Can You Air Fry In An Instant Pot
You sure can. Where the Ninja Foodi’s crisping lid once had a leg up is no longer Instant Pot’s blind spot. The fall 2019 collection brought the Instant Pot Duo Crisp, which opened the door for a collection of other air-frying Instant Pots with Pro, Plus, or both tacked onto the end of the name. There are also multiple dedicated air frying convection ovens by Instant Brands that do not pressure cook.
For folks who already have an Instant Pot and don’t want to replace it just to buy the Duo Crisp, Instant Pot released a standalone air fryer lid that attaches to regular Instant Pots and turns them into an air fryer. This lid works on all existing models with the exception of the Instant Pot Pro Plus, the now- discontinued Duo Evo Plus, Duo SV, Smart WiFi, or Max. This lid is compatible with the Duo Nova, which is also discontinued.
Still confused about what air frying even is? Read our simplified explanation of the crisping craze and check out some of the best air fryers.
Instant Pot Max Versus Pro Plus
The major differentiator of the Instant Pot Pro Plus is its access to your home Wi-Fi network. This lets you schedule cooking, remotely control it, and beam recipes directly to the Instant Pot. The two are available in the same capacities and are otherwise highly comparable in their features. All-in-all, roll with the Pro Plus if you want smartphone control.
Why An Instant Pot
Because youre sick and tired of having your kitchen cabinets filled with appliances, each of which has a single purpose. If youre like most equipment addicts, you likely have several of these residing on your kitchen shelves right now:
- Baking pans
- Dutch oven
Imagine what it would be like to chuck them all out and turn to a single appliance for all of your cooking needs that gives you slow cook capabilities to cut your prep and cook time down substantively.
Instant Pot owners prep ingredients the night before, toss everything into the pot with liquid, turn it on in the morning, and by the time they get home from work, the succulent smell of a prepared meal awaits.
Not just any prepared meal, by the way. Exotic recipes like bouillabaisse, chowders, ragouts, wine-infused chicken stews, Mexican cuisine and any dish that benefits from the time it takes to properly cook and marry ingredients can be made in an instant pot.
And you thought these appliances only made chili!
Dare we add desserts? Southern Living magazine reprinted a recipe for Instant Pot Double Chocolate Cheesecake that could send you scurrying to your favorite appliance retailer right now: http://www.southernliving.com/recipes/instant-pot-double-chocolate-cheesecake-recipe.
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Are Instant Pots Really Worth It
If you have a rice cooker at home and youre also deciding on getting a pressure cooker, or maybe, an air fryer. Well, you can have all those functionalities in one kitchen equipment.
Without mentioning all the cooking techniques it offers, I believe its worth every penny. Buying a multicooker is definitely an excellent investment.
Just in case, heres the best of the best Instant Pot Pressure CookerThe Pro Plus.
What Size Instant Pot Should I Get
The Instant Pot comes in three sizes: 3 quarts, 6 quarts, and 8 quarts, making it a versatile countertop appliance for small kitchens and large families alike. The 6-quart Instant Pot is the most popular option for home cooks, as most recipes are written for that size. Generally, a meal cooked in a 6-quart model feeds three to six people. The 8-quart models, on the other hand, are ideal when youre feeding a large family, cooking for a party, or doing weekly meal prep. Last but not least is the 3-quart Instant Pot , which is perfect for cooking for one or two people or keeping in a small kitchen. While every model is available in the 6-quart size, not all models are available in the 3- and 8-quart sizes.
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What Is The Best Instant Pot Air Fryer Combo
The best Instant Pot Air Fryer Combo is, without a doubt, the Pro Crisp model. To put it in perspective, it has 16 major cooking functionalities, and for a multi-cooker, thats a significant number. More importantly, it can fit more food, such as a whole chicken, than its 6-quart counterpart, the Duo Crisp.
If I Already Have A Slow Cooker And A Rice Cooker Do I Really Need Another Appliance
Well, we cant dictate what you need. However, the Instant Pot is more functional than a slow cooker and a rice cooker combined because it can also pressure-cook. The word instant in the name gives it away: You can cook things astonishingly fast in a pressure cookereven notoriously slow-cooking or labor-intensive foods, such as risotto and brisket.
We think rice cooked in the Instant Pot is fine for most people, though the grains dont come out as fluffy and light as they do from a high-end rice cooker like our top pick, the Zojirushi Neuro Fuzzy NS-ZCC10. Rice aficionados might want to keep their rice cookers, especially for cooking sushi-grade grains.
If youre worried about clutter, you can donate your old appliances to a charity, or hand them off to someone in your life whos just starting out. Were sure theyd appreciate them.
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Basic Differences In Instant Pot Sizes
The basic Instant Pot guidelines say that the 3-quart is good for 1 or 2 people, the 6-quart is for up to 6 people, and the 8-quart is for large families or big batches. I think this is a good starting point, but there are exceptions.
