Instant Pot vs Air Fryer

Raise your hand if you don't like fried food. Whether it is sweet or savory, vegetables, red or white meats, fish, eggs, and shellfish, young and old can hardly resist this temptation.

However, the habitual consumption of deep-fried foods is not exactly healthy.
Perhaps not everyone knows, however, that there are appliances on the market to solve this problem. The hot air fryer or commonly known as an oil-free fryer is a machine that allows you to fry food not with fat (oil or butter) but with the heat accumulated in the cooking chamber.

These are the so-called air fryers, i.e., machines that promise to obtain similar results to traditional fryers. But they do that with decidedly healthier and more ecological cooking methods. A considerable advantage if we consider that with these fryers, you can say 'enough' even to the smell of fried food that pervades the kitchen for days and days.

Advantages of an Air Fryer

The advantages that characterize an appliance of this type are numerous and easy to understand.

Cooking is always under control

Through the transparent walls, cooking can be easily monitored: if desired, it is possible to add odors or salt. When the cooking is finished, then you are warned with an acoustic signal. And at that point, the fried food is ready to be tasted. To wash the appliance, simply wait for it to cool. After which the removable ones can be washed by hand. If you prefer, put in the dishwasher with cutlery and plates.

Flexibility

Flexibility is just one of the many interesting features of air fryers, which are also appreciated. Practical and designed to be used in everyday life without dirtying. Above all, without producing bad smells, they represent important support in the kitchen. Plus, there's no need to replace the pans and pots.

Time and money-saving

The cooking is much healthier because the fat used is significantly reduced. Let’s take the simplest and most common example, which are French fries. The oil required for an air fryer is 80% less than that required for standard frying. And the taste is not only not affected; it is even better. Because the foods are as soft inside as they are crunchy outside.

Disadvantages of an Air fryer

Air fryers have a limited basket capacity. So, cooking in an air fryer for more than a few adults in one batch can be a tough job. However, to remedy this, air fryers with greater cooking capabilities are being introduced. 

In addition, air fryers have significantly longer cooking times than traditional frying methods. To be precise, an air fryer can take up to twice as long as regular fryers. 

Also, due to the health benefits associated with air fryers, certain models are priced much higher than regular deep fryers. For context, you can get a deep fryer for less than $ 50, while an air fryer has an average price of around $ 100. 

Finally, with the introduction of new models of air fryers with larger cooking capacities, their overall dimensions have significantly increased. Such bulky models take up too much space in kitchens, which can be a problem.

5 Best Air Fryer Reviews

Choosing between the different models on the market does not have to become a complicated task. Looking at their main characteristics such as power, capacity, and temperature control, and frying time, you will get in the best direction.

Here are the 5 best air fryers. Before that check out the comparative characteristics:

Air Fryer vs. Instant Pot: What Can You Cook

These two different cookware have different functions; thus, they cook different foods. Instant pots can cook many types of dishes, but especially in the preparation of those foods that usually take a long time to cook.

On the other hand, the mechanism of the air fryer is quite intuitive. Just a drop of oil and air circulation is enough for the foods to be cooked, fried, browned, or grilled.

Instant Pot Vs  Air Fryer: The Differences

Instant pot: A step ahead of regular pressure cooker

The instant pot is not very old, and recently it becomes a tool present in all domestic kitchens. In the instant pot, the temperature easily higher allows food to be cooked in a very short time. Generally, the cooking time is reduced by three times. It is beneficial because it does not disperse flavors, keeps many nutrients intact, and leaves free time. An interesting accessory is the steam cooking basket, supplied with some models.

The main mechanism is that the wet heat inside works with the water or broth within a contained pot. The steam from the broth creates pressure to cook the food faster. The instant pot is one kind of regular pressure cooker that works with electricity.

Most of the instant pots come with pre-programmed functions to ease your work. They come with great versatility too.

It is a tool that requires some maintenance (such as cleaning accessories). When buying, it is good to consider the capacity. The cost is higher than a normal pot, but less energy is consumed.

Air fryer: a small revolution without smoke and without bad smells

Of course, fried food is something else entirely, no matter what you fry, because everything becomes crunchy and tasty.

However, it is a pity that the absorbed oil increases the caloric value. And also, it creates harmful molecules if the same oil is used often.

Today there is an alternative: to use an air fryer.    

The temperature carrier is not the oil, but the air heated up to 200 ° C. It quickly circulates over the food so that a crust forms on the surface.

Since there is no oil, the calories are under control. Even if the final product is not exactly identical, it is still crunchy on the outside and soft and moist inside.

Costs don't change much compared to oil fryers, but they generally consume more electricity. They are easy to use because they have pre-set programs for beginners. However, it is still possible to customize cooking thanks to the timer and thermostat. They do not smoke and do not even give off the bad odors typical of frying.

Instant Pot Vs  Air Fryer: Which Is Better?

Before getting into that discussion, let's see the differences of the instant pot and air fryer at a glance:

As you can see, both the appliances come with some special offerings. They both are the best from their perspective. But when it comes to your regular use, you have to look closer.

Of course, you want to have an appliance that has more functionality and versatility. In that case, the instant pot is a mile ahead than air fryer. However, both appliances are able to cook a wide range of items. But instant pot has the advantage of cooking most kinds of foods. Also, it comes with different modes which will allow you to reduce cookware in your kitchen. On the other hand, air fryer can mostly cook baked, grilled, and fried items. 

Again, air fryers may be easier to handle, but modern instant pots are no less than them. And if you want to save some bucks, instant pots win here too.

In short, with some shortcomings, the instant pot is a better choice for your kitchen. It is economical, versatile, and energy saving.