Air Fryer vs Instant Pot – Which One Is Right For You?

Air fryer vs instant pot which is better

When it comes to small kitchen appliances, air fryers and Instant Pots are the most popular. Nonetheless, before you invest your hard-earned money in one of these services, let’s first discuss the differences to help you maximize your returns.

Because the cooking systems of both air fryers and Instant Pots are different, the menus that each appliance is capable of producing are distinct too. So, we’ll focus on which device cooks what, how quickly they can cook, how they cook, portability, cleaning ease, and price.

As a result of the information in this article, you will understand how these machines work and which one (or perhaps both?) is best suited to your needs.

What is the difference between Air Fryer and Instant Pot?

Despite their general size and shape similarities, air fryers and Instant Pot pressure cookers are fundamentally dissimilar. Their cooking methods and the foods they specialize in are (for the most part) diametrically opposed.

Before we discuss what they cook, let’s look at the physical components of air fryers and Instant Pot pressure cookers to familiarize ourselves with their construction.

Size and Shape

The most frequently encountered feature of these machines is their size and shape. While different models have varying footprints, most air fryers and Instant Pots share a similar cylindrical shape and have comparable dimensions.

Their control panels are located on the front face of the device, though the internal capacity of a pressure cooker is accessed through the top, whereas the air fryer drawer is removed by sliding it out from the bottom.

If you keep your air fryer under a cupboard, this makes it more accessible without requiring you to move the entire appliance. When using an Instant Pot, you’ll need an open area in your kitchen, as the lids are frequently attached to the device, effectively doubling the machine’s height when open.

You’ll find that similar in capacity and weight between air fryers and Instant Pot.

Heating and Cooking

As the name “air fryer” suggests, this appliance cooks food using super-heated air. Though, it doesn’t actually fry anything.

A powerful fan circulates hot air around the air fryer’s interior, quickly heating the ingredients from all sides simultaneously to ensure they are evenly cooked. It is possible to achieve a crispy golden finish on your food while using only a tiny amount of oil when using this preparation method.

An air fryer is a countertop convection oven with an air fryer, roasting, baking, and broiling function.

Instant Pot employs an entirely different technique to produce equally delectable but significantly different results. An Instant Pot machine’s primary pressure cooker function utilizes a small amount of water and a tightly sealed capacity to generate internal pressure and force steam into your food for rapid and efficient cooking. Additionally, this method prevents your food from drying out.

With a pressure cooker, it’s challenging to overcook food because the steam keeps the food tender and juicy.

Numerous Instant Pot models also include a slow-cooker function that gently heats food (such as casseroles and stews) over an extended period, resulting in tender results. Rice cookers, steamers, and yogurt-making parts are also standard on Instant Pots.

Portability & Storage:

Because these devices are not overly heavy, they can easily be moved from the worktop to the cupboard and back. While the larger models can be a little bulky, they are significantly smaller than toaster ovens and microwaves, which typically require a permanent home in your kitchen.

Air Fryer vs Instant Pot – What Can You Cook?

Their cooking methods distinguish the Instant Pot and air fryer. The Instant Pot uses pressure cooking to make food more quickly and easily, whereas the air fryer uses hot air to create oil-free, healthier food. You can use the Instant Pot to make healthy, oil-free recipes, but you can also use it to make cakes and junk food.

While both the air fryer and the Instant Pot can be used to prepare some of the same foods, air fryers are generally preferred for foods that require crisping or drying, such as healthier versions of French fries, fried chicken, or apple crisps.

Additionally, an Instant Pot is best suited for liquid-based dishes such as soups and stews, chili, grains, casseroles, and one-pot meals.

Here are some foods that work best in each:

Food	Air Fryer	Instant Pot
Poultry & Meat	An air fryer’s hot air combined with a small number of oil results in a golden brown and crispy exterior on meat joints and roast chicken	With Instant Pot, you can cook moist, tender meat such as pulled pork, beef, or chicken
Whole chicken	A whole chicken will take approximately an hour to prepare.	A whole chicken can be cooked in an Instant Pot in about 30 minutes. It will taste delectable but will appear pasty and unappealing
Vegetables	An air fryer is ideal for roasting vegetables to accompany a roast dinner.	Using a pressure cooker results in deliciously steamed vegetables
Fries	Fries are a staple of the air fryer, and this machine can produce a batch in about ten minutes	Fries cannot be cooked in a pressure cooker
Potatoes	In an air fryer, roast potatoes are fantastic.	In ten minutes, a pressure cooker produces excellent boiled potatoes.
Rice	Rices cannot be cooked in an air fryer	Instant Pots can be used as rice cookers, producing fluffy, tender rice in ten to fifteen minutes, depending on the quantity
Cakes & Donuts	An air fryer’s ‘bake’ function is ideal for those with a sweet tooth. Cakes, muffins, and donut muffins are all relatively simple to make.	In an Instant Pot, you’re not baking a cake; you’re steaming it. Moisture will be retained in the cake
Dehydrating Food	Numerous air fryers include a dehydrating function for reducing the moisture content of foods with unique flavors	As steam is the primary cooking method in Instant Pots, this cooking style is not possible with this device
Stew, Soups & Chili	Air fryers are incapable of preparing this type of food	The Instant Pot excels at preparing wet foods. The appliance is ideal for slow-cooking stews and soups, allowing the flavors of the ingredients to blend.
Frozen Foods	The intense heat generated by an air fryer is ideal for roasting. You can cook frozen foods in an air fryer, including french fries, chicken fingers, and fish sticks. It will increase their crispiness without resorting to deep frying.	Due to the cold food, the Instant Pot will take longer to reach the required temperature.

What Kind of Features Should You Anticipate?

The versatility of air fryers and pressure cookers with various settings takes the guesswork out of cooking.

While an air fryer is best for golden brown and crispy foods, an Instant Pot excels at juicy and wet foods such as stew, chili, and soup.The features listed below are the most frequently found on air fryers and Instant Pot appliances.