3 Easy Instant Pot Recipes for Busy Days: My Personalized Recommendations
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As life gets busier, I’ve been looking for ways to streamline my cooking while still enjoying delicious, healthy meals. I’ve heard about the Instant Pot craze for a while now, but honestly, I was a bit late to the trend. However, I’m so excited that I finally joined the bandwagon of cooking ease! The Instant Pot Pro 10-in-1 has completely changed the way I prepare meals, saving me time and effort in the kitchen.
Whether you're preparing meals for a busy week or just want something quick and satisfying after a long day, the Instant Pot is perfect for making meals that require minimal effort but are full of flavor. If you’re also late to the Instant Pot game like I was, now is the perfect time to grab one! I personally love my Instant Pot Pro 10-in-1, which is versatile enough to handle pressure cooking, slow cooking, air frying, sautéing, and more. You can grab yours here.
Along with the Instant Pot, here are three of my favorite kitchen tools that I highly recommend for anyone looking to make cooking easier:
Instant Pot Air Fryer Lid
I absolutely love this accessory that turns your Instant Pot into an air fryer! It’s perfect for crispy, healthier meals with minimal oil. I use it all the time for making crispy chicken wings and falafel.
Grab your Instant Pot Air Fryer Lid here
OXO Good Grips 3-in-1 Avocado Slicer
This tool is a game changer when it comes to prepping avocados. Whether you’re making guacamole or adding avocado to your meal, this slicer makes it easy to pit, slice, and scoop out the fruit in seconds.
Get the OXO Avocado Slicer here
Lodge Cast Iron Skillet
The Lodge Cast Iron Skillet is perfect for searing or sautéing before popping your dish into the Instant Pot for finishing. It’s durable and versatile—perfect for anything from crispy vegetables to searing meats.
Buy the Lodge Cast Iron Skillet here
Now, let’s get into three of my favorite easy recipes I love making in my Instant Pot that you can try out for busy days:
1. Instant Pot Crispy Chicken Wings
I love making crispy chicken wings that are both easy and satisfying, and with the Instant Pot, I don’t have to worry about deep-frying. The air fryer lid makes them perfectly crispy with less oil—just how I like it!
Ingredients:
10-12 chicken wings
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon paprika
Salt and pepper to tasteFresh cilantro for garnish (optional)
Instructions:
Season the chicken wings with olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
Place the wings in the Instant Pot air fryer basket.
Set the Instant Pot to Air Fry at 400°F for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through.Once crispy and golden, remove the wings and garnish with fresh cilantro before serving.
These wings are perfect for a quick snack or to serve with your favorite dipping sauce!
2. Stuffed Bell Peppers
Stuffed bell peppers are a delicious, nutritious, and easy-to-make meal that’s perfect for busy days. I love how the Instant Pot evenly cooks the peppers, making the filling so tender and flavorful.
Ingredients:
4 large bell peppers
1 cup cooked quinoa or rice
1 cup ground chicken or beef
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 onion, chopped
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon coriander
Salt and pepper to taste
1/2 cup shredded cheese (optional)
Instructions:
Cut the tops off the bell peppers and remove the seeds.
In a pan, heat olive oil and sauté the onion until soft. Add the ground chicken or beef and cook until browned.
Stir in cumin, coriander, salt, and pepper, then add the cooked quinoa or rice and mix well.
Stuff the peppers with the mixture and place them in the Instant Pot basket.
Set the Instant Pot to Air Fry at 375°F for 15 minutes. Optionally, sprinkle cheese on top and air fry for an additional 5 minutes until melted.
These stuffed peppers are a wholesome and satisfying option for any time of the day!
3. Air Fried Falafel
Falafel is such a great meal, and the Instant Pot’s air fryer feature allows you to make crispy falafel without the mess of deep-frying. It’s perfect for a light meal, and I love serving it with a side of tahini or yogurt sauce.
Ingredients:
1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
1 small onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic
2 tablespoons fresh parsley
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon coriander
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
3 tablespoons flour
Salt and pepper to taste
Olive oil spray
Instructions:
In a food processor, blend the chickpeas, onion, garlic, parsley, cumin, coriander, baking powder, and flour until it forms a dough.
Roll the dough into small balls or patties.
Preheat the Instant Pot air fryer basket and lightly spray with olive oil.
Set the Instant Pot to Air Fry at 375°F for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Serve with tahini or yogurt for a delicious, healthy treat!
Why I Love the Instant Pot Pro 10-in-1
I was hesitant at first to buy the Instant Pot, but now I can't imagine my kitchen without it! The Instant Pot Pro 10-in-1 has truly revolutionized my meal prep, helping me save time without sacrificing flavor. It’s a versatile kitchen tool that makes cooking easier, and with its app offering over 800 recipes, there’s always something new to try!
If you're looking to simplify your cooking routine, I highly recommend grabbing one for yourself here. Happy cooking, and here’s to making life just a little bit easier!