Instant Pot As A Pressure Fryer: Is It Possible?

The Instant Pot is a versatile kitchen appliance that can be used for a variety of cooking methods, but can it be used as a pressure fryer? The short answer is no. Frying requires oil to be heated to high temperatures, typically between 350°F to 375°F, and while the Instant Pot can sauté, which is a form of frying, it is not designed for deep frying. This is because it doesn't reach the necessary temperatures and is not equipped with the same safety features as a dedicated pressure fryer, posing a risk of fires, toxic fumes, and explosions.

Instant Pots cannot be used as deep fryers

Deep frying requires large amounts of oil to be heated to high temperatures. Instant Pots are not designed to reach these temperatures, and doing so could be dangerous. The Instant Pot's safety features are designed to work with water and steam, and may not function properly with oil. This could lead to accidents, including fires and explosions.

The Instant Pot's sauté function can be used for pan-frying with small amounts of oil, but this is not the same as deep frying. The Instant Pot cannot achieve the same temperature or results as a dedicated deep fryer, and attempting to do so could be hazardous.

If you're looking for crispy results, there are some alternative methods you can try with your Instant Pot. You could use an air fryer lid attachment, which is compatible with some models. This accessory transforms your Instant Pot into an air fryer, allowing you to cook crispy foods without the large amounts of oil required for deep frying.

Another technique is 'pot-in-pot' cooking, where you place another container inside your Instant Pot with a small amount of oil and your ingredients. This method essentially bakes the food at high pressure, giving a similar texture and taste to deep frying without the safety risks.

While Instant Pots are incredibly versatile, they have their limitations, and deep frying is one task they cannot safely perform. Attempting to use your Instant Pot as a deep fryer could lead to unsafe conditions, so it's best to stick to alternative methods or dedicated deep fryers for this cooking technique.

Instant Pots are not designed for pressure frying

Pressure frying combines pressure cooking and deep frying. Pressure fryers heat up to higher temperatures capable of boiling oil. The combination of higher heat from the oil and pressure cooks food faster. However, most electric pressure cookers, including Instant Pots, do not get hot enough to boil oil, which is the key to pressure frying.

Additionally, pressure fryers have more built-in safety mechanisms to deal with the hazards of putting hot oil under high pressure. Electric pressure cookers lack these specific safety measures, so attempting to use them as pressure fryers could result in fires, toxic fumes, or even explosions.

The Instant Pot's design and functionality are not meant for deep frying. While it is possible to add oil and use a setting that doesn't utilize pressure, this is not recommended due to safety concerns. Electric pressure cookers can scorch the cooking pot and cause fires when heating large amounts of oil.

Furthermore, all the safety features in an Instant Pot are intended to work with water and steam. Emergency pressure release valves and other safety mechanisms may not function properly when oil is used, increasing the risk of accidents.

Instant Pots are versatile kitchen appliances, but they have their limitations. For pressure frying, it is advisable to use a dedicated pressure fryer or a stovetop pressure cooker.

You can pan-fry with an Instant Pot, but only with a small amount of oil

The short answer is no, you can't use an Instant Pot as a traditional fryer. However, this doesn't mean you can't achieve a similar fried texture and taste.

Pan-frying with an Instant Pot

Workarounds for a fried effect

If you're craving a crispy texture and taste, there are some workarounds to achieve similar results without deep frying. One technique is 'pot-in-pot' cooking, which involves placing another container inside your Instant Pot with a little bit of oil and your ingredients, essentially baking them at high pressure. This won't be exactly like deep frying, but it will give you a similar texture and taste.

You can also use gadgets like a silicone steamer insert or an air fryer attachment designed for certain Instant Pot models. These tools allow hot air to circulate around the food, giving it a golden exterior without submerging it in oil.

Additionally, the Instant Pot Duo Crisp, Instant Pot Pro Crisp & Air Fryer, or the Instant Pot Air Fryer Lid can be used to add air fryer capabilities to your Instant Pot, giving you crispier results.

Safety hazards of frying in an Instant Pot

It's important to note that frying with an Instant Pot comes with safety risks. Frying typically requires oil temperatures of 350°F or higher, but introducing such high heat to an Instant Pot could lead to overheating or pressurized explosions within closed systems not designed for open frying.

Electric pressure cookers, like the Instant Pot, do not have the same safety measures as pressure fryers to deal with putting hot oil under high pressure. As a result, attempting to use them for pressure frying can lead to fires, toxic fumes, and explosions.

Instant Pots can be used as air fryers with the right attachment

Instant Pots are versatile kitchen appliances that can be used for a variety of cooking methods, such as pressure cooking, slow cooking, sautéing, and even baking. However, one thing that an Instant Pot cannot do is deep frying.

Deep frying requires high temperatures, typically between 350°F to 375°F, to heat the oil, and the design of the Instant Pot is not suitable for this purpose. The appliance is focused on pressure and slow cooking and does not reach the necessary temperatures for deep frying.

However, this doesn't mean that you can't achieve crispy, fried textures and flavours with your Instant Pot. There are a few workarounds to get similar results:

Firstly, you can use the sauté function with a small amount of oil to brown meats or create a crust on foods like potatoes. This won't give you the same crunch as deep frying, but it will add a pleasingly crisp texture to your dishes.

Secondly, you can invest in an air fryer lid accessory if your Instant Pot model supports it. This accessory transforms your Instant Pot into an air fryer, allowing you to cook crispy snacks like French fries or chicken wings without the need for large amounts of oil.

Additionally, some newer Instant Pot models offer 10-in-1 functionality, which includes an air fryer feature. These models, such as the Instant Pot Duo Crisp + Air Fryer or the Instant Pot Pro Crisp & Air Fryer, provide a convenient way to air fry your favourite foods without the need for additional attachments.

While Instant Pots cannot be used as traditional deep fryers, these alternative methods can help you achieve similar results with the right attachments and techniques.

You can use an Instant Pot to sauté ingredients

When using the sauté function on an Instant Pot, it is important to use only a small amount of oil and to drain any excess oil before switching to pressure cooking. This is because the Instant Pot is not designed for deep frying, which requires submerging food in hot oil. Deep frying poses safety risks in an Instant Pot due to the high temperatures and potential for fires.

While the Instant Pot cannot be used for deep frying, there are some workarounds to achieve a similar crispy texture. One option is to use an air fryer lid attachment, which is compatible with some Instant Pot models. This accessory transforms the Instant Pot into an air fryer, allowing you to cook crispy foods without using large amounts of oil.

Another technique is 'pot-in-pot' cooking, where you place another container inside your Instant Pot with a small amount of oil and your ingredients. This method essentially bakes the food at high pressure, resulting in a similar texture and taste to deep frying.

It is important to note that the Instant Pot should not be used for deep frying due to safety concerns. The device is not designed to handle the high temperatures and oil volumes required for this cooking method.

Frequently asked questions