How To Use Instant Pot Air Fryer Lid? The Ultimate Guide & FAQs

Instant Pots combine an electric slow cooker pot and a pressure cooker. Depending on the brand, the pot comes as a 6-in-1 appliance and sometimes more. You will cook meat, rice, legumes, et cetera, and even make yogurt. The functions include roasting, baking, baking, preheating, reheating, and many other cooking methods. 

Air Fryers

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The air fryer innovation kicked in slightly over ten decades ago but had not gained popularity until the COVID-19 pandemic struck. Takeaway joints closed shops as lockdowns loomed in the U.S. and the world. That is how this kitchen appliance became a necessity; everyone had to cook at home. 

A 2020 air fryer stat reveals a 40% U.S. household ownership of this magic pot. The sales are soaring higher and higher as more people embrace homemade dishes after COVID-19 threatened the food joints.  

As is a norm with demand, you have to dig deeper in your pocket to get an air fryer on your kitchen countertop. Depending on the model, a small capacity of 3.7 QT can cost you up to $100. Large capacity and up-class brands cost up to $300. 

Instant Pot Air fryer Lid

While the above price may seem fair to new buyers, adding an air fryer in your kitchen is unnecessary if you already have an Instant Pot. The latest hack is an air fryer lid. As long as the lid matches your Instant Pot dimension, you will easily convert the existing cookware into an air fryer.

In simple terms, you don’t have to buy an air fryer if you have the Instant Pot! All you need is an air fryer lid that fits in your Instant Pot. One of the best models in the market is the Instant Pot air fryer lid. Besides saving you on cash, this model is also safe on the countertop, storage space and is super fast. It is easy to use and fits your 6-quarts Instant Pot model.

Our guide clears any uncertainties you may have about using the Instant Pot air fryer lid. Read more on this simple hack and save yourself from additional cookware in your kitchen.

How To Use An Instant Pot Air Fryer Lid?

The initial step will be to read all the safety and maintenance guidelines from the Instant Pot air fryer lid. It goes without a mention that the manufacturers’ safeguards arm you with troubleshooting tips, techniques, and cooking times for different foods, among other do’s and don’ts.

Plus, your air fryer lid must be compatible with the Instant Pot base. Instant Pot air fryer lid suits 6-quart pots.

The lid’s compatibility includes the dimensions, capacity, and model. Some brands do not match this make, so it is paramount to check when buying. It will save you a hell of a time trying to return your lid for exchange. 

Some outlets use your Instant Pot air fryer lid. If you find yourself at crossroads, read out detailed guides on the Best Air Fryer Lid For Instant Pot 6/8 QT. 

Here are the steps that will guide you when using an Instant Pot air fryer lid;

  1. Unplug your Instant Pot from the power outlet.
  2. Stack your food neatly in your Instant Pot base or on an air fryer basket if you have one. Air fryer lids are not used on ceramic coated inner pots, so use a stainless-steel inner pot.
  3. Unplug the pressure cooker. Position the air fryer lid on your Instant Pot’s base and connect to the power source. 
  4. Select the appropriate innovative program, including Reheat, Dehydrate, Bake, Broil, or Air Fry.
  5. Use the Time + / – buttons to adjust your cooking time and temperature.
  6. Pressing Start to see the display as the Air Fryer Lid preheats.
  7. Lift the Air Fryer Lid to pause cooking and place it on a pad. You can then go ahead and put it on the protective pad, turn, rotate, or flip the Air Fryer Lid back on the pot base to restart cooking. Most air fryer lids have a standby mode that displays Off after a few minutes, but it will turn on once you place it back on the cooker base.
  8. The lid will beep when the cooking time ends to show that the Smart Program is complete. Lift your Instant Pot air fryer lid from the cooker base and serve your food. Air fryer lids keep food warm for up to an hour. Always place your air fryer lid on a protective pad to prevent damages.

Can You Use The Instant Pot Air Fryer Lid Without The Basket?

The majority of Instant Pot air fryer lid users are confused about whether to use it with a basket or not. Combining a basket and Instant Pot air fryer lid guarantees faster and even cooking of your food.

The air fryer lid works by blowing and circulating hot air in your food and giving you a deep-fried effect. Like deep-fried food, air-fried food is flavor and golden brown. For the hot air to flow well on the food, you need an elevated basket in the pot. That assures you sufficient and consistent air will flow.

But the fact is you can use the appliance without a basket. There are some situations where you may not require a basket. For example, if you are baking a cake using the Instant Pot air fryer lid or a whole chicken or turkey, the space may be limited if you use a basket.

But you have to observe the correct airflow principle to get good results. You can roll some aluminum balls for your chicken or cake tins to stand on them. A stainless-steel rack or silicon molds are great options if you do not have a basket.

How Do You Cook With An Instant Pot Air Fryer?

Firstly, an Instant Pot air fryer does not require preheating because it is instant. All you need is to arrange your ingredients in a stainless-steel basket, place the air fryer lid on top of the cooker base, and set the appropriate time, temperature, and program.

Connect the plug to the power source and press On. Your cooker will begin heating up and cook your food to the end. The air fryer will beep to alert you when the time is up. Lift the lid, serve your food, and treat your taste buds. 

If you need to check the cooking progress halftime, lift the air fryer lid and place it on its protective pad on a countertop. Turn or rotate your food and set back the cover. Easy!

How Do I Preheat My Instant Pot Air Fryer Lid?

While it is unnecessary to preheat an Instant Pot air fryer lid (the hot air is instant), you still need to know how to do it. Your reason for preheating will be to heat the cooking utensils inside the Instant Pot before putting in your ingredients.

To preheat your Instant Pot air fryer lid, you must place it on the pot’s base. Connect the electric code to the power source and press start. When the display shows On, that means your air fryer lid has begun to preheat.

Which Instant Pot Is Compatible With Air Fryer Lid?

Instant Pots and air fryer lids match depending on their capacities. The Instant Pot matches with the 6-quart version. 

Can I Turn My Instant Pot Into An Air Fryer?

The answer is yes. You can convert your Instant Pot into an air fryer. All you need is an air fryer lid. The lids are specific to the purpose. They come in distinct models that fit Instant Pots of different quarts or capacities.

An example is the Instant Pot air fryer lid. It will fit your 6-quart Instant Pot. If you have a larger or smaller Instant Pot, check our guide on the Best Air Fryer Lids For Instant Pots. 

As long as you purchase the right dimension, you are set to use your Instant Pot as an air fryer. You will make tasty fries with less or no oil, bake cakes, reheat food, dehydrate veggies, roast chicken, cook meat, and cook all foods with this unique cooker.

Cooking with an air fryer lid doesn’t allow you to see into the base of your Instant Pot, but you can check on the progress of your food halfway by lifting the lid.

The lid has programmed temperature, times, and cooking features and functions like a complete air fryer. Remove any non-stick ceramic insert from the pot for compatibility when using this unique gadget.

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Conclusion

When adding new appliances into your kitchen, the Instant Pot air fryer lid is a saver for both space and money. You don’t need to buy a new air fryer; just a lid, and you get yourself sorted.

Combining your Instant Pot and the air fryer lid will help you to cook, roast, dehydrate, preheat, broil, bake and do many things that you couldn’t accomplish with the conventional plain Instant Pot.

The Instant Pot air fryer lid comes with programs similar to a complete air fryer. This model fits 6-quart Instant Pots, but you should not be discouraged if you have a large or lesser capacity. There are other compatible models in the market for you!

Anyway, we hope that you have found the above tips on how to use instant pot air fryer lid are helpful for you. If so, let us know by leaving a comment.

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