Instant Pot air fryer recipes, tips and tricks
April 3, 2022 10:31 AM Subscribe
I just got one of these air fryer lids for my Instant Pot. Please share your best recipes and advice for making the most of it.
I am a decent intermediate cook, and although I lean towards a low-carb diet, all recipes, especially easy/fast ones, will be appreciated. I did find this useful question from 2019, but am hoping for some more ideas across the whole food spectrum.
I am a decent intermediate cook, and although I lean towards a low-carb diet, all recipes, especially easy/fast ones, will be appreciated. I did find this useful question from 2019, but am hoping for some more ideas across the whole food spectrum.
I don't know about the instant pot in particular, but we've been getting the most asian-restaurant-like fried tofu from our air fryer. Take firm (not silken) tofu, cube, and press between layers of towel to remove as much moisture as you can. Toss with a high smoke point oil, and put in the fryer at 400°F (the highest temperature on ours). Stir every few (8) minutes until pieces are golden on all sides, usually about 3 stirs. Add to the rest of the veggies of your stir fry and serve. We rely on the seasoning/sauce on the veggies to adequately flavor the tofu; the texture is 100%A++++ to our liking.
posted by the antecedent of that pronoun at 4:50 PM on April 3, 2022 [3 favorites]
posted by the antecedent of that pronoun at 4:50 PM on April 3, 2022 [3 favorites]
My mom got me this lid right at the beginning of the pandemic and I'm sorry to say I have yet to feel like it does anything special. Because the basket you insert in the instant pot is so small, I feel like you can barely cook anything in it, especially if it has a coating on it like those keto thighs (which sound delicious btw). I don't think you could do 2 thighs at once!
I've been pretty happy with fries and other veg that can touch/be shaken around in the basket to stir mid-cook, and I think it would probably be good for like, frozen pre-breaded things, but I will be interested to see if anyone has had better luck than me. Having never used a normal air fryer, I don't know if my expectations are off, I just haven't really been in love with anything I've made with mine.
posted by GingerWhinger at 2:12 PM on April 4, 2022 [1 favorite]
I've been pretty happy with fries and other veg that can touch/be shaken around in the basket to stir mid-cook, and I think it would probably be good for like, frozen pre-breaded things, but I will be interested to see if anyone has had better luck than me. Having never used a normal air fryer, I don't know if my expectations are off, I just haven't really been in love with anything I've made with mine.
posted by GingerWhinger at 2:12 PM on April 4, 2022 [1 favorite]
I have an air fryer lid that I actually do love, though it's not the Instant Pot branded one- it's the Mealthy Crisplid. Hopefully it's not the case, but a friend got the Instant Pot one and was similarly unimpressed with its performance.
Presuming that they mostly act the same and maybe it just wasn't clicking, here's what I use mine for: Absolutely great at making previously fried things crispy (leftover fries, mozz sticks). I'll even toss fresh things in that got a little lukewarm, say, takeout that took a journey in a car.
Love it for air fried wings. Dry your wings, spray lightly with oil, 9 minutes at 400, flip, another ~9 mins till thermometer reads 165, then toss with sauce or dry seasoning.
Many veggies do really well in there, I especially love broccoli and green beans. Veg in a bowl, add some oil, add some spices, toss to coat and throw in the basket. 375-400 for as long as it takes for them to look yummy?
Lastly, it makes incredibly speedy baked potatoes. Any medium potato, prick with a fork and microwave for 3-4 mins. Toss with oil and salt, 400 for ~8 mins? I check for doneness, flip it, and then usually another 4-6 mins. Perfectly crisp baked potato in about 15 minutes!
posted by rachaelfaith at 3:22 PM on April 5, 2022 [2 favorites]
Presuming that they mostly act the same and maybe it just wasn't clicking, here's what I use mine for: Absolutely great at making previously fried things crispy (leftover fries, mozz sticks). I'll even toss fresh things in that got a little lukewarm, say, takeout that took a journey in a car.
Love it for air fried wings. Dry your wings, spray lightly with oil, 9 minutes at 400, flip, another ~9 mins till thermometer reads 165, then toss with sauce or dry seasoning.
Many veggies do really well in there, I especially love broccoli and green beans. Veg in a bowl, add some oil, add some spices, toss to coat and throw in the basket. 375-400 for as long as it takes for them to look yummy?
Lastly, it makes incredibly speedy baked potatoes. Any medium potato, prick with a fork and microwave for 3-4 mins. Toss with oil and salt, 400 for ~8 mins? I check for doneness, flip it, and then usually another 4-6 mins. Perfectly crisp baked potato in about 15 minutes!
posted by rachaelfaith at 3:22 PM on April 5, 2022 [2 favorites]
Response by poster: Thanks everybody! I am finding the air fryer lid good for wings and fries for 1-2 people, will try some more adventurous things. I've found a few good recipes on the various Facebook Insta-Pot groups and am looking forward to becoming more adventurous.
posted by rpfields at 4:10 PM on May 3, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by rpfields at 4:10 PM on May 3, 2022 [1 favorite]
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posted by jacquilynne at 12:31 PM on April 3, 2022 [2 favorites]