Ninja AF161 Max XL Air Fryer that Cooks, Crisps, Roasts, Bakes, Reheats and Dehydrates, with 5.5 Quart Capacity, and a High Gloss Finish, Grey

We've had the Ninja 4qt fryer for about a year and are very happy with it. Chicken wings are one of the things we use it for. Wings are cooked to a crisp finish in these fryers, just like they would be if they were deep fried. The only criticism we've ever had was that it could be a little bigger. This is where the Max XL comes in. The same great results as the smaller version, but with a larger capacity. This model's temperatures are 50 degrees higher than the smaller one, and it appears to be quieter. Both of our Ninja Air Fryers have been a great success. For those curious about the size differences, I've attached some side-by-side photos.

Halle Barnett

| Oct 21, 2021

When I was given the opportunity to order the Ninja Max Air Fryer, I jumped at the chance. I read through the manual and the cookbook (it was one of those manuals with about 20 recipes, not an actual cookbook) the day it arrived, and then decided to give it a quick try with something we had in the freezer after finding some space on our countertop. We were both hungry for something to eat, so we decided to start with tater tots. According to what I read, some time and temperature adjustments may be necessary, so I set it to maximum crisp and 10 minutes. You can take the bucket out at any time to check on things, and it will stop the clock and everything until you put it back in, at which point it will resume where you left off. They were finished after a few minutes and several bucket in/outs. I'm a pretty good cook, and I've made tater tots in the oven and in the fryer (with hot oil), but they never tasted as good as they did in this air fryer. I was impressed, but not convinced, because they were perfectly crunchy on the outside and still moist on the inside. I decided to make frozen fries and Tyson Southern Style battered chicken the next day. I kept checking them until they were done (cooked separately) because I didn't know the exact time and temperature. They were just as good, if not better, than when baked or fried in hot oil. Not only did they cook much faster than any other method I'd tried before, but the only mess I had to clean up after cooking both was the bucket. There's no hot oil to clean up afterward, no pots, baking pans, or utensils to wash, just the bucket. Now I'm having second thoughts about using an air fryer. We've cooked fried okra, various fries, onion rings, and other frozen foods in this, as well as using the bake cycle to bake some chicken. Everything we've cooked in it has been delicious, and it's saved us the hassle of cleaning up afterwards. We haven't tried a lot of the other options on this page yet. I'm finally getting around to trying out the air roast, air broil, and dehydrate for jerky, and I'm excited to see how they turn out, but I won't be able to give them a review until then. Since then, I've looked up other air fryer recipes online, and there are plenty to try. Also, Ninja's website has a lot of recipes, but they haven't updated them for this specific model, though I'm sure the other air fryer recipes will work. I'm old school and enjoy cooking, so I never imagined this machine could cook anything as well as my tried and true methods, but I'll be the first to admit when I'm wrong. I still have a lot to learn about the many uses of this air fryer, as there seem to be so many different ways to use it and so many different recipes to try. However, based on the few times I've used it, I'm blown away by how well it cooks and how little I have to clean up afterward. As time goes on and I become more familiar with it, I'm confident that it will see a lot of use in my kitchen. I've scheduled a 60-day update on this review and how things are going two months from now on my calendar. Overall, we found this to be an excellent cooking machine that is very easy to clean, has some accessories that appear to be useful to have on hand (but are not included), and is a wonderful addition to our kitchen. The money was well spent.

Lexi Gibson

| Feb 03, 2021

  I rarely write reviews, but I believe this is one that everyone should be aware of. Ninja products have always appealed to me. It's great that you have a blender and a slow cooker. This air fryer, on the other hand, was great when it worked. It had only been a year since I bought it, and it had already died. The unit shuts off after you press the start button, and white smoke comes out of the vent. Something electrical is burning, and it smells like that. Since it's been less than a year, I had my other half call Ninja for the warranty, but the rep told me it wasn't covered. We've only used it 15 times at most, and it's now dead and no longer covered by the manufacturer's warranty. As a result, if you have one, keep an eye on it because it poses a fire hazard.

Sunny Roth

| Nov 24, 2021

It's a great replacement. Thank you for your help, Shark/Ninja. I was excited to use this machine after reading all of the positive reviews, so I unboxed it. I washed, dried, and plugged in the bucket and crisper plate. To get rid of the chemical odors, I turned it on. The heating system was activated. However, there is no fan club. It has a fan in it. The fan is driven by hand, but there is no power to turn it. I did everything I could to help. I just couldn't get the fan to work. br>br>Even if it doesn't work, I like this Air fryer. The features and functionality are fantastic. It does, however, require a fan to convect; if it does not, it is not functional. br>br>If you're looking for a unique way to express yourself, try using the words On Christmas Day, I had a conversation with an Amazon customer service rep. Ninja service was, of course, closed when she called. She stated that she would contact me the next day to resolve the issue. He'd call me back after that. At 10: She called back the next day at 30 a. m. to say Ninja needed to speak with me personally. As a result, she gave me her phone number, which I dialed. Ninja emailed me a FEDEX return label that was free. And they'd send me a replacement as soon as they received the FEDEX delivery notification. I couldn't have asked for better service from Amazon or Shark Ninja. The replacement Ninja AF161 is on its way now. When I get a chance to try the new one, I'll update this review. I'm hoping it performs as expected. new br> Shark/Ninja provided me with a replacement. As soon as I could, I arrived. This is a fantastic option. The fan is in action. It also maintains a consistent temperature. She is a fantastic cook. Is quick. It's also simple to clean up. Wife prepared french fries, wings, drumsticks, bacon, and reheated a variety of meats. Everything comes out perfectly cooked on the inside and crispy on the outside, though it's important to double-check the cycle times because they can differ from the book. In every way, this air fryer is ideal. I believe it to be the best in its class. And the customer service and after-sale service provided by Shark/Ninja is excellent.

Benicio Browning

| Mar 12, 2021

I used a little oil, garlic salt, and pepper to air roast the cauliflower. It was absolutely fantastic. Because I didn't know how to use it and it was much easier, I started with pizza rolls. The pizza rolls were crispy and delicious. I was planning on purchasing a steamer for vegetables, but this air roast setting eliminates the need for one. I ordered a few air fry cookbooks to get a sense of what I could do with them. The cookbook that came with it is small, only a few pages long. Cleaning is a breeze. I'm not a big fan of fish, but I think I'll try salmon patties in this unit. This is ideal for people who are following a ketogenic diet. The difficult part is determining how long to cook. I took the pizza rolls out 5 minutes before they were supposed to be done, or they would have been overcooked. The machine is set to run for 20 minutes by default, but I'm sure you can change it. I just got it today, so I'll have to put it through its paces, but it appears to be simple enough.

Gerald Rich

| Oct 08, 2021