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.
Instant Pot Duo Crisp Electric Pressure Cooker With Air Fryer Lid
Replace your standalone air fryer and slow cooker with this multi-tasking Instant Pot, which is on sale for $119 . Great for large gatherings of up to eight people or for meal prepping, the electric pressure cooker offers 11 functions, including baking, roasting steaming, sautéing and sterilizing. The air frying lid delivers crunchy and tender food while using 95% less oil compared to traditional deep-frying, and the customizable smart programs make it easy to cook ribs, soups, poultry, yogurt and other dishes.
The Instant Vortex Has More Space
The Instant Vortex holds about about 2/3 of a bag of steak fries compared to the lid, which holds about 1/3 of the bag. The air fryer basket for the lid is even smaller than the inner pot of a standard six-quart Instant Pot, which should give you an idea of the limited space you’re working with. If you’re using your air fryer to cook for a family, the Instant Vortex is the way to go.
Recommended Reading: What Is The Smallest Air Fryer
How To Properly Choose Your Air Fryer
Air fryers arent the most affordable kitchen appliance, but they definitely arent the most astronomically priced either. A good air fryer will range from $120-$250 depending on quality and features, though there are many great models at a lower price as well if youre looking to spend under $100. Setting your budget early is the best way to make sure you get the best air fryer you can comfortably afford, which should be your ultimate goal.
The capacity of your air fryer refers to how much food the basket can hold. A 3.7 L capacity is usually enough to feed a family of 4 and can make most foods comfortable. However, depending on the number of people in your household and your intended use of the air fryer, you may need a larger or smaller capacity. You should also keep in mind that your food needs to breathe and should not be overcrowded during cooking. When in doubt, opt for a bigger size.
Some air fryers dont have any pre-set cook programs, and some have half a dozen or more. Cook programs are especially helpful for beginners since they set the temperature and other settings on the air fryer to the appropriate numbers for cooking different types of food. Fried chicken and doughnuts would need very different cook times and temperatures, so pre-set programs allow you to easily and quickly switch between modes.
Cons Of Buying Instant Pot
- More expensive than buying off-brand products
- Dont have the tempered glass lid for visibility during the cooking process
- Instant air fryer lids fit one size base, whereas alternative brands might fit 6 or 8 quart models
- May have to buy the associated base with the air fryer lid you like
Ultimately, the lower price tag also comes with several design changes which should, in theory, affect the experience of cooking but not the quality of the results.
Don’t Miss: Instant Pot Vortex Pro Accessories
How Does It Work
Like all air fryers, the Instant Vortex Plus Air Fryer 6-in-1 uses super-hot air to cook your favorite food. The super-hot air is being circulated across the frying basket to make sure that each side of the food is cooked thoroughly. So even without submerging it in boiling cooking oil, you will get that crisp exterior and flavorful interior making it the healthier choice.
Instant Vortex Pro 10
With a capacity of up to 10 quarts, the Instant Vortex Pro Air Fryer is only $112 . Youll get a nine-in-one appliance that can air fry , bake, broil, dehydrate, roast, proof dough, toast, rotisserie and more. The fast-heating device has customizable one-touch cooking programs for chicken wings, roasted veggies, pastries and other foods.
Also Check: Instant Pot Air Fryer Dehydrator
Best Digital: Cosori Pro Air Fryer Cp158
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Wide flat basket for great airflow
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Presets for common foods work well
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Compact footprint for its capacity
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Sometimes takes two hands to insert/remove basket
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Relatively new brand
With 11 presets, a beautiful LED screen for selecting your functions, and a reminder when its time to shake the cooking basket, this model couldnt be easier to use!
If you’re cooking for a large group, the 5.8-quart capacity makes this big enough for large meals and then some. It can fit a 5-6 pound chicken or plenty of wings, so its great for more than just after-school snacks. This model is also available in a 3.7-quart capacity.
The inner and outer baskets feature a nonstick coating, which our tester said made cleanup easy. Another great feature? This air fryer comes with a cookbook that features over 100 recipes so youll never run out of things to cook.
Capacity: 5.8 quarts | Power Rating: 1700 watts | Dimensions: 11.7 x 14.2 x 12.6 inches | Warranty: 1 year
“The cooking basket is wide enough to accommodate food in fewer layers for better airflow, and its easy to shake food if it needs to be rearranged during cooking.” Donna Currie, Product Tester
What We Think Of The Ninja Af161 Max Xl Air Fryer
One of the best parts about fried food is the crispy exterior. If you are a crispy lover, you need an air fryer with extreme crisping abilities, and only one air fryer really fits that bill: the Ninja AF161 Max XL Air Fryer.
