Why Do We Need It
I mostly use it to fry things. Besides fries, I also like to cook chicken , vegetables, and even baked potatoes.
If you want to check out yourself, I have a full list of Instant Pot Air Fryer Lid recipes.
Basically, you can use the functions of the pressure cooker to bring a chicken or vegetables to tender goodness and finish everything off with a bit of air frying. And you can do everything in one pot, only by switching lids!
So, if you like convenient appliances and enjoy the idea of a ready-to-use air fryer that can be easily stashed away, you need it.
Of course, there is also the alternative of the Instant Pot DUO Crisp, but if you already own a 6 quart Instant Pot, the Air Fryer lid makes a lot more sense.
Where Has This Been All My Life
I have heard of people raving about Instapots, so I’ve always wanted to try out. I was a little intimidated at first, but once my husband and I figured it out, WOW, what a time saver this has been. I wish we had purchased one sooner. This Instapot is easy to use. It also cooks enough food for my family of four . It’s been so easy to use that even my husband has been looking up recipes to try. He recently made chicken parmigiana with ziti pasta in this Instapot and it turned out delicious. It’s almost as if the sauce got “infused” into the pasta. It tasted restaurant quality! This is easy to clean, which is a bonus if you ask me.
Is Instapot Air Fryer Lid Easy To Use
Sadly, theres a caveat or two:
First, the lid lifts uncomfortably due to its weight. Thus, if you have mobility issues, you should check the Ninja Air Fryers instead for a more straightforward machine.
Secondly, its not ideal for hefty portions. If thats your goal, I highly recommend either the Instant Pot Pro Crisp or the Ninja 2-Basket Air Fryer .
Thirdly, this accessory has its own power source. It comes with an oddly-shaped plug.
On the bright side, if none of those issues bother you, then the Air Fryer Attachment for Instant Pot will suit you flawlessly. For one, it takes less footprint in the kitchen than having two separate appliances. And more importantly, its more budget-friendly. Thats a win-win right there!
On the flip side:
Fortunately, the lid features easy-to-understand controls. Moreover, thanks to the digital display, you dont have to play a guessing game whether your recipe is done or not.
Other included accessories such as the non-stick basket should only be used with plastic/silicone cooking utensils. By doing so, you can prevent the ceramic coating from chipping and prolong its quality.
Likewise, solely use soft sponges when cleaning the non-stick accessories. Or, when utilizing the dishwasher, ensure to not use harsh chemical detergents.
The lid, on the other hand, only needs some wiping with a damp cloth.
*Product Images and Video Courtesy of Instant Brands
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Instant Pot Duo Crisp Vs Instant Pot Air Fryer Lid
If you dont want to buy a completely new Instant Pot, you can now buy a separate air fryer lid and gain the same capabilities that the Duo Crisp comes with! The Instant Pot Air Fryer lid comes with the capability to air fry, broil, bake, roast, reheat, and dehydrate, and it comes with the same air fryer basket and broiling tray as the Duo Crisp. If youre trying to decide between the lid and the Duo Crisp, read on for our complete review and recommendation.
Instant Pot Pro Review
The Instant Pot Pro is new for 2021 and is a great high-end pressure cooker. It is a worthy replacement to the discontinued Duo Evo Plus, packed with user-favorite features that make it worth the cost.
Weve taken the new Instant Pot Pro for a spin, and were here to tell you everything you need to know about the successor to the Duo Evo Plus!
This ended up being our longest review yet! Click the links below to jump to the sections youre interested in:
To compare the Instant Pot Pro with other models, check out my Instant Pot buying-guide, then go in-depth with my other Instant Pot Reviews.
Bottom Line: The Instant Pot Pro is now my first-choice recommendation for a high-end pressure cooker, thanks to the flat-bottom cooking pot with handles, redesigned lid, large display, and favorite buttons.
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Instant Pot Pro Crisp: Features
The Instant Pot Pro Crisp has 11 different multi-cooker functions in one appliance, making mealtimes simpler and quicker than ever. The cooking modes of the Pro Crisp include pressure cooking, sauté, slow cooking, steaming, sous vide, warming, air frying, roasting, baking, broiling, and dehydrating. So whether you want to whip up a cake, or roast a whole chicken, the Instant Pot Pro Crisp has a function to suit your needs.
The possibilities extend even further with the devices interchangeable lids, which, together with EvenCrisp technology, can fry foods in a flash. The air frying capabilities of the Instant Pot Pro Crisp make cooking up fried chicken or fries super easy, as the device comes with a non-stick multilevel air frying basket. Air frying is great when home cooking using up to 95% less oil and grease than traditional fryers, and making your fried food favorites much healthier.
