The Instant Pot is a popular kitchen appliance known for its versatility. It can saute, broil, steam, and pressure cook. Since this appliance is so versatile, you may also begin to wonder if you can deep fry in an Instant Pot.

You cannot deep fry in an Instant Pot. The Instant Pot will not get to high enough temperatures to allow the food to cook appropriately to act as a deep fryer. If you are looking to make a chicken cutlet or similar-style food, there’s another setting you could choose.

Now that you know you cannot use the Instant Pot as a deep fryer, you may be looking into alternative frying methods. Keep reading to learn more about pan frying in the Instant Pot and Air Frying in an Instant Pot.

Can you Use an Instant Pot as a Deep Fryer?

So you know that you cannot use the Instant Pot as a deep fryer, but did you know you can use the pan fry function to get crispy breaded goodness too? 

This is a healthier alternative to fry chicken, veggies, and other meats in breadcrumbs because the good is not completely submerged in oils. Here is how you can do so successfully:

  1. Grab the oil of your choice and lightly oil the Inner Pot
  2. Switch to Saute mode
  3. Brown your meat of choice
  4. Pour chicken, beef, or veggie broth into the inner pot
  5. Take out the meat and insert a metal trivet
  6. Place the meat on top of the trivet
  7. Cover with pressure cooker lid
  8. Pressure cook on High for 5 minutes

When the cooking is done, you will have a tender but crispy pressure-cooked chicken tenders or chicken fried steak. 

Although they are not deep fried, they will taste like they were, minus all the unhealthy excess fats and oils. It also cuts cooking time down from a typical pan fry of 10 minutes per batch to 5, making this a fast and easy meal.

Air Frying With Your Instant Pot

If you prefer to air fry your food for the perfect crispness and keep the breading, then you are in luck. 

You can air fry with certain brands of Instant Pots, or you can use a third-party lid to turn a regular Instant Pot into an air fryer. You also don’t need to worry about preheating.

This is a convenient way to get the desired flavor and texture you want without adding another appliance to your kitchen.

Using An Air Fryer Lid

Some Instant Pot versions do not have an Air Fry button and functionality. You are not alone if you have a pot that is missing this function. 

Conveniently, Instant Pot has made a special cover for this exact circumstance. Consumers can buy a special air fryer lid to put on their Instant Pot to air fry.:

Once you’ve purchased the special air fry lid on Amazon, here is how the process works:

  1. Unplug your Instant Pot
  2. Take the power cord from the air fryer lid and plug it in
  3. Pick a setting from the air fryer lid
  4. Put the food you want to air fry into the Instant Pot
  5. Press start
  6. Halfway through the cook, flip your food
  7. Open the lid when the cooking time is done

Once the food is done cooking, take it out and let it cool. The food will be crispy, juicy, and delicious.

It will have the same crunch as a deep-fried and breaded meal; it will be much healthier because it will not have been cooked in oil.

Air Frying With The Instant Pot Duo Crisp

Another alternative that has hit the market is a new Instant Pot called the Instant Pot Duo Crisp. This Instant Pot can pressure cook, steam, saute, and air fry. 

It has all of the best functions of the original Instant Pot and the ability to air fry without buying extra pieces. To use this pot to get a great crispy meal without the oil, follow these steps:

  1. Grab out the inner pot, mesh basket, and air fryer lid that comes with the Instant Pot Duo Crisp
  2. Place the inner pot inside the Instant Pot
  3. Place the basket inside the inner pot
  4. Put the food in that you want to air fry
  5. Take the air fry lid and close the Instant Pot 
  6. Air fry for the appropriate amount of time to cook food all the way through

Make sure when turning the food that you use bamboo tongs or another similar type of tongs.

This prevents you from getting burned by trying to reach into a basket that is deep inside the inner pot. 

Frying Made Easy

The Instant Pot may not be used as a deep fryer, but it can be used to air fry and pan fry foods, giving them that crisp and tender texture and taste. Simply buy the special lid or the Instant Pot Duo Crisp and enjoy the reward of freshly fried treats.