Instant Pot Duo Crisp Air Fryer Review: Is It Worth It?

The Instant Pot Duo Crisp 6.5QT with Ultimate Lid combines a pressure cooker, air fryer, slow cooker, steamer, dehydrator, sous vide cooker, and several other functions in one countertop appliance.

Its biggest advantage is not that it can air fry.

The real reason to consider the Duo Crisp is that you can pressure cook food until tender and then crisp or brown it in the same appliance.

That makes it useful for foods such as chicken, ribs, potatoes, and roasts where moist cooking and a crisp finish work well together.

As a dedicated air fryer, however, the Duo Crisp is more mixed. Independent testing shows decent crisping and very fast preheating, but its deep round cooking chamber provides less horizontal air frying space than many conventional basket models.

Instant Pot Duo Crisp Quick Verdict

The Instant Pot Duo Crisp is worth considering if you genuinely want both pressure cooking and air frying in one machine.

It is especially useful for people who already like Instant Pot cooking but want the option to crisp food without moving it to a separate oven or air fryer.

Its strongest features include:

• Pressure cooking
• Air frying
• One Ultimate Lid on the current 6.5QT version
• 13 cooking functions
• Fast preheating
• Reversible air frying rack
• Dehydrate
• Sous Vide
• Proof
• Yogurt
• Slow Cook
• Smart connectivity on available WiFi versions

Its main limitations are:

• Less horizontal crisping area than many drawer air fryers
• One cooking chamber
• 400°F maximum Air Fry temperature
• Awkward shaking compared with a pull-out basket
• Large countertop footprint
• Only decent air frying performance compared with stronger dedicated models
• Limited fan speed variation

If air frying is your main priority, a dedicated basket air fryer may make more sense.

If pressure cooking plus air frying is the goal, the Duo Crisp becomes much more interesting.

Which Instant Pot Duo Crisp Does This Review Cover?

This review focuses mainly on the current:

Instant Pot Duo Crisp 6.5QT with Ultimate Lid

That distinction matters because Google results still mix several Duo Crisp generations.

You may encounter:

• 6QT Duo Crisp with separate air fryer lid
• 6.5QT Duo Crisp with Ultimate Lid
• 8QT Duo Crisp with separate air fryer lid
• WiFi and non-WiFi variants

Older Duo Crisp reviews can therefore describe a different lid system, capacity, function count, and cooking experience.

Instant Pot Duo Crisp 6.5QT Quick Specs

Instant Pot markets the 6.5QT capacity as suitable for up to about six servings.

Real air frying capacity can feel smaller because crisping depends on how much food can be spread across the rack rather than how much fits inside the pot by volume.

Instant Pot Duo Crisp 6QT vs 6.5QT vs 8QT

The three sizes should not be treated as the same appliance.

Older 6QT Duo Crisp

The 6QT model uses:

• 6-quart cooking pot
• Separate pressure cooker lid
• Separate air fryer lid
• 11 cooking functions

It can still pressure cook and air fry, but you need storage space for the extra lid.

Duo Crisp 6.5QT Ultimate Lid

The newer 6.5QT design uses:

• One integrated Ultimate Lid
• 13 cooking functions
• Air frying
• Pressure cooking
• Proofing
• Sous Vide
• Dehydrating
• Other multicooker modes

This is the version I would prioritize for shoppers looking at the current Duo Crisp concept.

Older 8QT Duo Crisp

The 8QT gives you more overall pressure cooker capacity but still belongs to the older two-lid design.

It may appeal to larger households, but the extra lid means more storage space is required.

Why the Ultimate Lid Matters

The Ultimate Lid is one of the biggest improvements in the newer Duo Crisp.

Older versions require you to remove the pressure cooking lid and attach a separate air fryer lid when switching cooking methods.

That creates two problems:

1. You need somewhere safe to place a large hot lid.
2. You need somewhere to store the extra lid when the appliance is not being used.

The 6.5QT Ultimate Lid combines the two cooking systems into one hinged lid.

That makes switching from pressure cooking to air frying much more convenient.

Pressure Cook Then Crisp: The Real Reason to Buy It

This is where the Duo Crisp becomes more useful than a standard basket air fryer.

Imagine cooking chicken.

