6 Best Instant Pots with Air Fryer Functionality (2026)

Step into a world of unparalleled kitchen versatility with the Instant Pot Pro Crisp 8 Quart. This powerhouse unit isn’t just a pressure cooker; it’s a complete culinary system, boasting an impressive 11-in-1 functionality including a dedicated air fryer lid. Designed to tackle nearly any cooking method, from rapid pressure cooking to low-and-slow sous vide and crispy air frying, it effortlessly solves the dilemma of needing multiple appliances, making it ideal for ambitious home cooks and large families alike. The standout premium cookware-grade inner pot with stay-cool silicone handles is a game-changer, allowing you to transfer directly from the Instant Pot Pro to your stovetop for searing or simmering, a feature rarely found in multicookers.

Performance testing reveals the Instant Pot Pro Crisp’s dual nature shines brightest when leveraging its core functions. The 8-quart capacity easily accommodates a whole chicken or large roasts, perfect for feeding up to 8 people or batch meal prep. Its EvenCrisp Technology in the air fryer lid consistently delivers a satisfying crunch on wings, fries, and vegetables with significantly less oil. While the transition between pressure cooking and air frying requires swapping lids, each mode performs admirably within its domain. The unit handles dense stews and tender roasts with the pressure lid, then crisps tops beautifully with the air fryer lid, though reaching high air frying temperatures might take a moment longer than dedicated units.

Comparing the Instant Pot Pro Crisp to the Instant Pot Duo Crisp, the Pro version justifies its higher positioning with the superior inner pot that offers stovetop compatibility and enhanced durability. While both offer the same 11 functions and capacity options (though the Pro Crisp is specifically 8qt here, Duo Crisp is available in 6qt), the Pro’s build quality and unique pot feature target users who demand maximum flexibility and premium materials. For larger families or those who value the ability to brown ingredients on the stovetop before pressure cooking, the Instant Pot Pro Crisp offers a compelling blend of features and performance that sets it apart from its Duo counterpart.

Discover the sheer convenience of effortless air frying with the Instant Pot Vortex Plus 6QT. This dedicated air fryer is a master of crispy textures, designed for those prioritizing speed and simplicity in their busy kitchens. Its 6-in-1 functionality covers the essentials – air fry, broil, roast, dehydrate, bake, and reheat – making it a versatile workhorse for everyday meals and snacks. The core strength lies in its EvenCrisp Technology, which circulates air top-down to ensure a perfectly golden finish and tender interior without the mess or guilt of deep-frying, directly addressing the desire for healthier comfort food.

In practical use, the Instant Pot Vortex Plus excels at delivering quick results. With little to no preheating time, you can go from frozen chicken nuggets to crispy perfection in minutes, a boon for busy weeknights. The 6-quart capacity is well-suited for 4-6 servings, making it great for standard family meals or entertaining small groups. Its temperature range from 95°F to 400°F provides flexibility for various cooking tasks, from gently dehydrating fruits to rapidly broiling fish. While it performs its air frying duties exceptionally well, remember this is not a multi-cooker; it won’t pressure cook or slow cook like the Instant Pot combo units.

Positioned against other Instant air fryers like the Instant Pot 10QT Air Fryer Oven, the Instant Vortex Plus 6QT offers a more compact basket-style design, making it better suited for smaller countertops. Compared to the Instant Pot Duo Crisp or Pro Crisp, which offer air frying alongside pressure cooking and more, the Vortex Plus is a focused appliance ideal for users who primarily want air frying and related functions without the complexity or footprint of a multi-cooker. It provides excellent air frying performance for its size, offering value for those not needing the full suite of multi-cooker capabilities.

Take the guesswork out of air frying with the Instant Pot Vortex Plus 6QT ClearCook. This model builds upon the success of the standard Vortex Plus by introducing a brilliant ClearCook window and internal light, allowing you to watch your food cook without interrupting the process by opening the basket. This simple yet impactful feature directly addresses the common user pain point of needing to constantly check on food, leading to more consistent results and peace of mind. Alongside its 6-in-1 versatility (air fry, roast, broil, bake, reheat, dehydrate), the ClearCook window makes this air fryer incredibly user-friendly.

Performance remains strong with the Instant Pot Vortex Plus ClearCook, leveraging the same effective EvenCrisp Technology for that desired golden, crispy finish. The 6-quart capacity is practical for everyday family cooking, easily handling batches of fries, chicken pieces, or roasted vegetables for 4-6 people. The added Progress Bar on the display provides visual cues for cooking stages, including prompts for when to add or turn food, further enhancing ease of use. It also boasts Quiet Cooking technology, making it less disruptive in an open kitchen environment compared to some noisier air fryers.

When stacked against the standard Instant Pot Vortex Plus 6QT, the ClearCook model offers a significant usability upgrade with its transparent window and progress indicators, justifying its slightly different positioning. While both deliver comparable core air frying performance and capacity, the ClearCook’s features cater specifically to users who value monitoring convenience and a quieter operation. For those who find themselves constantly pulling out the air fryer basket to check on dinner, the Instant Pot Vortex Plus ClearCook provides a superior user experience compared to opaque basket models.

