Neither is universally "better"; the choice between an Instant Pot (pressure cooker) and an air fryer depends on your cooking style, as they excel at different things: Air fryers are best for quick crisping, reheating, and making foods crispy and "fried," while Instant Pots are superior for moist, "set-it-and-forget-it" meals like soups, stews, and grains, though some Instant Pots also have air frying functions (Instant Pot Air Fryer models).
People are getting rid of air fryers due to small basket sizes limiting family meals, issues with peeling non-stick coatings, difficulty cleaning, safety concerns like melting components, the perception they're just small ovens, limitations on certain foods (like wet batters), and sometimes switching to cheaper, more efficient appliances like halogen ovens. Many find they outgrow basic models, leading to batch cooking, and eventually replace them with larger or different appliances.
Air fryer disadvantages include limited capacity (requiring batch cooking), taking up valuable counter space, a learning curve for even cooking (needing shakes/turns), potential formation of harmful compounds like acrylamide if food is charred, issues with cooking wet batters, and concerns over non-stick coating safety (PTFE). They also can't perfectly replicate deep-fried taste and may be noisy.
Healthier food: With the reduction in oil, air fryers make healthier, more nutritious meals.
Yes, air fryers are generally considered worth it for many households because they cook food faster, use less energy than a full oven, create crispy results with less oil, and are great for reheating and cooking small batches, though they have limited capacity and can take up counter space. They're a versatile tool for quick, healthier versions of fried foods, but they don't make unhealthy processed items magically healthy; they just cook them differently than a deep fryer.
You can't cook foods with wet batter, liquids, or loose items like leafy greens in an air fryer as they make a mess; also avoid rice, pasta, popcorn, and large roasts that need even liquid-based cooking or have too much drippings, as they won't cook properly or will burn the machine. Essentially, anything requiring boiling, stewing, or a significant amount of liquid, or very delicate items that blow around, should be avoided.
A high-fat food isn't going to be any healthier cooked in an air fryer than any other way. Air frying does have a few drawbacks, such as the possibility of some plastic toxins leaching into the food, depending on the materials used to make it. So, while air fryers are safe to use, don't use them exclusively.
Cooking times: Instant Pots can often prepare food more quickly than air fryers. Food choices: Although both small kitchen appliances can prepare a wide range of foods, Instant Pots offer more recipe options. Ease of use: Air fryers are good for beginners, while Instant Pots have a learning curve.
You should never put foods that foam excessively (oatmeal, pasta, cranberries, barley, split peas), dairy (milk, cream), delicate seafood, or items meant to be fried (crispy foods) into a pressure cooker, as they can clog valves, curdle, become mushy, or splatter dangerously, creating a hazardous blockage or poor texture. Also avoid putting in large amounts of liquid/food (overfilling), or trying to bake or fry in it.
Microwave Oven: They are generally more energy-efficient compared to air fryers, as they primarily use microwave radiation for cooking.
5 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Using an Air Fryer
Yes, you can put tin foil (aluminum foil) in an air fryer for easier cleanup and to prevent sticking, but you must follow important safety rules: never let it touch the heating element, ensure it's weighed down by food to prevent it from flying around, and avoid using it with acidic foods like tomatoes or citrus to prevent chemical reactions and aluminum leaching. Always check your air fryer's manual and make sure the foil doesn't block the air vents for proper circulation.
Air frying is healthier than deep frying, but it's not a healthy food in itself. Eating air-fried foods daily, especially if they're processed foods like frozen nuggets or fries, could still contribute to poor diet quality over time.
Air-frying equipment is not known to cause cancer, but the process of air frying does result in the formation of certain compounds, like acrylamide, that are linked to cancer development. Acrylamide is classified as a probable human carcinogen.
The "air fryer rule of 25" is a guideline for converting conventional oven recipes: reduce the oven temperature by 25°F (or 10-20°C) and decrease the cooking time by about 20-25%, checking for doneness earlier. This rule accounts for the air fryer's faster, more intense circulating heat, ensuring food cooks quickly but doesn't burn, though adjustments are always needed based on the specific food and appliance.
Foodies are switching to healthier halogen ovens that are still small enough to sit on a kitchen worktop but have far cheaper running costs. This £29.89 Daewoo model on Amazon costs as little as 11p to run per 20-minute meal as shoppers who 'don't want to spend money on Ninja' pick it.
People don't use pressure cookers as much due to lingering fears of explosions from older models, competition from microwaves, and a cultural shift towards quicker, simpler cooking methods, but modern electric pressure cookers (like Instant Pots) are seeing a resurgence because their advanced safety features, automation, and versatility (sautéing, slow cooking, etc.) appeal to busy cooks seeking convenience and reliable results.
The USDA clarifies that the best by date printed on the cans typically refers to quality, not safety. While the flavor and aroma of canned food will likely deteriorate over the course of 10 or 20 years, you can still eat it.
Mostly we boil potatoes in a pressure cooker, but like rice, potatoes also contain a lot of starch. This is the reason why boiling or cooking in this pressure cooker is not considered good for health. If you still plan to use cooker for the same, add a lot of water and wash them thoroughly post cooking.
If you consistently are short on time, they can be worth it — cook rice in minutes and braise meats in under an hour. However, if you work from home and/or can plan some meals in advance, a dutch oven can do everything an InstaPot can.
Combining two of the most popular kitchen appliances, Instant Pot offers the Instant Pot Air Fryer Lid, which is compatible with the Instant Pot you likely already own. This lid fits onto your Instant Pot's base, turning it into a mini convection oven that can air fry, roast, bake, broil, reheat and dehydrate.
Price: Air fryers can be expensive, especially if you choose a high-end model. Dimensions: Air fryers can be bulky, so it is important to make sure you have the space to place them in your kitchen. Cooking time: In some cases, cooking time in an air fryer may be longer than in a conventional oven.
To avoid acrylamide in your air fryer, cook starchy foods like potatoes to a golden yellow, not dark brown or charred, by soaking them first to remove starch and using slightly lower temperatures (around 180°C/350°F). Avoid storing potatoes in the fridge, as this increases sugars, and focus on cooking a variety of non-starchy foods for balance.
It's not just about fat.
There's more to air fryers than calories and crunch. Cooking with less oil also reduces acrylamide, a potentially harmful chemical that forms in starchy foods when they're cooked at high temperatures. “Air frying has been shown to lower acrylamide levels compared to deep frying,” says Dr.