Most recipes online are written for 6-quart pressure cookers. You may need to add more liquid for some recipes with 8-quarts and larger. So if you feel really nervous about going off recipe, Id recommend using a 6-quart.
Instant Pot accessories will also be easier to find in a 6-quart or 8-quart size.
Which Is Better: An Air Fryer Or Instant Pot
Some Instant Pot models are compatible with an air fryer lid attachment. Suppose youre asking if its better than a standalone air fryer. In my opinion, its not. Heat distribution with proper air fryers is more efficient. Its no surprise why Instant Brands also has a product line in this category.
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Steaming Vegetables In The Instant Pot Pro Plus
I steamed 12 ounces of broccolini stalks, using 1 cup of water as called for in the vegetable cooking chart in the app. I used the control panel to program the machine and set the default time of 10 minutes. After a 6 minute preheat, the InstantPot Pro Pus began to steam. The broccolini came out tender, sweet tasting, and somewhat darker in color. For an al dente result, the cooking time would have needed to have been shortened. To cook 1 pound of carrot sticks, I set the Pro Plus for 5 minutes as recommended in the chart. I extended the cooking time by 10 minutes and still got a very al dente result.
The Instant Pot Pro Plus works well as a steamer but it requires trial and error to determine the correct cooking times for your preferred doneness for various foods.
What To Look For In An Instant Pot
By Sara Tane
Theres no denying that the Instant Pot has definitely brewed up a whole lot of hype since it originally came out in 2010. Since its debut, a variety of models and sizes have been launched that all boast different features. Not only does this appliance save you a bunch of time when it comes to big-batch cooking and cleaning up afterward, but it also saves you a ton of counter space because its an appliance that can do it all .
Older versions of pressure cookers are difficult to maneuver and not super user-friendly for the average home cook. Instant Pots have taken pressure cooking and made it approachable and doable for cooks of all levels.
When it comes to choosing the Instant Pot thats right for you, it can seem a bit overwhelming because of all the different models and sizes. Understanding which models offer different features is crucial to determining which Instant Pot is right for you. How much counter space you have, how frequently youll be using the appliance, and how many people youre typically cooking for all factor into choosing the right model. Newer models offer smartphone and WiFi capabilities, so if youre looking to integrate technology into your home cooking, these models could be a great pick for you.
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Ranking The Different Instant Pot Models
While people may rate each of the Instant Pot models differently, this is how I like to think of them.
High-End: Pro , Pro Plus
Specialty: Duo Crisp or Pro Crisp , Duo Max , Smart Wifi
Upgrade 2: Duo Plus, Duo SV
Upgrade 1: Duo Nova , Duo Viva
Standard Model: Duo
Budget Model: Lux
* * *
At this point, I want to include a brief introduction for new Instant Pot shoppers and a quick guide to the different Instant Pot models:
Is The Instant Pot 3 Quart Safe To Use
Instant Pot has built-in at least 10 safety features to ensure a safe cooking experience. As with any cooking method you should still take care to ensure you dont burn yourself with the steam release or any hidden pockets of steam in your dish.
If youre scared of using your new Instant Pot, start off with the water test that both ensures your Instant Pot Mini is working correctly along with giving you a feel for how the pressure builds and releases.
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What To Consider When Buying An Instant Pot
With such a wide array of models available when it comes to Instant Pots and multi-cookers, choosing the right one for you can be confusing.
Start by considering the different cooking methods offered by the best Instant Pots and multi-cookers, and the dishes you prepare most. While some offer a handful of cooking modes including pressure cooking and slow cooking, others including the Instant Pot Duo Evo Plus have as many as 48 different ways of cooking and can do everything including proving bread and making yogurt.
Next look at the capacity the Instant Pot can hold and whether it’s sufficient for the number of people you have to cook for. Multi-cookers with a 6 quart / 5.7-liter capacity and above are ideal for those with a large family to feed, or those that want to batch-cook, while a smaller Instant Pot can hold around 3.2 quarts / 3 liters should suffice for an individual or couple.
On top of that, look out for Instant Pots and multi-cookers that have inner pots that can be used on the stove, when browning meat before slow cooking and are dishwasher safe to make sure you have as few utensils to wash up as possible.
Main Instant Pot Models
Im listing them in the order Instant Pot introduced them because each new model was an improvement over the preceding model . In other words, the next Instant Pot has the same functionality as the previous ones with a few snazzy additions.
The pressure multi cookers all pressure cook, slow cook and saute. They all also have a manual program, this is important because it means you can tap in your own pressure cooking time and pressure, . All of the Instant Pots with pressure function come with a stainless-steel cooking surface and, most importantly, the same safety features.
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Research And Buying Tips
What is an Instant Pot?
An Instant Pot is a countertop appliance that plugs into a wall outlet. Instant Pots are pressure cookers, but they can also slow cook, steam, sauté, warm, and more . They have presets for certain food items like poultry, rice, and stew, so you can simply press a button to cook your meal.