You can:

1. Pressure cook it until tender.
2. Release the pressure safely according to the recipe.
3. Switch to Air Fry.
4. Brown and crisp the exterior.

The same idea works for other foods.

Ribs

Pressure cook until tender, then finish with sauce and dry heat.

Potatoes

Pressure cook or steam first, then crisp the surface.

Chicken

Cook with moisture first, then brown the skin or exterior.

Roasts

Use pressure cooking for tenderness, then finish with dry heat.

A normal basket air fryer cannot pressure cook.

A normal Instant Pot without an air frying feature cannot provide the same crisp finish without moving the food somewhere else.

That combination is the strongest reason to own a Duo Crisp.

How Good Is the Instant Pot Duo Crisp at Air Frying?

The Duo Crisp is a decent air fryer, but air frying is not its strongest reason for existing.

Independent 2026 testing found that it produced a majority of crispy, properly cooked fries, but it also left a noticeable portion undercooked and some overcooked.

The bigger limitation is basket geometry.

Traditional drawer air fryers often provide a broad perforated basket where food can spread into a thin layer.

The Duo Crisp uses a deep round pressure cooker chamber with a reversible rack.

That gives you less horizontal cooking surface relative to the overall quart capacity.

The result is good enough for many everyday foods, especially if you do not overcrowd the rack, but dedicated air fryers can offer more even crisping and easier food movement.

Why 6.5 Quarts Does Not Mean 6.5 Quarts of Crispy Food

Quart capacity can be misleading when comparing a pressure cooker and a basket air fryer.

The Duo Crisp has plenty of volume.

But crispy air frying depends heavily on surface area.

Independent measurements put its single layer air frying surface around 61.6 square inches.

That means filling the entire deep pot with fries will not give you the same result as arranging a thinner layer near the heating element.

For crispy foods:

Use the rack area as your practical capacity guide, not just the 6.5-quart number.

Our air fryer sizes guide explains why basket shape and usable cooking area can matter as much as advertised capacity.

High Rack vs Low Rack

The reversible air frying rack can be positioned at different heights.

That affects how close the food sits to the heating element.

High Rack Position

Best starting point for foods such as:

• French fries
• Wings
• Nuggets
• Vegetables
• Small breaded foods

The food sits closer to the heating element, which can help browning.

Low Rack Position

Better for taller foods such as:

• Larger chicken pieces
• Roasts
• Foods requiring more vertical clearance

The tradeoff is that food is farther from the upper heating element.

Independent testing found slightly better fry results with the rack in its higher position.

Does the Instant Pot Duo Crisp Preheat?

Yes.

Independent testing found the Duo Crisp 6.5QT reached 400°F in about 2 minutes and 5 seconds, which is impressively quick.

That is one of its better air frying characteristics.

But fast preheating and fast cooking are different things.

The appliance heats its chamber quickly, yet overall air frying speed was only average compared with similarly sized dedicated air fryers.

If you frequently adjust recipes between appliances, our air fryer cooking times guide explains why wattage, fan speed, basket design, and cooking surface can change finishing time.

It Preheats Fast, But Does It Cook Fast?

Not especially.

Independent testing found the Duo Crisp’s cooking speed satisfactory rather than class leading.

That likely relates partly to:

• Relatively modest maximum airflow
• Deep chamber design
• 400°F maximum
• Distance between the food and heating element depending on rack position

This does not make it slow in normal kitchen terms.

It means you should not buy it assuming the quick preheat automatically makes it one of the fastest air fryers.

How Stable Is the Temperature?

Independent testing recorded about 42°F of temperature variation at a 400°F setting.

Temperature fluctuation is normal in countertop cooking appliances because heating elements cycle on and off.

The more useful takeaway is that time and temperature in air fryer recipes should be treated as starting points.

Check food early.

Use an instant read thermometer for foods where internal temperature determines doneness.

Do not keep cooking simply because a recipe from another appliance specifies a longer time.

13 Cooking Functions

The current 6.5QT Ultimate Lid has 13 functions.

Pressure Cook

Uses pressure and steam to cook foods quickly.

Air Fry

Uses circulating dry heat for browning and crisping.

Slow Cook

Provides lower, longer cooking.

Steam

Useful for foods that benefit from moist heat.

