My Honest Review of the Ninja AF161 Max XL Air Fryer
Crispy food, happy belly—without the oily mess!
Hi there! I want to tell you about one of my favorite things in my kitchen—my Ninja AF161 Max XL Air Fryer. This little machine has changed how I cook. I use it almost every day. It’s fast, easy, and makes my food super crispy without needing lots of oil.
Before I had it, I was always using my oven or microwave. But now? The air fryer is my go-to. I can make fries, chicken, fish, veggies—even cake! Yup, cake. And it comes out so good.
If you’re thinking about getting an air fryer, or if you just want to know if this one is worth it, I’ll walk you through everything. From what I love, what’s not perfect, and how it works in real life.
Top 5 Kitchen Essentials You Can Buy on Amazon
Design – It Looks Cool and Fits Well
When I first opened the box, I thought, “Wow, this thing looks sharp!” It has a nice, shiny grey color and a smooth finish. It’s not too heavy either, so I can move it around when I need to.
The buttons on the front are big and easy to press. There’s a dial and a screen, and I like how simple it is to choose what I want to cook. It also has a big basket. I can cook food for my whole family—like a big batch of fries or a bunch of chicken wings.
Size-wise, it’s not tiny, but it’s not too big either. It sits on my counter and doesn’t take up too much space. I just make sure not to block the air vents in the back.
Max Crisp Tech – Super Hot, Super Fast
Here’s what makes this air fryer extra special—it can heat up to 450 degrees. That’s hotter than most air fryers. Ninja calls this Max Crisp Technology. What does that mean for me? It means my fries are done faster and crispier.
I remember the first time I made frozen chicken nuggets. They were ready in under 10 minutes and they were crunchy on the outside, juicy inside. No flipping, no mess. Just easy cooking.
I even tossed in some frozen onion rings one night—boom! Crispy, golden, and not greasy at all.
What I Cook in It – So Many Yummy Things
I use this air fryer for lots of things. Here are just a few of my favorites:
- French fries – I just add a little oil and some salt. Super crispy!
- Chicken wings – Toss them in sauce after. They come out better than takeout.
- Broccoli and carrots – Even my kids eat them when they’re crunchy.
- Pizza leftovers – Better than the microwave. Not soggy!
- Cinnamon rolls – Yep, they cook fast and taste bakery-fresh.
One time I even made mini lasagna using tiny pans. It worked great. I also made chocolate cake in it. It didn’t rise like in the oven, but it was still tasty.
This air fryer comes with 7 cooking settings, like:
- Air Fry
- Max Crisp
- Roast
- Broil
- Bake
- Reheat
- Dehydrate
So I get to try lots of different things, all in one machine.
Is It Easy to Use? Oh Yes.
I was scared at first. All the buttons looked fancy. But once I tried it? Easy peasy. I just:
- Plug it in
- Put my food in the basket
- Choose the right setting
- Wait for the beep—done!
It also preheats super fast, in like 2-3 minutes. Way faster than my oven. I love that part.
And when I’m done, I can just wash the basket in the dishwasher. No scrubbing, no stress.
Cleaning – So Fast, So Easy
One of my favorite things? Cleaning this air fryer is not a big job.
The basket inside has a non-stick coating, so food doesn’t stick to it. I just take it out, rinse it off, and sometimes toss it in the dishwasher. It fits right in!
Even if I don’t use the dishwasher, I can clean it in the sink with warm water and a sponge. It doesn’t take long at all. The outside of the machine also stays pretty clean. I just wipe it down with a cloth every now and then.
So yeah, cleanup is a total breeze.
What I Love (Pros)
Let me tell you what makes this air fryer awesome:
- ✅ Food gets really crispy without all the oil
- ✅ Heats up fast (like in 2–3 minutes!)
- ✅ Big basket – great for family meals
- ✅ Easy to use – just press and cook
- ✅ 7 cooking modes – air fry, roast, bake, even dehydrate!
- ✅ Simple to clean – dishwasher-safe parts
- ✅ Looks sleek – the grey high-gloss finish is cute
I also love that it cooks food evenly. No cold spots. Everything comes out hot and tasty.
