Can an Instant Pot Air Fryer Replace Your Oven

The Instant Pot Air Fryer can effectively replace your oven for most everyday cooking tasks, offering faster preheating, energy efficiency, and superior crispiness for foods like fries, chicken, and roasted vegetables. With its compact size and multi-functionality, it’s ideal for small kitchens or quick meals—though large batches or traditional baking may still require a full-sized oven.

Key Takeaways

• Yes, it can replace your oven for most everyday cooking tasks with faster results.
• Air frying uses less oil while delivering crispy textures similar to deep frying.
• Smaller capacity limits large meals but ideal for 1–4 servings efficiently.
• Preheating is rarely needed thanks to rapid, direct heat circulation technology.
• Easy cleanup with dishwasher-safe parts compared to traditional oven messes.
• Versatile functions go beyond air frying—roast, reheat, bake, and dehydrate too.

The Rise of the Instant Pot Air Fryer: Is It Time to Retire Your Oven?

Remember that one kitchen appliance you swore would change your life—maybe it was a bread maker, a juicer, or even a rice cooker? You used it once, then it sat in the back of a cabinet gathering dust. We’ve all been there. But what if I told you there’s a gadget that actually *lives up* to the hype? Enter the Instant Pot Air Fryer, a multi-functional marvel that promises to crisp, roast, bake, dehydrate, and even reheat with the speed of a microwave and the browning power of an oven.

For years, Instant Pot dominated the kitchen with its pressure cooker magic, helping busy families whip up stews, grains, and even cheesecakes in record time. Then they dropped the Instant Pot Air Fryer—a hybrid that combines the convenience of a pressure cooker with the crispy, golden results of an air fryer. Suddenly, people started asking: *Can this little countertop hero really replace my full-sized oven?* That’s the million-dollar question we’re tackling today. Whether you’re short on space, tired of preheating, or just curious about kitchen tech, this post will walk you through everything you need to know—honest, practical, and without the sales pitch.

What Is an Instant Pot Air Fryer, Really?

More Than Just a Fancy Name

The Instant Pot Air Fryer isn’t just a rebranded air fryer. It’s a true hybrid appliance. Think of it as a pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice maker, *and* air fryer all rolled into one sleek unit. Most models—like the Instant Pot Duo Crisp or the Instant Pot Pro Crisp—feature a removable air fryer lid that snaps onto the same base used for pressure cooking. This means you can pressure cook a whole chicken, then flip a switch and crisp up the skin without transferring it to another device.

But here’s the kicker: the air frying function uses rapid air circulation (convection) to cook food with little to no oil. That’s how it achieves that satisfying crunch without the guilt (or the smoke alarm). Unlike traditional ovens, which rely on radiant heat and take time to preheat, the air fryer lid blasts hot air from above, creating a “frying” effect in a fraction of the time.

How It Compares to a Standalone Air Fryer

You might be thinking, *Wait, I already have an air fryer—why do I need this?* Fair point. But the Instant Pot Air Fryer has a few tricks up its sleeve:

• Space-saving design: Instead of two bulky appliances, you get one with two lids. Ideal for small kitchens or RVs.
• Multi-step cooking: You can sear, pressure cook, and air fry in one pot. No need to dirty extra pans.
• Faster cleanup: The inner pot is non-stick and dishwasher-safe. The air fryer basket is also removable and easy to wash.
• More versatility: It can do everything from steaming dumplings to baking a small cake.

For example, I once made “pulled pork tacos” in under two hours: 30 minutes pressure cooking the pork shoulder, 10 minutes air frying the edges for crispness, and 5 minutes warming tortillas. All in one pot. No oven. No mess. Just tacos.

Can It Actually Replace Your Oven? Let’s Break It Down

Cooking Capacity: Size Matters

Here’s the first reality check: the Instant Pot Air Fryer can’t replace your oven for large batches. A standard oven holds a 9×13-inch casserole dish, multiple baking sheets, or a full turkey. The Instant Pot’s air frying basket? It’s about 6 to 8 quarts—great for a family of 3 to 4, but not for feeding a crowd.

For instance, I tried to make a lasagna. The layers barely fit, and the top didn’t brown evenly because the air flow was blocked by the height of the dish. Result? A soggy, undercooked top layer. But for smaller tasks—like roasting a whole chicken (4–5 lbs), baking a batch of cookies, or crisping up frozen fries—it shines.