Experience the ultimate kitchen workhorse with the Instant Pot Duo Crisp 6 Quart. Hailed from the best-selling Duo series lineage, this model represents a powerful fusion of Instant Pot’s renowned pressure cooking capabilities and the popular air frying trend, all within a single appliance using two interchangeable lids. Its expansive 11-in-1 functionality covers everything from pressure cooking and slow cooking to air frying, steaming, sautéing, and dehydrating, making it an indispensable tool for tackling a vast array of recipes and significantly reducing countertop clutter.

In terms of performance, the Instant Pot Duo Crisp delivers reliable results across its many functions. The 6-quart size is well-suited for cooking for up to 6 people, making it a great fit for growing families or meal prepping. The included EvenCrisp Technology via the air fryer lid consistently produces crispy exteriors with minimal oil, while the pressure cooking lid achieves tender meats and quick meals up to 70% faster than traditional methods. The food-grade stainless-steel inner pot with a tri-ply bottom promotes even heating and an anti-spin design for stable sautéing, proving its capability in diverse cooking scenarios.

Comparing the Instant Pot Duo Crisp 6qt to the Instant Pot Pro Crisp 8qt, the Duo Crisp offers the same impressive 11-in-1 versatility but in a slightly smaller capacity and with a standard stainless steel inner pot rather than the Pro’s premium stove-top safe version. It provides an excellent balance of features and performance for its size, making it a strong “Best Overall” contender for many households. While the Pro Crisp offers a larger capacity and the unique stovetop pot feature, the Instant Pot Duo Crisp delivers the core pressure cooking and air frying combination at a value that’s highly appealing for families who might not need the 8-quart size or the stovetop pot functionality.

Introducing a breath of fresh air to your kitchen, the Instant Pot Vortex Plus 6QT with Odor Erase Technology tackles a common air fryer drawback head-on. This innovative model combines the popular 6-in-1 air frying capabilities with a unique built-in OdorErase air filter system designed to significantly reduce cooking smells. For users sensitive to lingering food odors or living in open-concept spaces, this feature is a genuine problem-solver, allowing you to enjoy crispy, delicious results without the aromatic aftermath.

Performance-wise, this Instant Pot Vortex Plus maintains the high standards of the line. It utilizes the effective EvenCrisp technology to ensure food is crunchy on the outside and tender inside, requiring up to 95% less oil. The 6-quart capacity is practical for preparing meals for 4-6 people. It also includes the ClearCook window and internal light, a feature previously seen in another Vortex Plus model, allowing for easy monitoring of cooking progress without opening the basket. This combination of visible cooking and odor reduction creates a convenient and pleasant cooking experience.

When placed alongside the standard Instant Pot Vortex Plus 6QT and the ClearCook model, the Odor Erase version stands out specifically for its odor filtering system. While all three offer similar core air frying functionality and capacity, this model is clearly targeted at users for whom cooking smells are a significant concern. It provides the best of both worlds – visible cooking progress and reduced odors – making it a compelling choice for those willing to invest in a cleaner-smelling kitchen compared to models without this specialized filter technology.

Step up your air frying game with the Instant Pot 10QT Air Fryer Oven, a versatile appliance designed for larger batches and diverse cooking styles. Unlike the basket-style air fryers or multi-cooker combos, this unit features an oven-like design with multiple racks and a generous 10-quart capacity, making it ideal for cooking entire meals or multiple dishes simultaneously. Its 7-in-1 functionality includes air frying, broiling, baking, roasting, dehydrating, reheating, and notably, rotisserie cooking, offering capabilities not found in smaller basket models.

In terms of performance, the Instant Pot 10QT Air Fryer Oven excels in handling larger volumes. The oven format allows for cooking on two levels simultaneously, perfect for roasting vegetables while air frying chicken wings above. The EvenCrisp Technology works effectively within the oven cavity, circulating hot air for crispy results. The inclusion of rotisserie accessories opens up new possibilities for cooking whole chickens or roasts that self-baste as they turn. While the larger cavity might take slightly longer to preheat than a compact basket air fryer, its ability to cook more food at once is a significant advantage for larger families or batch cooking.

Comparing the Instant Pot 10QT Air Fryer Oven to the Instant Pot Vortex Plus 6QT, the most obvious difference is the larger capacity and oven format versus the basket design. This 10QT model is better suited for cooking larger items, multiple dishes, or using the rotisserie function, positioning it as a true air fryer oven. While it doesn’t offer pressure cooking like the Instant Pot Duo Crisp or Pro Crisp, its larger air frying volume and oven-specific functions make it a highly versatile appliance for those prioritizing air frying capacity and the ability to roast and rotisserie over multi-cooking capabilities.