Mealthy Crisplid Review: Turn Your Instant Pot into an Air Fryer
The Mealthy Crisplid Review below covers everything you need to know about this Instant Pot accessory. I already own a $25 air fryer and use it often, but it has a few limitations. The Crisplid promises to solve those issues by converting an Instant Pot into a high-heat air fryer. Mealthy sent me a Crisplid to test, and they asked only for an honest review.
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What is the Mealthy Crisplid?
The Mealthy Crisplid is an accessory that turns compatible Instant Pot models into an air fryer-style appliance. Instead of buying a separate countertop fryer, the Crisplid uses a heating element and a fan to circulate hot air inside the Instant Pot, producing crispy, browned results with far less oil than deep frying. While not identical to traditional deep-fried food, the Crisplid delivers very close texture and crispness for many dishes.
Save $10 off orders of $59.95 or more at Mealthy.com with code “DadGotThis”.
To use the Crisplid, unplug your Instant Pot and place the raised trivet inside the inner pot. Set the included stainless-steel fry basket on the trivet, add your food, then place the Crisplid on top of the Instant Pot. Plug the Crisplid into power—make sure the Instant Pot remains unplugged—and lock the lid handle down. The unit only runs when the handle is in the down, locked position, so check that first if it doesn’t turn on.
The control panel is straightforward with buttons for temperature, time, increase and decrease, start, and stop. The Crisplid reaches high temperatures—useful for crisping and browning—and the clear viewing window lets you keep an eye on progress.
Why use the Crisplid instead of a separate air fryer?
If you already own an Instant Pot, adding a Crisplid avoids bringing another bulky appliance into your kitchen. My inexpensive $25 air fryer works well, but it takes up counter and storage space and has limited capacity. The Crisplid acts like a lid rather than a whole new machine, which is a space-saving option for many households.
Where the Mealthy Crisplid Excels
In testing, the Crisplid stood out in a few important areas. Capacity is the first: using the Instant Pot as the cooking vessel gives you far more room than small countertop air fryers. The Crisplid fits 6- and 8-quart Instant Pots, so you can crisp larger items—like a whole chicken—without struggling to fit them into a small basket. While there are large-capacity standalone air fryers, they often cost significantly more.
Whole Chicken: Cooked in the Instant Pot, Crisped with the Mealthy Crisplid
Recipe coming soon—I’m still perfecting it.
You Can Watch Your Food Cook
A clear window in the Crisplid lets you monitor browning and crisping without opening the lid. That warm glow from the unit is helpful for judging doneness and prevents accidental overcooking—something I struggled with on my old air fryer at times.
Easy Cleanup with Stainless Steel
My cheap air fryer has a nonstick basket that gets gunky and is difficult to clean thoroughly; the coating can also be delicate. The Crisplid uses a stainless-steel fry basket that rinses and cleans easily and is dishwasher-safe. That makes maintenance much simpler and more durable over time.
Save $10 off orders of $59.95 or more at Mealthy.com with code “DadGotThis”.
How Did It Perform?
I tested the Crisplid with the same foods I use to evaluate my $25 air fryer: mozzarella sticks, french fries, and ripe plantains. The Crisplid handled each item without issue. Everything came out crispy on the outside and properly heated through, while I used very little oil from a mister.
Mozzarella Sticks
French Fries
Ripe Plantains
Results: Crispy and Reliable
The Mealthy Crisplid consistently produced crispy, appealing results across the board. The unit reached high temperatures and distributed heat evenly, so foods browned well without needing excessive oil. If you want an air-fried finish with less mess and fewer appliances, the Crisplid does the job.
Should You Buy One?
If you own a compatible Instant Pot, the Crisplid is a smart purchase. It saves counter space, offers large capacity, cleans up easily, and delivers the crisping performance most people expect from an air fryer. For those who already like their Instant Pot, the Crisplid extends its versatility without the footprint of a second appliance.
Mealthy provided the Crisplid for this review, and they also offer a $10 discount on orders of $59.95 or more with the code “DadGotThis”.
Have an air fryer? Try my seafood stuffed mushroom recipe for a great side or appetizer.
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