Ninja AF101 vs AF161 Air Fryer Comparison: Which One’s Better?

Did you know that you can cook your favorite fried foods in the air fryer without worrying about fat and calories? The air fryer is a small appliance that uses hot air to cook food quickly and with minimal oil. There are many advantages of owning an air fryer beyond just lowering the fat content of your food.

Ninja AF101 vs AF161

Are you in the market for a new air fryer? If so, you may be wondering if a ninja air fryer is the right option for you. In this blog post, we are comparing two of the finest Ninja air fryers Ninja AF101 Vs AF161 side by side and find out the differences, which one should you choose over the other and why.

Let’s get started!

Ninja AF101 vs AF161 Air Fryer Comparison Table

FeaturesNinja AF101Ninja AF161
Dimensions13x11x13 Inches14x11x14.75 Inches
MaterialPlasticPlastic
ColorBlack/GreyGrey – High Gloss Finish
Weight4.9 lbs11 lbs
Capacity4 Quart5.5 Quart
Temperature Range400F Max450F Max
Cooking FunctionsAir Fryer, Roast, Reheat, DehydrateMax Crisp, Air Fry, Air Roast, Air Broil, Bake, Reheat & Dehydrate
Nonstick BasketYesYes
BPA FreeYesYes
Clean UpDishwasher SafeDishwasher Safe
Power1500W1750W
Control PanelOne Touch ButtonsOne Touch Buttons
Amazon Rating4.8/5 Stars (34K Reviews, No.1 Best Seller on Amazon)4.7/5 Stars (13K Reviews)
PriceBuy on AmazonBuy on Amazon

Differences: Ninja AF101 Vs AF161

If you are looking for a compact, easy to use and budget friendly yet versatile and multifunctional air fryer, Ninja AF101 and AF161 are at the top of the ladder. Let’s talk about the key differences between the two air fryers.

Appearance and Design

Air fryers have a variety of appearances and designs. Some air fryers look like traditional deep fryers, while others are more compact and streamlined. Some air fryers even come in fun, bright colors like special editions. No matter what their appearance is, all air fryers have one thing in common: they use hot air to cook food.

Ninja AF101 and AF161 have compact and boxy design. These air fryers are basket air fryers in which a basket is filled with the ingredients and inserted into the air fryer for cooking process. This is one of the most common designs in the air fryers.

Ninja AF101 air fryer measures 13x11x13 Inches and weighs about 10 pounds which is neither lightweight nor too heavy. The main shell is made of durable food grade plastic whereas internal basket is made of high-end aluminum with nonstick coating.

Ninja air fryer AF161 has similar drawer design as that of Ninja AF101 air fryer however, it is slightly bigger than Ninja AF101 but weighs almost equal at 11 pounds.

Cooking Capacity

Another difference between Ninja AF101 and AF161 air fryer is the cooking capacity. Air fryers come in all shapes and sizes; most air fryers can accommodate around 2-3 pounds of food, which should be plenty for most families. Keep in mind that you may need to cook smaller items in batches if you’re trying to feed a crowd.

When it comes to cooking capacity, air fryers really vary. Some are small enough for a single person, while others are large enough to feed a family of four or more. That said, Ninja AF101 comes with a 4 Quart cooking capacity which is enough for a family of 4 whereas Ninja AF161 features a 5.5 Quart cooking capacity which is perfect for medium to large families.

Cooking Functions

Air fryers are amazing versatile little appliances. You can use them to cook all sorts of foods, from chicken to French fries to vegetables. They’re perfect for those who want to make healthier versions of their favorite fried foods.

Ninja Air Fryer AF101 comes with the following cooking functions:

  • Air fryer
  • Roast
  • Reheat
  • Dehydrate

Ninja Air Fryer AF161 comes with the following cooking functions:

  • Max Crisp
  • Air Fry
  • Air Roast
  • Air Broil
  • Bake
  • Reheat
  • Dehydrate

Clearly, Ninja AF161 seems way ahead of Ninja AF101 in terms of multifunctionality and versatility as it comes with 7 cooking functions in comparison to 4 cooking functions of Ninja AF101 air fryer.