Sauté

Allows cooking directly in the pot with the lid open.

Roast

Dry heat mode for meats and vegetables.

Bake

For compatible baked foods.

Broil

Uses strong upper heat for browning.

Dehydrate

Runs at lower temperatures for longer periods.

Sous Vide

Offers controlled low temperature cooking.

Yogurt

Provides a dedicated fermentation mode.

Proof

Maintains gentle heat for dough.

Keep Warm

Holds cooked food at serving temperature.

Air Fry vs Roast vs Bake vs Broil

The number of presets can make these modes sound more different than they actually are.

Independent testing found the Duo Crisp has a relatively narrow fan speed range.

Air Fry operates at the strongest measured airflow, while Roast and Bake use airflow that is only slightly lower.

The bigger differences can therefore involve:

• Temperature behavior
• Default settings
• Time range
• Heating pattern

rather than dramatically different fan speeds.

This matters if you are comparing it with an air fryer such as the COSORI TurboBlaze, where changing cooking modes produces more substantial airflow differences.

How Useful Is Dehydrate?

Dehydrate operates at much lower temperatures than Air Fry.

This can be used for foods such as:

• Fruit slices
• Herbs
• Some vegetables
• Other foods suitable for dehydrating

The limitation is rack area.

A wide multi-level dehydrator or oven style air fryer provides more flat drying space.

The Duo Crisp can dehydrate, but it would not be my first choice if dehydrating large batches were the main reason for buying an appliance.

Can the Duo Crisp Proof Bread?

Yes.

The Proof function maintains a low temperature environment intended to help dough rise.

That sounds useful on paper, although independent air fryer testing found that the Duo Crisp’s airflow does not vary as widely as some appliances designed with more specialized fan control.

For basic dough proofing, though, the low temperature setting adds useful flexibility.

Does the Instant Pot Duo Crisp Have WiFi?

Some 6.5QT Duo Crisp variants have WiFi and some do not.

That distinction is important.

Independent testing specifically identifies:

• Black with WiFi
• Black without WiFi

The connected version can work with Instant’s app for compatible features such as recipe access and cooking monitoring.

Do not assume every older Duo Crisp 6QT or 8QT has the same smart connectivity.

If an app matters to you, verify the exact model number before buying.

Is the Duo Crisp Easy to Use?

There is more of a learning curve than with a basic drawer air fryer.

A normal basket air fryer often requires only:

1. Set temperature.
2. Set time.
3. Cook.

The Duo Crisp adds:

• Pressure settings
• Pressure release procedures
• Inner pressure cooking cover
• Rack positioning
• Multiple cooking methods
• More controls

That flexibility is valuable if you use it.

If you only want fries and chicken tenders, the extra complexity adds little.

Is Shaking Food Awkward?

Yes, compared with a drawer style air fryer.

With a drawer air fryer, you can:

1. Pull out the basket.
2. Shake it.
3. Slide it back in.

The Duo Crisp uses a top-opening pot and internal rack.

That makes moving fries or vegetables less effortless.

You may need to stir or turn food using suitable utensils while working around the lid and heating system.

This is one of the clearest everyday advantages of a dedicated basket design.

If ease of air frying is more important than multicooker versatility, our basket vs oven style air fryer guide can help explain why cooking-chamber design matters.

Can You Cook a Whole Chicken in the Duo Crisp?

The deep chamber makes larger foods more practical than they are in many shallow air fryers.

A whole chicken that fits comfortably within the appliance’s size and clearance requirements can be prepared using appropriate Instant Pot recipes.

This is also where pressure cook then crisp becomes useful.

The key is to follow the manufacturer’s size limits and recipe instructions rather than forcing an oversized chicken into the pot.

How Easy Is the Instant Pot Duo Crisp to Clean?

Several removable parts are designed for easier cleaning.

The cooking pot, appropriate rack components, and pressure cooking cover can be cleaned separately according to Instant Pot’s instructions.

The main appliance and heating system should never be submerged.

Routine Cleaning

1. Unplug the appliance and allow it to cool.
2. Remove the cooking pot.
3. Remove the air frying rack.
4. Wash removable food-contact parts.
5. Remove grease and crumbs around the cooking chamber.
6. Wipe the main housing with an appropriate damp cloth.
7. Make sure components are dry before reassembly.

