After using it for a few months, we are sharing our full Instant Pot Duo Crisp review. We’ll talk about the new model’s different functions, how it compares to an air fryer, and whether it is worth the price!

instant pot duo crisp with air fryer lid on a marble surface

We have been loving the Instant Pot for years here at Fed and Fit. I mean, what’s not to love about an appliance that is easy-to-use and can help you get dinner on the table quicker than ever without sacrificing flavor? Over the years, we’ve used the Instant Pot to make everything from Instant Pot creamy chicken tortilla soup to Instant Pot balsamic beef roast to Instant Pot honey mustard chicken and potatoes. However, after a few years of using the standard 6-quart Instant Pot Duo, it was time for an upgrade. After looking through the different models, I settled on the Duo Crisp because I liked the larger size, increased functionality, and of course, the ability to air fry! Below I’ll talk about my experience with the Duo Crisp, plus whether or not I think it’s worth the investment.

The Instant Pot Duo Crisp is an 11-in-1 multicooker that can do everything the original Instant Pot can, but is also able to air fry thanks to its swappable lid! This means that you can use it as an air fryer, or, even better, you can pressure cook then use the air fryer lid to crisp your meal (think: Instant Pot carnitas tacos, chicken wings, whole roasted chicken, etc). The Duo Crisp can also slow cook, saute, steam, sous vide, broil, and even dehydrate!

If you don’t want to buy a completely new Instant Pot, you can now buy a separate air fryer lid and gain the same capabilities that the Duo Crisp comes with! The Instant Pot Air Fryer lid comes with the capability to air fry, broil, bake, roast, reheat, and dehydrate, and it comes with the same air fryer basket and broiling tray as the Duo Crisp. If you’re trying to decide between the lid and the Duo Crisp, read on for our complete review and recommendation.

What models does the Instant Pot Air Fryer Lid fit?

The air fryer lid fits all 6-quart Instant Pot models, except for the Smart WiFi 60, Smart Bluetooth, Duo Evo Plus, Duo SV, and Max 60.

Size

The Instant Pot Duo Crisp is an 8-quart pressure cooker with an air fryer lid. It is much larger than the 6-quart Instant Pot Duo that I replaced it with. Since the Duo Crisp is an 8-quart pot, the base of the machine is much larger, plus the air fryer lid itself is large enough to count as a second appliance. For reference, the 6-quart Instant Pot Duo weighs 11 pounds, and the Duo Crisp weighs 22 – which is pretty hefty!

Functions

The Duo is a 7-in-1 multicooker while the Duo Crisp is an 11-in-1 multicooker. They can both pressure cook, saute, slow cook, and steam, but only the Duo Crisp can sous vide, air fry, roast, bake, broil and dehydrate.

One function that the Duo has that isn’t present in the Duo Crisp is that it can also function as a yogurt maker. Unfortunately, you won’t find this function in the Duo Crisp.

Smart Programs

Another difference you’ll notice right off the bat is that the Duo Crisp doesn’t have the smart programs available on the regular Duo, which features 14 programs such as ‘soup/broth,’ ‘rice,’ ‘steam,’ ‘meat/stew,’ ‘yogurt,’ and more. These are pre-programmed functions that take the guesswork out of cooking with your Instant Pot. 

What’s Included

Since it has more functions, the Duo Crisp will also include more accessories! Here’s what you’ll get:

  • 8-Quart Instant Pot Base
  • Pressure Cooker Lid
  • Air Fryer Lid
  • Stainless Steel Pot
  • Air Fryer Basket 
  • Broiling Tray

Price

The Instant Pot Duo Crisp retail at $179.99, though you can often find it on sale at retailers like Kohl’s and Target!

inside of the instant pot duo crisp with air fryer basket inside

What I Like About the Instant Pot Duo Crisp

Overall, I really like my Duo Crisp and am glad I bought it! Here is where it wins for me:

Multiple Appliances In One

This was the biggest sell for me, as I live in an apartment and don’t have a huge amount of storage space. I’m a bit of a kitchen appliance junkie, so I’ve had my eye on an air fryer for a long time but couldn’t justify the space it would take up, especially since I already own a toaster oven that can produce pretty similar results. The fact that the Duo Crisp combines multiple appliances into one is a huge plus for me!

Ability to Pressure Cook, Then Brown

For me, one of the downsides of the Instant Pot is that food can come out a little mushy at the end. I am loving the ability to pressure cook something, like chicken thighs or carnitas, then switch to broil or air fry mode to crisp. I made some of the best chicken wings of my life a few weeks ago combining the pressure cook + air fry functions!

The Air Fryer Function

I was a little worried that the Instant Pot wouldn’t be able to circulate air as well as a traditional air fryer, but was pleasantly surprised by the result! So far I’ve used it to make air fryer french fries, chicken wings, crispy chicken thighs, home fries, chicken nuggets, and carnitas with great success. I also like that it is built to tell you when to flip your food for even cooking.

One word of caution with the air fryer function – I find it to be a little bit less powerful than a traditional air fryer, so when I’m following air fryer recipes I typically add on another 5 or so minutes to achieve the perfect crisp!

The Sous Vide Function

The sous vide function has been another big win for me! I’ve wanted a sous vide for a long time, but wasn’t sure I’d use it enough to justify the cost. Essentially, a sous vide allows you to cook a protein to a precise temperature throughout. You know how the end of a large steak is always more done than the center? The sous vide takes care of that problem.

You simply vacuum seal your food (I use these bags instead of investing in a large vacuum sealer), place it in the pot, and let it cook for a few hours. The result? Perfectly-cooked protein that is tender, and the same temperature throughout. You can then give your protein a quick sear to give it a crispy, caramelized crust. I love that searing only takes a minute or two because it prevents me from smoking up my apartment.

A few versions of the Instant Pot have the sous vide function, but instead of circulating water like a traditional sous vide, the Instant Pot simply keeps the water bath at a constant temperature – no circulation involved. I’d read negative reviews on the function because of this, so I wasn’t sure how well it would work. I’m happy to say I’ve been pleasantly surprised! The sous vide function has absolutely changed my steak and pork cooking game, and I’m excited to give it a try with delicate proteins like fish as well.

The Upgrades

I also really like the upgrades to the pot! Here are a few things I’ve noticed:

  • Searing Capability – I’m not sure if this function was upgraded or if it is due to the larger size, but I feel like this pot sears faster than my previous Duo. I also love that the larger size allows me to sear more at once so I don’t have to work in multiple batches.
  • Better Sealing – I have an easier time getting the Duo Crisp to seal than I did with my old model, which also allows it to come up to pressure faster! I think this may have been due to wear and tear on my old pot.
  • Easier and Safer Pressure Release – The pressure release valve has been updated so that instead of twisting the pressure release valve, you simply press a button that triggers the valve. This takes some of the fear out of the manual pressure release!
instant pot duo crisp with regular lid

What Could Use Improvement

As much as I’ve been enjoying my Duo Crisp, there are definitely a few things I don’t love that I’ll cover here.

You Can’t Fit Much in the Air Fryer Basket

To be fair, this is my complaint with most air fryers, but there are some air fryers and toaster ovens with air fry capabilities that can fit larger amounts. We are a family of 2, so it works ok for us for most applications, but if you are a family of 4 or more, or enjoy making large portions for leftovers, you’ll have to cook your food in multiple batches – which is a pain really defeats the purpose of air frying!

It Is a BIG Appliance

Overall, I’m saving space by having the Instant Pot, air fryer, and sous vide wrapped into one appliance, but it is worth noting that this is a large machine. It isn’t one to sit on your countertop, so definitely make sure you have enough storage space before purchasing!

The Air Fryer Basket Wore Out Quickly

After a few uses, I started having trouble with the air fryer basket that is included with the pot. The non-stick coating started to wear down quickly, leaving me with fries and chicken that were sticking to the bottom. To work around this, I purchased some perforated parchment paper inserts, and they’ve made ALL the difference!

It Cooks Quicker Than an Oven, But Not as Fast as an Air Fryer

I’ve found that when cooking air fryer recipes in the Duo Crisp, you’ll need to add a few minutes to the cook time. For example, the average air fryer recipe calls for cooking fries at 380°F for about 15 minutes, but I find that in the Instant Pot they need about 20 minutes. However, they still produce a crispier and faster result than the oven, which takes about 40 minutes!

It Won’t Replace Your Slow Cooker

Like past models, the new Instant Pot is still not a good replacement for a traditional slow cooker due to the way it heats. So don’t buy if you are anticipating being able to use it as a substitute!

Lack of Instruction and Smart Programs

While I used the manual function on my old Instant Pot more often than the smart programs, they can be really helpful if you are new to Instant Pot cooking. It is also worth noting that the pot didn’t come with a ton of documentation about using the air fryer function, which left me a bit confused since there aren’t many recipes online yet, either! Luckily, I found that, for the most part, following traditional air fryer recipes and adding more time as needed works just fine!

crispy french fries in an air fryer basket

My answer? Yes! I am honestly very happy with this purchase and use it multiple times per week. But, here are a few things to consider first.

Buy it if…

  • You don’t mind cooking smaller batches of food in the air fryer.
  • You like the idea of having multiple appliances in one.
  • You already know that you love the Instant Pot, but are looking to upgrade.
  • You have a decent amount of storage space for it.

Don’t buy it if…

  • You’re only interested in the air fryer function. If that’s the case, I’d recommend just going for an air fryer!
  • You haven’t used an Instant Pot before. It’s definitely worth making sure you like the Instant Pot in the first place before investing in this larger model, especially since it isn’t as straightforward as simpler models.
  • You typically cook smaller pressure cooked meals. If you’re only cooking for 1-2 on a regular basis, the larger size of the pressure cooker (8 quarts vs. 6 quarts) may be a drawback for you.

If you already have an Instant Pot that you love, or don’t want to upgrade to the 8-quart, you can also purchase a separate air fryer lid to pair with it! The air fryer lid comes with its own controls and functions, and is able to air fry, broil, and dehydrate. The Instant Pot air fryer lid works just as well as the one that comes with the Duo Crisp (even though the design looks a bit different), but the big drawback is that by using it with a 6-quart pot you’ll have even less space in your air fryer.

If you mainly want the lid so that you can brown food and make smaller batch sides like fries or crispy brussels sprouts, the lid is a great option! But, if you’re looking to air fry entire meals like chicken wings, we’d recommend upgrading to the 8-quart, or just know that you’ll need to work in multiple batches!

I recommend the Instant Pot air fryer lid over the Mealthy Crisp lid, mainly because the lid serves more as a broiler than an air fryer because it doesn’t circulate air a well as the Instant Pot lid. This means your food will take a little longer to cook. Plus, I feel it’s best to stick with appliances made by the same manufacturer. However, the Mealthy Crisp Lid does fit 8-quart Instant Pots, so this is a great choice if you have a pot you already love and want to upgrade!

If you’re ready to buy, here are a few places to get yours!

More Instant Pot Models

Not sold on the Duo Crisp yet? Check out our full review of the best Instant Pot models to see how it stacks up!

Best Instant Pot Accessories

Want to do even more with your new Instant Pot? Check out our full list of the best Instant Pot accessories with everything from a better silicone strainer to a steam release diverter to help direct steam away from your cabinets.



About the Author

Amber Goulden


More Like This

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

16 Comments

  1. Thanks for all the information on my way to a choice of the right instant pot. You do use way too many ! marks to my taste, which gives the impression of being shouted at continuously. But hey, that’s just me

    1. Thank you for providing that feedback, Roel. We are glad that you found the information helpful and have made note of the use of exclamation marks. We certainly do not want you to feel like you are being shouted at continuously. -Team F&F

  2. I have a question: You say there isn’t much space in the air fryer basket for bigger meals. On the other hand, I believe this is also true in the Ninja Foodi 8 qt as they also have a basked that’s about the same size (2.5 L or so). Now, we have a 1.5 kg ActiFry with two layer cooking (https://www.amazon.ca/T-Fal-1500635218-YV960151-ActiFry-Black/dp/B00F7P1KSO).

    We have a family of 4 or 5 (split custody, depends on the week). Can we manage to feed 4 if all I want to fry is the protein (chicken) for a dinner in the 8qt? (Anything else would be cooked elsewhere)

    The whole premise for buying one of these is to reduce equipment count, but if we can’t do at least a 4 person protein fry, we’re no further ahead. We’d like to retire the activefry because it is big and we don’t do wings that often and if you want to do breasts, I don’t think you can remove the paddle so you can only use the top tray which is not big.

    We have the Instapot stick sous vide and it works well if you have a sufficient sized container (some wide/thinner stakes don’t work well IME).

    The main things I want to do is:
    air fry proteins for 4
    cook fries for 4 sometimes (we are happy with oven baked but they take longer one assumes)
    pressure cook
    pressure can (not critical but would be nice)
    dehyrate (a new idea)
    We were debating it as a slow cooker and you suggest there’s an issue there – can you explain? Is it just the shape not being oval and thus not good for large birds or long roasts? Or is it because you trade the ceramic crock and a slow warming that is fairly even for a steel receptacle that may not work too well?

  3. Thanks for the review. I need a new Duo Crisp Air fryer lid as mine dropped and cracked. I’m having trouble finding the original replacement lid. I’d ont see it on the Instapot website.

  4. When you are using the sous vide bags you recommended in this article did you use the clips?

  5. It’s just my wife and I, so I’m wondering if it would be too big for the two of us. For instance if we were to make chili for two it wouldn’t fill very much over the pot. Would it still cook ok?

    1. Because it’s an 8-quart pressure cooker, it is a little large for small meals. The air fryer basket, however, is the perfect size for smaller air-fried meals (as opposed to larger, standalone air fryers). I hope that helps!

    1. We haven’t tried canning in an Instant Pot, Ann. That would be really neat if it worked, though!

    2. No, the regular instant pot cannot be used for pressure canning. Even the instant pot Max, which can get to 15 psi is not recommended for pressure canning because it has not been tested for USDA Standards for sustained temps required in the jars to kill botulism toxin.

  6. I just bought one of these appliances on Prime day, and I’m having difficulty finding recipes just as you pointed out in your article. I’m super intrigued by this: “I made some of the best chicken wings of my life a few weeks ago combining the pressure cook + air fry functions!” and wondering if you might be willing to share this recipe with an Instant Pot newbie who is having trouble navigating these new waters. Cheers!

    1. We don’t have the recipe, Kate, but we love the suggestion of creating some Instant Pot Duo Crisp specific recipes and have already started working on it!!

    2. Use the ninja foodie air fryer recipes, works just as well with the instant pot