Instant Pot Air Fryer: Creative, Quick, And Tasty Ideas

The Instant Pot Air Fryer is a versatile appliance that can cook a wide range of dishes, from appetizers and snacks to main courses and desserts. It's perfect for those who want to make crispy and healthy meals without deep-frying. With its air-frying capability, the Instant Pot can cook anything from french fries and chicken tenders to roasted vegetables and even desserts like apple fritters and chocolate chip cookies.

One of the biggest advantages of using an Instant Pot Air Fryer is its convenience. You can make a complete meal in one pot, and it's also great for heating frozen foods. The air fryer is also a healthier alternative to deep-frying, as it uses little to no oil while still giving your food a crispy texture.

Whether you're a beginner or an experienced cook, the Instant Pot Air Fryer offers a range of delicious and easy-to-follow recipes to explore and enjoy.

Chicken wings

Ingredients:

• Chicken wings (about 1-1.5 lbs)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Paprika
• Olive oil or vegetable oil
• BBQ sauce or hot sauce (optional)
• Garlic powder (optional)
• Onion powder (optional)

Method:

• Start by patting the chicken wings dry with a paper towel, especially if they were frozen.
• In a medium bowl, mix together your desired seasonings. A simple combination of salt, pepper, and paprika works well, but you can also add garlic powder and onion powder for extra flavour.
• Add the chicken wings to the bowl and coat them thoroughly with the spice mixture. You can let them marinate in the refrigerator for an hour or more if you have the time.
• Now, it's time to prepare your air fryer. If using an Instant Pot Air Fryer Lid or Duo Crisp, place the metal rack in the basket. Grease the rack with cooking oil or a paper towel soaked with oil.
• Place the chicken wings on the rack, making sure they are not crowded. You may need to cook them in batches depending on the size of your air fryer.
• Close the lid and set the temperature to 400°F. Set the timer for 18-22 minutes, depending on how meaty your wings are.
• Partway through the cooking cycle, the air fryer will beep and prompt you to turn the wings. Use tongs to flip the wings and close the lid again.
• When the timer goes off, check that the wings are cooked to your liking. You can air fry for an additional 2-3 minutes if needed.
• If you like your wings saucy, whisk together some melted butter, hot sauce, and/or BBQ sauce in a bowl. Toss the cooked wings in the sauce until they are thoroughly coated.
• Serve the wings with carrot and celery sticks, and your choice of dipping sauce, such as blue cheese or ranch dressing.

Tips:

• If your chicken wings are frozen in a block, you can pressure cook them for about 10 minutes with some water in the inner pot to quickly thaw them before air frying.
• Always pat your chicken wings dry before air frying to ensure the best results.
• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. Cook in batches if needed to allow for proper air circulation.
• For extra crispy skin, cook the wings in smaller batches.
• You can reheat any leftover wings in the air fryer for about 5 minutes.

French fries

Ingredients:

• Potatoes (russet or Yukon gold potatoes are best)
• Olive oil
• Salt
• Pepper
• Garlic powder (optional)
• Other seasonings of your choice (e.g. paprika, onion powder, cajun seasoning)

Instructions:

• Wash the potatoes well. You can peel them or leave the skin on, depending on your preference.
• Cut the potatoes into medium strips or fries of similar width. Try to cut them into even sizes for consistent cooking.
• (Optional) Soak the potato strips in water for about 15 minutes to remove excess starch and promote crispiness. However, if you're short on time, you can skip this step as air fryers generally do a good job of crisping the fries.
• Pat the potatoes dry with a paper towel.
• Season the potatoes with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and any other seasonings of your choice. Drizzle with olive oil and toss well to ensure the potatoes are evenly coated.
• Place the seasoned potatoes in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Avoid overcrowding the basket to ensure even cooking and crispiness. You may need to cook the fries in batches.
• Set the air fryer to 375°F (190°C) and cook the fries for 10-15 minutes. For the Instant Pot Air Fryer Lid, you'll need to plug it in and lower the handle before setting the temperature.
• Halfway through the cooking time, open the air fryer and toss or flip the fries to ensure even cooking. Close the lid and continue cooking.
• Check the fries for doneness. If they need more time, cook for an additional 5-10 minutes, depending on your desired level of crispiness.
• Once the fries are golden brown and crispy, remove them from the air fryer and serve immediately with your favourite dipping sauce!

Tips for Crispier French Fries:

• Cut the potatoes into similar-sized pieces to ensure even cooking.
• Soaking the potatoes in water helps remove excess starch, which can hinder crispiness.
• Make sure to pat the potatoes dry before adding oil and seasoning. Wet potatoes can lead to soggy fries.
• Cook the fries in a single layer, and avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket. Cook in batches if needed.
• If you're making multiple batches, keep the cooked fries warm and crispy by placing them on a wire rack in a warm oven (around 200°F or 93°C).

