I’ve Used This Instant Pot Air Fryer for Years and It Rarely Leaves My Kitchen Countertop
The Instant air fryer browns food exceptionally well and is very easy to use. It’s been our favorite air fryer for years.
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I don’t have time for air fryer naysayers. In my house, we use one regularly to cook the best-ever broccoli, make browned tofu, crisp chickpeas for salads, and even reheat pizza. The small cooking chamber heats up super fast and that—in combination with the perforated basket and powerful fan—results in faster, well-browned food.
My adoration for air fryers was furthered when I tested more than 30 of them for this very site a couple of years ago. My favorite, from Instant, has been in near-constant use since then. It’s the best air fryer I’ve tried—and I’m still saying that years later.
Why It’s Great
The Instant cooks faster than any other air fryer I’ve tried. We’re talking minutes. (In my tests, it cooked crispy fries in just 14 minutes, a full six minutes quicker than some models.) While the Instant has an automatic pre-heat mode, I rarely use it. Instead, I just pop food in, let the air fryer preheat, and allow the cook time to automatically start after that. 
The spacious basket features a perforated insert with silicone bumpers and a wire handle in the center. This insert stays put well but it’s easy to pull out and clean. I also love the control panel. The touchscreen is responsive and the Instant has a knob in the center that allows you to toggle the temperature and time in a jiffy.
Really, there’s a whole lot to like about the Instant and not much not to. It’s survived years of rigorous testing and home use and churned out countless amounts of crispy food. I think even an air fryer skeptic would be impressed.
FAQs
Are Instant brand air fryers any good?
Yes, they absolutely are. Two of our favorite air fryers are from Instant. Both of them are easy to use and produce nicely browned food.
What size Instant air fryer should you get?
I like the six-quart Instant air fryer. It’s spacious and enough for three to four servings, but not too big to be a storage nightmare.
Why We’re the Experts
- Riddley Gemperlein-Schirm is the associate editorial director of Serious Eats.
- She’s been with the site since 2021 and previously worked for America’s Test Kitchen and Food52. She’s been testing gear for more than six years.
- Riddley reviewed 35 air fryers for the site.
