Instant Pot Vs Air Fryer Which Is Better?
There are a lot of great things that can be said about both the Instant Pot and the Air fryer. Both have their own unique set of features and benefits that make them great appliances to have in any kitchen.
So, which one is better the electric pressure cooker or the air fryer?
It depends on what you are looking for. Here is a look at some of the key features of both the Instant Pot and the Air fryer to help you decide which one is right for you.
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Pressure Cooker vs Air Fryer
An Instant pot is an electrical appliance used for pressure cooking.
The Instant Pot can be used as a slow cooker, pressure cooker, yogurt maker, rice cooker, and steamer all in one.
It also has a saute function that allows you to cook food directly in the pot.
The Instant Pot Duo Crisp for example is very versatile and can be used to make a variety of different dishes.
Instant Pot Pros:
Instant pots such as the instant pot dup crisp have a number of positive features:
Versatility
The Instant Pot is very versatile and can be used to make a variety of different dishes from cheesy bacon casserole to Instant Pot Beef Stew.
Instant Pots are great for cooking rice and you can even stir fry foods in the electric Instant pot.
Easy to Use
It is very easy to use and doesn’t require a lot of effort to operate once you learn. You can pressure cook, slow cook, steam, and saute all in one pot.
When it comes to this pressure cooking method you can simply add your ingredients, set the timer, and let it do its thing.
Affordability of Instant Pot
The Instant Pot is very affordable compared to other kitchen appliances. You can pick up a decent Instant pot from Walmart and you can even find them on Amazon for about the same price.
Instant Pot Keep Warm Mode
Instant Pots have a heating element and has the ability to act as a food warmer. This is a great feature if you want to keep your food warm until you are ready to eat it.
Instant Pot Size
The Instant Pot comes in different sizes which means it can be used for smaller meals and for bulk cooking. They are also very good for meal prepping.
I prefer to use the Instant Pot Duo Crisp Model. It has a large cooking pot big enough for my whole family.
Instant Pot Cons:
Some negatives to pressure cooking/using Instant Pots are:
Too Bulky
Some people find the Instant Pot to be too big and bulky. It can be difficult to store and takes up a lot of counter space.
Slow Cooker Function
The slow cooker function on the Instant Pot is not as good as a dedicated slow cooker.
If you are looking for a great slow cooker, then Instant Pots are not the best option.
Cleaning Pressure Cookers
Pressure cookers can be difficult to clean if you don’t have the right cleaning tools.
For the best tips for cleaning your Instant Pot check out this article! They are great kitchen appliances but can be a little tricky to clean.
Here Are a Few Fantastic Instant Pot Recipes:
Make beef stew in a fraction of the time with this Instant Pot Mexican Beef Stew recipe! This hearty and comforting stew is loaded with flavor and so easy to make.
Instant Pot Creamy Cheese Chicken
This Instant Pot Creamy Cheese Chicken is an easy and delicious pressure cooker recipe. Tender chicken breasts are cooked in a creamy cheese sauce for a meal that can be on the table in no time!
Instant Pot Tortellini Carbonara
This Instant Pot Tortellini Carbonara is a quick and easy weeknight meal that the whole family will love. Cheese tortellini is cooked in a creamy bacon carbonara sauce for a delicious dinner.
Instant Pot Chicken Alfredo Pizza
This Instant Pot Chicken Alfredo Pizza is a quick and easy weeknight meal that the whole family will love. Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are cooked in a creamy Alfredo sauce and then topped with mozzarella cheese!
You can make Mexican Beans in the Instant Pot in just minutes! This recipe is vegan, gluten-free, and so delicious. Serve these beans with rice and tortillas for a complete meal.
Air Fryer vs Pressure Cooker
The Air fryer is a kitchen appliance that uses hot air to cook food. It is similar to a convection oven but it cooks food much faster. The Air fryer is a great appliance to have if you are looking for a quick and easy way to cook food.
Air Fryer Pros:
Here are some of the positives of using making air fryer recipes.