This air fryer comes with max crisp technology because of its super heat. It can get as high as 450 degrees Fahrenheit. The high heat allows the air fryer to cook quickly and crisply. It even comes with a convenient broil rack to ensure your meals have a crispy crunch or bubbly finish.
Of course, the Ninja AF161 Max XL Air Fryer is good for more than just crispy finishes. It also has the ability to air roast, bake, reheat, and dehydrate, making it another great multipurpose pick. In other words,
Now, lets talk about some of the downsides of the Ninja AF161 Max XL Air Fryer. It is highly expensive. Even though it offers multifunctional capabilities, it is much more expensive than the previous model, which proves that you can get an affordable air fryer that functions for many purposes.
I chose this air fryer because it has a smaller carbon footprint than others. It has multiple modes of cooking and has a great crisp option. The secret to this air fryer is to shake up the food every few minutes to make sure it is all crisped evenly. The fact that you can dish wash the cooking parts further makes it a better option than some of the other air fryers.
Read Also: Jcpenney Air Fryer On Sale
Air Fryer Ninja Vs Instant Pot
Ninja Foodi Air Fryer is first-class recognized for its outstanding air frying overall performance alongside its bodily look. Its outer casing is made from chrome steel For example, Instant pot Air Fryer Lid is rated with a low power intake charge consuming 1500 Watts of electricity. If you need an air fryer in order to.
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We additionally cherished the fact that the air fryer lid turned into connected to the bottom of the gadget. You simply leave it upright while you’re using the strain.
Air Fryer Garlic Bread Recipe https://youtu.be/qmk4ld5Ln3Y
Air Fryers and Instant Pot’s are they Worth it? Top 6 Picks for the Best Air Fryer & Instant Pot Reviews for 2021. #1.
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With a ability of 1 cubic foot, it the roomiest air fryer available. The Instant Vortex is a dependable, no-frills, 6-quart.
It’s additionally an Instant Pot!
5 days ago.
6 days in the past.
Air Fryer Sausage Balls
This time I tested out the baking function instead at 350 F for 10 min for super easy, party-friendly, 3-ingredient sausage balls. Its shredded sharp cheddar cheese, ground sausage and a box of Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix.
The air fryer was 5 minutes faster than baking in a traditional oven, with better, even coloring. The oven always has one flat dark side no matter if you rotate or turn them.
One great advantage of baking in this machine instead of the traditional big oven is keeping that heat all contained. Thats the main reason the Instant Pot is so wonderful on hot summer days. So this air fryer follows the same standard of cutting energy cost and heat. I can also see this as a nice addition when your kitchen oven is already cooking other dishes for dinner, you need to bake a cake. Just bake the cake in the air fryer. Its more gentle on baked desserts anyway.
Also Check: Instant Pot Vortex Dehydrator
Instant Pot 6 Quart Duo Crisp Air Fryer And Instant Pot
Instant Pots Duo Crisp Air Fryer Lid comes with an astonishing 11 functions in one device. Capable of pressure cooking, air frying, slow cooking, steaming, sautéing, warming, roasting, baking, broiling, dehydrating, and even sous vide, the Duo Crisp features easy one-touch buttons for each function as well as simple adjustment buttons for manually changing cooking time and temperature.
Whether you plan to slow cook or enjoy the ability to cook up to 70% faster than conventional stovetop methods, this model is fingerprint resistant and comes in beautiful stainless steel and matte black finish. Additionally, its safe-locking lid and overheat protection functions ensure you can cook safely with results you can rely on!
This model comes with stainless steel, dishwasher-safe dehydrator tray, air fryer basket and accompanying base, a steam rack, a pressure cooking lid in addition to the air frying lid, and a stainless steel cooking pot base. Only $129.99 on Amazon, this truly all-in-one appliance is simple to clean, easy to stow, and so user-friendly you may never stow it from your countertop.
Best Overall: Instant Pot Instant Vortex Plus 10qt 7
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Interior is small considering the appliances overall size
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Included instructions are limitedlook for the full manual online
You may know the Instant Pot company from their popular line of electric pressure cookers, but they also manufacture other gadgets that are useful in the kitchen. The Instant Vortex Plus 7-in-1 Air Fryer Oven is one of their latest offerings, combining the features of a standard air fryer with features youd find in countertop ovens.
