10 Instant Pots and Instant Pot Recipes Perfect for Game Day
With the NFL playoffs and the Super Bowl around the corner, you might be starting to plan which recipes to wow everyone at your game day party with. An Instant Pot is a convenient gadget that you can use to throw together some delicious meals in a relatively hands-off manner that will make the task of hosting a whole lot easier.
First things first: Instant Pot is the name brand of a line of multi-use pressure cookers that aim to render a bunch of common – and often cluttering – kitchen gadgets unnecessary, like slow cookers, yogurt makers, rice cookers, steamers and air fryers. Pressure cooking is a cooking method used to prepare beans, meats, stews and more under high-pressure conditions. Pressure cookers cook food much more quickly than a similarly shaped slow cooker.
Instant Pots come with safety features too, such as overheat protection and a safe-locking lid, to turn pressure cooking into a totally low-pressure endeavor.
From professional chefs to home cooks, Instant Pots have inspired many a kitchen whiz to get creative. You can find countless recipes designed specifically for the Instant Pot, available both in cookbooks and online. Here's a breakdown of the most popular Instant Pot models, plus some fun watch-party recipes you can create with them to help you have the perfect game day.
Instant Pot Duo Plus 9-in-1 (6 quart)
This 9-in-1 model functions as an electric pressure cooker, rice cooker, slow cooker, yogurt maker, steamer, sauté pan and food warmer. But you also get two other tricks: a sterilizer and a function that allows you to keep your cooking water at a constant temperature (for sous vide cooking). The machine has 15 customizable programming options.
Recipe to try:
- Instant Pot "rotisserie" chicken (from Audrey Johns)
Instant Pot Pro 10-in-1 (6 quart)
Like the Instant Pot Duo Plus, the Instant Pot Pro can be used for pressure cooking, slow cooking, rice cooking, sous vide cooking, sautéing, sterilizing, yogurt making, warming and steaming. But the Pro does the Duo Plus one better, and adds a 10th function: cake baking.
There are 28 program settings for essential meals, and five programmable settings for your own favorite recipes. This model has an upgraded gentle steam release switch with a diffusing cover, to reduce noise and prevent splashing on your countertop.
Recipes to try:
- Ropa vieja shredded beef (from Bobby Flay)
- Taco mac and cheese (from Audrey Johns)
Instant Pot Duo Nova 7-in-1 (6 quart)
The Instant Pot Duo Nova is similar to the Instant Pot Duo in that it's a seven-function appliance. The Duo Nova comes with a lid that automatically seals your machine, and features a quick-release button for letting steam out.
Recipe to try:
- Sausage and shells with spinach and artichoke hearts (from Jeffrey Eisner)
Instant Pot Ultra 10-in-1 (8 quart)
The Instant Pot Ultra is a 10-in-1 product. It has updates such as altitude adjustment and a steam-release reset button.
"Even if you don't cook a lot or have a wide range of cooking skills, the LCD panel really takes the mystery out of the pressure cooking cycle which is not available on the Duo or Lux models," reads a verified-purchase review on Amazon. "Maybe the extra settings will entice novice cooks to try new things."
Recipe to try:
- Pork carnitas tacos (from Julie Hartigan)
Instant Pot Air Fryer Lid (lid only for 6 quart)
If you already own an Instant Pot, there's no need to buy a second one if you want to give air frying a try – there's the 6-in-1 Instant Pot Air Fryer Lid. It comes with an air fryer basket and a broiling and dehydrating tray.
Note that this Air Fryer Lid does not have pressure cooker functionality and is only compatible with the following 6-quart models: Duo, Duo Plus, Duo Nova, Duo Gourmet, Viva, Ultra and Lux. Use it with stainless steel inner pots only.
Instant Pot Duo Crisp 11-in-1 with air fryer lid (6 quart)
The Instant Pot Duo Crisp is the Instant Pot Duo, but with the ability to air fry. Air-frying is the trendy cooking technique that uses, in this case, 95% less oil than deep frying. The Instant Pot Duo comes with a multi-level air fryer basket.
If you're keeping count, the 11-in-1 Instant Pot Duo Crisp works as all these: air fryer, pressure cooker, slow cooker, baker, broiler, roaster, steamer, sauté pan, proofer, sous vide cooker and food warmer.
Recipe to try:
- Duo Crisp chicken wings (from Instant Pot Cooking)
Instant Pot Pro Crisp 11-in-1 (8 quart)
The Instant Pot Pro Crisp comes with an air-fryer attachment. The 8-quart model can accommodate a whole chicken. Its fry temperature goes up to 400 degrees. You can use this Instant Pot to reheat french fries, experiment with a healthier version of fried chicken, and so much more.
Recipe to try:
- Fried pickles (from The Tasty Travelers)
Instant Omni Plus Air Fryer
As you can see from the picture above, the Instant Omni Plus is not exactly a pot. In fact, no, it isn't a pot. The Instant Omni Plus is a countertop convection oven that, in true Instant Pot fashion, has a bunch more tricks up its sleeves. (And, yes, we know, the not-a-pot doesn't have sleeves -- just go with it.)
A 10-in-1 appliance, it can be used to air fry, broil, bake, roast, dehydrate, reheat, toast and warm. And, as noted, it works as a convection oven, plus as a rotisserie.
The even-more-tricked-out Instant Omni Pro has 14 total functions, including the ability to proof cook and split cook.
Instant Pot 7-in-1 (8 quart)
Billed as a Walmart exclusive, this Instant Pot works as a pressure cooker, rice cooker, slow cooker, yogurt maker, steamer and warmer. You can also use it to sauté whatever it is that needs sautéing. Add everything up, and that's seven functions. But wait, there's more: This 8-quart Instant Pot features 13 customizable programs for quick meal prep. This is your most affordable option.
Recipe to try:
- Boston baked beans (from 365 Days of Slow + Pressure Cooking)
Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 (6 quart)
This may be the one for you if you're seeking the classic Instant Pot experience.
The Instant Pot Duo is basically seven appliances in one: an electric pressure cooker, rice cooker, slow cooker, yogurt maker, steamer, sauté pan and food warmer. It has 13 customizable programs, too.
The Instant Pot Duo features dual pressure settings: high for speedy cooking; and, low for you-really-don't-want-to-overcook-this cooking.
As with other Instant Pot models, the Duo is available in a variety of sizes. The 3-quart size Instant Pot Duo ($70) is ideal for small kitchens, while the 8-quart Instant Pot Duo ($100) will be a good fit for families or meal preppers. The 6-quart is the most popular size, and the one featured here.
Recipe to try:
- Philly cheesesteak (from The Salty Marshmallow)
Instant Pot Star Wars Duo (6 quart): $100 at Amazon
Find all of the convenience of an Instant Pot Duo wrapped up in an adorable Star Wars-themed package. This Star Wars Duo Pot features 14 smart cooking programs. (You can also get this Instant Pot Duo in several other Star Wars themes, including Darth Vader and Storm Trooper.)
Recipes to try:
- Chewie's chili (from Chop Secrets)
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