Fast Cooking
The Air fryer is very fast and cooks food quickly. It is a great appliance to have if you are short on time.
Most recipes cook from the start and there is no waiting time for pressure to build like in an Instant Pot.
An Air Fryer Is Easy to Use
The Air fryer is very easy to use. You simply add your food to the basket, set the timer, and let it do its thing.
Whether you want to cook meat or crispy foods such as french fries, the air fryer tends to do a great job.
Air Fryers Are Affordable
Air fryers are very affordable and you can find them for about the same cost as an Instant Pot. You can find air fryers on Amazon or in stores such as Walmart, Target, and Bed Bath and Beyond.
Easy to Clean
Air fryers are very easy to clean and most have dishwasher-safe parts.
Healthier Meals
The air fryer can make your favorite meals healthier than deep-fried food.
You can make crispy meals in a good air fryer and won’t need the oil used when you fry foods.
No Hot Steam
As the air fryer features a closed cooking chamber that circulates air, there is no release of hot steam when you open the appliance as there is with an Instant Pot.
Air Fryer Cons:
Here are some of the negatives of using an air fryer:
Too Small
Some people find the Air fryer to be too small and compact. It can be difficult to cook large meals in an air fryer.
Not as Versatile
The Air fryer is not as versatile as the Instant Pot and it cannot be used to make all the same recipes. It is best for cooking meat, fish, crispy food and fried food.
What Can an Instant Pot Cook?
The Instant Pot is very versatile and can be used to cook a variety of different dishes. You can use it to make soups, stews, casseroles, rice, pasta, and even make desserts or bake cakes.
The Instant Pot is also great for cooking meats because it tenderizes the meat as it cooks.
You can use slow cooking functions on an Instant pot and if you don’t want to invest in an air fryer then you can buy an Instant Pot Dup Crisp machine. This is an Instant pot that comes with an air fryer lid.
The Instant pot air frying lid converts the pressure cooker (Instant Pot Duo model) into an air fryer making foods crispy and delicious.
The air fryer lid is great for crisping up a chicken cooked in the Instant Pot or simply for air frying foods such as french fries, bang bang salmon or crusted chicken.
What Can an Airfryer Cook?
The Airfryer is great for cooking a variety of different recipes. You can use it to cook chicken, fish, vegetables, and even desserts.
The Airfryer is a popular choice for making crispy foods like french fries and chicken nuggets. When it comes to airfryer vs instant pot, I’d go with the air fryer for making crispy chicken nuggets.
Hot Air Cooking
Cooking in an air fryer with hot air is much better than using a deep fryer.
In terms of health and nutrition, air fryers are the better option.
Air frying doesn’t require the use of oil, so there are no unhealthy fats or oils in your food.
When it comes to taste, some people think that deep-fried foods taste better than those cooked in an air fryer. However, this is not always the case.
There are so many delicious recipes you can make with this fantastic cooking appliance and the food comes out better than when deep frying.
Air Fryer Recipes
Here are some best air fryer recipes to try:
Air Fried Chicken
Here is the best air fryer chicken wings recipe. These bbq chicken wings are super tasty and are great for game night and entertaining.
Hard Boiled Eggs
Did you know you can air fry boiled eggs in most air fryers!
Learn how to make air fryer hard-boiled eggs here.
Air Fryer Cauliflower Pizza
Yes, you can air fry pizzas or pizza bases in the air fryer and this fun recipe is a healthy version you will love.
Air Fryer Carrot Fries
These air fryer carrot fries are healthy, easy to make and so delicious! The perfect side dish or snack.
Difference Between Pressure Cooker and Air Fryer
The Airfryer is a great appliance to have if you are looking for a quick and easy way to cook food.
The Instant Pot is very versatile and can be used to make a variety of different dishes.
If you are looking for an appliance that can do it all, the Instant Pot is the better choice. However, if you are looking for a quick and easy way to cook food, the Airfryer might be the better choice.
Both the Air Fryer and Instant Pot have safety features to make them safe to use. It’s simply down to what you prefer and which instant pot recipes or fried foods you want to make.