Temperature Range and Precision

Ovens typically heat from 170°F to 550°F, with precise temperature controls. Most Instant Pot Air Fryers range from 105°F (dehydrating) to 400°F (air frying). That’s enough for 90% of everyday cooking, but there are limits:

• Baking delicate pastries (like soufflés or macarons) is tricky. The rapid air flow can dry out or collapse delicate batters.
• High-heat roasting (above 400°F) isn’t possible. No broiling or charring like you’d get under an oven’s broiler.
• Even browning can be inconsistent. The air fryer basket has a perforated bottom, so foods on the top rack brown faster than those below.

That said, for most weeknight meals—think roasted veggies, baked potatoes, or chicken wings—the 400°F limit is more than enough. I’ve made “crispy buffalo cauliflower bites” that my kids devoured, and they came out perfectly golden with just a light oil spray.

Time and Energy Efficiency

This is where the Instant Pot Air Fryer *really* pulls ahead. Ovens take 10–15 minutes to preheat and use a lot of energy to heat a large cavity. The Instant Pot Air Fryer? It starts cooking immediately and uses about 70% less energy.

Here’s a real-world example: I compared roasting 2 lbs of Brussels sprouts in my oven (425°F for 25 minutes) vs. the Instant Pot Air Fryer (380°F for 15 minutes). The air fryer batch was ready 10 minutes faster, used less power, and had a slightly crispier texture. Plus, no need to preheat. That’s a win for busy weeknights.

What You Can (and Can’t) Cook in an Instant Pot Air Fryer

Success Stories: Foods That Shine

Let’s talk about what *works*—and trust me, there’s a lot. The Instant Pot Air Fryer is a powerhouse for:

• Frozen foods: French fries, tater tots, chicken tenders—crisp up in 10–15 minutes with zero preheating.
• Roasted vegetables: Broccoli, carrots, zucchini—toss with oil and seasoning, 12–15 minutes, and you’ve got a caramelized, flavorful side.
• Meats and poultry: Whole chickens, chicken wings, pork chops—crispy skin, juicy inside.
• Small-batch baking: Muffins, brownies, even mini pies. Just use oven-safe dishes that fit.
• Reheating leftovers: Pizza, fried chicken, samosas—revived with a crisp, not soggy, texture.

One of my favorite hacks? “Air fryer grilled cheese.” I butter the outside of the sandwich, place it in the basket, and cook at 360°F for 5 minutes. Flip halfway. The result? A golden, buttery crust with a gooey center—no stove, no splatter.

The “No-Go” List: Foods That Struggle

But not everything is a home run. Here are foods that *don’t* translate well:

• Large roasts or whole turkeys: The basket is too small. Stick to oven for big cuts.
• High-moisture foods: Think wet batters (like tempura) or soupy casseroles. The air flow just blows them around.
• Very delicate pastries: Croissants, phyllo dough, or anything that needs gentle, even heat.
• Foods that need long, slow baking: Like bread or slow-baked pies. The air fryer dries them out too fast.

I once tried to make a quiche. The crust burned on the edges while the center was still runny. Lesson learned: stick to the oven for custard-based dishes.

Pro Tips for Better Results

Want to get the most out of your Instant Pot Air Fryer? Try these tricks:

• Shake or flip halfway: For even browning, pause and shake the basket or flip foods like chicken wings.
• Don’t overcrowd: Leave space between items. Air needs to circulate.
• Use oven-safe dishes: For baking, use small ceramic or metal pans that fit in the basket.
• Preheat the basket: For extra crispness, run it empty for 2–3 minutes before adding food.
• Spray, don’t pour: A light oil spray (like avocado or olive) gives better browning than brushing.

Comparing Instant Pot Air Fryer vs. Oven: A Side-by-Side Look

Performance and Results

Let’s get real: can the Instant Pot Air Fryer deliver the same quality as your oven? In many cases, yes—but with caveats. Here’s a breakdown of how they stack up:

Feature	Instant Pot Air Fryer	Traditional Oven
Preheat time	0–3 minutes	10–15 minutes
Cooking speed	30–50% faster for small batches	Slower, but consistent
Energy use	~1500 watts (efficient)	~2400–3000 watts (higher)
Browning/crispiness	Excellent (convection)	Good (radiant heat)
Capacity	6–8 quarts (small batches)	Large (full meals, multiple trays)
Versatility	Pressure cook, air fry, bake, steam, dehydrate	Bake, roast, broil, toast (limited)
Cleanup	Dishwasher-safe parts (easy)	Oven racks, trays (harder)
Best for	Weeknight meals, small families, quick snacks	Large meals, baking, holiday cooking

As you can see, the Instant Pot Air Fryer wins on speed, energy, and cleanup—but loses on scale and precision baking. It’s not an *either/or* situation. It’s more like a *“this, and…”* relationship.