What’s Not Perfect (Cons)
Now let’s be real. Nothing’s perfect. Here are a few small things I noticed:
- ❌ It’s a bit loud when it runs
- ❌ It takes up some space on my counter
- ❌ The basket is big, but not tall, so stacking food isn’t ideal
- ❌ No window to see the food while it cooks (I wish it had that)
Still, none of these are deal-breakers. They’re just little things to know before you buy.
What Other People Say (Reviews)
I’m not the only one who loves this thing. On Amazon, it has over 84,000 reviews and a 4.7-star rating. That’s a LOT of happy people.
Some folks said:
“This is the best appliance since the microwave!”
“I use it every day for fries, wings, even sweet potato fries.”
“My food tastes better. And cleanup is so easy!”
“Crispy, fast, and my kitchen doesn’t smell like grease.”
“My oven is jealous. I barely use it anymore!”
Of course, a few people said it was a little big for their counter, and some wished it had a light inside so they could peek at their food. But most folks are super happy—just like me!
How Big Is It Really?
This air fryer has a 5.5-quart basket. That’s big enough for:
- 3 pounds of French fries
- 12–15 chicken wings
- 4–5 pieces of fish
- A small cake
- A batch of veggies for 3–4 people
I cook dinner for my family of four with no problem. Sometimes I do two rounds if we’re extra hungry. But for normal meals or snacks? One batch does the job.
Is It Good for Beginners?
Yes! I had never used an air fryer before this one, and I figured it out in just a few minutes.
There’s a small booklet that comes with it, and it gives cooking tips and recipes. I made a few things from that book at first—now I just freestyle based on time and temperature.
The buttons are simple, and the display is easy to read. So even if you’re new to cooking, this fryer won’t stress you out.
How It Compares to Other Air Fryers
I’ve tried a couple of air fryers before. They worked okay, but nothing wowed me like the Ninja Max XL. Here’s why I think this one is better:
- Faster cooking – It heats to 450°F, which is hotter than most others
- Bigger basket – My old one couldn’t fit a full meal like this can
- Crispier food – The Max Crisp feature makes everything extra crunchy
- More options – Most fryers just air fry. This one bakes, broils, dehydrates too
Compared to basic models, it just does more and does it better. Some fancier ones have smart screens or apps, but I like how this one keeps it simple and still delivers amazing food.
Who Should Get This Air Fryer?
If you:
- Are busy and need dinner fast
- Love fried food but want it to be healthier
- Cook for 2 to 4 people
- Don’t like doing dishes
- Want one tool that can cook almost anything
…then yes, you should totally get this air fryer.
Even if you’re not a “chef,” this machine makes you feel like one. I’ve told my friends, my mom, and even my neighbors to get it.
Is It Worth the Money?
Right now it’s around $129.95 (on sale from $169.99). For everything it does, I think that’s a great deal.
Think about it:
- I don’t need to turn on my oven
- I use less oil
- It saves me time
- I use it almost every single day
It’s not just a gadget I hide in the cupboard. It’s a tool I use all the time. That makes it totally worth it.
My Final Thoughts
So here’s the bottom line:
The Ninja AF161 Max XL Air Fryer is one of the best things I’ve bought for my kitchen. It makes my life easier, my food tastier, and my clean-up faster. I use it for snacks, meals, reheating leftovers—you name it.
It’s fast, easy, and fun. My kids love what comes out of it. My husband even started using it (which says a lot).
If you’re on the fence about it, I say: go for it. It’s crispy, it’s reliable, and it makes cooking feel less like a chore.
FAQs – You Might Wonder…
Q: Do I need to use oil?
A: Just a little spray! Most things cook with no added oil and still get crispy.
Q: Can I bake cake or muffins in it?
A: Yup! I’ve done both. Use small baking pans or silicone cups.
Q: Is it safe for kids to use?
A: I wouldn’t let very young kids use it alone, but older kids (with help) can totally do it.
Q: How long does it take to cook frozen fries?
A: About 10–12 minutes with the Max Crisp setting.
Q: What comes in the box?
A: You get the air fryer, a big ceramic basket, a crisper plate, and a little recipe booklet.
Q: Is it noisy?
A: It does make some sound, but it’s not super loud. About like a microwave.