Mozzarella sticks

Ingredients

• 12 mozzarella cheese sticks
• 1/2 cup Italian-style breadcrumbs
• 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder
• 2 large eggs
• Non-stick cooking spray
• Marinara sauce

Method

• Cut the mozzarella cheese sticks in half so that each stick is 2-3 inches long.
• Freeze the mozzarella sticks for 1-2 hours.
• Mix the Italian-style breadcrumbs, panko breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, and garlic powder together in a bowl.
• Beat the eggs in a separate bowl.
• Using a fork, fully cover each mozzarella stick with egg, then dip and cover with the breadcrumb mixture.
• Place the mozzarella sticks on a non-stick pan, making sure they are not touching each other.
• Freeze for another hour.
• Remove the mozzarella sticks from the freezer and dip them in the egg and breadcrumb mixture again. This second coating will add to the crispiness.
• Lightly spray the air-crisping basket with non-stick cooking spray.
• Gently place the mozzarella sticks into the air-crisping basket, leaving a little space between each one. Lightly spray them with cooking spray.
• Turn on the Instant Pot Duo Crisp and choose "air fry." Set the temperature to 360 degrees Fahrenheit and air fry for 8-10 minutes.
• When the mozzarella sticks are cooked, carefully remove them from the Instant Pot with tongs.
• Serve with marinara sauce and enjoy!

Tips

• Freeze the mozzarella sticks before air-frying to ensure they are crispy and not soggy.
• Ensure the air can circulate around the mozzarella sticks by not letting them touch each other during cooking.
• Experiment with different types of cheese – there are many options!

Chicken tenders

Ingredients:

• Chicken tenders
• Salt and pepper
• Eggs
• Water
• Breadcrumbs (Italian, regular or panko)
• Parmesan cheese
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder

Method:

• Sprinkle the chicken tenders with salt and pepper.
• In a small bowl, mix together the eggs and water.
• In a medium-sized bowl, combine the breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, salt, garlic powder, and onion powder.
• Make an assembly line with the chicken tenders, egg mixture, and breadcrumb mix.
• Dip each chicken tender in the egg mixture, then in the breadcrumb mixture, ensuring the tender is completely covered.
• Place 4-6 chicken tenders in the air fryer basket.
• Place the basket into the inner pot of the Instant Pot, then put the air fryer lid on top.
• Set the temperature to 400°F for 5 minutes.
• After 5 minutes, remove the lid, flip the chicken tenders, and place the lid back on. Cook for another 5 minutes at 400°F or until the chicken is fully cooked through and golden brown.
• Repeat these steps until all the chicken tenders are cooked.
• Serve with your favourite sides and dipping sauce.

Tips:

• You can eat the chicken tenders as they are, or use them to make chicken wraps or chop them up for a salad.
• You can omit the grated cheese and just use the seasoning.
• You can also add different spices to the breadcrumbs, like chili powder, jerk spice, Cajun mix, or Italian seasoning.

Sweet potato fries

Firstly, cut your sweet potatoes into even sticks, around 1 cm wide and 4-5 inches long. The amount of sweet potato you need depends on how many fries you want to make, but a good starting point is 500g. Soak the cut sweet potatoes in cold water for a minimum of half an hour. This will help to remove the starch and ensure crispier fries.

While the sweet potatoes are soaking, prepare your seasoning. You can mix together 2 tablespoons of corn flour, 1 teaspoon of garlic granules, 1/4 teaspoon of smoked paprika, and salt and pepper to taste. You can also add other seasonings of your choice, such as chilli powder or cayenne pepper, if you want to add a little heat.

Once the sweet potatoes have finished soaking, drain them and pat them dry with a clean tea towel. Place the sweet potatoes in a large mixing bowl and coat them with the seasoning you've prepared. Then, add 2 tablespoons of olive oil and mix well, ensuring that all the sweet potatoes are evenly coated.

Place the seasoned sweet potatoes in the air fryer basket. Press the 'Air Fry' button and programme the air fryer to run for 12 minutes at 180°C. When the pot beeps halfway through the cooking time, open the lid and shake the basket to ensure even cooking. When the cooking programme is complete, give the basket another shake and set the air fryer to 204°C for 8 minutes, shaking the basket again halfway through.

Your sweet potato fries are now ready to serve! Enjoy them as a snack or as a side dish with your favourite sandwich, burger, or chicken dish. They go well with a variety of dipping sauces, such as ketchup, honey mustard, ranch dressing, spicy mayo, or garlic aioli.

Frequently asked questions