Instant Pot Air Fryer: What You Need To Know

The Instant Pot is a multicooker that can be used as a pressure cooker, rice cooker, slow cooker, and more. Some models, like the Instant Pot Duo Crisp and Instant Pot Pro Crisp, can also be used as air fryers. These models come with two lids: a regular Instant Pot lid and an air fryer lid. The air fryer lid is heavy and can be difficult to store, but it does save countertop space. The air frying component also doesn't get foods as crispy as other air fryers or traditional frying methods.

Instant Pot Duo Crisp Air Fryer: pros and cons

The Instant Pot Duo Crisp Air Fryer is a fast, versatile, and convenient appliance with 11 customizable programs for quick one-touch meals. It has two lids: one for pressure cooking and one for air frying. The air fryer lid is said to give you the crunch and tenderness of deep-fried food with 95% less oil.

Pros

• It is an 11-in-1 pressure cooker, slow cooker, steamer, sauté pan, food warmer, sous vide, air fryer, roaster, mini oven, broiler, and dehydrator.
• It has a customizable temperature range of 105°F (41°C) to 400°F (201°F) for the Air Frying Lid.
• It can cook up to eight portions, making it perfect for families, meal prep, and big batch cooking.
• It is up to 70% faster and more energy-efficient than other cooking methods.
• It has 10+ proven safety features, including Overheat Protection and a safe locking lid.
• It comes with a variety of accessories, including a multi-functional stainless-steel rack, a multi-level air fryer basket with a base, and a broil/dehydrating tray.
• It is easy to clean, with a dishwasher-safe pressure cooking lid and inner pot.
• It has a sleek and minimal design.
• It is bigger than other air fryers, with dual-level cooking, so you can fit more in.
• It doesn't smoke or drip fat onto the kitchen counter like other air fryers.
• It is simple to use; simply cook, switch, crisp.
• It has built-in preheating, which starts when you press 'Start' and before the countdown timer begins.
• It has an automated pressure release with three options: quick release, pulse release, and natural release.
• It has a comfortable 6.5-quart capacity, which is large enough to feed a family but not too monstrous for storage.
• It has six sauté levels, offering a more precise range of heat.
• It has an easy-to-use control panel with a bright LCD display, a progress bar, a start button, and step-by-step instructions.

Cons

• It is expensive, retailing at around $200.
• It is not great for pressure cooking or air frying when compared to other appliances.
• It has a heavy pressure cooking panel, weighing about the same as the lid on the Instant Pot Rio (almost 2.5 pounds).
• The silicone sealing ring is not removable, which means it will absorb odors and impart them onto other dishes.
• The hinged lid uses a lot of vertical space, making it difficult to place the machine under overhead kitchen cabinets.
• Its air frying ability is just okay, and it is limited in capacity.
• The sealing ring may wear out over time and cannot be replaced.
• There are concerns about the longevity of the appliance, with multiple customer reviews mentioning a malfunction with the lid-locking mechanism.

Instant Pot Air Fryer: how to use it

The Instant Pot Air Fryer is a multi-use pressure cooker that can be used for air frying, pressure cooking, slow cooking, roasting, baking, dehydrating, and more. It comes with two lids: a regular Instant Pot lid and an air fryer lid.

Setting Up the Instant Pot Air Fryer

First, place the inner pot inside the cooker base. Then, depending on what you are cooking, you can place the multi-level air fryer basket or the steamer basket inside the inner pot. It is recommended to spray these baskets with olive oil to avoid sticking.

Cooking with the Instant Pot Air Fryer

Add a single layer of ingredients to the basket inside the inner pot. Place the air fryer lid on the cooker base and select the Air Fry Smart Program. Set the cooking temperature and time using the '+' and '-' buttons. Note that the unit will default to the previous cook settings, so adjust accordingly.

Press Start. Lifting the lid during cooking will pause the cooking process, which will resume when the lid is replaced. Halfway through the cooking process, the unit will beep, indicating that you should turn the food. You can ignore the beep and allow cooking to continue, or you can turn the food and replace the lid to recommence cooking.

