Marianne Martinez
Air fryers are a great way to cook anything you would normally bake, roast or fry. Instant Pot offers a range of air fryers that can also pressure cook, slow cook, sauté, steam, make yoghurt, dehydrate and more. Instant Pot's Duo Crisp model is a popular choice, offering convenience, versatility and healthier cooking options. It comes with a range of preset cooking programs, making it simple to cook different dishes with the touch of a button. The Instant Vortex air fryer is another option, which is a stand-alone toaster oven-style air fryer with a larger capacity. Whatever model you choose, air fryers are a great way to cook classic fried favourites like French fries, chicken wings and mozzarella sticks, as well as quick breakfast bites like bacon, hash browns and mini quiches, and healthy veggie sides like zucchini fries, roasted Brussels sprouts and cauliflower bites.
How to Cook in an Instant Air Fryer
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Food Types | Classic Fried Favorites, Quick Breakfast Bites, Healthy Veggie Sides, Unique Snacks, Protein Boosters, Reheating Food |
| Food Examples | French Fries, Chicken Wings, Mozzarella Sticks, Bacon, Hash Browns, Mini Quiches, Zucchini Fries, Roasted Brussels Sprouts, Cauliflower Bites, Chickpeas, Crispy Tofu, Sweet Potato Chips, Shrimp, Salmon Bites, Crispy Chicken Breast, Pizza, Burgers, Cheese Steak |
| Benefits | Faster Cooking Times, Less Prep and Cook Time, Energy-Efficient, Space-Saving, Dishwasher-Safe Parts, Easy Clean-Up, Healthy Cooking |
| Functions | Air Fry, Pressure Cook, Slow Cook, Steam, Sauté, Sous-Vide, Dehydrate, Make Yogurt |
| Accessories | Inner Pot, Protective Pad, Air Fryer Basket Base, Broil/Dehydrating Tray, Multi-Level Air Fry Basket, Mesh Steamer Baskets, Kitchen Thermometer |
| Tips | Lightly Spray Basket with Olive Oil to Avoid Sticking, Use Stainless Steel to Avoid Non-Stick Cookware, Preheating is Optional |
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What You'll Learn
Instant Pot Duo Crisp
The Instant Pot Duo Crisp is a hybrid electric pressure cooker and air fryer. It is a convenient appliance for cooking and then browning dishes quickly, with the ability to pressure cook, air fry, roast, broil, bake, dehydrate and proof. It also has six sauté levels, with the higher levels browning food faster. The Instant Pot Duo Crisp has a capacity of 6.5 quarts, which is a more comfortable size than its 8-quart predecessor.
The Duo Crisp has an Ultimate Lid, which is a single hinged lid with air fryer heating coils on the inside. To pressure cook, you must attach a separate panel to the inside of the lid, covering the heating coils. The pressure release is automated, with three options: quick release, pulse release, and natural release. You can toggle between the three options with a button on the front panel, and the steam release mode can be changed at any time during the cooking process.
The Instant Pot Duo Crisp is a great appliance for cooking a wide variety of foods, including chicken wings, french fries, mozzarella sticks, bacon, hash browns, mini quiches, zucchini fries, roasted Brussels sprouts, cauliflower bites, chickpeas, crispy tofu, sweet potato chips, shrimp, salmon bites, and crispy chicken breast.
The Instant Pot Duo Crisp is also useful for reheating food such as pizza, burgers, or cheese steak. It is possible to make crispy, gluten-free, plant-based French fries in the air fryer, as well as air-fried pickles, carrot fries, and pumpkin chips.
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Air fryer accessories
Air fryers are a popular kitchen appliance, and for good reason. They can quickly crisp up veggies, bake bread, and even cook chicken wings. To make the most of your air fryer, you may want to invest in some accessories. Here are some of the best air fryer accessories to elevate your cooking experience:
Air Fryer Liners
Liners are a great accessory to have as they serve a dual purpose. They contain and separate food items, preventing them from sticking together and making it easier to clean your air fryer afterward. Liners also help to keep your air fryer clean by catching any drippings or overflow during cooking.
Oil Sprayer
Air fryers use less oil than traditional frying methods, but a spritz of oil can help make your food crispier and more golden-brown. An oil sprayer allows you to easily control the amount of oil used, ensuring a healthier and more delicious dish.
Mandoline Slicer
A mandoline slicer is perfect for creating uniform slices of vegetables. This accessory is especially useful if you want to make crunchy chips or easy onion rings. It can also be used for slicing pickles or other similar foods. Remember to always use a glove with a mandoline due to its sharp blade.
Double-Layer Air Fryer Rack
This multi-purpose accessory allows you to fry, grill, or bake a variety of foods. It is suitable for all air fryer sizes and can be a great addition for those who want to cook larger quantities or different types of food at the same time.
Skewer and Rack Set
If you're interested in trying air-fried beef skewers, a skewer and rack set is a must-have. The rack can also be used on its own to prepare burgers, fish, or steak, making it a versatile accessory for your air fryer.
With these accessories, you can expand your air fryer recipe repertoire and make even more delicious dishes with ease.
