The Ninja AF101 has been one of the best-selling air fryers on Amazon for years — and for good reason. At around $80–$100, it sits in the sweet spot where price, performance, and simplicity all converge. But with so many air fryers flooding the market, it's worth asking: does the AF101 still hold up in 2026, or have newer models left it behind?
We put the Ninja AF101 through its paces over several weeks, cooking everything from frozen french fries and fresh chicken thighs to broccoli, salmon, and reheated pizza. We paid attention to how evenly it cooked, how easy it was to use day-to-day, how loud it got, and how much of a pain cleanup was. This is our honest take — no fluff, no sponsored spin.
Short answer: the AF101 is still a genuinely excellent air fryer for most people. It's not the biggest, it's not the most feature-packed, and it won't replace your oven for large meals. But for a 1–2 person household that wants crispy, fast, everyday cooking without a steep learning curve, it's hard to beat. Here's the full breakdown.
If you're still deciding whether a compact model is right for you, check out our best small air fryers for one person roundup, or browse our full best air fryers guide for a wider comparison. And if you want oven-style capacity, our best air fryer toaster ovens guide covers that territory.
Ninja AF101 Overview
Ninja AF101 Air Fryer
The Ninja AF101 is a 4-quart basket-style air fryer with a 1550-watt heating element, four cooking functions (Air Fry, Roast, Reheat, Dehydrate), and a simple dial-and-button control interface. It's compact enough for small kitchens, powerful enough for everyday cooking, and priced accessibly enough that it's been a consistent bestseller since its launch. The AF101 is Ninja's entry-level air fryer, but "entry-level" doesn't mean underpowered — it means focused. It does what most people actually need an air fryer to do, and it does it well.
Ninja AF101 Specifications
| Spec | Details |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 4 quarts |
| Wattage | 1550W |
| Temperature Range | 105°F – 400°F |
| Cooking Functions | Air Fry, Roast, Reheat, Dehydrate |
| Controls | Analog dial + digital display |
| Basket Material | Nonstick ceramic-coated |
| Dishwasher Safe | Yes (basket & crisper plate) |
| Dimensions | 8.5" W × 11.1" D × 12.4" H |
| Weight | 8.5 lbs |
| Colors Available | Black, Grey |
Design & Build Quality
The AF101 has a clean, no-nonsense look. The matte black finish is understated and doesn't show fingerprints badly. At 8.5 inches wide and just over 12 inches tall, it's compact enough to fit under most kitchen cabinets and won't dominate a small countertop. The footprint is noticeably smaller than basket air fryers in the 5–6 quart range, which matters if you're working with limited counter space.
Build quality feels solid for the price. The basket slides in and out with a satisfying click, the handle is comfortable and stays cool during cooking, and the outer shell doesn't flex or feel cheap. The control panel is a simple combination of a temperature dial, a time dial, and four function buttons — no touchscreen, no app connectivity, no unnecessary complexity. You can operate it without reading the manual, which is exactly what you want from a kitchen appliance.
The nonstick ceramic-coated basket and crisper plate are the two components you'll interact with most. The coating feels durable and releases food cleanly when new. After extended use, some users report the coating showing wear — more on that in the cleaning section. The crisper plate (the perforated insert that sits inside the basket) is what allows hot air to circulate under your food, and it's a key part of why the AF101 cooks evenly. It's also removable and dishwasher safe, which makes cleanup straightforward.
One design note: the AF101 vents from the back, so you'll want at least 5 inches of clearance behind it. The top also gets warm during operation — don't stack anything on it while it's running. These are standard air fryer considerations, not AF101-specific complaints.
Cooking Performance
This is where the AF101 earns its reputation. The 1550-watt heating element combined with Ninja's high-velocity fan produces genuinely crispy results that a conventional oven can't match without significantly longer cook times. We ran it through a range of real-world tests:
Frozen french fries: This is the air fryer benchmark, and the AF101 nails it. A full basket of frozen fries came out evenly golden and crispy in about 16 minutes at 400°F, with a shake halfway through. No soggy spots, no burnt edges. Better than oven fries, faster too.
