An Instant Pot air fryer is a multi-use electric pressure cooker that can also air fry foods. It combines the functionality of a traditional Instant Pot with the crisping and browning capabilities of an air fryer. Some of the key things an Instant Pot air fryer can do include:
Pressure Cooking
Like a standard Instant Pot, an air fryer model still functions as a multi-use pressure cooker. You can use it to quickly cook foods using pressurized steam. This allows for moist, tender results in a fraction of the normal cooking time. Pressure cooking is great for dishes like stews, chilis, rice, beans, meat, etc.
Air Frying
An Instant Pot air fryer circulates hot air around food to crisp and brown it on the outside. The built-in air fryer gives you the crispy texture of deep fried foods but with greatly reduced oil. You can air fry foods like chicken wings, french fries, veggies, frozen snacks and more.
Slow Cooking
Like a standard Crockpot, Instant Pot air fryers have slow cook settings. You can simmer foods low and slow when you’re away from home. It’s perfect for making soups, stews, roasts and other dishes with tough cuts of meat.
Sauteing/Browning
Instant Pot air fryers have a saute or browning feature just like regular Instant Pots. This allows you to brown and caramelize ingredients before pressure cooking. You can saute veggies, sear meat, make pan sauces, etc.
Steaming
You can steam foods in an Instant Pot air fryer using a steamer basket. Steaming is a healthy cooking method that retains nutrients and flavor. It’s great for veggies, seafood, eggs, rice and more.
Yogurt Making
Many Instant Pot air fryer models have yogurt making programs. This allows you to safely incubate yogurt right in the cooker. Just add milk and a yogurt starter culture and the Instant Pot does the work for you.
Baking
You can bake in an Instant Pot air fryer using the air fry setting. Baking is great for foods like cinnamon rolls, muffins, small cakes, scones and more. The hot air creates a nice even crust while keeping the interior moist.
Warming
Instant Pot air fryers have keep warm settings to hold food at an optimal serving temperature. This is perfect for potlucks, parties or meals you want to eat later.
Sterilizing
You can use an Instant Pot air fryer to sterilize items like baby bottles, jars, or utensils. The pressurized steam gets hot enough to kill bacteria.
Canning
Some larger Instant Pot air fryer models can be used for pressure canning. You can preserve fruits, veggies, salsa and more in mason jars with an air fryer Instant Pot.
How Does an Instant Pot Air Fryer Work?
Instant Pot air fryers use a combination of convection heating technology and air frying. Here’s an overview:
- The inner pot heats up and transmits heat to the air frying lid.
- A powerful fan circulates hot air around the food at high speeds, up to 400°F.
- The circulating air quickly cooks and browns the food using convection heat.
- Excess moisture escapes through air vents in the lid.
- The result is food that is crispy and golden brown on the outside but tender and juicy on the inside.
Benefits of an Instant Pot Air Fryer
Here are some of the benefits of using an Instant Pot air fryer:
- All-in-one functionality – pressure cook, air fry, slow cook, saute, bake, steam, etc.
- Space saving design; replaces several appliances
- Uses up to 95% less oil than traditional deep frying
- Air fryer lid is dishwasher safe for easy cleanup
- Large capacity – cooks meals for the whole family
- Beginner friendly cooking presets
- Cooks food quickly and evenly
- Makes crispy “fried” foods with fewer calories
- Less messy than stove-top pressure cooking
What Foods Can You Air Fry in an Instant Pot?
A wide variety of foods can be air fried in an Instant Pot air fryer, including:
| Food | Cooking Suggestions |
|---|---|
| Chicken wings | Toss in oil, air fry 15-20 mins flipping halfway |
| Chicken thighs and drumsticks | Brush with oil, season, air fry 20-30 mins |
| Pork chops | Rub with oil and seasoning, air fry 15 mins |
| Bacon | Lay strips flat, air fry 8-10 mins |
| Sausages | Pierce sausages, air fry 18-22 mins turning |
| Fish fillets or steaks | Coat in breadcrumbs, air fry 8-12 mins |
| Shrimp | Toss in oil, air fry 3-5 mins |
| French fries | Toss in oil, air fry 12-20 mins shaking halfway |
| Onion rings | Toss in oil, air fry 8-10 mins turning over |
| Potato wedges | Toss in oil, season, air fry 15-20 mins |
| Veggies like broccoli, carrots, etc. | Toss in oil, season, air fry 10-15 mins |
| Cakes, muffins, scones | Pour batter in tin, air fry 15-18 mins |
The possibilities are endless! Follow air fryer cooking times as a guide. Brush or toss foods in a little oil to get crispy results. Flip or shake foods halfway through cooking. Let foods rest a minute or two after cooking for best texture.
Tips for Using an Instant Pot Air Fryer
Here are some handy tips for getting the most out of your Instant Pot air fryer:
- Preheat your Instant Pot air fryer before cooking for faster, more consistent results.
- Cut foods to uniform sizes so they cook evenly. Air frying works best with smaller food pieces.
- Only air fry 1 layer of food at a time for crispy results. Overcrowding can steam food.
- Brush or toss food with a thin coating of oil to aid browning. Use an oil with high smoke point like avocado or grapeseed oil.
- Flip or shake foods halfway during air frying for even cooking and browning.
- Let air fried foods drain on a rack before serving to avoid sogginess from excess oil.
- Use cooking liners or foil on the inner pot when air frying heavily sauced foods to reduce cleanup.
- Adjust cooking times as needed based on your model and quantity of food.
- Use the “keep warm” setting to keep air fried food crispy if not serving immediately.
Cleaning and Maintenance
Here are some tips for cleaning and caring for your Instant Pot air fryer:
- Wash the air fryer lid after each use. It is dishwasher safe for convenience.
- Use a degreaser to remove baked-on grease if needed. Avoid abrasive scouring pads.
- Clean the inner pot with hot soapy water and a soft sponge or dish brush after cooking.
- Empty and wipe out excess grease from the inner pot bottom after each use.
- Check and clean the condensation collector as recommended to prevent mold growth.
- Remove stuck-on food debris by simmering water with lemon juice in the inner pot for 10 minutes.
- Avoid submerging the base in water. Wipe it down with a damp cloth to clean.
- Let all parts dry fully before reassembling for storage.
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for detailed cleaning guidance. Perform occasional descaling as recommended for your model to keep it running efficiently.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Here are some common troubleshooting tips for Instant Pot air fryers:
| Issue | Possible Solution |
|---|---|
| Food is undercooked | Increase cooking time. Food may be too crowded. Cut larger pieces. Preheat properly. |
| Food is overcooked | Reduce cooking time. Do not overcrowd. Cut food smaller. Add water/sauce/oil. |
| Food is soggy | Use less oil. Allow excess moisture to evaporate before serving. Pat food dry before cooking. |
| Food is unevenly cooked | Cut food to same size. Shake/flip food during cooking. Do not overcrowd. |
| Food is burnt | Reduce temperature. Brush on less oil. Cook for less time. |
| Smoke coming from unit | Ensure pot is properly installed. Use oil with higher smoke point. Let smoke clear before removing lid. |
| Error code on display | Consult manual for error code meaning. Contact customer support if needed. |
Refer to your owner’s manual for full troubleshooting instructions. Contact customer service for support if error codes persist.
Conclusion
An Instant Pot air fryer is an incredibly versatile kitchen appliance. It combines the fast, convenient cooking of a standard Instant Pot with the added ability to air fry for crispy, golden results. From pressure cooking to air frying, baking, sautéing and more, an Instant Pot air fryer can do it all while saving time and counter space. Follow this guide to get the most out of all your air fryer Instant Pot has to offer!