Instant Pot vs. Air Fryer: Which Option is Best for Me

Choose the ideal small appliance for cooking meals

Small appliances can make meal preparation easy and help make your favorite meals healthier. However, because of their diverse functionalities, it may be difficult to decide which appliance best meets your needs. Are you looking for a new kitchen appliance to simplify cooking? Then you’ve probably considered an Instant Pot^® or air fryer. Although both can take the fuss out of cooking some meals, these two appliances have many differences. Air fryers help crisp up food that you may otherwise cook in a deep fryer, while Instant Pots cook meals that need a liquid element like stews, soups and rice. This guide breaks down the features of an Instant Pot vs. air fryer to enable you to make an informed decision when considering either one.

What is an air fryer?

An air fryer is like a small countertop convection oven that simulates deep-frying but in a healthier way. Unlike deep fryers, there is no need for submerging food in oil. Instead, air fryers use the circulation of hot air to cook food. They have cooking chambers that radiate heat from a heating element to temperatures of up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit. Then, a built-in fan circulates the hot air for even cooking, which also results in the Maillard effect. This is the process of foods browning.

By using an air fryer, you can prepare foods like chicken and French fries using up to 80% less oil than traditional deep fryers. Plus, modern air fryers come with built-in temperature and timer adjustments, which allows precise cooking of recipes. Many models include a basket that holds the food and a tray to catch any drippings while it cooks. Because the basket requires frequent movement to evenly cook, some have an integrated food agitator. Some larger, family-sized air fryer ovens often have racks instead of a basket, although you can often purchase a basket as an add-on. Many air fryer ovens also have multiple settings and can function as a rotisserie spit dehydrator or traditional oven.;

Pros and cons of air fryers

The following are some key pros and cons of air fryers:

Pros

Most air fryers come with pre-programmed settings, making them easy to use
Since they use only a few drops of oil, these appliances help cook healthy fried meals
Air fryers cook quickly and efficiently
You can cook foods that are frozen
They are easy to clean and low maintenance
Air fryers are often compact appliances that take up little kitchen space
Some have dual baskets to allow the simultaneous cooking of two meals
Because air fryers don’t produce excess heat, they are good for cooking in hot weather

Cons

Air fryers are unsuitable for bulk cooking
Unlike deep fryers, they cannot cook food with wet batters
Foods may dry out without proper operation

What to cook using an air fryer

Although many air fryer recipes are foods that typically require deep-frying, you can also use this appliance to bake or roast meals. Some foods that you can prepare using air fryers include:

Finger foods, snacks and sides like French fries, sweet potato fries and air-fried pickles
Chicken, fish and meat
Roasted vegetables
Baked goods like cakes, cookies and apple fritters

Some air fryer models come with accessories like pizza pans, grilling trays and cake barrels to increase your cooking options.

What is an instant pot?

Instant Pots are electric pressure cookers that have multiple features to meet varying needs. Depending on the model, additional Instant Pot features may include a yogurt maker, rice cooker, steamer, sauté pan, boiled egg maker and slow cooker. These versatile multi-cookers can replace several kitchen appliances, which is why they’re an ideal option for small kitchens. Instant Pots use water or broth to produce steam and build up pressure within their cooking pots. They force hot steam into foods to cook at high speeds while preserving nutritional value. Pressure cooking also seals in flavor and moisture to create tasty meals.

Pros and cons of instant pots

There are several advantages and downsides of Instant Pots to consider. These are:

Pros

Instant Pots are extremely versatile
They allow you to cook food right out of the freezer without thawing
Can cook large batches of food
Keeps food warm after they’re done cooking
Saves cooking time
Instant Pots offer increased energy efficiency
They come with safety features like a quick release lid and an automated pressure control

Cons

Instant Pots have strict cooking instructions
Cleaning up after preparing meals may take time
Failure to follow instructions can lead to overcooked food
Some models are bulky and require lots of space

What can you cook using instant pots?

Are you new to using Instant Pots? If the answer is yes, consider erring on the side of caution and start with preset meals. Once you learn the basics, experiment by trying out customized recipes. Some foods you can cook using these appliances include:

Beef, chicken and seafood
Baked goods like cake and bread
Soups and stews
Rice
Hard-boiled eggs
Noodle-based dishes
Vegetables
Yogurt

Instant pot vs. air fryer: key differences

What are the differences between an air fryer and an Instant Pot? Now that you’ve learned all you need to know about both devices, here are some key variances:

Portability and size: Air fryers are often more compact and portable than Instant Pots
Versatility: Instant Pots have many capabilities compared to air fryers
Cooking times: Instant Pots can often prepare food more quickly than air fryers
Food choices: Although both small kitchen appliances can prepare a wide range of foods, Instant Pots offer more recipe options
Ease of use: Air fryers are good for beginners, while Instant Pots have a learning curve
Price: Although both are quite affordable, Instant Pots offer better value for the money because of their versatility

Should you buy an air fryer or instant pot?

When deciding what kitchen appliances to buy, you should focus primarily on your personal preferences. If you want to make soups and stews, go for an Instant Pot. On the other hand, to prepare crispy treats, choose an air fryer. Other factors that you should to consider before selecting any new specialty appliance are power consumption and your budget.