Chicken thighs (bone-in, skin-on): 25 minutes at 380°F produced chicken with genuinely crispy skin and juicy interior. We checked internal temp — 175°F throughout, no pink. The skin crisped up better than pan-frying without the oil splatter. This is one of the AF101's strongest use cases.
Broccoli: 10 minutes at 375°F with a light oil spray gave us nicely charred florets with crispy edges. Air-fried vegetables are one of the underrated wins of this appliance — the high heat and airflow create a roasted texture that steaming or boiling can't replicate.
Salmon fillet: 10 minutes at 390°F, skin side down. Came out flaky and moist with a lightly crisped exterior. No sticking to the basket. Impressive for a relatively simple appliance.
Reheated pizza: 3–4 minutes at 325°F brought leftover pizza back to life better than a microwave by a wide margin — crispy crust, melted cheese, no sogginess. This alone justifies owning an air fryer for a lot of people.
The one limitation is capacity. The 4-quart basket comfortably fits 2–3 servings of most foods. Cooking for four or more people means multiple batches, which adds time. If you regularly cook for a family, a 5.5–6 quart model would serve you better. For one or two people, the AF101's capacity is just right.
Ease of Use
The AF101 is one of the easiest air fryers to operate. The analog temperature and time dials are intuitive — turn to set, press the function button, done. The digital display shows remaining time and current temperature clearly. There's no app to pair, no WiFi to configure, no preset programs to scroll through. You set the temp, set the time, and cook.
The four function buttons (Air Fry, Roast, Reheat, Dehydrate) are clearly labeled and each one adjusts the fan speed and heating pattern appropriately for the task. Air Fry runs the fan at maximum speed for maximum crispiness. Roast uses a slightly lower fan speed for more even, gentle cooking. Reheat runs at lower heat to warm food without drying it out. Dehydrate runs at very low temperatures (as low as 105°F) for extended periods — useful for making jerky or dried fruit, though the 4-quart capacity limits batch size.
One thing worth noting: the AF101 does not have an automatic preheat function. You can manually preheat it by running it empty for 3 minutes before adding food, which improves results for things like fries and chicken. Some newer air fryers handle this automatically — the AF101 leaves it to you. It's a minor inconvenience, not a dealbreaker.
The basket handle has a button-release mechanism that separates the basket from the outer drawer — this lets you shake food mid-cook without dumping it into the drawer. It's a small but genuinely useful design detail that Ninja has included across their air fryer line.
Cleaning & Maintenance
Cleanup is one of the AF101's genuine strengths. The basket and crisper plate are both dishwasher safe, which means after most cooks you just pull them out, drop them in the dishwasher, and you're done. For hand washing, the nonstick coating releases food residue easily with warm soapy water and a soft sponge — no scrubbing required for normal use.
The interior of the unit itself stays relatively clean because the basket catches most drippings. For greasy cooks like chicken thighs or bacon, some fat will accumulate in the bottom of the basket drawer — wipe it out with a paper towel after it cools. The exterior wipes clean with a damp cloth.
A few caveats on the nonstick coating: avoid metal utensils inside the basket, and don't use abrasive scrubbers. The ceramic coating is durable but not indestructible. With proper care it holds up well; with rough treatment it will show wear over time. Some long-term owners report the coating dulling after a year or two of heavy use — this is common across nonstick air fryer baskets at this price point, not an AF101-specific flaw. Ninja sells replacement baskets if it ever becomes an issue.
One cleaning tip: for sticky or heavily seasoned foods, a quick soak in warm soapy water for 10 minutes before washing makes cleanup even easier. Don't submerge the main unit — only the basket and crisper plate are dishwasher safe.
Value for Money
At $80–$100, the Ninja AF101 sits in the most competitive segment of the air fryer market. You're getting a well-built, genuinely capable appliance from a reputable brand with strong customer support and widely available replacement parts. The price has also dropped over time — it frequently goes on sale for $70 or less, which makes it an even easier recommendation.
