Air Fryer Lid: Basket-Free Instant Pot Magic

The Instant Pot Air Fryer Lid is a popular choice for those looking to save space in their kitchen by using their Instant Pot as an air fryer. However, it's worth noting that while it saves height, it takes up just as much floor space as a conventional air fryer. The lid is easy to set up and use, simply placed on top of the Instant Pot and plugged into an electrical outlet. It comes with a basket to hold the food inside the Instant Pot, but can the lid be used without the basket?

Using the air fryer lid without the basket

The air fryer lid can be used without the basket, but for best results, it is recommended to use a basket or trivet to allow air to circulate effectively around the ingredients and raise the food closer to the heating element.

The Instant Pot Duo Crisp + Air Fryer comes with a multi-level air fryer basket, a broiling tray, and a protective pad. The basket has small wire side handles for lifting and a removable base that keeps it off the bottom of the pot. The broiler tray fits inside the basket and has two larger holes that are perfect for inserting a finger and thumb to place the tray in the frying basket.

The basket and broiler tray are not necessary if you are using the air fryer lid without the basket. However, it is important to note that the air fryer lid only fits certain Instant Pot models, so you should check the compatibility of your Instant Pot model before purchasing the air fryer lid.

To use the air fryer lid without the basket, simply place the inner pot in the cooker base. You can then place your food directly into the inner pot, making sure to leave enough space for air circulation. Place the air fryer lid on the cooker base and set the desired temperature and time using the controls on the lid.

It is important to note that the air fryer lid should not be used with ceramic non-stick coated inner pots. Always use stainless steel inner pots when using the air fryer lid. Additionally, the air fryer lid and cooker base should be wiped clean with a damp cloth, as they cannot be immersed in water.

By using the air fryer lid without the basket, you can save space and add air frying functionality to your Instant Pot without purchasing a separate air fryer appliance.

Using a trivet instead of the basket

One user on Reddit reported that they had used the trivet that came with their Instant Pot without any issues. They mentioned that the trivet has plenty of holes for air circulation and that their food turned out well. Another user suggested that a mesh steamer basket could be used as an alternative to the air fryer basket, as it is made of stainless steel and does not have a non-stick coating.

It's important to note that using a trivet instead of the basket may require some adjustments to the cooking time and temperature. Some users have reported that they did not notice any difference in the results when using a trivet, while others have mentioned that they needed to increase the cooking time slightly.

Overall, if you are uncomfortable with using the non-stick coating of the air fryer basket, using a trivet or mesh steamer basket is a viable alternative. Just be sure to use something that allows for proper air circulation and elevates the food close enough to the heating element.

Air fryer basket alternatives

The Instant Pot Duo Crisp + Air Fryer comes with a non-stick coating basket. However, some users have reported that the coating comes off after a few uses. If you are looking for alternatives to the basket, here are some options:

Stainless Steel Steamer Baskets

The Instant Pot Duo Crisp + Air Fryer comes with stainless steel steamer baskets as an optional accessory. These baskets can be used for dual-layer cooking or to bring your ingredients closer to the cooking element for better results. For example, you can use them for cooking meat chops. Before use, lightly spray the baskets with olive oil to avoid sticking.

Metal Insert

Some users have reported using the metal insert that comes with the Instant Pot and spraying it with cooking spray. This allows for a similar capacity as using two layers with the basket.

Instant Pot Stainless Steel Basket

The Instant Pot also offers a stainless steel basket that can be purchased separately. This basket works great and fits inside the Instant Pot.

Parchment Paper

Another option is to use parchment paper. Poke some holes in the paper to allow for air circulation and place your food on top. This helps to eliminate food from sticking to the basket.

Oven Crisper Basket

If you are looking for an alternative to the air fryer basket altogether, you can try using an oven crisper basket. These baskets are available for around £10 and can be used in your oven to create crispy chips, pizza, and pastries, similar to an air fryer. The fine mesh material allows heat to circulate around your food while letting moisture escape, resulting in crispy food.

Air fryer lid compatibility

The Instant Pot Air Fryer Lid is compatible with the following 6-quart models: Lux, Duo, Duo Plus, Viva, Nova Plus, Ultra, and Duo Nova. This includes different colour variations of these models.

It is not compatible with the following models: Smart WiFi 60, Duo Evo Plus 6, Duo Evo Plus 60, Duo SV 60, or Max 60. It is also not compatible with 3-quart or 8-quart Instant Pots or with electric pressure cookers made by other companies.

The Air Fryer Lid is also designed to be used with stainless steel inner pots, not with ceramic non-stick coated inner pots.

Zavor's Air Fryer Lid is compatible with any round 6-quart or 8-quart pot with an inner diameter between 8.5" and 9.75". This includes the following Zavor models: ZPot 6.3Qt Pressure Cooker, DUO 6.3Qt or 8.4Qt Pressure Cooker, EZLock 6Qt or 8Qt Pressure Cooker, Select 6Qt or 8Qt Electric Pressure Cooker, LUX 6Qt or 8Qt Multicooker, LUX Edge 6Qt or 8Qt Multicooker, and LUX LCD 6Qt or 8Qt Multicooker.

Air fryer lid vs air fryer

An air fryer lid is a compact alternative to a full air fryer, which can be bulky and take up a lot of counter space. An air fryer lid can be placed on top of an Instant Pot and plugged in. The lid comes with a basket, a broiling/dehydrating tray, and a protective pad. The basket is quite small and is probably best suited for small servings, individual portions, and snacks. The lid has a handle for easy lifting, and simple controls that will be familiar to anyone who has used an Instant Pot.

An air fryer, on the other hand, is a supercharged convection oven that rapidly circulates hot air to cook food. It can be used to cook a wider variety of foods than an air fryer lid, including pizza, rotisserie chicken, and toast. Air fryers are larger than air fryer lids, and therefore have more cooking capacity. They can be used to cook for larger groups, such as families. However, they can be more difficult to clean than air fryer lids, as you will need to clean racks, drip pans, and air fryer baskets.

Both air fryer lids and air fryers are good options for people who want to cook fried foods with minimal oil. Air fryer lids are a good choice for those who are short on counter space, while air fryers are better for those who want to cook for larger groups and have more variety in their cooking.

Frequently asked questions