Instant Pot Duo Crisp Review: Is the 11-in-1 Air Frying Lid Worth The Hype?

If your kitchen counters are screaming for mercy under the weight of single-use appliances, you’ve probably eyed the Instant Pot Duo Crisp 11-in-1. It promises to be the ultimate all-in-one solution: a pressure cooker, air fryer, slow cooker, and more.

But does combining two powerhouse appliances into one unit actually work? Or do you end up with a gadget that’s a “jack of all trades, master of none”?

I’ve been using the Duo Crisp for several months to make everything from weeknight rice to crispy wings for game day. Here’s my honest, in-depth review.

First Impressions: Two Appliances in One Box

The Duo Crisp comes with the classic Instant Pot base (which has functions like Pressure Cook, Sauté, and Slow Cook) and a separate, dedicated Air Fryer Lid. This lid houses a heating element and a fan, and it clicks securely onto the standard stainless steel inner pot.

The setup is straightforward. It does take up a similar footprint to a standard 6-quart Instant Pot, but by replacing two appliances, it’s a net win for counter or cabinet space.

Key Features & What It Actually Does

The “11-in-1” name might sound like marketing fluff, but it breaks down into core, useful functions:

1. Pressure Cooker (The classic Instant Pot magic for fast cooking)

2. Air Fryer (For crispy, fried-like foods with little to no oil)

3. Slow Cooker

4. Food Warmer

5. Steamer

6. Sauté Pan

7. Bake

8. Roast

9. Broil

10. Dehydrate (A surprisingly fun bonus!)

11. Yogurt Maker

The real magic is the “Crisp & Tender” function, which lets you pressure cook something (like chicken thighs) and then immediately switch to the air fryer lid to crisp up the skin without moving the food to another appliance. This is a game-changer.

Performance Testing: Does It Deliver?

I put the two main functions through rigorous testing:

1. As a Pressure Cooker:

• Test: Cooking dried black beans from scratch.

• Result: Flawless. It performed exactly like any other Instant Pot. The beans were perfectly tender in under an hour (without pre-soaking!). The base unit is proven, reliable technology.

2. As an Air Fryer:

• Test: From frozen french fries to fresh chicken wings.

• Result: Excellent. The air fryer lid gets seriously hot and the fan is powerful. Fries came out crispy and golden, and chicken wings achieved a shatteringly crisp skin that rivaled my deep fryer—with just a light spray of oil. The key is not to overcrowd the basket.

3. The “Crisp & Tender” Combo:

• Test: Whole chicken (from the “Crispy Lemon Garlic Chicken” recipe in the booklet).

• Result: Mind-blowing. I pressure cooked the whole chicken with seasonings until it was fall-off-the-bone tender. Then, with a simple lid swap, I air fried it for 15 minutes. The result was a juicy, succulent interior with an incredibly crispy, browned skin. One pot, two functions, zero extra mess.

Who Is The Instant Pot Duo Crisp For?

This appliance is a perfect fit for:

• Small Households & Apartments: If counter and storage space are at a premium, this 2-in-1 is a dream come true.

• Meal Preppers: The ability to quickly pressure cook a batch of quinoa or chicken and then crisp it up before eating is incredibly useful.

• Home Cooks Who Want Versatility: If you love the idea of pressure cooking a stew, air frying a snack, and dehydrating apple chips all with one base unit.

• Families Looking for Healthier Options: It makes achieving “fried” textures with a fraction of the oil incredibly easy.

The Downsides (The Honest Truth)

It’s not perfect. Here’s what you need to consider:

• It’s Not Simultaneous: You can’t pressure cook and air fry at the same time. You have to complete one function, switch lids, then start the next.

• Learning Curve: If you’re new to both pressure cooking and air frying, there will be a learning curve to timing and settings.

• Capacity: The 6-quart size is great for 2-4 people. For larger families, you might find the air frying capacity a bit limiting for a single batch.

• Extra Part to Store: You have to find a home for the large air fryer lid when it’s not in use.

Final Verdict: Is It Worth It?

Wholeheartedly, yes—if your needs match its strengths.

The Instant Pot Duo Crisp isn’t a gimmick. It’s a thoughtfully designed appliance that successfully combines two of the most popular kitchen gadgets into one.

You should buy it if:

• You are short on space but want multiple cooking functions.

• You don’t already own a high-quality air fryer and an Instant Pot.

• The idea of “pressure cooking then crisping” excites you.

You might skip it if:

• You already own and love a dedicated air fryer and Instant Pot and have the space for both.

• You have a large family and need the larger capacity of separate, full-size appliances.

For everyone else, the Duo Crisp is a powerful, space-saving, and genuinely useful kitchen workhorse that lives up to its 11-in-1 promise.

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Ready to Free Up Your Counter Space?

If the Instant Pot Duo Crisp sounds like the perfect solution for your kitchen, I’ve found the best place to get it.

➡️ Click here to check the latest price and see current discounts on the Instant Pot Duo Crisp on Amazon

(This link takes you directly to the official product page where you can read thousands of user reviews and ensure you’re getting the authentic product.)