Testing The Air Fryer Lid
My test of the lid was favorable. It is very easy and intuitive to use. If browning the top of a pressure cooked dish, simply unplug your Instant Pot, plug in the air fryer lid, set it on top, and turn it on. Overall Instant air fryer lid reviews have been good.
As a stand alone air fryer, use the air fry basket, with its stand. For dehydrating, the little tray is simple to use. The air fryer basket is Teflon and the tray stainless.
The controls on the top are simple and easy to use. The unit knows when you remove the lid and will beep to let you know that the lid is off. It will resume the temperature and timing settings when placed back on.
The lid has a handle for easy removing.
The stand for the hot lid is great. Keep it close by when using the lid!
My only issue with the lid is its size which, of course, is constrained by the size of the Instant Pot. When using the lid with the basket for stand alone air frying, there is not a lot of space. With that said, you could still do a fair amount of items such as french fries, vegetables, or wings in it. Really just as much as most basket air fryers.
If you want larger full meals, you will probably be happier with the Duo Crisp or a dedicated air fryer. See my Vortex v. Omni post for more information on those.
I made some stand alone Instant Pot air fryer shrimp and vegetables using the air fryer lid. Everything worked easily and came out fine.
Cleanup was simple. I simply put the basket and the pot in the dish washer.
Features And Instant Pot Air Fryer Lid V Instant Pot Duo Crisp
The items included with the air fryer lid and its features are highly similar to the lid that comes with the Duo Crisp. Included are the lid, an air fryer basket, basket stand, dehydrator rack, and a plastic stand to set your hot lid on.
The primary difference between the 6 Qt lid and the Duo Crisp is that the Duo Crisp incorporated the electricity for the lid into the entire unit. So there is no separate plug with that.
The 6 Qt lid has its own power source. Because of this, it is very important to unplug the pressure cooker before using the air fryer lid.
To help you with this, Instant put a blocker on the plug, so you cant plug it in with another appliance plugged into the same outlet. I like that!
Before you complain that you want your toaster or Vortex or something else plugged in and running at the same time, please note that these appliances will likely trip your fuses or circuits if you do that.
Ultimately, if you are deciding between the Air fryer lid for an existing or new 6 Qt pot or the Duo Crisp, the choice really should just be based on size. They have the same features and work in the same ways.
Like the Duo Crisp, the lid makes the unit taller. Not quite as tall as the Duo Crisp, but close.
Here it is pictured next to the Instant Vortex Plus.
I cover the size issue a bit more below!
It Cooks Quicker Than An Oven But Not As Fast As An Air Fryer
I’ve found that when cooking air fryer recipes in the Duo Crisp, you’ll need to add a few minutes to the cook time. For example, the average air fryer recipe calls for cooking fries at 380°F for about 15 minutes, but I find that in the Instant Pot they need about 20 minutes. However, they still produce a crispier and faster result than the oven, which takes about 40 minutes!
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Should I Buy The Ip Air Fryer Lid
In my opinion, the Air Fryer lid is perfect for people who already own a 6 quart Instant Pot with a stainless steel inner pot. Furthermore, you can use it for other stuff such as broiling or dehydrating , which is a very nice addition to any kitchen. Also, when you do fry stuff, you still eat healthier than if you would go to a restaurant or a fast-food chain.
The Air Fryer Basket Wore Out Quickly
After a few uses, I started having trouble with the air fryer basket that is included with the pot. The non-stick coating started to wear down quickly, leaving me with fries and chicken that were sticking to the bottom. To work around this, I purchased some perforated parchment paper inserts, and they’ve made ALL the difference!
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What Are The Specs For The Instant Pot Air Fryer Lid
The Air Fryer Lid is 10.7 inches long, 11.6 inches wide, and 6.2 inches tall. When you add it to the height of an Instant Pot Duo, it sits approximately 18.7 inches from the counter.
The Air Fryer Lid weighs about 6 pounds. The heating element is 1500 watts and 120 V ~ 60 Hz.
To qualify for the limited 12-month warranty, you must register your product within 30 days to be eligible for warranty coverage.
What Youll Love About The Instant Pot Air Fryer Lid
Great air frying functionality. While I like the broiling and dehydrating capabilities, I really like the air frying function. Barbara and I have been testing the Instant Pot Vortex Air Fryer , and this lid holds up well against the full-function air fryer.
