer cooking rack for dehydrating | No multi-layer cooking rack |
| Electricity consumption | 1500 Watt | 1750 Watt |
Comparison Between Ninja AF101 Air Fryer Vs. Instant Vortex Air Fryer
Both Ninja AF101 and the Instant Vortex Air Fryer are hot favorites in the market.
While the air fryers look different on the first look, they share many similarities.
The main difference between Ninja AF101 and Instant Vortex air fryers is their capacities.
While the Ninja air fryer has a 4 QT capacity, the instant vortex has a 6 QT cooking capacity. A quick comparison of both exceptional units is mentioned below.
| Features & Specification | Ninja AF101 | Instant Vortex |
| Capacity | 4 QT | 6 QT |
| Ease of cleaning | Easy to clean | Easy to clean |
| Material | BPA-free Plastic | Stainless steel accents |
| Temperature range | 105°F-400°F | 95F to 400° F |
| Cooking programs | 4 user-friendly cooking functions | 6 cooking functions |
| Safety features | No auto-shutoff | Overheat Protection, auto-shutoff |
| Dimension | 34.5cm x 27.9cm x 33.8cm, it can easily fit under the upper kitchen cabinets on the countertop. | 29.2cm x 33.8cm x 32.5cm, a bit more in height. It might not fit under the upper kitchen cabinets on the countertop. |
| Accessories | Multi-layer cooking rack for dehydrating | No accessories |
| Pros | Excels at crisping, has great temperature accuracy, and is easy to use. | Exceptional frying ability |
| DON'T MISS TO CHECK OUT: Ninja Air Fryer Problems Fixes
FAQs
Is the Ninja AF101 air fryer safe?
Yes, the Ninja AF101 is safe for use in the house. It is made with ceramic-coated material. The coating material is PTFE- and PFOA-free; therefore, it does not emit harmful fumes or leach toxic chemicals into your food.
Can you bake in the Ninja air fryer AF101?
The Ninja AF101 does not have a dedicated bake function. However, using the air fry option, you can still bake a small cake or a few cupcakes in it by manually adding your recipe settings.
How many watts is Ninja AF101?
The Ninja AF 101 consumes 1550 watts of electricity for its operations. This means it consumes much less energy than other air fryers that need more than 1600 watts to work, making Ninja a fairly energy-efficient air fryer.
Does Ninja AF101 have BPA and Teflon?
No, it does not. The Nina AF 101 is both BPA as well as Teflon-free. So by buying it, you can rest assured about your family's health.
How big is the Ninja AF101 basket?
The Ninja AF101 is big enough to easily accommodate 900g of fries in one go. As for the chicken wings, it can make around 10 pieces in one batch.
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Wrapping Up!
Ninja AF101 air fryer has taken home chefs by storm with its flawless design, easy-to-understand control panel, and exceptional cooking performance. So be prepared to be wooed by this best-selling air fryer in the USA, UK, and Canada.
The Ninja AF101 is a great appliance for cooking food for a small family. The capacity is also ideal for those living alone in apartments or dorm rooms wanting to enjoy healthy food away from home.
Elders wishing to cook their food can also buy this air fryer. Features such as multiple cooking moods, a wide temperature range, and a fully digital control panel make it a better air fryer than most others in the same price range.
While you can get even cheaper air fryers in the market, they fail to give you everything Ninja AF101 can in one body.