The Instant Pot Pro Crisp has ten built-in safety features, including the easy steam release valve, meaning no more waiting around for the pressure to lower before you retrieve your food. This is an improved feature from the Instant Pot Duo Crisp, as well as the new QuickCool protective cover. The protective cover has been designed with safety in mind, with advanced heat protection to keep your hands safe.
About This Review And The Reviewer
Sharon Franke is a journalist who specializes in testing and writing about kitchen equipment. A thirty-year veteran of the Good Housekeeping Institute, Sharon also worked as a professional chef in New York City restaurants for seven years.
In her free time, she is an avid home cook who is in the process of mastering the art of sourdough bread baking.
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Other Electric Pressure Cookers We Tested
$199 at
If you love the Instant Pot Duo and also love using an air fryer, this may be just the electric pressure cooker option for you. We found it performed identically to the Duo when it came to pressure-cooking our three recipes, and the interface is also essentially the same as the Duo, though it has four more cooking functions than that model .
However, its about twice as heavy as the Duo, and with the air fryer lid , it requires a lot of vertical storage and counter space . Included are a broil/dehydrating tray, multi-level air fryer basket, air fryer basket base, protective pad, storage cover and rack. So, if you think an air fryer-pressure cooker combo would save room and youd use it frequently, this model is certainly worth considering. Otherwise, the Duo will work just fine and the Pro Plus will perform even better.
$149.95 at
$52 at Walmart
$179.95 at
The Zavor LUX is a high-quality pressure cooker: It is simple to set up, with an intuitive digital LED display, including a super-handy preheating indicator, a lock icon, and screen that changes colors so you know when cooking has started the LUX also has a custom setting that lets you program your favorite recipes. There are 10 cooking functions and it comes with a steamer basket and trivet. We liked that the pressure valve includes a clean option that pops the piece out for easy maintenance.
$329 at Ninja
$149.95 at
The Critiera: What We Look For In An Instant Pot
The most useful function of an Instant Pot is its ability to pressure cook, so you want to get a model that quickly comes to pressure. Since many pressure cooker recipes start with a searing or sautéing step, it can help to have an Instant Pot with inner pot stability, so the pot doesnt spin while youre cooking. You want to know whats going on inside your machine while youre cooking, so an easy-to-read progress bar is super helpful. Some additional functions, like being able to use your Instant Pot for not-very-precise sous vide cooking, are sometimes welcome, but others, like the cake-baking function included in some models, we don’t find particularly attractive. However, if the Instant Pot model advertises it can do those functions, it should do them passably well.
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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.
Where To Buy The Instant Pot Pro
The 6-quart Instant Pot Pro is available from , Williams Sonoma, Target, and Kohls.
The 8-quart Instant Pot Pro is currently available from Williams Sonoma and .
A note if youre buying from Amazon: For some reason, the Pro is currently listed in the same listing as the Duo Plus. Be sure that you have the correct version selected and be aware that a lot of the reviewsespecially the negative onesare for the Duo Plus.
FOR MORE FROM PRESSURE COOKING TODAYBrowse our collection of the best pressure cooker / Instant Pot recipes.Follow Pressure Cooking Today on and for the latest updates. Join our . Our positive community of pressure cooking fans use all brands of electric pressure cookers, so its a great resource if you have questions about your particular brand. If youre interested in more than just Instant Pot recipes, follow us at Barbara Bakes. There we post amazing breakfasts, breads, and the best dessert recipes!
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Instant Pot Pro Plus Review: Pressure Cooking Gets Smart
Discovering new recipes and beaming their instructions to the Instant Pot directly from your phone is a fun gimmick, but not one without its trade-offs.
- Remote control functions fun and useful
- Community recipes can be hit and miss
For all of its multitude of functions making yogurt, sous vide, canning Instant Pot has had a hard time getting connected to phones. Despite having mounted some impressive summits of popularity, how could Instant Pot really hit that giant swathe of folks that want Wi-Fi in every single thing in their home? A recall in 2015 of the original Instant Pot Smart put a damper on an appliance that we otherwise loved. Luckily the phone-friendly feature is back, and were taking a deep dive to see what else is new.
Instant Pot Pro Review: Ease Of Use And Cleaning
Similar to other Instant Pots, its worthwhile reading the manual first just to get familiar with the settings. The Instant Pot Pro has a more advanced control panel display than other Instant Pots, which can seem overwhelming at first glance. However, once you get the hang of it, you can easily navigate around the settings. The one-touch buttons are straightforward to use, and the progress bar is handy for monitoring your cooking. Like all Instant Pots, the cooker automatically sets to Keep Warm once your dish is ready.