When to Use Which

Here’s a simple rule of thumb:

• Use the Instant Pot Air Fryer when:
  • You’re cooking for 1–4 people.
  • You want crispy, fast results (like wings, fries, or roasted veggies).
  • You’re short on time or energy.
  • You want to avoid heating up the whole kitchen (great in summer).
• Stick with the oven when:
  • You’re feeding a crowd or cooking large dishes (casseroles, turkeys, etc.).
  • You need precise temperature control (like baking bread or custards).
  • You’re broiling or charring (e.g., melting cheese on nachos).
  • You’re making multiple items at once (e.g., cookies on two trays).

The Verdict: Should You Ditch Your Oven?

The Honest Answer: It Depends

Can an Instant Pot Air Fryer replace your oven? Not entirely—but it can *dramatically reduce* how often you use it. For most people, it becomes the go-to for 70–80% of their cooking. Think of it as your oven’s sidekick: faster, leaner, and perfect for everyday meals.

I’ve had mine for over two years. My oven now sees action only for holiday turkeys, large batches of cookies, or when I’m hosting dinner for 10. Everything else—roasted chicken, baked potatoes, reheating pizza, even mini apple crisps—happens in the Instant Pot Air Fryer. It’s not just about saving time. It’s about saving energy, reducing kitchen heat, and cutting down on cleanup.

Who Should (and Shouldn’t) Buy One

Buy it if you:

• Live in a small apartment, RV, or tiny home.
• Want to cook faster with less effort.
• Hate preheating or dealing with oven mess.
• Already love your Instant Pot and want more functionality.
• Are trying to reduce oil use without sacrificing crispiness.

Skip it (or wait) if you:

• Frequently cook for large groups.
• Love baking delicate pastries or artisan bread.
• Already have a high-quality convection oven.
• Don’t have counter space or storage for another appliance.

Final Thoughts: A Tool, Not a Replacement

The Instant Pot Air Fryer isn’t magic. It won’t bake a wedding cake or roast a 12-pound turkey. But for the everyday grind—those rushed weeknights, lazy Sundays, and “what’s for dinner?” moments—it’s a game-changer. It’s not about replacing your oven. It’s about reclaiming your time.

I’ll never forget the night I made “air fryer salmon” in 15 minutes while helping my kid with homework. No oven preheating. No smoke. Just a perfectly crispy, flaky fillet with a lemon-herb crust. That’s the kind of moment that makes you think: *Maybe I don’t need to turn on the big oven after all.*

So, can an Instant Pot Air Fryer replace your oven? Not completely. But for most of life’s little meals? Absolutely. And honestly, that’s more than enough.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can an Instant Pot Air Fryer replace my oven entirely?

While an Instant Pot Air Fryer can handle many oven tasks like baking, roasting, and air frying, it may not fully replace a full-sized oven for large meals or bulky dishes. It’s ideal for smaller households or quick meals but lacks the capacity for big batches or oversized cookware.

What can I cook in an Instant Pot Air Fryer that’s similar to oven cooking?

You can cook a wide range of foods, including crispy fries, roasted vegetables, chicken wings, and even baked desserts like cookies or small cakes. The air frying function mimics convection ovens, delivering similar results with less preheating time.

How does the Instant Pot Air Fryer compare to a traditional oven for energy use?

The Instant Pot Air Fryer uses significantly less energy because it heats up faster and has a smaller cooking space. This makes it a more efficient option for everyday meals, especially when you want to save on electricity or avoid heating up your kitchen.

Can I use the Instant Pot Air Fryer for baking bread or casseroles?

Yes, you can bake bread or casseroles in the Instant Pot Air Fryer using the appropriate settings, but portion size matters. Smaller loaves or single-serve casseroles work best due to the compact cooking basket or pot size.

Is it worth buying an Instant Pot Air Fryer if I already own an oven?

If you want a faster, more energy-efficient way to cook smaller portions or achieve crispy air-fried textures, the Instant Pot Air Fryer is a great addition. It’s especially useful for busy families or those looking to reduce oven reliance for daily meals.

What are the limitations of using an Instant Pot Air Fryer instead of an oven?

The main limitations are size and versatility—it can’t fit large roasting pans or accommodate multiple racks like a full oven. However, for everyday cooking, reheating, and air frying, it’s a convenient and space-saving alternative.