Compared to budget air fryers in the $40–$60 range, the AF101 offers noticeably better build quality, more even cooking, and a more reliable nonstick coating. Compared to premium models in the $150–$200 range, you're giving up larger capacity, smart features, and sometimes dual-zone cooking — but for most everyday use cases, those extras aren't necessary.
The value proposition is simple: if you want a compact, reliable, easy-to-use air fryer that will cook your everyday meals well and last for years, the AF101 delivers that at a fair price. It's not trying to be everything — it's trying to be the best straightforward air fryer at its price point, and it succeeds.
Ninja AF101 Pros & Cons
Pros
- Excellent cooking performance — genuinely crispy results on fries, chicken, and vegetables
- Compact footprint — fits comfortably in small kitchens
- Simple, intuitive controls — no learning curve
- Dishwasher-safe basket and crisper plate — easy cleanup
- Four useful cooking functions (Air Fry, Roast, Reheat, Dehydrate)
- Wide temperature range (105°F–400°F) including dehydrate mode
- Solid build quality for the price
- Frequently on sale — great value when discounted
Cons
- 4-quart capacity limits cooking for 3+ people
- No automatic preheat — manual preheat recommended for best results
- Nonstick coating can show wear over time with heavy use
- No smart/WiFi features — purely manual operation
- Vents from the back — needs clearance behind the unit
Final Verdict & Score
The Ninja AF101 is the air fryer we'd recommend to most people shopping in the $80–$100 range. It cooks exceptionally well for its size, it's dead simple to use, and cleanup takes minutes. The 4-quart capacity is the main limiting factor — if you're cooking for a family, size up. But for one or two people who want fast, crispy, everyday cooking without fuss, the AF101 is the benchmark at this price. It's been a bestseller for years because it genuinely earns it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Ninja AF101 worth buying?
Yes, for most people. The Ninja AF101 delivers excellent cooking performance, simple operation, and easy cleanup at a price that's hard to argue with. It's particularly well-suited for 1–2 person households who want an air fryer for everyday cooking — fries, chicken, vegetables, reheating leftovers. If you need to cook for 3 or more people regularly, you'd be better served by a 5.5–6 quart model. But for its target use case, the AF101 is one of the best values in the air fryer market.
How big is the Ninja AF101 basket?
The Ninja AF101 has a 4-quart basket capacity. In practical terms, that's enough for about 2 lbs of french fries, 2–3 chicken thighs, or a generous serving of vegetables for two people. It's compact by air fryer standards — comfortably serves 1–2 people per batch. For reference, the unit itself measures 8.5" wide × 11.1" deep × 12.4" tall, making it one of the more compact basket air fryers available.
Does the Ninja AF101 preheat?
The Ninja AF101 does not have an automatic preheat function. However, you can manually preheat it by running it empty at your desired cooking temperature for 2–3 minutes before adding food. Preheating is recommended for foods where you want maximum crispiness — like fries, chicken wings, or anything breaded. For foods that don't need a crispy exterior, you can skip the preheat and add food to a cold basket without significantly affecting results.
How do you clean the Ninja AF101?
The basket and crisper plate are both dishwasher safe — for most cooks, you just pull them out and put them in the dishwasher. For hand washing, warm soapy water and a soft sponge is all you need; the nonstick coating releases food easily. Wipe the interior of the unit with a damp cloth after it cools. For greasy cooks, wipe out any accumulated fat from the basket drawer with a paper towel before washing. Never submerge the main unit in water. Avoid metal utensils and abrasive scrubbers to preserve the nonstick coating.
Ninja AF101 vs Cosori — which is better?
Both are excellent air fryers in the same price range, and the right choice depends on your priorities. The Ninja AF101 wins on simplicity — the analog dial controls are more intuitive, and the build quality feels slightly more robust. The Cosori (particularly the 5.8-quart model) wins on capacity and features — it's larger, often includes a digital touchscreen with preset programs, and some models offer app connectivity. If you want a no-fuss, compact air fryer that just works, go Ninja AF101. If you want more capacity and don't mind a slightly steeper learning curve, the Cosori is worth considering. For a full comparison, see our best air fryers guide.