Have you been considering an air fryer but don’t want to sacrifice more kitchen storage? Do you already own a pressure cooker? The Mealthy CrispLid may be the ideal solution to convert your existing pressure cooker into an air fryer. Read this Mealthy CrispLid review to see if it’s right for you. This post contains affiliate links for products I recommend.
I’m genuinely excited about the Mealthy CrispLid. It’s a smart accessory that turns a 6- or 8-quart pressure cooker into a high-temperature air fryer and broiler—practically like magic.
What is the Mealthy CrispLid
If you follow this blog, you know I love Instant Pots and pressure cookers, and I’ve also been using an air fryer a lot lately. Many people hesitate to buy a separate air fryer due to cost and storage space, especially if they already own a pressure cooker. The Mealthy CrispLid addresses that perfectly.
The CrispLid is an attachable lid that converts a compatible pressure cooker into an air fryer and broiler. I first heard about it from another blogger and was thrilled when Mealthy sent me one to review. Over several weeks I tested a variety of recipes in both my stand-alone air fryer and using the CrispLid, comparing results and sharing them on social media.
I tested:
- breaded Krispie chicken
- plain chicken
- bacon
- bacon-wrapped chicken tenders
- salmon
- frozen vegetables
- French toast sticks
Everything I tried turned out similarly between the CrispLid and my air fryer—delicious and nicely crisped.
Order your Mealthy CrispLid here!
Compatibility: Will it work with my Instant Pot or pressure cooker?
Yes. The CrispLid works with any brand 6- or 8-quart pressure cooker that has a stainless steel inner pot. The manual advises never to use the CrispLid with aluminum or ceramic-coated pots.
Watch me unbox my Mealthy CrispLid!
What comes with the Mealthy CrispLid?
The CrispLid kit includes several useful accessories:
- The CrispLid heating lid
- A tall 3-inch trivet to raise food closer to the heating element
- An air-frying/broiling basket
- Stainless steel tongs for removing the basket and turning food
- A silicone trivet to place the hot lid on
- User manual and a recipe booklet
How do I get a Mealthy CrispLid?
At the time of this review, CrispLids were available through select affiliates and are scheduled to appear on Amazon in late July. Mealthy also plans availability in Canada later in the season.
Order your Mealthy CrispLid here!
What I like about the Mealthy CrispLid
I was surprised at how much I enjoyed using the CrispLid, even compared with a dedicated air fryer. Highlights:
- Space-saving size: The CrispLid takes up much less space than a traditional air fryer. It’s smaller in diameter than my 6-quart Instant Pot lid and only slightly taller, so it’s easy to store in a cabinet.
- High temperature: While most air fryers top out around 400°F, the CrispLid reaches 500°F, allowing you to broil without using the oven.
- Lower cost: Priced around $49.95, it’s typically less expensive than many standalone air fryers.
- Versatility: Switching lids lets you move between pressure cooking, air frying, and broiling without buying a second appliance. It’s great for finishing pressure-cooked dishes with a crispy top or broiling without extra dishes.
- Efficiency: It avoids heating your oven for smaller jobs and repurposes a tool you already own.
- Glass lid: The transparent cooking lid lets you watch food as it cooks—an uncommon feature on air fryers and one I appreciate.
- Easy to clean: The mesh basket is dishwasher-safe and, in my experience, easier to clean than some air fryer baskets.
What I wish were better
- Basket capacity: The CrispLid’s basket is somewhat small, comparable to many compact air fryers, so you may need to cook in batches for larger families. That’s a common trade-off with small air fryers.
- Flipping vs. shaking: For best results you’ll often need to flip items midway through cooking. Shaking the basket, as you can do with many air fryers, isn’t recommended because of the exposed heating element.
- Not ideal for kids to operate: The CrispLid is safe when used properly, but it gets very hot and requires more attention than some enclosed air fryers, so I wouldn’t let young children operate it unsupervised.
- Temperature increments: Temperature adjustments are in 25-degree increments. My dedicated air fryer allows finer 10-degree changes, which is slightly more precise.
Is the Mealthy CrispLid right for you?
I recommend the CrispLid especially if:
- You already own a 6- or 8-quart pressure cooker or Instant Pot
- Kitchen space is limited
- You want an affordable way to get air-fryer-style results
- You want to broil or air fry pressure-cooked dishes without turning on the oven or adding dirty dishes
I would not recommend it if:
- You don’t have a compatible 6- or 8-quart pressure cooker
- You need to cook large batches in a single cycle
If you cook large volumes regularly, consider a larger multi-cooker or a spacious standalone air fryer model instead.
I hope this review helps you decide. If you have questions, feel free to comment below or reach out on social!
Disclosure: I received a Mealthy CrispLid for this review. These are my honest opinions and I only recommend products I would use myself.
Video Review/Cooking Demo with my Mealthy CrispLid!