Which Instant Pot size is right for me?
Before you purchase an Instant Pot, consider your specific needs and the average serving sizes youll be cooking. Families of four require at least a 6-quart pot, while larger families will probably prefer 8 quarts. Additionally, 3-quart pots are usually the best option for one or two people or for preparing side dishes.
How is an Instant Pot different from a pressure cooker?
A pressure cooker is a device that cooks food under pressure. Its either an electric device you plug into the wall or a stovetop device that uses the heat of your cooktop. An Instant Pot is a multifunctional pressure cooker, meaning it has additional cooking functions outside of pressure cooking.
What can you cook in an Instant Pot?
Can you can food in an Instant Pot?
If youre someone who loves to pressure can and you do it regularly, we advise purchasing the Instant Pot Max. This particular Instant Pot includes a unique canning feature thats bound to make all your canning dreams come true.
Are Instant Pots safe?
Editors’ Recommendations
Sauting In The Instant Pot Pro Plus
When I made the Ranchin Short Ribs recipe to test the pressure cooker function, I used the sauté mode to brown the meat before cooking. After about a 4 minute preheat, oil in the pot was sizzling. The ribs browned very evenly and there was no burning or overcooking in any spots.
Before slow cooking the chuck roast that was called for in the Mississippi Roast recipe, I seared it on sauté and also got beautiful browning all across the surface of the meat. After cooking a strip steak sous vide, I seared it in the Instant Pot Pro Plus. It too browned quickly and evenly.
I found the Instant Pot Pro Pluss ability to brown evenly without any burning impressive.
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Instant Pot Duo Plus Versus Pro
The Instant Pot Pro is a modest step up from the Duo Plus. The Pro enjoys a baking mode which gives it an edge, but an optional air fryer add-on is available for the Duo Plus. The Duo Plus is available in a 3-quart version if you need something with a smaller footprint, while the Pro has a whooping 28 one-touch smart cooking programs available, and an interface with lots of control available. Its a close call between these two.
Instant Pot Comparison And Comparison Chart
Posted on Published:
Categories Instant Pot Reviews
This Instant Pot Comparison and Instant Pot comparison chart has been updated as of September 2019! Over the past year or so, the popularity of the Instant Pot, often also mistakenly referred to as the Instapot or Insta Pot, has skyrocketed. It was the must have kitchen item for Christmas last year, and will undoubtedly be sought after even more in 2019.
Instant Pot also released new models last year, so we have a side by side comparison of Instant Pot models for you. Even the most basic of them can do many things. Much more than any standard pressure cooker can!
Looking for Instant Pot recipes? Check our recipe index here: Instant Pot Recipes. Also, to share your recipes and find new ones!
Read on for all you need to know for Instant Po Lux vs. Instant Pot Duo or Instant Pot Duo vs. Instant Pot Max or vs. Duo Crisp etc!
Disclosure: This site uses affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
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Other Instant Pot Cookers And Productsto Buy In 2021
So Instant Pot makes more cookers besides the Electric Pressure Cooker, they also sell Multicookers and Air Fryers we already told you about the Lid that you can add to your cooker to convert it into an Air Fryer but they also have an Air Fryer that they sold separately that can Fry, Roast and much more!.
Below we are going to give you a mini-review of each of them and in case you would like to learn more about the accessories that come along or the ones that you can buy to improve your cooker in This POST where we cover most Instant Pot Accessories.
- Instant pot Gem 65 v2
- Instant pot Aura 9 in 1
- Instant pot Aura Pro 11 in 1
- Instant Vortex 4-in-1
- Instant Vortex Plus 6-in-1
- Instant Vortex Plus 7-in-1
Instant Pot Max Unlimited Best Overall
The Instant Pot Max is the newest Ip model and includes all the features and functions that made the previous models a must have cooker but includes new and improved features as well
Just to name a few of the newest features that come along with the MAx you can now cook at 15 PSI, 13 new safety measures and the ability to cook gourmet meals thanks to the sous vide function
Like all the multifunctional Instant pot this one can Pressure Cook, Slow Cook, Pressure Canner, Sous Vide, Sauté/Searing pan, Rice Cooker, Steamer, Yogurt Maker, and Food Warmer. By using these programs and the newest 3rd generation system you are going to be able to cook just about anything in the Max.
One of the biggest improvements to this model is the design of the Pot with a modern and cool LCD touchscreen that will make really easy to understand and use the cooker.
Another update is the ability of automatically control the pressure release valves so you can choose how you want to release pressure on the touch screen, which is definitely an added bonus in terms of safety.
For more serious chefs the canning and sous vide features can take your recipes to a new and gourmet level, two new features that come only with this model made possible by the heat capacity of the pot.
Last but not least the Max can seriously decrease cooking time. The Max is the first 15 psi electric pressure cooker ever made so at the moment is the faster pressure cooker on the market.
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