Air fryers have taken the cooking world by storm in recent years. These versatile, countertop-friendly appliances are designed to cook foods to crispy perfection without using loads of oil or fat. Essentially functioning as a miniature convection oven, an air fryer uses an interior fan to rapidly circulate hot air around food that’s placed inside an interior basket. And, since most air fryers can reach temperatures of 400°F or higher, they’re ideal for folks living in small quarters or who don’t have access to an oven or toaster.
That said, if you’ve ever taken a stroll down the appliance aisle — whether virtually or physically — you’ll notice there’s an overwhelmingly large number of air fryer options out there. Luckily, there’s one air fryer we really love, and it just so happens to be on sale for a sweet Black Friday discount. Enter the Ninja AF101 Air Fryer.
Ninja AF101 Air Fryer, $89.99 (44% off)
This sleek, compact air fryer boasts a temperature range of 105°F to 400°F, making it just as effective at warming up leftovers as it is crisping up chicken wings. Its ceramic-coated nonstick basket has a 4-quart capacity, which fits up to two pounds of French fries. Aside from air frying and reheating, you can also use this appliance to roast and dehydrate foods, and you’ll find specific buttons on the control panel for each function.
The Ninja air fryer comes with a removable basket, a crisper plate and a multi-layer rack, all of which are dishwasher safe. You’ll also get a complimentary booklet with 20 air-fryer-friendly recipes to try, from panko-crusted cod to crispy Brussels sprouts. Before you use your Ninja air fryer, you’ll need to give it time to preheat for best results. (It is basically an oven, after all.) This Ninja model requires roughly three minutes of preheating time, and then it’s ready to rock and roll.
With nearly 70,000 five-star ratings on Amazon, it’s clear that this Ninja air fryer is a favorite. One reviewer even deemed it the “best appliance since the microwave.” Our editor Abby also owns this air fryer and says she uses it more than her oven. “I cook chicken breasts, roast my favorite veggies, and even reheat leftover French fries, and it comes out delicious every single time. It’s honestly the most-used kitchen appliance I own.”
So, whether this is your first foray into the world of air fryers, or whether you’re an air fryer aficionado who’s looking to replace an older model, it’s hard to beat this Ninja AF101 version. And with the current Black Friday discount, now is the perfect time to add it to your cart.
