5 Top Ninja Air Fryers That Can Change Your Cooking Style

Air Fryers are pretty popular these days, owing to their oil-free and health-friendly attributes. You can cook almost anything in an air fryer, from fries to chicken and even lasagna. Besides, cooking in an air fryer is much more convenient and hassle-free than on a stove or an oven. 

Ninja is one of the most popular brands when it comes to air fryers. Ninja air fryers are famous for their superior quality manufacturing and sustainability. Compared to the other brands, these air fryers are more advanced and convenient. 

But even within this brand, there are so many air fryer options that it can become confusing for one to choose the best. Thus, if you are also puzzled about picking the best Ninja air fryer, then look no further. Because I am about to introduce you to my top five picks for Ninja air fryers that chefs and customers equally love.

Top 5 Ninja Air Fryers

Ninja AF101 Air Fryer

Ninja has so many air fryer options that it becomes difficult to determine which one is the best. But, upon research, it is evident that each Ninja air fryer is designated for a different purpose. Therefore, of all the ninja products, my top five picks are the following;

Though Ninja has so many air fryers, my top pick is undoubtedly the Ninja AF101. It is the highest-rated Ninja product on Amazon, owing to its affordability and optimal features. 

The fryer is programmable, implying that you can adjust its features according to your preference. Its capacity is around 4 Quartz, perfect for making a one-time lunch or dinner. It is neither too small nor too big. Thus, you can carry it around pretty easily, as it does not occupy too much space. 

Besides, the air fryer has a wide temperature scale, ranging from 40 ^oF to 110oF. Therefore, you cannot only use this machine for convenient cooking but also for moisture-removing and reheating food. 

Dehydrating food is another unique feature of this air fryer. You can make types of snacks in it by combining the low-temperature scale with low fan speed. The air fryer set includes a crisper plate, a non-stick basket, and a booklet with 20 delicious recipes specifically curated for low-fat fryer cooking. 

All the fryer components are easy to wash since they are dishwasher-safe. The exterior of the machine does not require washing. It is recommended to clean it using a wipe. 

Pros 

• Affordable
• Easy to Use
• Dishwasher-Safe
• Programmable
• Wide Temperature Scale
• 20-recipe booklet
• Portable 

Cons 

• Requires Preheating
• No Halfway Timer

Ninja DZ201 Air Fryer

If you are looking for an air fryer with a bigger capacity, then the Ninja DZ201 is perfect. It is an 8-quartz fryer with two independent baskets for extensive cooking. 

Besides, it has DualZone Technology, which keeps the temperature and fan speed of the two baskets separate. It means that you can simultaneously cook two types of foods in a single fryer. 

However, what I loved most about this fryer was its 6-in-1 function feature, i.e., air fry, roast, broil, bake, dehydrate, and reheat. All these functions are possible in a single fryer owing to its wide-range temperature scale, which is adjustable and re-programmable. 

Like the previous fryer, the components of this one are also dishwasher-safe. The exterior can quickly be cleaned using a wipe, while the internal parts need washing as per usage. 

However, since it is a bigger fryer with more features, it is priced higher than most Ninja products. Still, analyzing its size and features, this product is fairly priced and much more affordable than the competitor products. 

Pros 

• Fairly-priced 
• Dual Independent Baskets 
• DualZone Technology 
• 6-in-1 Function Feature 
• Glossy Finish
• Wide-Temperature Scale
• Dishwasher-Safe
• Programmable

Cons 

• Requires Preheating
• No Halfway Timer

Ninja AF161 Air Fryer

Ninja AF161 is a 5.5 Quartz programmable air fryer perfect for cooking one-time for large families. It is one of the best-looking air fryers from the Ninja, as it has an appealing glossy finish. 

This air fryer has a MAX GRIP Technology that expands the temperature scale to 450^oF and speeds up the cooking process by 30%. It is slightly more advanced than the previous fryer because it has a 7-in-1 function feature, which includes Max Crisp, Broil, Ary Fry, Roast, Bake, Dehydrate, and Reheat.

Though this air fryer has a single basket, it is big enough to bake lasagnas, roast turkey, and make special treats. The fryer is made of plastic, which many people see as a downside. But it is not a thing to worry about, as the plastic used in this fryer is temperature-resistant and health-friendly. 

The fryer comes with one ceramic basket, which is dishwasher-safe and non-stick. It is incredibly light and can easily be carried around, making it travel-friendly. Currently, it is priced over $100. Its price is justified by its features and enhanced temperature scale. 