Because the appliance handles pressure cooking, sauces, grease, and dry air frying, regular cleaning is particularly important.

Our air fryer cleaning guide covers general grease and residue care.

Instant Pot Duo Crisp Pros

• Pressure cooker and air fryer in one appliance
• One Ultimate Lid on the newer 6.5QT
• 13 cooking functions
• Pressure cook then crisp
• Very fast preheating
• Reversible air fry rack
• Sous Vide
• Dehydrate
• Proof
• Yogurt
• Slow Cook
• Steam
• Sauté
• Good overall multicooker versatility
• WiFi version available
• Useful for households that would otherwise own two appliances

Instant Pot Duo Crisp Cons

• Only decent air frying performance compared with stronger dedicated air fryers
• Less horizontal cooking area than many similar capacity drawer models
• Deep chamber makes shaking awkward
• Large countertop footprint
• Narrow fan speed range
• 400°F maximum Air Fry temperature
• Single cooking chamber
• Temperature fluctuates during cooking
• Learning curve is higher than a basic air fryer
• WiFi depends on the exact variant
• Older models still require two separate lids
• Excess features may be unnecessary if you only air fry

Instant Pot Duo Crisp vs Instant Vortex

These products serve different users.

Duo Crisp

Better if you want:

• Pressure cooking
• Slow cooking
• Steam
• Sous Vide
• Air frying
• One appliance for wet and dry cooking
• Pressure cook then crisp recipes

Instant Vortex

Better if you want:

• A dedicated air fryer
• Pull-out basket convenience
• Easier shaking
• More straightforward controls
• Everyday crisping without multicooker functions

Independent testing suggests the Vortex can cook faster, while the Duo Crisp’s reason for existing is its broader multicooker functionality.

If you already own a good Instant Pot pressure cooker, adding a separate basket air fryer may be more practical than replacing it with a Duo Crisp.

Instant Pot Duo Crisp vs Ninja Air Fryer

A direct comparison depends on which Ninja model you mean.

A dedicated Ninja air fryer generally has an advantage when the main goal is:

• Fast air frying
• Wide basket space
• Easier shaking
• More consistent crisping

The Duo Crisp has the advantage when you want:

• Pressure cooking
• Sautéing
• Steam
• Slow cooking
• Sous Vide
• Air frying in one appliance

Independent comparisons with Ninja air fryers show that some Ninja models cook faster and maintain temperatures more consistently.

If you are considering a conventional Ninja basket model, see our best Ninja 6 quart air fryer guide.

Can the Duo Crisp Replace a Dedicated Air Fryer?

It can replace one for the right household, but it is not automatically a better air fryer.

It makes sense as your only air fryer if:

• You already want pressure cooking.
• You make moderate air fried portions.
• You value versatility.
• You do not mind stirring food inside a pot.
• You want fewer separate appliances.

A dedicated air fryer makes more sense if:

• Crisping is your top priority.
• You frequently cook fries and wings.
• You want a wide basket.
• You want easy shaking.
• You rarely pressure cook.

Can the Duo Crisp Replace a Regular Instant Pot?

For many people, yes.

The Duo Crisp includes the core multicooker functions that made Instant Pot appliances popular while adding dry heat cooking.

However, switching to Duo Crisp makes the most sense if you will actually use the added air frying functionality.

Someone who primarily cooks soups, beans, rice, and stews may not benefit much from the extra air frying hardware and larger overall appliance.

Who Should Buy the Instant Pot Duo Crisp?

Existing Instant Pot Fans

If you already use pressure cooking frequently, the air frying addition is genuinely useful.

People With Limited Appliance Storage

One appliance can replace the need for a separate pressure cooker and air fryer.

People Who Like Multi-Stage Cooking

Pressure cook then crisp is the Duo Crisp’s strongest trick.

Families

The 6.5QT capacity works well for many family meals.

People Who Want More Than Air Frying

Sous Vide, Proof, Yogurt, Steam, Slow Cook, and Dehydrate add flexibility.

Who Should Skip It?

People Mainly Shopping for an Air Fryer

A dedicated drawer model will usually be simpler.

People Who Already Own a Good Pressure Cooker

Keeping your current pressure cooker and adding a separate air fryer may give you better flexibility.

