Cooking A Whole Roast Chicken Using The Pressure Cooker & Air Fryer Functions
I could not ignore the fact that this machine had something else to offer. I really wanted to know how I could employ two different functions in one recipe to achieve desirable results, in order to prove that this machine was worthy of the counter space it occupied.
I decided to put this to the test with one of my all-time favorite meals – roast chicken. I set out to make this dish in one pot with two functions. I was after a bird with juicy white meat and a crisp skin – something I feel I have perfected in my conventional oven. After consulting the Instant Pot Time Table that accompanied this cooker, I knew that I could cook a 4-pound chicken in about 30 minutes . I adjusted this time slightly because I intended to use the air fry function to finish this chicken off with golden brown skin.
I seasoned the chicken generously with salt and pepper, stuffed the cavity with garlic and lemon, trussed it with butcher’s twine, and nestled it into the wire rack that I lowered into the inner pot, along with a cup of water. I set the timer for 25 minutes.
I could not ignore the delicious, golden, aromatic liquid that had been left behind from the pressure cooking stage, so I quickly put that right back into the pot with an equal amount of jasmine rice that I had rinsed under water.
Two Completely Separate Lids
I absolutely love the way Instant Pot has handled the two-lid set up of the Instant Pot Crisp.
Both lids are completely removable, which cuts down on the weight you have to lift at any one time. The Instant Pot knows what lid youre using and wont allow you to use a pressure cooking function when the air fryer lid is on .
The pressure cooker lid is the same as the Ultra and the Nova, so it has the quick release switch that automatically resets to the Sealed position when the lid is closed.
If youre familiar with other models of Instant Pot, you likely already know and love the handle slots used for resting your pressure cooking lid after cooking. The air fryer lid fits ingeniously into these handle slots. This makes it so easy to line up the lid and base sensors needed to power the air frying lid.
Because of the connection between the lid and the base, there is no power cord on the air fryer lid.
The air frying lid also has a cool matching tray. Use it with the Instant Pot logo facing upwards to have a safe place to put the lid when its hot. Once the lid has cooled, you can turn the tray over and the air frying lid will lock in place for safe storage.
Recipes For The Air Frying Setting
Not much information on air frying. No information on how long to air fry different foods is provided in the Getting Started Guide.
Even in the online user manual, they have detailed charts for pressure cooking and sous vide, but very little about air frying. The link the user manual refers to doesnt currently have any Air Frying recipes either.
I tried my Garlic Parmesan Air Fryer French Fries in the Duo Crisp, and they turned out great!
I also reheated frozen chicken nuggets for the grandkids. In 9 minutes, the outsides were crispy, the meat was still juicy, and everyone was happy. It was so easy!
My friend Urvashi also has written a great Air Fryer cookbook. I love to try her Instant Pot recipes, and Ive flagged several to try in the Duo Crisp.
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Instant Pot Air Fryer Lid Review
The Air Fryer Lid is the kitchen accessory that can turn almost any Instant Pot multicooker into an air fryer. The lid works with most 6 quarts Instant Pot pressure cookers, with the condition that they have a stainless steel inner pot .
So, if you already are the proud owner of one Instant Pot products, you may want to consider the IP Air Fryer Lid. It is compact and can be easily stored away for whenever you need it, and it even comes with extra functionalities .
If you read my review on the IP Fryer Lid, youll see that the lid can be used for baking, dehydrating, broiling, roasting, and reheating food as well. So, you have more than just an air fryer – you have a full range of cooking-related functions that can transform your kitchen!
The good news is that the lid has its own control panel, so it doesnt interfere with the one already on the pot. In addition, it is equipped with a handle which means its easy to put it on or take it off as needed. It even has an LCD display that lets you know how the cooking is going.
Due to the innovative EvenCrisp technology used for the Air Fryer Lid, this is the accessory that will finally help you cook delicious and healthy crispy fries that look just as great as the deep-fried ones. In addition, you can also use it to bake bread, make delicious chicken wings for when your friends come over and even cook exotic recipes like creme brulee.
I even make a delicious Instant Pot Air Fryer Lid recipes section your can check and enjoy
Instant Pot Duo Crisp + Air Fryer: Is It Any Good
In short, yes, it’s very good. I can’t stand extraneous functions and over complicated interfaces. Instant Pot products of the past feature a host of buttons that, frankly, don’t make much sense. Cake, rice, meat/stew, soup/broth, etc… Why do these exist and what do they mean? Remember, it’s a pressure cooker and no matter what button you press it does the same thing. All you need to know is how long it needs to cook.