Pros 

• Affordable 
• Dishwasher-Safe
• 7-in-1 Function Feature 
• Max Crisp Technology 
• Wide-Scale Temperature 
• Programmable 
• Food-Grade Plastic 

Cons 

• Lacks a Halfway Timer
• Requires Preheating 

Ninja AF080 Air Fryer

Many people like taking air fryers on trips, as it is much more convenient than a stove and can cook a wide range of recipes. Similarly, students living independently in hostels seek minimal cooking equipment that is portable and easy to use. 

If you have similar requirements, then Ninja AF080 is an ideal pick for you. It is a small 2-quartz air fryer sufficient for cooking food for one to three persons. However, despite being small, it retains all the optimal features of other Ninja air fryers. 

It also has a wide temperature scale of 400^oF, implying that you can use it for baking, broiling, frying, and even dehydration. But you must remember that only the basket of this fryer is dishwasher-safe. The rest of the equipment requires hand-cleaning. 

The Ninja AF080 mini fryer is the most inexpensive pick in the entire Ninja range. It is made with food-grade plastic, which is temperature-resistant and is suitable for health. Since it is small and lightweight, it is perfect for traveling. 

Pros 

• Affordable
• Ideal for Travelling
• Lightweight and Compact
• Basket is Dishwasher-Safe
• Wide-Range Temperature Scale
• Food-grade Plastic Used
• Quick-Set Timer

Cons 

• Requires Preheating 
• Not Thoroughly Dishwasher-Safe

Ninja DZ401 6-in-1 Air Fryer

My next pick from the Ninja air fryer range is DZ401. It is an extension of the previously-mentioned DZ201 model but with a higher capacity of 10 Quartz. Like DZ01, this one also has two independent baskets, separated by Dual Zone Technology. 

The DualZone technology separates the environment of the two baskets. It means that in this fryer, you can cook two types of different foods at the same time. Besides, the fryer also has an IQ-BOOST feature, which allows each basket to cook up to 6lb of food. 

The fryer also has the 6-in-1 function feature, which allows it to operate at both low and high temperatures. In fact, it would be apt to say that this fryer is a collective substitute for oven, microwave oven, and stove. 

This air fryer is heavier and bigger than most Ninja fryers. Thus, I don’t recommend it for traveling. But it is a perfect choice for restaurants and bigger families who want to cook large dinners in a meager period. Though this fryer retails for $199, its price is justified by its 10-quartz size and extensive features.

Pros

• Affordable 
• Two Independent Baskets
• Separate Cooking Zones 
• 6-in-1 Function Feature
• Best for restaurants and large families
• Extensive 10 Quartz Capacity
• Wide-Range Temperature Scale

Cons 

• Not Travel-friendly 
• Lacks a Halfway Timer
• Requires Prehheating

Buying Guide

Purchasing an air fryer can be a challenging task, as there are so many factors to consider. Any negligence can make you get the wrong air fryer, which would be an utter waste of investment. 

However, if you are purchasing an air fryer for the first time, then you may not know what features to look for. Therefore, I have created this buying guide, which entails all the aspects you should scrutinize while buying an air fryer. 

What Should be the Size of the Air Fryer?

The bigger the air fryer is, the more expensive it will be. That is why the foremost thing you should determine is the air fryer’s size. The 2-3 quartz fryer is sufficient for two to three people. However, for bigger families and commercial use, the 8 to 10 Quartz fryer will be required. 

Another aspect you must consider is that larger air fryers take more cooking time than small ones. The smaller ones will blast off rapidly and cook in no time. On the other hand, the bigger ones may require preheating, which can be hassling for many people. 

What Type of Air Fryer Should You Get?

With their rising popularity, multiple types of air fryers have been introduced in the market. Thus, it can be confusing for one to determine which air fryer is the best. 

I will suggest you get a fryer that can multi-task. Single-purpose air fryers are good, but they are only designated to perform one task. But air fryers like Ninja DZ201 have a 6-in-1 function feature, which performs multiple tasks simultaneously. Thus, with a slightly higher investment, you can make your air fryer multi-functional and get multiple tasks done for the price of one. 

Author’s Takeaway

The modern diet requirements have made air fryers quite mandatory. They are convenient to use and can cook a wide range of low-fat, healthy items in no time. 

However, you can access these benefits only when you purchase an air fryer of viable quality. Ninja air fryers are well-reputed among customers and chefs owing to their superior quality, optimal functionality, and mediocre price range.