Air fryers have revolutionized home cooking, offering a healthier way to enjoy crispy favorites. When the trusted name Instant Pot enters the arena, you know you’re in for quality and innovation. Their lineup of air fryers goes beyond simple frying, incorporating roasting, baking, and even dehydrating functions to become versatile kitchen workhorses.
Choosing the right model, however, can be a challenge. From compact mini fryers for small spaces to large-capacity ovens and multi-functional pressure cooker combos, there’s an Instant Pot air fryer for every need. This roundup breaks down the features and benefits of the top models to help you find your perfect kitchen companion.
The Best Instant Pot Air Fryer Models for Your Kitchen
- Instant Pot Vortex Slim XL 6QT Air Fryer
- Instant Pot Vortex 2QT Mini Air Fryer
- Instant Pot Omni 19QT/18L Toaster Oven Air Fryer
- Instant Pot Vortex Plus 6QT ClearCook Air Fryer
- Instant Pot Vortex Plus XL 8QT ClearCook Air Fryer
- Instant Pot Duo Crisp 11-in-1 Air Fryer and Pressure Cooker Combo
- Instant Pot Pro Crisp 11-in-1 Pressure Cooker & Air Fryer
- Instant Pot Duo Evo Plus 10-in-1 Pressure Cooker with Air Fryer Lid
Instant Pot Vortex Slim XL 6QT Air Fryer
This model is designed for those who want capacity without a bulky footprint. The Vortex Slim XL offers a generous 6-quart capacity, enough for a 4-pound chicken, while maintaining a space-saving design that fits easily on most countertops. It consolidates five essential cooking functions—air frying, roasting, baking, broiling, and reheating—into one sleek appliance with user-friendly touchscreen controls.
At the heart of its performance is EvenCrisp Technology, which circulates air from the top down to produce a golden, crispy finish using up to 95% less oil than traditional deep frying. The non-stick, dishwasher-safe basket makes cleanup simple, and access to over 100 in-app recipes provides plenty of inspiration for your next meal.
Instant Pot Vortex 2QT Mini Air Fryer
Ideal for singles, couples, or small kitchens, the Vortex 2QT Mini is a compact powerhouse. Its small size makes it perfect for preparing quick meals, sides, and snacks without taking up valuable counter space. Despite its footprint, it delivers the same EvenCrisp Technology found in larger models for reliably crispy and tender results.
This 4-in-1 appliance handles air frying, baking, roasting, and reheating with ease. One-touch smart programs take the guesswork out of cooking popular items like wings, roasted vegetables, and even cookies. It’s a straightforward and efficient appliance for everyday use.
Instant Pot Omni 19QT/18L Toaster Oven Air Fryer
For those needing more versatility and space, the Omni is a 7-in-1 countertop oven that replaces several appliances. With a massive 19-quart capacity, it can accommodate a 12-inch pizza, making it excellent for family dinners and entertaining. Its functions include air frying, baking, broiling, roasting, toasting, warming, and convection baking.
It offers the benefits of EvenCrisp Technology for air frying with the added convenience of precise toast shading controls. The large interior and multiple cooking functions allow you to prepare a wide variety of dishes, often with little to no preheating time required.
Instant Pot Vortex Plus 6QT ClearCook Air Fryer
The Vortex Plus 6QT with ClearCook adds a valuable feature for visual cooks: a window. This allows you to monitor your food’s progress without pulling out the basket and disrupting the cooking process, helping you achieve the perfect result every time. It includes six cooking functions, adding a dehydrate setting for making jerky, dried fruit, and more.
Like other Vortex models, it utilizes EvenCrisp Technology for consistent, crispy outcomes with significantly less oil. The intuitive touchscreen and customizable programming give you full control over your cooking.
Instant Pot Vortex Plus XL 8QT ClearCook Air Fryer
This is the larger sibling of the Vortex Plus, offering an expansive 8-quart capacity for bigger families or batch cooking. It boasts eight cooking functions and includes advanced SyncCook and SyncFinish technology, which allows you to cook two different foods at the same time and have them finish together.
The ClearCook window is also present, providing easy monitoring. With EvenCrisp Technology and a comprehensive set of features including dehydration, this model is built for versatility and high-volume cooking.
Instant Pot Duo Crisp 11-in-1 Air Fryer and Pressure Cooker Combo
This combination appliance is the ultimate two-in-one solution, merging the speed of pressure cooking with the crispiness of air frying. It comes with two lids: a pressure cooking lid and an air frying lid, allowing you to quickly cook ingredients under pressure and then finish them with a crispy texture. With 11 functions, it can pressure cook, slow cook, steam, sauté, and more.
