Modern kitchens are evolving, and the multi-cooker with air frying capability is at the forefront of this change. These versatile appliances consolidate the functions of several devices into one, saving valuable counter space and simplifying your cooking routine. The ability to quickly air fry, pressure cook, slow cook, and more means you can prepare a wider variety of meals with less effort and cleanup.
Whether you are looking to create healthier versions of fried favorites, quickly prepare weeknight dinners, or experiment with new recipes, a multi-cooker with an air fryer function offers remarkable flexibility. This guide highlights eight of the best options available, each with its own set of strengths to help you find the perfect match for your culinary needs and kitchen setup.
Our Top Picks for Multi-Cookers with Air Frying
- Ninja Combi All-in-One Multicooker, Oven, & Air Fryer
- Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker
- Ninja Digital Air Fry Countertop Oven
- Breville Fast Slow Pro Pressure Cooker
- Aroma Housewares ARC-994SB Rice & Grain Cooker
- Instant Pot Duo Crisp 11-in-1 Air Fryer & Pressure Cooker
- Ninja Foodi 14-in-1 8-qt. Pressure Cooker & Air Fryer
- COSORI 9-in-1 Air Fryer Toaster Oven Combo
Ninja Combi All-in-One Multicooker, Oven, & Air Fryer
The Ninja Combi stands out as a true all-in-one kitchen powerhouse. With 14 distinct functions, it replaces numerous single-use appliances, helping you maintain a clutter-free countertop. Its signature Combi Meals function is engineered to cook your protein, vegetables, and a grain like pasta or rice simultaneously, making a complete meal up to 50% faster than a conventional wall oven.
Beyond speed, this unit offers incredible versatility. You can air fry for crispiness, bake, roast, slow cook, proof dough, or even use the sous vide method for precise temperature control. The inclusion of three accessories ensures you have the right tools for any cooking task, making it a comprehensive solution for everyday meals and entertaining alike.
Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker
As one of the most recognized names in multi-cooking, the Instant Pot Duo delivers reliable 7-in-1 performance. It efficiently handles pressure cooking, slow cooking, sautéing, steaming, rice making, yogurt preparation, and warming. This makes it an excellent foundation for a wide array of recipes, from hearty stews to homemade yogurt.
User-friendly features are a key benefit of this model. It includes 13 customizable smart programs for one-touch operation, simplifying the cooking process. The safe and easy steam release switch provides peace of mind, allowing for quick pressure release when your meal is ready. Its proven design and included app with over 800 recipes make it a trusted choice for home cooks.
Ninja Digital Air Fry Countertop Oven
This Ninja Countertop Oven is an 8-in-1 marvel that brings air frying to a larger, more versatile form factor. Its Digital Crisp Control Technology precisely manages temperature, heat source, and airflow to ensure optimum cooking performance across all functions. You can air fry, air roast, air broil, bake, toast bagels, dehydrate, and keep food warm.
The flip-up design is a space-saving feature, making it ideal for smaller kitchens. When you use the air fry function, you can prepare your favorite foods using significantly less fat—up to 75% less compared to traditional deep frying. The XL capacity and included air fry basket, wire rack, and crumb tray make it a practical and powerful addition to any kitchen.
Breville Fast Slow Pro Pressure Cooker
Breville brings its signature engineering quality to the multi-cooker category with the Fast Slow Pro. This model automatically adjusts time, temperature, and pressure between its fast and slow cooking modes to coax maximum flavor and ideal texture from your ingredients. It employs dual sensors to monitor and control cooking conditions with precision.
With 11 pressure cook settings and adjustable slow cook settings, it offers extensive control for discerning cooks. Cleanup is straightforward thanks to the removable, dishwasher-safe lid. The ceramic-coated cooking bowl is not only easy to clean and free from PFOA and PTFE, but it also doubles as an attractive serving bowl for bringing food directly to the table.
Aroma Housewares ARC-994SB Rice & Grain Cooker
For those whose needs center on grains and simple meals, the Aroma Housewares Rice & Grain Cooker is a compact and efficient choice. It features seven automated controls for cooking white rice, brown rice, oatmeal, risotto, and steaming vegetables. This makes it a highly specialized tool that performs its core functions exceptionally well.
With a capacity of up to 8 cups of cooked rice, it is perfectly sized for individual use or small families. The unit is built with durability in mind, featuring an extra-strong coating that is scratch-resistant and easy to clean. It’s a straightforward, reliable appliance for daily meal preparation without a complex learning curve.
Instant Pot Duo Crisp 11-in-1 Air Fryer & Pressure Cooker
This model combines the best of both worlds by integrating the pressure cooking prowess of an Instant Pot with a dedicated air frying lid. The result is an 11-in-1 appliance that can quickly pressure cook a meal and then crisp it to perfection without needing to transfer food to a separate appliance. It streamlines the cooking process for dishes that benefit from both tenderizing and a crispy finish.
Functions include pressure cooking, slow cooking, sautéing, steaming, and of course, air frying, roasting, and baking. The inclusion of two lids—one for pressure cooking and one for air frying—makes it a versatile unit capable of handling a vast recipe repertoire, from pulled pork to crispy chicken wings.
Ninja Foodi 14-in-1 8-qt. Pressure Cooker & Air Fryer
The Ninja Foodi is a pioneer in the pressure cooker and air fryer combo category. This 8-quart unit offers 14 different functions, including the popular TenderCrisp technology which allows you to pressure cook ingredients until tender and then quickly air fry them to achieve a crispy, golden-brown exterior. It eliminates the need for multiple pots and pans.
