Instant Pot Air Fryer Lid Review

I previously wrote about the Ninja Foodi vs. Instant Pot and since then, I’m so happy that Instant Pot came out with an air fryer lid attachment for the 6 quart Instant Pot.

If you didn’t read that post, the main takeaway is that I was looking for a machine that would air fry plus have the capabilities of my Instant Pot because I love the pressure cooker function so much. I didn’t love the size of the Foodi and I just couldn’t part with my Instant Pot so I returned the Foodi and kept my Instant Pot.

I haven’t really missed not having an air fryer because I never really used one extensively. However, seeing all these recipes online always got me intrigued and I would constantly be going back and forth whether or not to just buy one or not.

A reader recently tipped me off that Instant Pot came out with an air fryer lid for their 6 quart machines and I immediately bought it.

I LOVE that they so brilliantly made this attachment for the Instant Pot. It avoids you having to buy an additional small appliance and it attaches seamlessly to my Instant Pot.

You do not plug in your Instant Pot base when you have the air fryer lid on it. You only need to plug in the air fryer lid.

What does the Instant Pot Air Fryer Lid come with?

It comes with the lid, the nonstick basket, the dehydrator grate, and the storage cover.

Which Instant Pot models is compatible with the air fryer lid?

Check the compatible models here before buying! It’s not compatible on all models and more specifically, it only works on the 6 quart version.

I don’t know if they have ones for the 8 quart; I’m sure if this is popular enough, they’ll eventually make one for it.

How much is it and where can I get it?

I got mine at Williams-Sonoma because it was sold out on Amazon, but Amazon has it back in stock.

It’s $79.95 at the time this post was written (January 19, 2020)

What are the pros of the Instant Pot Air Fryer Lid?

• You don’t have to buy another machine just to have an air fryer
• It’s super easy to use – the buttons are easy to push and everything about it is very intuitive.
• The jingle that you hear with the Instant Pot when you put the lid on correctly is the same with the air fryer lid.
• I love that halfway through the cooking process, it starts beeping at you and the screen tells you to flip the food. A great reminder to shake that basket!
• The insert is nonstick and it is a separate, removable bucket that makes for easy washing.
• I was actually VERY surprised at how much could fit into the basket. It looks small but when I started using this, it was able to fit 16 ounces of tofu and a lot of chicken wings at once.
• I actually like the distance between the basket and the air fryer element. It’s not right up under the element so some food you cook that may splatter won’t get onto the element, which may make cleanup harder.
• Cleanup for the air fryer lid is easy – just take a damp towel and wipe!

What are the cons of the Instant Pot Air Fryer Lid?

• The temperature doesn’t go higher than 400 degrees. I guess I don’t know why I’d want it to go higher but I would have liked at least up to 450 degrees.
• It’s big and bulky BUT it is far better than having another machine.
• Since the air fryer basket goes into the stainless steel Instant Pot insert, you have to wash both when you’re done cooking.

What are your takeaways?

If you’re in the market for an air fryer and already have a compatible 6 quart Instant Pot, I’d highly recommend considering the Instant Pot Air Fryer Lid instead of buying another machine.

I am very happy with mine and while I don’t think I’ll use it every day, it is definitely something I am happy to have in my cabinets for those days that I do want to use it.

I haven’t used all the functions on it (such as broil, bake, roast, dehydrate) but I can see the reheat function working well (if you don’t have a microwave) or the broiling option for crisping stuff up quickly. Everything else I feel like I’d just use my regular oven or toaster oven.

I do appreciate that the basket is nonstick (but I still spray it a little with cooking spray) and for storage, it’s easy to store everything into the stainless steel insert.

Recipes for the air fryer

I’ve been testing recipes for this and currently, I have successfully tested this teriyaki tofu and broccoli bowl for the air fryer.

I did everything the instructions say to do for the tofu in the recipe but instead of pan frying it, I put it into the basket of the air fryer and did 10 minutes at 400 degrees.

I’ll have more recipes soon so keep checking back!