Smart kitchen tools have revolutionized cooking, making it faster and healthier. Among these innovative gadgets, the Instant Pot and air fryers stand out as game-changers in meal preparation. But when it comes to Instant Pot vs air fryer, which one is better suited for your needs?
The one common quality they possess is the ability to cook delicious meals faster and more efficiently than traditional stovetops and cookers, but that's where the similarities end.
Although both types of appliances are more affordable and compact than full-size ovens, it's probably not practical to own both. Conducting thorough research before investing your hard-earned money is crucial; otherwise, you might end up with a very expensive paperweight.
Fortunately, I have extensive expertise with air fryers and Instant Pots. I've compiled all the essential information in this article to show you how they differ, what you can use them for, and help you decide which is the right one for you.
But before we delve into the comparison, let's explore what Air fryers and Instant Pots are and how they work.
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What Are Air Fryers?
Air fryers are countertop appliances that cook "dry" foods. They have a front drawer, basket, heating element, and powerful fan inside.
Standard air fryers use superheated air to cook food that appears and tastes like it had been dunked in a deep fryer, but the crispy meals are just as delicious. Sometimes more so.
Air fryer-cooked meals offer numerous benefits for both you and your loved ones. Not only can you prepare a wide variety of delicious foods, such as chicken, fish, vegetables, french fries, and even pizza, but this innovative cooking method also promotes a healthier lifestyle.
By embracing a minimalistic oil approach, you can savor your favorite comfort foods without any lingering guilt.
How Do Air Fryers Work?
Air fryers cook food using a convection oven mechanism similar to fan-assisted appliances. Thanks to the fan and smaller cooking space, they cook up to three times faster than regular convection ovens.
The air fryer features an advanced fan system that generates a miniature tornado of hot air, effectively superheating your food. By enveloping the ingredients from all angles simultaneously, this method ensures optimal moisture retention, yielding delectably golden and juicy outcomes.
Most air fryers are equipped with a specialized perforated basket, enhancing circulation around the ingredients for even more efficient cooking.
The name "air fryer" may be misleading, as this device doesn't actually fry food in oil. Instead, it harnesses the power of hot air to achieve comparable results with significantly reduced oil usage, and in some cases, even without any oil at all. It's undoubtedly one of the most effective marketing terms of all time.
The heating element housed within the air fryer generates temperatures ranging from around 320°F to 400°F (160°C to 205°C). At the same time, an internal fan operates at speeds between 2000 and 3000 RPM, ensuring the even dispersion of intense heat.
This ingenious hot air circulation creates an optimal cooking environment, allowing for the efficient preparation of a wide range of delectable foods.
Related: How to Use an Air Fryer: Tips and Tricks
What's Hot?
- Low/no fat makes your favorite meals healthier
- Makes crispy yet mouthwatering “fried foods”
- Really easy to use
- Rapid air circulation makes for faster cooking times
- No preheating thanks to convection technology
- Straightforward clean-up process
- Relatively inexpensive
What's Not?
- Limited cooking capacity, so no bulk cooking
- Easy to over-cook, resulting in dry and bland food
- Fan can be quite noisy
- Need to learn recipe times and temperatures
What Are Instant Pots?
An Instant Pot is a handy kitchen device that can perform many different cooking tasks. It can pressure cook, slow cook, steam, sauté, and even cook rice.
Instant Pots have become a beloved choice for busy families due to their ability to save time and energy while seamlessly complementing traditional cookers rather than replacing them.
Designed to expedite the cooking process and streamline meal preparation, an Instant Pot utilizes the power of hot steam and pressure to efficiently cook food, making the entire experience faster and more convenient.
How Do Instant Pots Work?
An Instant Pot electric pressure cooker offers a convenient solution for cooking various dishes. Instant Pots come in different models and sizes, ranging from 3 to 8 quarts.
The size you choose depends on your needs. The 3-quart size suits families of two to three people, while the 8-quart behemoths are excellent for batch cooking.
At the heart of an Instant Pot lies its remarkable capability to create and regulate pressure within its cooking chamber.
When the pressure cooking function is engaged, the Instant Pot impeccably seals its lid, capturing steam and elevating the pressure to heighten the boiling point of water. As a consequence, this mechanism delivers not only swifter cooking times but also wonderfully tender and flavorsome meals.
Apart from its pressure cooking capabilities, Instant Pots frequently incorporate various other cooking modes, including sautéing, steaming, and yogurt-making.
With the ability to brown ingredients and caramelize onions directly within the pot, there's no longer a need for an additional pan. This versatility transforms the Instant Pot into a genuinely adaptable tool, capable of effortlessly handling many cooking tasks and meal prepping.
Using an Instant Pot is effortless. Select your desired cooking mode, set the time and pressure, and let it handle the rest.
The displayed cooking time doesn't include the pressure-building period, typically around 10 minutes. Instant Pots have built-in safety features like pressure release valves and lid locks to ensure secure operation.
What's Hot?
- The multifunctionality gives you more options in the kitchen
- You can cook entire one-pot meals in an Instant Pot
- Energy efficiency means lower utility bills
- Brilliant for batch cooking
- Instant Pot delivers consistency every time
- Pressure-cooked foods retain more of their nutrients than traditional methods
- Set and forget instant pots let you maximize your time
- Built-in safety features give you peace of mind
What's Not?
