The IP Duo (my go-to and trustworthy pressure cooker) is a fantastic device in one’s kitchen! It can steam, cooks under pressure, it slow-cooks, it can make rice and yogurt, and it keeps everything warm when it’s done. But it doesn’t fry.
Sure, you can use the Saute function to brown meat or veggies, but sometimes it’s not enough.
This is where the Ninja Foodi comes into place. This is an equally popular pressure cooker with one extra item - an air frying lid. This means that the Ninja Foodi can be a pressure cooker and an air fryer depending on your current needs.
So, what is there to do? Buy a new pressure cooker just to be able to eat better fries? Luckily, there’s no need for such a dramatic gesture. And no, I am not sentencing you to fast-food fries for life.
Instant Pot owners have three options for air-frying:
I already did a comparison Between Instant Pot Duo Crisp and Mealthy CrispLid and I know they are both great. Still, I slightly favor the Duo Crisp, which is why today I’ll run a comparison with the Ninja Foodi. After all, they are both pressure cookers with an air frying lid.
Instant Pot Duo Crisp Review
Just like Ninja Foodi, the Duo Crisp Instant Pot comes with two lids: a regular one and an air frying one. The main difference between the two brands is that, with Ninja Foodi, the air frying lid remains attached even when the other lid is in use. This doesn’t happen with the Instant Pot, where both lids are completely detachable.
As such, the DUO Crisp can be a regular IP pressure cooker with functions for pressure cooking, slow cooking, sauteing, steaming, and warming. As a very nice bonus, especially for those of you who enjoy fancy cooking, the DUO Crisp also has a sous-vide function.
However, if you replace the standard IP lid with the Air Fryer one, you get a whole new set of cooking options. When this special lid is in use, you can fry (of course) foods using hot air that’s circulated through the frying basket, but you can also broil, roast, and even dehydrate ingredients.
The controls for these new features are placed on the air frying lid, so you will not work with the frontal panel.
While it can be a bit cumbersome to use, especially in a small kitchen, I would recommend the DUO Crisp for people who want healthy and delicious fried foods. You can easily store the Air Fryer lid in a cupboard until you need it, but make sure it sits on a sturdy shelf as it is a bit heavy.
If you want to know more about the DUO Crisp product, please read my full review.
Pros
- The interface is the same as with most IP pressure cookers
- The frying basket is big enough to fit an entire chicken (this is an 8qt IP)
- Both lids are completely removable
- A total of 11 Smart programs
- Great for cooking a wide range of healthy foods
Cons
- The Air Fryer lid is large and heavy (especially for people with low upper body musculature)
- It can be too big for a small kitchen
Ninja Foodi Review
Available in two sizes (6.5qt and 8qt), this pressure cooker is a bit wider than the standard 8qt Instant Pot, but it’s also shorter and looks bulkier. Still, I have to admit that the black finish, rounded shape, and simple command interface are attractive and provide a more modern look.
Also known as the “pressure cooker that crisps”, the Ninja Foodi promises to give a delicious & crispy golden finish to your meat and fries. This is possible due to the TenderCrisp technology where you use both lids. You start by tenderizing the meat using the pressure cooking feature and end by making the skin crispy and crunchy with the air frying lid.
Of course, this is also a multicooker and it has functions for pressure cooking, saute, steaming, and more. It can also be used for frying and broiling and works nicely as a dehydrator.
Still, there are two things that don’t really sit well with me (especially in comparison with the IP DUO Crisp). First, the fact that the air frying lid is non-removable can be a nuisance. The pot is heavy on its own, so when you add the lid wit the extra heating element, you get an even heavier product. Still, the lid is easier to lift in comparison to the DUO Crisp product.
Second, I’m not sold by the ceramic-coated inner pot and cook & crisp basket. Ceramic is not as resistant as stainless steel to high temperatures, so there is the risk that the coating will start coming off after several uses. True, the non-stick coating makes it a bit easier to clean, but you may have to get new accessories a lot sooner than expected.
Otherwise, the Ninja Foodi is a beautiful pressure cook + air fryer that does a fantastic job! Still, I only recommend it for kitchens where there is enough space on the vertical and horizontal.
Pros
- Beautiful & modern design
- The interface is very simple & user-friendly
- The inner pot is wide and easily accommodates large quantities of food
- Available in two sizes
- TenderCrisp technology that combines pressure cooking with air frying
- It is safe to use and doesn’t require too much upper body strength
Cons
- The air fryer lid is non-removable
- It is rather heavy and bulky
- It doesn’t come with all the accessories one might need
- The non-stick ceramic coating is not very durable
Which One is Best for Me?
And now, for the verdict: which one should you buy?
Choose Instant Pot DUO Crisp If…
- You don’t want to spend too much on the air frying features
- You want the support of the IP community
- You want the slow cooking functionality
- You like that the lids are completely removable
- You want durable, stainless steel accessories
Choose Ninja Foodi If…
- You like to cook large quantities of crispy and healthy foods
- The dehydration function is important for your current needs
- The modern design is more appealing
- You’re not bothered by the non-removable air fryer lid
Ninja Fodi is a pressure cooker, but it is not as advanced as the DUO Crisp and it doesn’t have the support of such a strong community. It’s also more focused on the tender and crisp functionality than on cooking in general.
So, if you want access to a wide range of recipes, with all sorts of ingredients, the DUO Crisp remains the better choice.
I need to get a gift for an older person now cooking for one. Is 3 qt a good size? I'm also looking at getting a counter top oven/airfryer combination with auto shot off for them, also. They need something to make chili, soup, beans with auto cut-off. Auto-cut off is important fir older people still wanting to cook. Thank you
Yes, I think 3 qt is a great size for someone cooking for one. Great ideas!
Instant Pot also comes in 6 quart size. I have one for a couple of years. Love it.
My sister got the IP duo crisp for me for Christmas. I love it so much and found inexpensive accessories on Amazon. I can do everything plus yogurt.
Great review. I’m curious which one do you choose out if the two? Thanks
Personally I like the Instant Pot Duo Crisp a little more, but it's really up to you!!
for what reason?
do you use the air-fryer much with the instant pot?
Yes I do. But again, the Ninja Foodi is great as well, you just asked for my personal preference :]
I got a deal on the foodi deluxe tonight it was priced wrong. Im not sure about the lid not being removable and i wonder of the pressure cooker is as good as the duo
Thank you Corie, It was very helpful to make a decision after reading your comparison.
This was super helpful!!! Thank you.
Happy to help ^_^
I currently have a dehydrator and air fyer and would love to get a pressure cooker. I would rather just have one appliance for our RV. Sounds like the Foodie might be the one to replace my other appliances. Thanks for the review.
Thank you for the review.
You are welcome ^_^
Nice review!