Air fryers have become increasingly popular in recent years as a healthier alternative to deep frying. The Instant Vortex is one of the more popular air fryer models on the market. But is it actually worth the investment?
What is the Instant Vortex?
The Instant Vortex is an air fryer made by Instant Brands, the creators of the popular Instant Pot. It is a 6-quart air fryer that uses hot air and convection to cook food with little to no oil. It has temperature controls ranging from 175°F to 400°F and can prepare foods like french fries, chicken wings, vegetables and more.
Some key features of the Instant Vortex include:
- 6 quart cooking capacity
- 1500 watts with heating element and fan
- Digital controls with presets for air frying, roasting, broiling and reheating
- Dishwasher safe air fry basket and tray
- Smaller footprint, 14.5 x 11.5 inches
What are the benefits of the Instant Vortex?
There are a few advantages that set the Instant Vortex apart from other air fryer models:
Healthier cooking
Since food is cooked using hot air rather than oil, the Instant Vortex allows you to enjoy crispy “fried” foods with little to no oil. This significantly reduces the amount of fat, calories and cholesterol compared to deep frying.
Faster cooking
The powerful heating element and fan allow food to cook quickly and evenly in the Instant Vortex. Cooking times are often much faster than traditional oven baking.
Versatile functions
In addition to air frying, the Instant Vortex offers settings for roasting, broiling, reheating and dehydrating. You can prepare a wide variety of dishes beyond just fried foods.
Large capacity
The 6-quart basket provides enough room to cook meals for up to 5 people at once.
Dishwasher safe
The removable air fry basket and tray are dishwasher safe for easy cleanup.
Small footprint
At just 14.5 x 11.5 inches, the Instant Vortex takes up minimal counter space.
Downsides of the Instant Vortex
While the Instant Vortex has several benefits, there are some downsides to consider as well:
Price
With a retail price of $99.95, the Instant Vortex is more expensive than some comparable air fryer models.
Learning curve
There is a bit of a learning curve to figure out the best settings to use for different foods. The presets provide some guidance but may require trial and error.
Noise
Due to the internal fan, the Instant Vortex can be slightly noisy when cooking.
Potential overcrowding
While the basket is large, overfilling it can lead to uneven cooking results.
Accessories not included
Things like extra trays or pans need to be purchased separately.
Instant Vortex Air Fryer Reviews
Here is an overview of what professional product testers and home cooks are saying about the Instant Vortex air fryer:
| Reviewer | Rating | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| NY Times Wirecutter | Best Air Fryer | Praised the Instant Vortex for its large capacity, great performance and good value for the price point. |
| CNET | 8.5 / 10 | Liked the straight-forward controls and gave high marks for ease of use and evenly cooked food. |
| Good Housekeeping | Best Value Air Fryer | Found the size was ideal for cooking for multiple people and was easy to use. |
| The Spruce Eats | Best for Families | Recommended for families due to its large capacity and praised the cook quality. |
| Amazon | 4.6 out of 5 stars | Over 12,000 customer reviews agree the Instant Vortex delivers high quality air frying. |
The reviews overwhelmingly praise the Instant Vortex for being easy to use, having great cooking performance and providing good value for the price.
Instant Vortex vs Cosori vs Ninja Foodi
How does the Instant Vortex compare to some other popular air fryer brands like Cosori and Ninja Foodi?
| Instant Vortex | Cosori Smart Air Fryer | Ninja Foodi | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 6 qt | 5.8 qt | 5.5 qt |
| Wattage | 1500W | 1700W | 1550W |
| Functions | Air Fry, Roast, Broil, Reheat | Air Fry, Roast, Broil, Bake, Reheat, Dehydrate | Air Fry, Air Roast, Air Broil, Bake, Reheat, Dehydrate |
| Price | $99.95 | $119.99 | $159.99 |
The Instant Vortex is the most affordable option of the three but still offers robust features and performance. The Cosori is slightly more expensive but adds extra cooking functions like baking and dehydrating. The Ninja Foodi is the most versatile for replacing multiple appliances but comes at a premium cost.
Instant Vortex Air Fryer Recipes
One advantage of the Instant Vortex is the abundance of air fryer recipes that work well with it. Here are some top-rated recipes to try:
Chicken Wings
Crispy seasoned chicken wings are one of the most popular Instant Vortex recipes. They come out perfectly cooked with a crispy coating.
French Fries
Fries come out with a nice crispy exterior while still staying fluffy inside. You can make both regular and sweet potato fries.
Vegetables
From Brussels sprouts to butternut squash to zucchini sticks, veggies get nice and crispy in the Vortex.
Frozen Foods
You can cook frozen foods like chicken nuggets, mozzarella sticks and potato skins to a crispy texture.
Bacon
The Vortex can cook bacon nice and evenly without any splatter mess.
There are endless recipe options for appetizers, main courses, sides and more that you can make in the Instant Vortex.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, the Instant Vortex provides excellent value for a mid-range air fryer given its large capacity, versatile functions and proven cooking performance. If you are looking for an affordable air fryer from a leading brand that can cook meals for the whole family, the Instant Vortex is hard to beat.
While the learning curve may be slightly steeper than simpler models and the price is higher than basic air fryers, most reviews and users agree that the results are worth it. For quickly cooking healthier versions of fried favorites, reheating leftovers or preparing full meals, the Instant Vortex deserves its reputation as one of the best air fryers currently available.