Air Fryer vs Instant Pot: Understand which one is Better

Air Fryer vs Instant Pot

Air fryer vs Instant pot is now a relevant topic because both are the essential kitchen appliances that everyone needs at present. However, these two devices have rudimentary differences between them.

An air fryer does not or uses a little amount of oil and circulates hot air for cooking the food completely. However, an instant pot uses broth or water for producing steam and pressure in a cooking pot.

Now an air fryer can prepare crispy and healthy foods but the instant pot paves an easy path for preparing succulent dishes. As you are in the crossroads of whether to buy the frying machine cooker-like pot, our guide will help you sort things out.

Use of Air Fryer

The air fryer comes with a glossy body along with fryer basket and is modeled to enhance airflow. Not only is it a healthy alternative for deep frying, but also it is good for baking, roasting, grilling, and frying.

As frying remains the main focus, preparing fried chicken, potato chips, and French fries becomes very easy. The basket is for throwing food in it and the additional accessories offer different cooking options.

For example, many of the fryers have a baking pan which helps you making casseroles and cakes in the air fryer. It is now possible to cook any recipe in the fryer.

Preparation with Air Fryer

instant pot vs air fryer

Here’s a list of recipes that you can prepare with air fryer,

  • French fries
  • Brussels sprouts
  • Stir-fry
  • Sweet potato fries
  • Crispy low-fat chicken

While talking about air fryer vs instant pot, the crispy texture on foods must be mentioned. The fried fish or chicken wing is always healthier than prepared in the deep fryer and you can easily roast nuts.

Moreover, you can bake cupcakes, quiche or roast mushrooms, and cauliflower with ease. Every product comes with a manual guide and it is fun to experiment with the meals.

Use of Instant Pot

In the context of air fryer vs instant pot, it is important to notice that the pot is good for preparing rice, soups, and vegetables. It functions just like a pressure cooker and you can prepare different types of food.

Following the current trend, instant pot is a popular appliance in the American market. The electronic device can serve as a slow cooker, yogurt maker, and rice cooker but it is not exactly a pressure cooker.

It has a steam function which can prepare pasta, vegetables, and eggs. Additionally, there are more functions which can prepare desserts and cakes.

Preparation with Instant Pot

Here’s a list of dishes that you can prepare with a pot,

  • BBQ chicken
  • Orange chicken
  • Baked potato
  • Pot roast
  • Quinoa
  • Porridge

Instant pot offers a wide category of recipes and the device also works as a sauté pan. In the sauté function, you can stir fry the veggies with a small amount of oil or sear the chicken.

As you start looking up for the benefits in air fryer vs instant pot, the latter can help in warming food, steaming, preparing one-pot pasta, and chili lime chicken.

Air Fryer vs Instant Pot: Differences

The prime aspect to look into the instant pot is the high level of versatility offered by it where air fryer lags behind. As you now know that instant can prepare rice, yogurt, vegetables, and desserts, this appliance gets more points.

However, the slow cooker like appliance cannot give the crisp texture of fried foods and the sautéed preparations appear to be almost deep fried.

Apart from the different preparations, there are other features to understand before picking out the winner of air fryer vs instant pot.


When it comes to portability, fryer will get more points than pot in the talk of air fryer vs instant pot. When you are moving out or traveling, the equipment can lessen your worries about foods.

The fryers are lighter and smaller in size than the pots. Of course, the pots vary in size but the fryer is a better option for cooking anywhere you like.


The air fryers may win the segment of size and portability but instant pot can run longer. In the case of the frying machine, there are many incidents in which the tray handle has detached.

The pot is an advanced version of the traditional pressure cooker and the instant pot can last for a long time while serving a marvelous job.

Healthy Choice

While choosing the healthier choice for the discussion on air fryer vs instant pot, the instant pot is a clear winner. Air fryers are sold as a healthier choice but it encourages unhealthy dishes like preparing breaded meats or highly processed frozen fries.

On the contrary, the instant pot prepares nutritious foods like stew, soup, bean, poultry, and even multigrain.

Price Range

The air fryers are faster and you can easily cook anything under 15 minutes. On the other hand, the pots take more time to cook and are pricier than the fryers.

It may not have many features but you can make almost all the recipes and most of the fryers are under $100. However, judging by the safety features, an instant pot can be a cost-effective product for not having plastic doors, overheating, or smoking issues.

Air Fryer vs Instant Pot: Winner

Air Fryer and instant pot are good for satiating your hunger in no time but the latter gives you a wide range of variety in recipes.

Air fryer is more needful for filing your 4 pm snack cravings but you should consider what types of food you would like to cook and the ease of use.

So, buy the air fryer if you want to indulge in fried food and still stay healthy.


It has been difficult to find the winner of air fryer vs instant pot because of them is effective. Air fryer and instant pot function great but the former is more energy efficient and less expensive.

Instant pots are basically electric pressure cookers but they are more popular for serving nutritious and delicious foods. Hence, air fryer makes a brilliant choice for giving the best of both worlds.

Click Here to Leave a Comment Below

Leave a Reply: