Air fryers have become extremely popular in recent years as a healthier way to fry and cook foods. Instant brand air fryers are some of the most popular models on the market, but are they actually any good? Here we’ll take an in-depth look at instant brand air fryers, their features, and how they perform to help you decide if one is right for your kitchen.
What are instant brand air fryers?
Instant brand air fryers are a line of air fryers manufactured by the Instant Pot company. Some of their most popular models include the Instant Vortex, Instant Vortex Plus, and Instant Vortex Plus Air Fryer Oven.
Like all air fryers, instant brand models work by rapidly circulating hot air around food to produce a crispy, fried finish using little to no oil. The instant brands tout their air fryers’ ability to cook foods perfectly crisp on the outside while keeping them tender and juicy on the inside.
Some key features of instant air fryers include:
- Digital touch screens with preset programs and customizable settings
- Large basket capacities ranging from 3-10 quarts
- Dishwasher safe parts for easy cleanup
- EvenCrisp technology for consistent cooking
- Support for air frying, baking, roasting, broiling, and more
Instant air fryers are designed to be easy to use, even for beginners. Their presets take the guesswork out of air frying, while still allowing customization for more advanced users.
How well do instant air fryers perform?
Here’s an overview of how instant air fryers perform in key areas:
Cooking quality
Most reviews and tests find that instant air fryers cook food very well. Their EvenCrisp technology lives up to its name, delivering crispy exteriors and tender, juicy interiors on everything from fried chicken to roasted vegetables. The presets take a lot of the work out of getting perfect results.
Versatility
While called air fryers, these models can do much more than just crisp up food. Their other cooking functions like bake, roast, reheat, and dehydrate make them extremely versatile kitchen tools. Models like the Instant Vortex Plus Oven take it a step further with rotisserie and convection oven functionality.
Ease of use
Instant air fryers get high marks for user-friendliness. Their control panels and presets are straightforward to operate even for those new to air frying. And with dishwasher safe parts, cleanup is quick and simple.
Size options
Instant offers air fryers in sizes ranging from 3-10 quarts. This gives you options for feeding anything from a small family to a crowd. Just keep counter space in mind – larger models take up more real estate.
| Model | Quart Size |
|---|---|
| Instant Vortex Mini | 3 quarts |
| Instant Vortex | 4 quarts |
| Instant Vortex Plus | 6 quarts |
| Instant Vortex Plus Air Fryer Oven | 10 quarts |
How does Instant compare to other brands?
Here’s how Instant air fryers stack up to some top competing brands:
Instant vs. Philips
Philips is known for making quality air fryers. But Instant air fryers compete by offering more cooking modes and presets at more attractive prices. They seem to cook just as evenly as premium Philips models.
Instant vs. Ninja
Ninja air fryers are top sellers for their large capacities and versatile functions. Instant can’t quite match Ninja’s extra large basket sizes, but keeps up on cooking performance, versatility, and price competitiveness.
Instant vs. Cosori
Cosori makes affordable air fryers that perform well. Instant matches them on price while offering more cooking modes and larger basket capacities on some models. Instant may have a slight edge on durability.
Instant vs. GoWise
GoWise is a budget brand. While their air fryers are very affordably priced, they don’t match the capacities, cooking ranges, or robust builds of Instant’s line. You get what you pay for.
What are the pros and cons of Instant air fryers?
Here are some key benefits and drawbacks of Instant brand air fryers:
Pros
- Very user-friendly
- Cook food crispy and evenly
- Offer versatility with options like bake, roast, etc.
- Dishwasher-safe parts
- Typically priced competitively
- Good range of sizes
Cons
- Can have more limited basket capacities than some brands
- No zone cooking like some higher end models
- Small learning curve on exact cook times
- Bulky on countertops, especially larger models
Top-rated instant brand air fryers
Here are three of the top-rated and most popular models from Instant Brands:
Instant Vortex Plus Air Fryer Oven
With a 10 quart capacity and rotisserie function, this is Instant’s most feature-packed air fryer. It can roast, bake, air fry, broil, dehydrate, and more. The large size is great for big families but requires ample storage space.
Instant Vortex Plus Air Fryer
This 6 quart model has 7 built-in smart programs and can air fry, roast, broil, bake, reheat, and dehydrate. Its compact form takes up minimal counter space while still feeding medium-sized families.
Instant Vortex Mini Air Fryer
As the name suggests, the 3 quart Mini is designed for smaller kitchens and households. Despite the small basket size, it delivers the same great results as larger Instant models. Easy for dorm rooms or couples.
Should you buy an Instant brand air fryer?
Instant air fryers make a great choice for many households. If you want:
- An easy to use, uncomplicated air fryer
- Crisp, delicious air fried meals without fuss
- Options like bake and roast beyond just air frying
- Modern touchpad controls and presets
- A reputable brand name and good warranty
Then an Instant air fryer is likely a smart purchase. These appliances deliver quality results without much work. Their versatility also makes them more useful than basic air fryers.
Just keep capacity and size in mind – bigger families will want larger models. Also know that Instant air fryers command somewhat higher prices than lesser known brands, though competitive within their class of appliances.
Overall, Instant air fryers are very well-rated and great for crisping up wings, fries, nuggets and so much more without all the fat and calories of deep frying. They offer a healthy way to enjoy your favorite fried foods.
Summary
The positives of Instant brand air fryers:
- User-friendly presets and controls
- Consistently delicious cooking results
- Handy versatility with functions beyond air frying
- Dishwasher-safe parts for easy cleaning
- Typically good value for the price
- Good range of sizes from 3-10 quart capacity
Potential negatives to consider:
- Pricier than some lesser known brands
- Large footprint of bigger models
- Can’t match the highest-end brands on some specs
But for most home cooks, the simplicity, quality, and versatility of Instant air fryers make them an appliance worth investing in. They deliver great results and provide healthy fried food options without the oil and mess of deep frying.