With the 8qt Instant Pot Duo Crisp + Air Fryer most of the extra buttons have disappeared in favor of only what’s necessary. The interface is simple to understand and straightforward for new users as well as old users. For long time users of Instant Pot products, the addition of a start button will almost certainly cause the late start of a few meals. That aside, it’s clear what’s happening and if you make a mess it’s easy to wipe off the buttons.
Aside from the new start button being a little bit of a mixed bag, every other new feature I found is a big improvement. Part of what makes the Instant Pot so good is a whole bunch of hand holding for when things don’t go exactly as planned. This new interface does more of that while still staying out of the way. Not enough liquid added? The display flashes a warning and cuts power. The continually redesigned pressure relief valve sees improvements on every new model and this one is the best yet. It’s now automatically in the locked mode and there’s now a button for releasing it.
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How Easy Is It To Set Up
After unpacking and finding space for the Instant Pot air fryer, I knew right away that this would require some research before I was ready to start cooking. I found the Getting Started Guide to be very helpful, as I proceeded to familiarize myself with the proper setup. I definitely recommend the “Initial Test Run” that is detailed in the manual as it will take a first time user, like myself, some time to get used to the mechanisms for pressure cooking. This pretty much took me through the process of setting up the cooker with water. I learned how to set the timer and release the steam properly which was very worth the time I spent doing it.
It took me a while to acquaint myself with all of the parts. After about 30 minutes, I felt I was ready to move ahead, though I certainly continued to reference the manual through the process. Once I felt prepared, I moved into some simple air frying. I wanted to see if this function was enough to set this multicooker apart.
Instant Pot Duo Crisp + Air Fryer Vs Ninja Foodi Fd401 8
Ninja Foodi FD401 8-Quart 9-in-1 Deluxe XL Pressure Cooker & Air Fryer: There are a few differences between the Ninja Foodi FD401 8-Quart 9-in-1 Deluxe XL Pressure Cooker & Air Fryer and the Instant Pot I tested. The first difference is namely the price, as the Ninja Foodi retails for around $250. Unlike the Instant Pot Duo, the fryer lid on the Ninja Foodi is permanently attached and flips up to accommodate the pressure cooker lid. The cooking pot on the Ninja Foodi is also wider and nonstick.
Because of the wider pot in the Ninja Foodi, I give it a slight edge for air frying since it offers more surface space. However, I like the Instant Pot Duo because both lids can detach. Both brands have proven themselves to be reliable, and either would be a great addition to the kitchen.
A great space-saving option.
Like other Instant Pot pressure cookers, the Instant Pot Duo Crisp + Air Fryer performs well. I like that its two-in-one capabilities mean less storage space, and despite its lack of presets, its cooking options allow you to tailor a recipe exactly to your needs.
- Product Name Duo Crisp + Air Fryer
- Product Brand Instant Pot
- Product Dimensions 15.6 x 22.3 x 17.9 in.
- Color Black, Stainless Steel
- Material Stainless steel cooking pot, nonstick coated air fryer basket
- Warranty 1 year
- What’s Included Two lids, a stainless steel cooking pot, a nonstick fryer basket with a plastic base and stainless steel rack, a reversible cooking rack, a trivet/base for the air fryer lid
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Instant Pot Duo Crisp + Air Fryer Review: The Best Of Both Worlds For Healthy Eating
Instant Pot Duo Crisp + Air Fryer review: this is THE Instant Pot you should buy
Instant Pot Duo Crisp + Air Fryer is part of an arguably too big family of Instant Pots, however in our opinion Instant Pot Duo Crisp + Air Fryer combines the best balance of price, size, and features out of any of the Instant Pot range. So yes, it IS the one you should buy
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Air fryer addition makes it far more versatile
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8 quart model is practical without being outright huge
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ByJosh Rosspublished 15 July 21
Instant Pot Duo Crisp + Air Fryer review in a sentence: adding an air fryer to the usual Instant Pot smart pressure cooker is a genius move.
In today’s world, it would seem impossible that there are those who don’t know much about the Instant Pot brand of multi-cookers. The only problem Instant Pot has left for consumers with its product is deciding which is the best Instant Pot out of the dozens of versions it puts out.
Spend much time `browsing any major recipe blog, and before long, you are bound to see it mentioned. There are recipes for every meal of the day and every imaginable type of food. If you want to live in a tiny house and use an Instant Pot as your only kitchen appliance, you can find guidance. It hasn’t always been like this, though.
The Sous Vide Function
The sous vide function has been another big win for me! I’ve wanted a sous vide for a long time, but wasn’t sure I’d use it enough to justify the cost. Essentially, a sous vide allows you to cook a protein to a precise temperature throughout. You know how the end of a large steak is always more done than the center? The sous vide takes care of that problem.