Beyond pressure cooking and air frying, it can steam, slow cook, sauté, bake, roast, and dehydrate. Its large capacity is well-suited for family meals or meal prepping. The all-in-one design means you can prepare complex dishes with multiple textures in a single pot, simplifying both cooking and cleanup.
COSORI 9-in-1 Air Fryer Toaster Oven Combo
The COSORI Air Fryer Toaster Oven Combo is designed for those who want the convenience of an air fryer integrated into a classic toaster oven. This 9-in-1 appliance can air fry, toast, bake, roast, broil, keep food warm, dehydrate, and cook pizza and cookies. It provides a spacious interior for accommodating larger items that wouldn’t fit in a basket-style air fryer.
Its straightforward control panel and included accessories, such as an air fry basket and baking pan, make it user-friendly. This appliance is an excellent choice for anyone looking to upgrade their toaster oven to a more versatile machine that can handle air frying and a wide range of other cooking tasks with consistent results.
Buying Guide: How to Choose the Best Multi Cooker with Air Frying
When I started looking for a multi cooker with air frying, I quickly realized there are a lot of options. To find the right one for my kitchen, I focused on a few key features that make a real difference in daily use. The goal is to get a machine that simplifies cooking, not one that complicates it with features you will never use.
First, consider the capacity. If you are cooking for one or two people, a 5 to 6-quart model is usually perfect. For families of four or more, you will want to look at 8-quart models or larger. Remember, if you plan to use the air fryer function a lot, you need enough space for the hot air to circulate around the food. Overcrowding a smaller basket leads to soggy results, which defeats the purpose. I always check if the air fryer lid is included or if it is a separate, costly add-on. Some brands sell them as a bundle, which is often the better value.
The controls are another big factor. Do you prefer the simplicity of a few preset buttons, or do you want full manual control over time and temperature? I found that presets for things like “French Fries” or “Chicken” are great for beginners, but manual controls give you the flexibility to get things exactly how you like them. A clear, easy-to-read display is a must. There is nothing more frustrating than trying to decipher a tiny, confusing screen when your hands are covered in flour.
Material and cleaning are where the daily joy or frustration lives. A non-stick inner pot is essential for easy cleanup. I always look for a pot that is dishwasher safe to save time. The air fryer basket should also have a non-stick coating and be dishwasher safe. Some models have racks and accessories that are a pain to clean by hand, so that is a detail worth noting in reviews. Also, check the build quality. A machine that feels flimsy might not last through years of frequent use.
Finally, think about the other functions you will actually use. Beyond pressure cooking and air frying, many of these machines can slow cook, steam, sauté, and even bake. I made a list of the cooking methods I use most often and looked for a multi cooker that checked those boxes. There is no need to pay extra for a yogurt-making function if you will never use it. Reading through user reviews often highlights which features are genuinely useful and which are just marketing fluff. By focusing on capacity, controls, ease of cleaning, and the functions that fit your lifestyle, you can find one of the best multi cookers with air frying for your home.
FAQ
Can I really use a multi cooker for air frying?
Yes, absolutely. A multi cooker with an air fry function works by using a special lid that contains a heating element and a powerful fan. This setup circulates super-heated air around the food, creating a crispy, browned exterior similar to a deep fryer but with much less oil. It is not a separate appliance; it is an integrated function that turns your pressure cooker pot into an air fryer basket.
How is the air frying function different from a dedicated air fryer?
The main difference is often the basket shape and capacity. A dedicated, basket-style air fryer might heat up slightly faster and can be easier to shake or flip food in. However, a multi cooker with air frying is far more versatile. You have one device that can pressure cook a stew and then air fry the topping for it. For most people, the convenience of having multiple functions in one machine outweighs the minor performance difference.
Are these machines difficult to clean?
They are generally straightforward to clean, which is a big part of their appeal. The inner cooking pot and the air fryer basket almost always have a non-stick coating. Most of these parts are dishwasher safe, which makes cleanup very simple. The main body of the cooker itself just needs a quick wipe with a damp cloth. The key is to clean the air fryer basket soon after use, before any stuck-on food has a chance to harden.
What can I cook in a multi cooker with air frying?
The range of food you can prepare is impressive. You can pressure cook a whole chicken, then use the air fryer function to crisp up the skin. You can make french fries, frozen snacks, or roasted vegetables. You can even bake small cakes or frittatas. It is excellent for reheating leftovers like pizza, making them crispy again instead of soggy. Essentially, it handles most of your weeknight cooking tasks.
Is it worth getting one if I already have a pressure cooker?
This depends on how much you would use the air frying and other additional functions. If you find yourself wanting to make crispy foods often and dislike using your oven, then upgrading to a multi cooker with air frying could be a great space-saver. It consolidates two appliances into one. However, if your current pressure cooker meets all your needs and you rarely air fry, it might not be a necessary purchase right now.
What size should I get for a family of four?
For a family of four, I would recommend looking at an 8-quart model. This size gives you enough space to cook a full meal, like a batch of rice in the pot and a large portion of chicken wings in the air fryer basket, without having to cook in multiple batches. A 6-quart model can work, but you might find it a bit tight, especially when making larger meals or preparing food for guests. Choosing from the best multi cookers with air frying means finding the right capacity for your household.