Instant Pot Air Fryer Lid Review
Instant Pot has released a long desired product, the Instant Pot air fryer lid which can turn your 6 Qt Instant Pot into an air fryer with the switch of the lid. I purchased one and gave it a test drive! You can purchase the lid here (note, if in stock! When I wrote this it was in stock but then ran out! Keep checking back and I will add links if I find it in stock elsewhere. This lid is popular!).
Note that for those desiring an 8 QT lid, the Instant Pot Duo Crisp is a combination of pressure cooker and air fryer with a very similar set up as the new Instant Pot air fryer lid. Also, for those comparing this to the Mealthy crisp lid, read on. I cover that!
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Instant Pot Air Fryer Lid Review
The new Instant Pot air fryer lid is a separate lid for your Instant Pot pressure cooker with roast, bake, broil, reheat, dehydrate, and air fry settings. Like other Instant products, these are basically just temperature and time presets. Really, this is a lid with a heating element and a fan. Nice and straightforward.
Compatibility
The air fryer lid is formulated for 6 Qt Instant Pots and it is important to note that, while it is compatible with most of them, it is not compatible with all.
The Instant Air Fryer Lid is not compatible with the Smart WiFi 60, Duo Evo Plus 60, Duo Evo Plus 60, Duo SV 60 or Max 60. You can also check compatible models here.
It also is is only compatible with stainless steel inner pots. You cannot use it with ceramic inner pots. There is not yet an Instant air fryer lid only version for 3 Qt or 8 Qt pots.
I used it just fine with my standard 6 Qt Instant Pot Duo. If you want a comparison of most Instant Pot models, see my Instant Pot comparison chart and reviews.
Features and Instant Pot Air Fryer Lid v. Instant Pot Duo Crisp
The items included with the air fryer lid and its features are highly similar to the lid that comes with the Duo Crisp. Included are the lid, an air fryer basket, basket stand, dehydrator rack, and a plastic stand to set your hot lid on.
The primary difference between the 6 Qt lid and the Duo Crisp is that the Duo Crisp incorporated the electricity for the lid into the entire unit. So there is no separate plug with that.
The 6 Qt lid has its own power source. Because of this, it is very important to unplug the pressure cooker before using the air fryer lid.
To help you with this, Instant put a blocker on the plug, so you can’t plug it in with another appliance plugged into the same outlet. I like that!
Before you complain that you want your toaster or Vortex or something else plugged in and running at the same time, please note that these appliances will likely trip your fuses or circuits if you do that.
Ultimately, if you are deciding between the Air fryer lid for an existing or new 6 Qt pot or the Duo Crisp, the choice really should just be based on size. They have the same features and work in the same ways.
Like the Duo Crisp, the lid makes the unit taller. Not quite as tall as the Duo Crisp, but close.
Here it is pictured next to the Instant Vortex Plus.
I cover the size issue a bit more below!
Testing the Air Fryer Lid
My test of the lid was favorable. It is very easy and intuitive to use. If browning the top of a pressure cooked dish, simply unplug your Instant Pot, plug in the air fryer lid, set it on top, and turn it on. Overall Instant air fryer lid reviews have been good.
As a stand alone air fryer, use the air fry basket, with its stand. For dehydrating, the little tray is simple to use. The air fryer basket is Teflon and the tray stainless.
The controls on the top are simple and easy to use. The unit knows when you remove the lid and will beep to let you know that the lid is off. It will resume the temperature and timing settings when placed back on.
The lid has a handle for easy removing.
The stand for the hot lid is great. Keep it close by when using the lid!
My only issue with the lid is its size which, of course, is constrained by the size of the Instant Pot. When using the lid with the basket for stand alone air frying, there is not a lot of space. With that said, you could still do a fair amount of items such as french fries, vegetables, or wings in it. Really just as much as most basket air fryers.
If you want larger full meals, you will probably be happier with the Duo Crisp or a dedicated air fryer. See my Vortex v. Omni post for more information on those.
I think using the set up as a dehydrator is a bit unrealistic given that most people who dehydrate want a fair amount of end product. The small size of the air fryer lid is not conducive to that, but then again, neither is the size of the Duo Crisp either.
I made some stand alone Instant Pot air fryer shrimp and vegetables using the air fryer lid. Everything worked easily and came out fine.
Cleanup was simple. I simply put the basket and the pot in the dish washer.
If I did not already own a Duo Crisp, I would honestly be in heaven over this lid. But, I will likely use my Duo Crisp more, simply because I prefer the size of the Duo Crisp, at least for pressure cooking and air frying combos, or for stand alone air frying. BUT, then I also use my Instant Vortex the most for that.
For browning the top of a recipe, especially for pasta dishes, I will likely use my Instant Pot air fryer lid with my 6 Qt Duo more, because I am a family of two and don’t need the size of the 8 Qt Duo Crisp for that.
Air Fryer Lid Manual
The lid comes with a basic quick start guide. Like its other products, Instant Pot put out the full manual online for download. Get the manual here.
Instant Pot Air Fryer Lid v. Mealthy Crisp Lid
If you are deciding between the Instant Air Fryer lid and Mealthy crisp Lid, I think buying the Instant brand lid is the far superior option. It is a much better value to go with the Instant product.
A Mealthy Lid with a basket and all the extras runs around $130-$140. The Instant brand product is $80 and designed specifically for the Instant Pot. Even for an 8 Qt pot, you can often find the Duo Crisp on sale for a bit more than the Mealthy lid.
So, unless you find the Mealthy on sale for a bargain price, or you have an 8 Qt pot and don’t want to buy the Duo Crisp, go with the Instant Brand lid.
Instant Pot Air Fryer Lid Recipes
You can use any recipes for the Duo Crisp with the Instant air fryer lid. You might need to adjust amounts for the smaller size though. Also look for Mealthy crisp lid recipes, Ninja Foodi recipes, and general basket air fryer recipes.
Check my list of some Duo Crisp recipes for ideas.
Purchase the Lid
You can get the lid here at Amazon: Instant Air Fryer Lid
I’ve always seen the Mealthy lid for $60. Would you recommend getting the Mealthy if it’s cheaper? Which one actually works better, money aside?
If you can find the Mealthy lid with a full air fryer basket on sale cheaper than the Instant brand lid, I say go for it. They really are highly similar and do the same things. Both work equally well as far as I can tell. But often the Mealthy lid with the full set up costs more. In fact, I am having a hard time finding the version with a deep basket now when I thought I had seen it previously. I think the $60 range one does not include the deep air fry basket that the Instant brand air fryer lid has. Instead it looks like it has a more shallow basket. At that point, I would personally spend the bit more for the Instant Brand product. Ultimately though, you will likely be happy with either product for basic crisping and air frying.
I love my Mealthy Crisp Lid! I paid around $60 for the lid with all the accessories, plus it fits on both my 6 and 8 quart Mealthy Multipots. It would work on Instant Pots or any other brand, as well. Highly recommended.
I have an Instant Pot but it is the 8 quart IP LUX, is there an air fry lid for it? I can’t seem to find any!
Right now there is not an 8 Qt lid made by Instant Pot although I think that Mealthy Crisplid makes one that fits 8qt. Take a look at this product on amazon: https://amzn.to/2F0eVZL
When are you coming out with a air fryer lid for the 3 quart size? I am by myself and of course have the mini instant pot and would really love to have this add on feature. I think instant pot would sell many of these in the 3 qt. size.
Hi! This site is not run by the Instant Pot brand, so unfortunately I have no say on when or if they might release a lid for the 3qt. But I agree that it would be a nice product addition.