You simply vacuum seal your food , place it in the pot, and let it cook for a few hours. The result? Perfectly-cooked protein that is tender, and the same temperature throughout. You can then give your protein a quick sear to give it a crispy, caramelized crust. I love that searing only takes a minute or two because it prevents me from smoking up my apartment.
A few versions of the Instant Pot have the sous vide function, but instead of circulating water like a traditional sous vide, the Instant Pot simply keeps the water bath at a constant temperature no circulation involved. I’d read negative reviews on the function because of this, so I wasn’t sure how well it would work. I’m happy to say I’ve been pleasantly surprised! The sous vide function has absolutely changed my steak and pork cooking game, and I’m excited to give it a try with delicate proteins like fish as well.
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What Are The Specs For The Duo Crisp
The Instant Pot Duo Crisp uses a sensor to toggle between 10.2 and 11.6psi on High Pressure and between 5.8 and 7.2psi on the Low Pressure setting.
The 8-quart Instant Pot Duo Crisp is 1500 watts and a little over 22 pounds. However, since the air fryer lid is detachable, you only have to lift half the weight at any one time, making it easier to move around the kitchen or clean.
With the pressure cooker lid, the Duo Crisp is 14.8 long × 13.6 wide × 14.2 tall. When youre using the air fryer lid, its 14.8 long × 13.6 wide × 15.3 tall.
You Can’t Fit Much In The Air Fryer Basket
To be fair, this is my complaint with most air fryers, but there are some air fryers and toaster ovens with air fry capabilities that can fit larger amounts. We are a family of 2, so it works ok for us for most applications, but if you are a family of 4 or more, or enjoy making large portions for leftovers, you’ll have to cook your food in multiple batches which is a pain really defeats the purpose of air frying!
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Performance: Whats Not To Like
I expected the Pressure Cook function to work here as well as on other Instant Pot models Ive used, and there were no surprises. I slow-cooked soup, pressure cooked oatmeal, and steamed vegetables. This has a Sous Vide mode, so I tested its ability to hold its temperature, and it stayed steady. However, the size of the pot limits the size of food that can be cooked using Sous Vide, so it may not be large enough for every sous vide recipe. The Sous Vide mode can also be used for making yogurt or for any recipes where a steady temperature is required.
Air frying is done in the stainless steel cooking pot with or without the fryer basket. The basket reduces the cooking space but offers better airflow. The broiler/dehydrator rack that fits in the basket allows a second layer of cooking. It has two large finger holes that make it simple to place in the basket, but once the rack is hot, gloved fingers didnt fit, so I used a pair of thin tongs.
I used the Bake mode for some cookies, with three on the bottom of the fryer basket and three on the broiling/dehydrating tray. The cookies on top cooked a bit more quickly, which was expected since the heat is from the top. I removed the rack and gave the bottom cookies another two minutes. The results werent perfect, but good enough. While there are better ways to bake cookies, its good to know this can manage a few treats.
The Spruce Eats / Donna Currie
What Is The Best Pressure Cooker Air Fryer In The Market
Instant Pot Duo Crisp and Pressure Cooker Pro from Instant pot are certainly some of the best pressure cooker air fryer combos available for grab but Ninja Foodi has some of the best pressure cookers air fryer combos with a slightly higher price tag with multiple additional and unique cooking features that you will surely appreciate. Additionally, the instant pot pro crisp is slightly enhanced and improved version of instant pot duo crisp but with a higher price tag. If you love aesthetics, you may consider checking the appliance out.
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How To Use It
All Instant Pot products are easy to use due to the user-friendly control panel on the front. All pots also have an LCD display that communicates important information such as temperature, current cooking settings, pressure, elapsed time, and more.
Now, its important to specify that the Instant Pot Duo Crisp is delivered with two different lids , one stainless steel inner pot, one multi-level air frying basket, and other accessories.
When you want to use the Instant Pot Duo functions, you will work with the stainless steel inner pot, which is big enough to fit a whole chicken , and the pressure cooking lid. Basically, once you put the ingredients in the inner pot and sealed in the lid, all you need to do is select one of the 6 Smart Programs you want to use .
When you want to use the other 5 Smart Programs , you will work with the Air Fryer lid. Also, its best to use the frying basket, to place the food in the ideal position for the heat to move through with ease.
Here I have to mention that the Air Fryer lid is a bit on the heavy side. It has a special handle that lets you lift it whenever you need and it comes with a special tray to rest in when its hot, but it still requires some upper body strength.