Dedicated resting pad + safe storage. The gray protection pad that you set the hot lid on doubles as a storage cover. I absolutely love this feature! The Lid screws into the underside of the protection pad so its firmly attached to protect your lid.
The two-layer air fryer basket fits a surprising amount of food. We were able to fit 16 wings at a time in the basket.
The display will not turn on unless the lid is placed properly. The Air Fryer lid has a sensor that plays a little jingle when placed correctly on an Instant Pot.
Stay cool handle. The handle stays pretty cool and keeps your hands far away from the heating element.
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What Are The Cons Of The Instant Pot Air Fryer Lid
- The temperature doesnt go higher than 400 degrees. I guess I dont know why Id want it to go higher but I would have liked at least up to 450 degrees.
- Its big and bulky BUT it is far better than having another machine.
- Since the air fryer basket goes into the stainless steel Instant Pot insert, you have to wash both when youre done cooking.
Air Fryer Lid Error Codes And Troubleshooting
The lid only has one error code, LID. It means that it does not detect an inner pot or Instant Pot. In both cases, you need to check to ensure your Instant Pot has the stainless steel insert and then adjust the Air Fryer Lid until it fits properly.
Common troubleshooting issues are from smoke that can be from using oils with a low smoke point , or by cooking with higher fat meats .
Detailed Troubleshooting tips and solutions can be found on page 23 of the online User Manual.
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Instant Pot Air Fryer Lid V Mealthy Crisp Lid
If you are deciding between the Instant Air Fryer lid and Mealthy crisp Lid, I think buying the Instant brand lid is the far superior option. It is a much better value to go with the Instant product.
A Mealthy Lid with a basket and all the extras runs around $130-$140. The Instant brand product is $80 and designed specifically for the Instant Pot. Even for an 8 Qt pot, you can often find the Duo Crisp on sale for a bit more than the Mealthy lid.
So, unless you find the Mealthy on sale for a bargain price, or you have an 8 Qt pot and dont want to buy the Duo Crisp, go with the Instant Brand lid.
Lack Of Instruction And Smart Programs
While I used the manual function on my old Instant Pot more often than the smart programs, they can be really helpful if you are new to Instant Pot cooking. It is also worth noting that the pot didn’t come with a ton of documentation about using the air fryer function, which left me a bit confused since there aren’t many recipes online yet, either! Luckily, I found that, for the most part, following traditional air fryer recipes and adding more time as needed works just fine!
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Multiple Appliances In One
This was the biggest sell for me, as I live in an apartment and don’t have a huge amount of storage space. I’m a bit of a kitchen appliance junkie, so I’ve had my eye on an air fryer for a long time but couldn’t justify the space it would take up, especially since I already own a toaster oven that can produce pretty similar results. The fact that the Duo Crisp combines multiple appliances into one is a huge plus for me!
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.
Read Also: What Is The Best Brand Of Air Fryer To Buy
How Does The Instant Pot Air Fryer Lid Compare To The Duo Crisp
The MOST common question on my Instant Pot Duo Crisp review was if the lid could be used on any model of Instant Pot. The Duo Crisp cant, but this new Air Fryer Lid works on most 6-quart models.
I love my Duo Crisp, and Im happy to say that the new Air Fryer Lid works just as well!
The Instant Pot Air Fryer Lid is comparable to the Instant Pot Duo Crisp lid in function, but sized down to fit on the 6-quart models.
The Air Fryer Lid is shaped a little differently than the Duo Crisp lid. The Duo Crisps controls are integrated into the face of the Duo Crisp, but the Air Fryer Lid has the controls on the top of the lid so it can work with several Instant Pot models.
What Are The Pros Of The Instant Pot Air Fryer Lid
- You dont have to buy another machine just to have an air fryer
- Its super easy to use the buttons are easy to push and everything about it is very intuitive.
- The jingle that you hear with the Instant Pot when you put the lid on correctly is the same with the air fryer lid.
- I love that halfway through the cooking process, it starts beeping at you and the screen tells you to flip the food. A great reminder to shake that basket!
- The insert is nonstick and it is a separate, removable bucket that makes for easy washing.
- I was actually VERY surprised at how much could fit into the basket. It looks small but when I started using this, it was able to fit 16 ounces of tofu and a lot of chicken wings at once.
- I actually like the distance between the basket and the air fryer element. Its not right up under the element so some food you cook that may splatter wont get onto the element, which may make cleanup harder.
- Cleanup for the air fryer lid is easy just take a damp towel and wipe!
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How Can I Cook With The Instant Pot Air Fryer Lid
The Air Fryer Lid comes with six different pre-programmed settings.
- Air Fry: Crisp up pressure cooked dishes and frozen foods
- Roast: Use to finish meats with a nice crust or crispy skin
- Broil: Great for melting cheese on top of pastas
- Bake: Works just like an oven and can be used for brownies and cakes
- Reheat: Warm up leftovers without drying them out
- Dehydrate: Low-heat over a long time to make your own apple chips and fruit leather
The user manual lists the following default times for the Air Fryer Lids preprogrammed buttons.
| Setting |
| 4 minutes |
Can You Use An Air Fryer Lid For A Regular Instant Pot
Some instant pot pressure cookers are not compatible with the air fryer lid, and you can find out if the model of your pressure cooker is compatible with the air fryer lid on this list.
Please, do not forget to and follow us on and for more healthy air fryer recipes and ideas. Thank you for reading Enjoy Clean Eating!
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What Instant Pot Models Work With The Air Fryer Lid
The Air Fryer Lid will work with MOST 6-quart Instant Pot models. The Air Fryer lid is compatible with the Instant Pot Duo, Lux, Duo Plus, Ultra, Viva, Nova, and Nova Plus
DO NOT USE the Air Fryer Lid with the Instant Pot Duo Evo Plus, Smart WiFi, Duo SV, or the Instant Pot Max.
In addition, you have to use the stainless steel pot with the Air Fryer lid.
Can You Air Fry In An Instant Pot
Now you can air fry in an instant pot with the instant pot air fryer lid. Before the instant pot air fryer lid, you couldn’t use the pressure cooker to air fry. And of course, don’t use the pressure cooker to deep-fried food.
With this instant pot air fryer lid, you can air fry, but also you can bake, broil, roast, dehydrate and reheatall of these without heating up your kitchen.
Also Check: Gma Air Fryer Chocolate Chip Cookies
The Air Fryer Lid Cooks A Little Faster
The air fryer lid preheated about two minutes faster than the Vortex. Both produced crispy results, but we liked the Vortex slightly more because of the extra browning. The fact that this Instant Pot attachment produced similar results as the Instant Vortex makes a case for not adding a whole new appliance to your collection.
Recipes For The Air Fryer
Ive been testing recipes for this and currently, I have successfully tested this teriyaki tofu and broccoli bowl for the air fryer.
I did everything the instructions say to do for the tofu in the recipe but instead of pan frying it, I put it into the basket of the air fryer and did 10 minutes at 400 degrees.
Ill have more recipes soon so keep checking back!
- Pin
Recommended Reading: Innsky Air Fryer Xl 5.8 Qt
Compatibility: Not All Models
The fryer lid is compatible with the 6-quart Lux, Duo, Duo Plus, Viva, Nova Plus, Ultra, and Duo Nova models, including those models that come in different colors.
It is not compatible with the Smart WiFi 60, Duo Evo Plus 6, Duo Evo Plus 60, Duo SV 60, or Max 60. It also is not compatible with 3-quart or 8-quart Instant Pots or with electric pressure cookers made by other companies. In addition, it should only be used with stainless steel inner pots, and not with ceramic nonstick coated inner pots.
This Genius Lid Turns Your Instant Pot Into An Air Fryer & It’s Discounted On Amazon
If you cook for a busy family, youre probably familiar with one of the best tools for fast cooking out there: the Instant Pot. Its our saving grace on nights when weve got an hour or less to whip up a meal for everyone. There are so many awesome dishes that you can make using it and its seriously so easy. We love convenience, especially when it helps ease our stress on busy nights. Our other favorite cooking tool has got to be the air fryer. Who doesnt love fried food made healthier without all the oil? And well, what if we told you there was a way to combine these two amazing kitchen appliances into one? Its true! is now selling a lid for your Instant Pot that can turn it into an air fryer and as if thats not amazing enough, its currently on sale for a pretty great price.
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