Frequent Fry and Wing Cooks

A wide basket gives these foods more direct air exposure.

People With Very Limited Counter Space

The Duo Crisp is a substantial appliance.

Anyone Wanting Two Independent Zones

The Duo Crisp has one cooking chamber.

Users Who Want a 450°F Air Fryer

The Air Fry setting tops out at 400°F.

Is the Instant Pot Duo Crisp Air Fryer Worth It?

The Instant Pot Duo Crisp makes sense when you judge it as a multicooker that also air fries, not simply as a competitor to a dedicated basket air fryer.

Its air frying performance is good enough for everyday use, and it preheats very quickly.

But a traditional basket air fryer gives you easier shaking, more horizontal cooking area, and potentially better crisping performance.

The Duo Crisp earns its place when you take advantage of the functions that normal air fryers cannot provide.

Pressure cook a meal.

Slow cook.

Steam.

Sous Vide.

Then use dry heat to roast, brown, or crisp when appropriate.

The newer 6.5QT Ultimate Lid also removes one of the biggest annoyances of older Duo Crisp models by eliminating the need to store a separate full-size air fryer lid.

If you want one appliance that genuinely combines pressure cooking and air frying, the Duo Crisp is worth considering. If you mainly want the best possible air fryer, buy a dedicated air fryer instead.

Review Transparency

This review is based on current Instant Pot specifications and published independent testing of the 6.5QT Duo Crisp.

Fryer Bites has not conducted controlled laboratory testing of this specific appliance. Measurements such as preheat speed, cooking surface area, temperature variation, and fry-performance percentages are therefore treated as independent test results rather than presented as our own measurements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Instant Pot Duo Crisp a good air fryer?

The Instant Pot Duo Crisp is a decent air fryer, but its biggest strength is combining air frying with pressure cooking and other multicooker functions. Independent testing found satisfactory crisping and very fast preheating, although dedicated basket air fryers can offer more horizontal cooking space, faster cooking, and easier shaking.

What is the difference between the Instant Pot Duo Crisp 6QT and 6.5QT?

The older 6QT Duo Crisp uses separate pressure cooking and air frying lids and offers fewer cooking functions. The newer 6.5QT Ultimate Lid combines pressure cooking and air frying into one lid and provides 13 functions, including Air Fry, Pressure Cook, Sous Vide, Dehydrate, Proof, Yogurt, and Slow Cook.

Does the Instant Pot Duo Crisp need two lids?

The current 6.5QT Duo Crisp with Ultimate Lid does not need two separate full-size lids. Its Ultimate Lid handles both pressure cooking and air frying. Older 6QT and 8QT Duo Crisp models use a separate pressure cooker lid and air fryer lid, so check the exact model before buying.

How long does the Instant Pot Duo Crisp take to preheat?

Independent testing of the 6.5QT Duo Crisp measured about 2 minutes and 5 seconds to reach 400°F. That makes preheating one of its stronger air frying characteristics, although its actual cooking speed was only average compared with several dedicated air fryers.

How hot does the Instant Pot Duo Crisp air fryer get?

The Air Fry mode on the tested 6.5QT Duo Crisp operates up to 400°F. Other functions use different temperature ranges, including lower settings for Dehydrate, Proof, and Sous Vide. Check the selected cooking function because the appliance does not use one universal temperature range for every mode.

Does the Instant Pot Duo Crisp have WiFi?

The 6.5QT Duo Crisp is available in WiFi and non-WiFi variants. Connected versions can provide compatible app features, but you should verify the exact model before buying. Older Duo Crisp 6QT and 8QT models should not automatically be assumed to include the same smart connectivity.

Can the Instant Pot Duo Crisp replace an air fryer?

It can replace a separate air fryer if you value pressure cooking and multicooker functions as much as crisping. If air frying is your main priority, a dedicated basket air fryer usually provides easier shaking, more horizontal food space, and potentially better cooking performance.

Can you pressure cook and then air fry in the Instant Pot Duo Crisp?

Yes. Pressure cooking followed by air frying or another dry heat function is one of the main advantages of the Duo Crisp. The newer 6.5QT Ultimate Lid makes this especially convenient because you can switch cooking methods without replacing the entire lid.