- You can’t crisp up food
- Easy to get burnt-on food
- Sealing rings can retain odors
- Long preheating increase cooking times
Instant Pot vs Air Fryer: The Fundamental Differences
In the battle between Instant Pot vs air fryer, the fundamental differences will play the deciding factor in which one you choose to buy. Now we know the differences between both the air fryer and Instant Pot, let's look at the other contrasting functions and features.
Cooking Capacity
While the size differentials of air fryers and Instant Pots are relative, you'll generally get more cooking space with an Instant Pot than you do from a comparable air fryer. Yes, you can buy a larger air fryer that does the job, but you'll be spending a lot more money in the process.
You'll use an air fryer to cook portions of a meal; in contrast, your Instant Pot will pave the way for batch-cooking vast amounts of food.
Ease of Use
If you're a bit of a technophobe and don't get along with modern small kitchen appliances, air fryers will be right up your street. A standard air fryer typically only has a couple of buttons or dials to set the time and temperature.
Yes, you'll need to familiarize yourself with recipes and cooking times, but that's child's play compared to how complex Instant Pots can be.
That's not to say you'll need a degree in engineering to use an Instant Pot, but there is a learning curve when you're cooking using the steam, pressure cooking, rice cooker, or Sous Vide functions which will take some trial and error with Instant Pot recipes.
Versatility
An Instant Pot is an incredibly versatile piece of kit that gives the user the tools to cook all kinds of delicious stews, soups, and risotto dishes. If you're looking for kitchen appliances to batch-cook large amounts of juicy and tender foods, an Instant Pot will give you way more options than a bog-standard air fryer.
While standard air fryers may offer a handful of food settings, their functionality is similar unless you buy a pricier multi-cooker.
Thankfully, the internet is brimming with countless air fryer recipes to spark your culinary creativity. Although these recipes predominantly revolve around beloved comfort foods, your cooking options may be restricted in styles and techniques.
Cooking Speed
If you compare an Instant Pot or an air fryer to traditional cooking methods, these things are lightning quick, but when you compare them side by side, you'll see that air fryers are one of the world's fastest cooking appliances.
Because an air fryer's internal cooking space is pretty small, you don't need to preheat it as the mini convection oven's super-heated air warms it up almost instantly. While either the pressure cooker or steam cook function on an Instant Pot requires you to let the pressure build or wait until the multi-cooker has made enough hot steam before you start cooking your meals.
What if I Want an Instant Pot and an Air Fryer?
Having an Instant Pot and an air fryer is the ultimate culinary setup—if you can afford it.
However, there are alternatives that seamlessly merge the best features of both appliances and even features to keep your food warm when it's finished.
Instant Pot Duo Crisp
The Duo Crisp combines the functionality of an air fryer and a pressure cooker with its 11 cooking features, including air frying, roasting, and baking.
This Instant Pot all-in-one appliance is particularly beneficial for someone who wants an air fryer and a pressure cooker because it eliminates the need for separate devices, saving valuable counter space and reducing clutter.
The versatile hybrid multi-cooker boasts a generous capacity of 6 or 8 quarts, catering to families and batch cooking needs. Its intuitive interface, LED screen, and customizable Smart Programs ensure effortless operation and precise cooking outcomes.
Furthermore, the Duo Crisp's dedicated air fryer lid harnesses the innovative EvenCrisp™ technology, offering tantalizing crunch and succulence like standard air fryers.
Ninja Foodi 11-in-1 Smart Lid Multi-Cooker
When choosing between an air fryer and a pressure cooker, the Ninja Foodi 11-in-1 Multicooker emerges as a superb option for those seeking the best of both worlds.
The Ninja Foodi combines the functionalities of an air fryer, slow cooker, and pressure cooker, making it a perfect choice for people who value convenience and versatility.
With its 11-in-1 capabilities, the Ninja Foodi Multicooker allows you to air fry, pressure cook, slow cook, steam, bake, roast, sauté, grill, dehydrate, and even make yogurt, giving you a wide array of options to experiment with various recipes and cooking techniques.
Its seamless transition between cooking modes sets the Ninja Foodi Multicooker apart from the Duo Crisp or any other traditional air fryer or pressure cooker.
Unlike the Instant Pot Duo Crisp, which requires a separate lid for air frying, the Ninja Foodi Multicooker is an air fryer first, so there's no separate lid or awkward accessories to switch between.
This eliminates the hassle of changing lids and simplifies the cooking process, saving time and effort. The Ninja Foodi Multicooker also offers a larger cooking capacity than the Instant Pot Duo Crisp, making it ideal for families or individuals who often cook in larger quantities.
Related: Ninja Foodi 11-In-1 Smartlid Multi-Cooker Review
Wrapping Up Our Instant Pot vs Air Fryer Showdown
When it comes to the Instant Pot vs air fryer dilemma, the decision boils down to personal preferences and lifestyle.
The Instant Pot shines with its convenience and multitasking pressure cooker and slow cooker, perfect for those who value time-saving efficiency.
On the other hand, the air fryer tempts health-conscious individuals with its remarkable ability to achieve crispy fried food and delicious results without the need for excessive oil.
Whether you prioritize the Instant Pot's convenience or the Air Fryer's guilt-free indulgence, both appliances will elevate your culinary adventures. So, go ahead and choose the one that suits your unique taste, and enjoy the delightful flavors that await.
Happy cooking!
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