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$11.97 $22.99
Classic fried favourites
For a classic savoury meal, you could try a meatloaf, fried chicken, or steak. For the meatloaf, you can achieve a moist, flavoursome loaf with a crispy exterior. Serve with mashed potatoes for a traditional meal. For fried chicken, you can get crunchy skin, a crisp coating, and juicy, tender meat. Chicken tenders are also a great option, and you can serve them with your favourite dipping sauce. If you're after a steak, the hot, circulating air of the air fryer will quickly brown the outside of the meat, giving it a golden-brown edge that mimics a hard sear.
If you're after a veggie option, you could try making cauliflower florets. Toss them in a batter made from flour, cornstarch, salt, pepper, and water, then pop them in the air fryer at 450 degrees Fahrenheit for 8-10 minutes. Take them out, brush them with buffalo sauce, and put them back in for another 8-10 minutes. Serve with ranch, blue cheese, or more buffalo sauce.
For dessert, you could try making chocolate chip cookies, which will come out crispy on the outside and gooey on the inside. You could also try making cinnamon rolls, which are ready in a fraction of the time compared to traditional cooking methods.
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Healthy veggie sides
Air fryers are a great way to cook healthy veggie sides, with the appliance helping you cook up a storm in a matter of minutes. The best part? You can cook veggies to crispy perfection without having to use a lot of oil.
Preparation
The first step is to choose your vegetables. You can use any combination of veggies you like, but some popular options include broccoli, bell peppers, zucchini, squash, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, eggplant, and potatoes. Once you have your veggies, cut them into evenly sized pieces to ensure even cooking.
Next, it's time to season. Drizzle your veggies with olive oil and add your choice of dry spices and seasonings. You can go with a simple combination of salt and pepper, or get creative with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, paprika, or cumin. Give the veggies a good toss to ensure they're evenly coated.
Cooking
Preheat your air fryer to between 375°F to 400°F. While it's warming up, place your seasoned veggies in the air fryer basket, giving it a shake to ensure they don't stick. You can also spray the basket with non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
Cook your veggies for around 8-10 minutes, or until they're tender and slightly charred. Keep an eye on them, as cook times may vary depending on your air fryer. If you're cooking a large batch, you may need to work in batches or cook for a few minutes longer.
Serving
Once your veggies are cooked to perfection, season them with some more salt and pepper to taste, and serve immediately. You can also sprinkle on some Parmesan cheese for an extra savory touch.
Recipe Ideas
- Zucchini Chips: Zucchini crisps up nicely in the air fryer, with a creamy interior and crispy exterior. Add a squeeze of lemon for a bright, tangy flavor.
- Cauliflower Buffalo Bites: These bites cook up fast and are tender-crisp with a nice brown color. Serve with a creamy, savory dip like blue cheese or cottage cheese.
- Brussels Sprouts: These veggies get a bad rap, but when cooked in the air fryer, they become crispy and delicious.
- Sweet Potatoes: Cut into fries or wedges, sweet potatoes get crispy around the edges and tender on the inside. Season with ground sumac or paprika for a tangy spice mix.
- Kale Chips: Fresh kale leaves turn extra crispy in under 15 minutes, making for a healthy and delicious snack.
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Reheating food
There are some foods that are not recommended for reheating in an air fryer, such as leafy greens, whole roasts, cheese without a coating, soups, stews, pasta, and rice. These foods are better suited for other reheating methods such as the oven, microwave, or stovetop.
However, for foods like pizza, French fries, fried snacks, chicken, steak, burgers, and roasted or air-fried vegetables, an air fryer is a perfect choice. It crisps up the exterior while gently warming the inside, and it doesn't require additional oil.
To reheat food in an air fryer, you can follow these general steps:
- Preheat the air fryer for 5 minutes at 400°F/204°C.
- Place the food in the air fryer basket.
- Set the temperature to 350°F/175°C and cook for 3 to 5 minutes, or until the food is crispy and heated through to your liking.
- Shake or flip the food halfway through for a more even cook.
The temperature and time may vary depending on the food and your desired level of crispness. For example, if you want to crisp up your leftovers, a higher temperature of 390°F/200°C or higher is recommended. On the other hand, if you're worried about drying out your food, a lower temperature of 360°F/80°C or lower is suggested.
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Frequently asked questions
You can cook a variety of foods in an instant air fryer, including chicken wings, french fries, chicken tenders, roasted squash, pork chops, salmon fillets, chicken breasts, sausages, and baked potatoes.
To cook salmon fillets in an instant air fryer, rub the fillets with olive oil and herb seasoning, put them in the air fryer basket, and cook at 180 degrees Celsius for 8-10 minutes.
Instant air fryers offer convenience, versatility, and healthier cooking options. They can also save space in your kitchen by combining multiple appliances into one device.
The Instant Pot Duo Crisp + Air Fryer has a simple program that you can set to cook your food. It also has interchangeable lids for air frying and pressure cooking.
Here are some tips for using an instant air fryer:
- Lightly spray the air fryer basket with olive oil to prevent sticking.
- Use the air fryer for foods that you would typically bake, roast, or fry.
- Use oven mitts to handle the air fryer components, as they will be hot during and after cooking.