Temperature Range

Air fryers come with various temperature settings and range in order to cook a variety of foods. Ninja Air fryer AF101 has a max temperature of 400F which lets you cook a wide range of meals. On the other hand, Ninja AF161 has even higher temperature of 450F to add more variety and versatility in terms of what you can cook with the appliance. Similarity, power or wattage has a good role to play. Ninja AF101 is a 1500W powerful cooking appliance whereas Ninja AF161 is a 1750W air fryer. More power, higher temperature makes sense!

Popularity

Ninja is one of the most popular brands on the market manufacturing air fryer for years. However, not all of its air fryers or pressure cookers are well known and well received by the audience.

Ninja air fryer AF101 has received impressive 4.8/5 star rating from more than 34 thousand users across the globe out of which 96% are content and happy with the choice they made. Ninja AF161 has received amazing 4.7/5 star rating from 13 thousand users around the world out of which 94% are quite satisfied with the purchase.

Similar Features: Ninja AF101vs AF161

Despite many differences, here are some features that both air fryers share.

  • Both air fryers are entirely made of BPA free plastic.
  • Air fryer baskets are nonstick and dishwasher safe.
  • Control panels consist of convenient one touch buttons.

Quick Overview of Ninja Air Fryer AF101, 4 Quarts

Sale
Ninja AF101 Air Fryer that Crisps, Roasts, Reheats, &...
  • LESS FAT: Now enjoy guilt-free food. Air fry with up to 75% less fat than traditional frying methods.* *Tested...
  • WIDE TEMPERATURE RANGE: 105°F-400°F allows you to gently remove moisture from foods or quickly cook and...
  • FAMILY-SIZED CAPACITY: 4-quart ceramic-coated nonstick basket and crisper plate fit 2 lbs of French fries.

Pros
  • Compact and attractive design
  • User friendly interface
  • 4 Quart cooking basket
  • 4 convenient cooking functions
  • Higher temperature range for a variety of foods
  • Small footprint
  • Budget friendly price tag
Cons
  • Small for large families
  • Weird plastic smell for first time

Quick Overview of Ninja Air Fryer AF161, 5.5 Quarts

Sale
Ninja AF161 Max XL Air Fryer that Cooks, Crisps, Roasts,...
  • LESS FAT: Up to 75% less fat than traditional air frying methods. Tested against hand-cut, deep-fried French...
  • MAX CRISP TECHNOLOGY: Delivers 450 degrees of superheated air to cook foods up to 30 % faster (Versus Ninja...
  • XL CAPACITY: The 5.5 QT ceramic coated nonstick basket and crisper plate fit 3 pounds of french fries or...

Pros
  • Generous cooking capacity
  • Compact with small footprint
  • 5.5 Quart nonstick basket
  • Dishwasher safe
  • 450F max temperature
  • Versatile with 7 cooking functions
Cons
  • Burnt plastic smell

Conclusion: Ninja AF101 Vs AF161, Which One is Better?

The Ninja AF101 Vs AF161 air fryers are both great choices for an appliance that will help you create healthier meals. The Ninja AF101 is a little smaller in terms of cooking capacity, yet it comes with 4 cooking programs. If you want to be able to cook a wide variety of dishes with your air fryer, then the Ninja AF161 may be the better choice for you. Ninja AF161 comes with 7 cooking functions and a huge 5.5 Quart cooking basket to cook large batches of food. Ultimately, either appliance will help you make delicious and nutritious meals without having to use a lot of oil.

If you are facing budget issues, Ninja AF101 will be a great addition to your kitchen, however if spending an additional 20$ is no deal, we’ll suggest you pick Ninja AF161 for its versatility and impressive cooking performance. while testing, Jenny prepared 3 batches of delicious French fries, well its that good!

What are you taking home and why? Let us know your thoughts on your favorite air fryer in the comment section below!

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About the author

Olivia

Olivia is a Ninja and kitchen Products Tester and has been writing about her findings on various sites like lemusecoffeeandwine.com, 3fortygrill.com, chilangorestaurantsf.com, and gamingkornor.com for over 10 years now. She loves using Ninja products as they are very efficient and user-friendly. Olivia has tested many products from Ninja, and she has always been impressed with the results. She loves how Ninja products make her life easier, and she enjoys sharing her findings with others. Olivia is a strong advocate for Ninja products, and she believes that they are some of the best on the market.

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