Perhaps the only downside is the stainless steel inner pot isnt non-stick, which was evident after cooking rice. This can take much longer to clean, but can be removed when soaked in warm, soapy water. Nevertheless, the lid and cooker exterior are all easy to clean with a damp cloth.
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Instant Pot Pro Review: Design
Instant Pots are not usually known for their attractive design. However, the Instant Pot Pro has a stylish, black and stainless steel finish, making it look more premium than its counterparts. This upgrade is also reflected in the large LED display with a chrome control dial. The one-touch control panel has the standard presets including Slow Cook, Pressure Cook, Saute, Steam and Sous Vide you can select one of the 28 presets on the large display. You can also manually adjust the temperature and cooking duration should you choose not to use a preset.
Another difference to other models is there are five favorite buttons where you can program your own recipes. This is handy for cooks with regular, signature recipes. With everything displayed on the screen though, it can look a bit overwhelming. However, its easy to read.
The 8-quart size provides a generous capacity for families or cooking up large quantities. However, it is quite large and bulky for small countertops, in which case, the 6-quart capacity might be the better choice. For those worried about the weight, the inner pot comes with Easy-Grab, silicone handles so you can lift it safely out of the base with ease. Plus, it comes with an upgraded steam release switch that makes it easier to change from sealed to venting, with a handy cover to reduce inevitable splashes and noise.
Instant Pot Pro Review: Price And Availability
The Instant Pot Pro is available in two sizes: the 6-quart model is $129 and the 8-quart model costs $149. Its widely available at online retailers and often on sale below the list price on Amazon.
Since the Instant Pot Pro is one of the high-end models, the price is reasonable for what youre getting. However, if youre looking for a cheaper and more basic option the Instant Pot Duo Nova 7-in-1 Cooker can do everything apart from air fry and starts from a reasonable $99.99 depending on the size.
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Instant Pot Pro Crisp: First Impressions
The Instant Pot Pro Crisp is generously sized but not too heavy. It has a stainless steel insert pot that can also be used in the oven or on the stovetop, and thankfully it is dishwasher-safe. The pot has silicone handles which make it easier to lift out of the pot than many Instant Pots, and these rest in grooves at the side of the cooker, so the pot won’t spin if you stir.
You can switch out the lid between air fryer or pressure cooker, and the machine comes with a resting pad that allows you to store hot lids safely while you’re cooking, or once you’re done.
Many Instant Pots come in a stainless steel finish, but the metallic black finish of the Instant Pot Pro Crisp is an elevated touch that makes it look as high-tech on the outside as it is on the inside. The LED controls show the pre-heating, cooking, and keep warm progress in real time, as well as displaying a timer when in use.
You can use the dial on the front of the multi-cooker to adjust temperature and timings. The control display shows ten pre-sets, including air frying, pressure cooking, broiling, baking and slow cooking. I tried as many modes as possible when reviewing the Instant Pot Pro Crisp, and was impressed by how easily they complement eachother.
What Is An Instant Pot
Instant Pot is a brand name for a number of pressure cookers, also known as a “multicooker.” It’s a countertop appliance that can be used for a variety of cooking methods, including pressure cooking, slow cooking, searing, steaming, and more. Instant Pots also allow for sautéing and slow cooking right in the same vessel, for true start-to-finish, one-pot cooking of often-complicated or time-consuming dishes. Some Instant Pot models also include programs for specific food preparations, like rice and egg cooking and even yogurt making.
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Transform Your Instant Pot Into An Air Fryer With This Clever Lid
Instant Pot stans are quick to share just how life-changing the multicooker can be . Not that we blame them: The one-pot-wonder can make everything, from light, fluffy grains and creamy soups to hearty, fall-off-the-bone braises and stews, without the hassle of monitoring a stovetop or cleaning piles of dishes. In fact, one of the only things the Instant Pot couldnt do was transform foods into crispy, crunchy goodnessuntil now.
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Just before Thanksgiving, Instant Pot quietly released a clever attachment to convert the popular accessory into an air fryer. Now, thanks to the Instant Air Fryer Lid, you can make everything from French fries to churros with less mess and calories and in less time than traditional frying entails all right inside your Instant Pot.
To buy: $80
The brand released a standalone appliance, the Instant Vortex Plus, in July as an answer to the air fryer clamor, but if you already own an Instant Pot, youll likely want to opt for this lid instead. Simply insert the basket included with the Air Fryer Lid and switch out the regular pressure cooker lid. From there, its as easy as pressing a button.
The attachment also offers roasting, baking, and reheating options, as well as the ability to broil and dehydrate your favorite foods in respective specialized trays. The lid is a breeze to wipe clean, and all included accessories are dishwasher-safe.
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