This model is ideal for anyone looking to save both counter space and time. It performs the roles of two major appliances, making it a highly efficient and versatile centerpiece for any kitchen.
Instant Pot Pro Crisp 11-in-1 Pressure Cooker & Air Fryer
The Pro Crisp builds upon the combo concept with upgraded features and a more advanced interface. It includes all the functionality of the Duo Crisp but is designed for even greater control and ease of use. The display is often larger and more intuitive, with guided programming to assist with cooking.
It also includes an air fryer lid, enabling you to pressure cook a meal and then switch lids to air fry for a browned and crispy finish. This model is perfect for those who want premium features in their multi-cooker.
Instant Pot Duo Evo Plus 10-in-1 Pressure Cooker with Air Fryer Lid
This model offers a streamlined approach to the combo category. The Duo Evo Plus is a robust pressure cooker that can be upgraded with a separate air fryer lid purchase, though many bundles include it. It features 10 cooking functions and is known for its even heating and sturdy construction.
The option to add the air frying capability provides flexibility. If you already own or are considering this pressure cooker, adding the air fryer lid transforms it into a versatile two-in-one appliance without needing a separate unit.
Buying Guide: How to Choose Your Instant Pot Air Fryer
When I started looking at the different Instant Pot Air Fryer models, I quickly realized there are more options than I expected. It’s not just one machine; it’s a whole family of appliances designed to fit different kitchens and cooking habits. To find the right one for you, you need to think about a few key things.
First, consider capacity. How many people are you usually cooking for? If it’s just you or one other person, a compact 6-quart model might be perfect. For families of four or more, you’ll want to look at the 8-quart versions. Some models even offer a second, removable air fryer basket, which is a game-changer for cooking two things at once, like chicken and fries.
Next, look at the functions. All of these machines pressure cook and air fry, but the best Instant Pot Air Fryer models add a lot more to the table. Many can also slow cook, sous vide, steam, and even make yogurt. I find that having the sous vide function is a huge bonus for getting perfectly cooked steaks. Think about what you cook most often and make sure the model you pick supports those styles.
The lid is another big factor. Some models come with a dedicated air fryer lid that you attach. Others are all-in-one units where the functions are built into the main base. The lid system is great if you already own a compatible Instant Pot, as you can just buy the lid attachment. The all-in-one units are more streamlined and take up less counter space overall. I prefer the all-in-one design because it feels more integrated and I don’t have to worry about storing a separate, bulky lid.
Finally, don’t ignore the controls and cleaning. Some models have sleek, modern touchscreens, while others have simple dials and buttons. I personally like the physical buttons for their tactile feedback. Also, check that the inner pot and the air fryer basket are dishwasher-safe. After a long day, the last thing I want to do is scrub a greasy basket by hand. Taking a few minutes to compare these features will ensure you get a machine you’ll be happy with for years.
FAQ
What is the difference between an Instant Pot with an air fryer lid and a dedicated air fryer?
The main difference is versatility versus specialization. An Instant Pot with an air fryer lid is a multi-cooker first. It pressure cooks, slow cooks, and then, with the lid attached, it can air fry. A dedicated air fryer is an appliance designed only for air frying, broiling, and sometimes baking. The multi-cooker saves counter space, while a dedicated air fryer might heat up faster or have a larger basket specifically for air frying tasks.
Can I use my Instant Pot Air Fryer for dehydrating foods?
Yes, many of the newer Instant Pot Air Fryer models include a dehydration function. This is perfect for making things like beef jerky, dried fruit, or herb blends. You’ll want to check the specific model’s manual to confirm it has this setting and to learn the recommended times and temperatures for different foods.
Are these appliances difficult to clean?
Not at all. The key parts that get dirty—the inner stainless steel pot and the air fryer basket—are almost always dishwasher safe. The main base and the lid should just be wiped down with a damp cloth. I find that soaking the basket in warm, soapy water for a few minutes makes any stuck-on food easy to remove, even by hand.
Is the cooking time faster than a traditional oven?
Absolutely. This is one of the biggest advantages. Because an air fryer is a small, concentrated chamber with a powerful fan, it circulates hot air much more efficiently than a large oven. Foods like frozen fries, chicken wings, or roasted vegetables cook in about half the time it would take in a conventional oven, and they often come out crispier.
What kind of recipes work best in an Instant Pot Air Fryer?
You can cook a wide variety of foods. It excels at anything you want to be crispy with less oil. Think french fries, chicken wings, mozzarella sticks, and roasted Brussels sprouts. But it’s also fantastic for reheating leftovers, as it makes pizza and fried chicken crispy again instead of soggy. You can even bake small cakes or frittatas in the basket with the right accessories.