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Ninja AF101 Air Fryer Review: Is It Worth It?
Crispy fries, wings and next-day reheats with up to 75% less fat — the air fryer that earns its counter space.
Quick answer: If you only buy one new kitchen gadget, an air fryer is it — and this is the model that consistently delivers crispy results, fast. For healthier frying and dramatically better leftovers, it's an easy yes. Round it out with an [Instant Pot Duo pressure cooker](/reviews/instant-pot-duo) as its complement — pressure-cook the protein, crisp it in the Ninja — and you've built the two-appliance kitchen that covers most weeknight dinners.
Product image from the Amazon listing.
Our verdict
If you only buy one new kitchen gadget, an air fryer is it — and this is the model that consistently delivers crispy results, fast. For healthier frying and dramatically better leftovers, it's an easy yes. Round it out with an [Instant Pot Duo pressure cooker](/reviews/instant-pot-duo) as its complement — pressure-cook the protein, crisp it in the Ninja — and you've built the two-appliance kitchen that covers most weeknight dinners.
The short version
Air fryers got popular fast, and this is the one that keeps topping the charts. It crisps food with little to no oil, preheats in minutes, and the nonstick basket pops straight into the dishwasher. It's also the best reheater you'll own — leftover pizza and fries come back crispy instead of soggy.
Pros & cons
Pros
- Crisps food with little to no oil
- Heats up fast — no waiting on the oven
- Nonstick basket is dishwasher safe
- Reheats leftovers far better than a microwave
- Simple, no-nonsense controls
- Compact footprint for the capacity
Cons
- 4-quart size is tight for big families
- Takes up some counter space
- Best results need a shake halfway through
Why people love it
Crispy without the oil
Rapid hot air circulates around the food to crisp it up using a fraction of the oil deep frying needs.
Faster than the oven
It preheats in minutes, so weeknight fries, wings and veggies are done quickly.
Set-and-forget basket
Drop food in the nonstick basket, set the time and temp, give it a shake midway, and you're done.
Who it's for
- Small households and couples
- Anyone who wants crispy food with less oil
- Quick weeknight meals
- Reheating leftovers the right way
Which Ninja air fryer size should you buy?
The classic AF101 is a roughly 4-quart single-basket unit, and that capacity is the whole decision. For one to three people it's ideal: it fits a couple of chicken breasts, a generous batch of fries or wings, and it doesn't hog much counter space. If you regularly cook for four or more, that single basket fills up fast and you'll be cooking in two rounds, which gets tedious on busy nights.
If you cook for a crowd or like making a full meal at once, step up to a larger Ninja — the bigger single-basket models or the DualZone two-basket units that let you run a protein and a side at different temperatures simultaneously. The trade-off is footprint: those models are noticeably bigger and need real counter or cabinet room. Match the size to your household first, because a too-small fryer is the most common air fryer regret.
Ninja air fryer vs a toaster oven or convection oven
People often wonder whether a Ninja air fryer just duplicates a convection toaster oven. There's overlap — both move hot air to crisp food — but the air fryer's compact basket and concentrated airflow crisp small batches faster and more evenly, and it preheats in a couple of minutes instead of waiting on a full oven cavity. For weeknight fries, wings, frozen snacks and reheating, the air fryer is simply quicker and easier to clean.
A toaster oven or full oven still wins for anything flat and large: sheet-pan dinners, toast, baking, or feeding a family in one go. The air fryer's basket can't fit a 12-inch pizza or a tray of cookies, and you have to shake or flip food halfway for even results. Most kitchens end up using both — the Ninja for fast crispy portions and reheats, the oven for volume and baking.
How to clean a Ninja air fryer and get crispier results
Cleaning is one of the Ninja's quiet strengths: the nonstick basket and crisper plate are dishwasher safe, and for daily use a quick wash with warm soapy water and a soft sponge is enough. Avoid metal scourers and abrasive cleaners that can scratch the nonstick coating. Let the parts cool first, and wipe down the heating element area occasionally with a damp cloth once it's unplugged and cold to keep smoke and buildup down.
For genuinely crispy food, don't overcrowd the basket — food needs space for air to circulate, so cook in a single layer and do two batches rather than one packed one. A light spritz of oil on fresh-cut potatoes or breaded items helps them brown, and shaking the basket or flipping halfway through is the single biggest factor in even crisping. Patting wet foods dry before cooking also makes a real difference.
See Ninja Air Fryer on Amazon
Check the latest price, photos and buyer reviews on Amazon.
Check Price on Amazon →Sold and shipped by AmazonFrequently asked questions
How much oil does it use?
Little to none — most foods just need a light spritz or nothing at all, which is the whole appeal versus deep frying.
How big is it?
It's a compact ~4-quart capacity, ideal for one to three people; larger families may want a bigger model.
Is it easy to clean?
Yes — the basket and crisper plate are nonstick and dishwasher safe.
What can I cook in it?
Fries, wings, chicken, veggies, frozen foods and reheats are the everyday favorites.
Can you put aluminum foil or parchment in a Ninja air fryer?
Yes, in moderation — a small piece of foil or perforated parchment in the basket is fine for easier cleanup or delicate foods. Just don't cover the whole crisper plate or block the airflow holes, and never run it empty with loose paper inside, since the fan can blow it into the heating element.
Does the Ninja air fryer make a lot of noise or smoke?
It produces a steady fan hum similar to a microwave, which most people find unobtrusive. Light smoke can happen with very fatty foods like bacon as grease hits the hot element — adding a little water to the drawer beneath the basket reduces that, and keeping the unit clean prevents buildup from smoking.
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