Once the cooking program is completed, the unit will beep. Place the Air Fryer Lid on the Protective Pad and remove the food.

Safety and Cleaning

During and after cooking, the air fryer components will be very hot. Use oven mitts to handle the parts and keep them away from children. The air fryer lid also becomes hot underneath, so use the heat-proof Protective Pad.

The inner pot, protective pad, air fryer basket base, broil/dehydrating tray, multi-level air fryer basket, and steamer baskets are dishwasher-safe. The cooker base and air fryer lid cannot be placed in the dishwasher; simply wipe them clean with a damp cloth.

Instant Pot Air Fryer: cooking times

The Instant Pot Air Fryer is a versatile appliance that can be used for a variety of cooking methods, including air frying, pressure cooking, slow cooking, roasting, dehydrating, steaming, and more. Here are some tips and guidelines for using the Instant Pot Air Fryer and the approximate cooking times for various foods.

Using the Instant Pot Air Fryer:

The Instant Pot Air Fryer typically comes with two lids: a pressure cooker lid and an air fryer lid. Here's a step-by-step guide to using the air fryer lid:

• Attach the air fryer lid to the Instant Pot Duo Crisp and turn it to lock into place.
• Select the air fryer option and set the desired temperature and time.
• Hit the "Start" button, and the air fryer will warm up.
• Once it's ready, add your food to the air fryer basket, the dehydrating tray, or directly into the stainless steel inner pot, depending on what you're cooking.
• Put the lid back on the unit and begin cooking.
• Halfway through the cooking process, the Instant Pot will prompt you to turn the food to prevent burning. Remove the lid, turn the food, and replace the lid.

Instant Pot Air Fryer Cooking Times:

The cooking times may vary slightly depending on the model and the specific food you're cooking. Here are some approximate cooking times for common foods, set at 400 degrees Fahrenheit:

• Asparagus: 3-5 minutes (Broil setting)
• Beef or Steak: 13-15 minutes
• Chicken: 20-22 minutes (Roasted setting)
• Cauliflower: 11-13 minutes
• Carrots: 8-10 minutes
• French Fries: 18-24 minutes
• Green Beans: 9-11 minutes
• Zucchini: 8-10 minutes

You can also cook other foods like shrimp, bacon, and frozen foods in the Instant Pot Air Fryer. Just adjust the temperature and time accordingly, and remember to preheat the air fryer before adding your food. Additionally, remember to refer to the user manual for specific instructions and safety guidelines for your particular model.

Instant Pot Air Fryer: accessories

Instant Pot offers a range of accessories for its Air Fryer products. The Instant Pot Duo Crisp + Air Fryer, for example, comes with two removable lids, a multi-functional stainless-steel rack, a multi-level air fryer basket, a broil/dehydrating tray, and a protective pad and storage cover.

There are also a variety of third-party accessories available for Instant Pot Air Fryers. These include:

• Silicone sealing rings
• Red & blue sealing rings for sweet and savoury dishes
• Extra inner pots in stainless steel or non-stick
• Glass lids
• Mesh steamer baskets
• Steam racks
• Trivet
• Insert pans
• Silicone egg bites moulds
• Bamboo steamer
• Silicone steamer basket
• Extreme heat-resistant gloves

Instant Pot also offers a range of accessories for its other products, such as sealing rings, steam release handles, and lids.

Instant Pot Air Fryer: safety

The Instant Pot Air Fryer has over 10 proven safety features, including Overheat Protection and a safe locking lid. The inner pot is made of stainless steel, which is food-grade in the 6QT Multi-Use Pressure Cooker.

During and after cooking, the air fryer components will be very hot. Take care and use oven mitts to handle the parts. The air fryer lid also becomes very hot underneath, so use the heatproof Protective Pad and keep it away from children. The cooker base and air fryer lid cannot be submerged in water or put in the dishwasher; simply wipe them clean with a damp cloth.

The Instant Pot Air Fryer has a customizable temperature range of 105°F (41°C) to 400°F (201°F) for the Air Frying Lid. The Pro version has a higher maximum temperature of 450°F (232°C).

Frequently asked questions