Ninja’s hottest air fry setting — about 450 °F on most models, often at a fixed temperature — built for frozen fries, nuggets and wings. For fresh or raw food, use Air Fry instead and set the temperature yourself.
What it does
Maximum heat and fan speed for a short cook. The surface crisps and browns fast, which suits food that is already cooked and only needs heating through and crisping — the whole frozen aisle.
When to use Max Crisp
- Frozen fries, tots and potato products.
- Nuggets, popcorn chicken and breaded frozen snacks.
- Frozen wings and appetizers.
- Re-crisping leftovers in a few minutes — see can you reheat food in an air fryer.
When not to
- Raw chicken and thick pieces, which burn outside before the middle is done — use Air Fry at 360 to 380 °F and a thermometer.
- Baked goods and anything in a dish, which scorch on top.
- Delicate fish and vegetables, which dry out.
See how do I stop food drying out in an air fryer.
How to use it well
One layer, shaken twice. At this heat the gap between golden and burnt is short, so check a few minutes early. No parchment or liner — paper chars at 450 °F, above its usual 420 to 450 °F rating. See can you put parchment paper in an air fryer.
Presets in general
A preset is a pair of values — temperature and time — with a name attached. Max Crisp, Air Fry, Roast and Reheat are starting points, not recipes. See what a program actually is and can I cook frozen food in an air fryer.
Check your own manual before you follow anything here. Temperatures, fill limits and pressure ratings differ from model to model, and the manufacturer’s figures take precedence over anything written on this site. We report what makers publish — an oven’s range in degrees, a cooker’s maximum fill line, whether a part is declared dishwasher-safe — and we never turn those figures into food-safety guidance. Cooking temperatures and holding times for particular foods are set by manufacturers and by your national food safety authority, and this site points you to them rather than restating them.
What readers want to know
When should I use Max Crisp instead of Air Fry?
For frozen food that is already cooked — fries, tots, nuggets, frozen wings and appetizers — where the job is to heat through and crisp the surface fast. Use Air Fry at 350 to 400 °F for raw chicken, fresh vegetables and anything thick, so the middle cooks before the outside burns.
Can I change the temperature on Max Crisp?
On many Ninja models, no — Max Crisp runs at a fixed temperature and you set only the time. Some models allow adjustment. Your manual lists the setting for your model; if you need control, use Air Fry and set the temperature yourself.
Do other brands have a Max Crisp setting?
Not by that name. Max Crisp is Ninja's term. Other brands reach the same result with their highest air fry temperature or a preset for frozen food — check the top of the temperature range in the manual.
Last reviewed 18 October 2026