Using an Instant Pot as an air fryer is a popular hack that many people attempt in order to get crispy “fried” foods using only their multi-cooker. While it is possible to crisp up foods like chicken wings, french fries, and more in the Instant Pot, there are some limitations to this method. In this article, we’ll look at the pros and cons of using an Instant Pot as an air fryer and provide tips to get the best possible results.
How Does Air Frying Work?
An air fryer is a small countertop convection oven that uses hot air to crisp up and cook foods. The high-speed fan circulates hot air around the food at high velocity, quickly browning the exterior through a process called the Maillard reaction. This reaction between amino acids and reducing sugars is what gives browned foods their desirable flavor and texture. Air fryers cook foods fast and give a crispy texture similar to deep frying with little to no oil needed.
Instant Pots work differently – they use steam and pressure to cook foods. So to mimic air frying, you need to find ways to dry out and circulate air through the pot. There are a few ways to achieve this:
- Use a metal insert like the Instant Pot air fryer lid or a steamer basket.
- Elevate foods off the bottom of the pot using a trivet or foil balls.
- Preheat pot before adding food.
- Cook in batches for better air circulation.
- Partially cover with lid ajar to let steam escape.
- Use the “saute” function to crisp foods after cooking.
Benefits of Using an Instant Pot as an Air Fryer
Here are some reasons you may want to use your Instant Pot for air frying:
- No special equipment needed – If you already own an Instant Pot, you don’t need to buy a separate air fryer appliance.
- Large capacity – Instant Pots come in larger sizes like 6 qt or 8 qt, allowing you to cook bigger batches.
- Uses less oil – Foods come out crispy with little to no oil needed in the Instant Pot.
- multifunctional – An Instant Pot can pressure cook before air frying in one pot.
- Room for error – The pot allows some margin of error compared to air fryer baskets.
Downsides to Using an Instant Pot as an Air Fryer
However, there are some drawbacks to using the Instant Pot in this way:
- Results not as crispy – You won’t get the same level of crispness as a real air fryer.
- Smaller batches – Air flow is limited so you can only cook 1-2 servings at a time.
- More effort – It takes more work to mimic air frying with extra steps.
- Longer cook times – It takes 10-15 minutes longer to air “fry” in an Instant Pot.
- Messes up pot – Batter and crumbs can get stuck to pot interior.
Tips for “Air Frying” in an Instant Pot
If you want to try making air fried foods in your Instant Pot, here are some tips:
- Use a tall metal steam rack or basket to elevate food off the bottom. This allows air flow on all sides.
- Preheat the pot for 5 minutes on sauté mode before adding food. This gets the pot hotter to crisp the exterior.
- Spray food lightly with oil or toss in a small amount of oil to get crisping on the outside. Use broiling racks to drain excess oil.
- Cook in batches and don’t overcrowd. 1-2 servings works best for even crisping.
- Leave the lid slightly ajar or use a foil sling to let steam escape. Too much steam makes food soggy.
- Toss or flip food halfway through cooking for even browning. Use tongs or silicone tipped gloves to handle hot food.
- Let food rest 1-2 minutes out of the pot after cooking. This allows the insides to finish cooking while the crust stays crispy.
Best Foods to “Air Fry” in an Instant Pot
Here are some of the top foods that come out great when using an Instant Pot as an air fryer:
- Chicken wings and drumettes
- Chicken nuggets and tenders
- Fish fillets or sticks
- French fries
- Tater tots
- Onion rings
- Vegetable fritters like okra or zucchini
- Egg rolls
- Potstickers
The key is to stick to breaded, battered, or starchy foods that will get crispy and browned quickly under high heat. Lean meats like chicken or fish work better than fatty meats like sausage or bacon which need more hot air circulating around.
Recipe: Instant Pot “Air Fried” Chicken Wings
Here is a tasty recipe for making crispy “air fried” chicken wings in the Instant Pot:
Ingredients:
- 3 lbs chicken wings, tips removed, drumettes and wings separated
- 2 tbsp oil
- 1 tbsp seasoning salt
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp paprika
Instructions:
- Pat chicken dry and place in a large bowl. Toss with oil, seasoning salt, garlic powder, and paprika until evenly coated.
- Preheat Instant Pot on Sauté setting for 5 minutes. Place trivet and steamer basket in pot.
- Working in batches, arrange wings in a single layer in basket without overcrowding.
- Cook for 12-15 minutes, flipping wings halfway through. Leave lid slightly ajar to let steam escape.
- When done, wings should be crispy and browned. Repeat with remaining batches.
- Let wings rest in a bowl for 2 minutes before serving to allow crust to set.
- Enjoy hot wings as-is, with blue cheese dressing or your favorite sauce!
Conclusion
While the Instant Pot isn’t a perfect substitute for an actual air fryer, it is possible to make reasonably crispy “air fried” foods in a pinch. With a few tricks and the right recipes, you can create healthier versions of fried favorites without buying another gadget. Just don’t expect the exact same results as you would in a real air fryer. For best results, cook in small batches and use a rack or steamer basket to maximize air circulation. With some trial and error, you can unlock the multi-cooker’s potential for air frying on a budget!