The cooking basket rotates during cooking, so your fries or wings will tumble during cooking, so theyll cook and brown evenly. When youre cooking something larger, you can ditch the basket and rotisserie cooking a 4-pound chicken or a roast or you can use the two cooking trays for foods that shouldnt tumble or spin. Our reviewer said she was able to roast a 4-pound chicken in 45 minutes and “that it tasted as good as those that are slow-roasted for an entire day.”
A drip tray keeps everything tidy and makes cleanup easier. This has a 10-quart capacity, so youll have plenty of room when cooking for the whole family.
Capacity: 10 quarts | Power Rating: 1500 watts | Dimensions: 13.23 x 13.23 x14.37 inches | Warranty: 1 year
“As an avid Instant Pot user, my expectations for the Instant Vortex Plus were admittedly high luckily, it didnt just live up to my expectationsit exceeded them.” Lindsay Boyers, Product Tester
Read Also: Instant Pot Air Fryer Dehydrator
Best With Pressure Cooker: Instant Pot Pro Crisp + Air Fryer
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Inner pot is stovetop- and oven-safe
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Few app recipes using both cooking options
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Expensive
Fans of multi-functional kitchen appliances will want to check out this air fryer option from Instant Pot. It comes with two lidsone for air frying and one for pressure cookingthat enable the pot to function both an air fryer and the classic multi-cooker the brand is known for.
The pot holds up to 8-quarts, which is enough room to air-fry a whole chicken, and is equipped with 11 cooking functions which are sorted by which lid they should be paired with. The pressure cooking lid functions are: pressure cook, saute, slow cook, steam, and sous vide, and the air fryer lid functions are warm, air fry, roast, bake, broil, and dehydrate.
Our tester noted the inner pot has some upgraded features compared to other Instant Pot models, including side handles and a flat bottom for even cooking. It can also be used on stovetops and is oven-safe.
It comes with a number of accessories, including a multi-use cooking rack, nonstick air fryer basket, dehydrate/broil tray, a protective pad for the lids, and a storage cover. The accessories fit inside the cooker for compact storage.
Capacity: 8 quarts | Power Rating: 1500 watts | Dimensions: 14.75 x 12.5 x 15.5 inches with air fryer lid | Warranty: 1 year
Instant Pot Air Fryer Lid With Roast Bake Broil Reheat & Dehydrate
Expand your culinary collection with Instant Potâs new Air Fryer Lid and turn your regular Instant Pot into a powerful air fryer. Our innovative EvenCrisp technology guarantees a crispy crunch and golden finish, every single time. Air Fry, Broil, Bake, Roast, Reheat and Dehydrate directly in the Instant Potâs inner pot for big savings on time, space and clean-up. Finally, you can combine the tender results of pressure cooking and the golden crisp of air frying with one quick switch of the lid.
The Air Fryer Lid brings a whole new set of skills to your kitchen, making it fun and easy for anyone to prepare great healthy meals â fast. Whip up tender ribs or a nice big chicken in your Instant Pot, then use the Air Fryer Lid to give every morsel a beautiful finish.
Conveniently, the Air Fryer Lid remains unattached to the cooker base, so it is easy to maneuver, easy to clean and comes with a protective pad for safe and easy storage. The lidâs control panel features buttons for your various needs, and the display is bright and easy to read. 6 preset Smart Programs help you get cooking with just the touch of a button, or you can modify the settings for a totally customized cooking experience. After loads of rigorous testing the results are in⦠and they are delicious.
Bring on the heat
Cook and crisp
One appliance, two lids, infinite possibilities
Also Check: Instant Pot Vortex Dehydrator Recipes
This One Is Like An Instant Pot
Looking for a great alternative? Theres another amazing Amazon sale for anyone who wants more than just an air fryer.
The Galanz ToastWave is basically the Instant Pot of air fryers. Its an amazingly sleek model that combines an air fryer with a toaster oven, convection oven, and even a microwave. How crazy is that?! This model retails for a hefty $500, though thats really not bad for such a capable device. But Amazon has a deal right now that offers a massive $200 discount.
That means you can get one for an all-time low of just $299.99.
Of course, you just want a fantastic air fryer with nifty smart features like Alexa, the Proscenic T21 is as good as it gets.
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.
Don’t Miss: Instant Pot Air Fryer Dehydrator
