Maximize Your Instant Pot Experience: The Ultimate Guide to Essential Accessories & Gift Ideas
Are you searching for the perfect Instant Pot accessories for the culinary enthusiast in your life? Whether they’re a seasoned pressure cooking pro or just getting started, this comprehensive guide features twelve of my absolute favorite Instant Pot accessories and gift ideas that are sure to elevate their cooking game! While the Instant Pot is an incredible appliance on its own, a few well-chosen accessories can truly unlock its full potential, making it even more versatile, efficient, and enjoyable to use. Get ready to transform mealtime with these must-have tools!
This post contains affiliate links for products I’m genuinely obsessed with and use regularly in my kitchen. Updated for 2024 to bring you the latest and greatest recommendations.
For more of my top kitchen recommendations and culinary tools, don’t forget to explore my storefront on Amazon! You’ll find a curated selection of items that make healthy eating and home cooking a breeze.
Over the past few years, the Instant Pot has undoubtedly revolutionized kitchens worldwide. It’s more than just a pressure cooker; it’s a multi-functional culinary marvel that can sauté, slow cook, steam, and even make yogurt. While many believe you don’t need a ton of extra gadgets for your Instant Pot, I’ve discovered a handful of accessories that significantly enhance the cooking experience, making it easier, more versatile, and even more enjoyable. From streamlining meal prep to expanding your recipe repertoire, these items are truly game-changers for any Instant Pot enthusiast. Let’s dive into my top picks!
My Favorite Instant Pot Accessories & Gifts for Instant Pot Owners
-
1. The Instant Pot Itself (A Foundation for Culinary Creativity)
Before diving into accessories, let’s acknowledge the star of the show! If you (or the person you’re gifting) doesn’t yet own a pressure cooker, this is the essential starting point. The Instant Pot has become an indispensable kitchen appliance for countless reasons. It significantly cuts down cooking time, making weeknight dinners faster and more convenient, while also excelling at hands-off meal prep.
I’ve personally accumulated three different sizes over the years: a compact 3-quart, a versatile 6-quart, and a generous 8-quart. My 6-Quart Duo remains my go-to for most family meals, striking the perfect balance between capacity and countertop footprint. The 3-quart is excellent for side dishes or cooking for one or two, while the 8-quart is a beast for batch cooking, large roasts, or entertaining.
Beyond the classic Instant Pot brand, the market now offers a variety of fantastic pressure cookers. I recently added a Ninja Foodi to my collection, which cleverly combines a pressure cooker and an air fryer into a single appliance – a brilliant space-saving solution! The Mealthy MultiPot has also garnered rave reviews for its performance and features. Keep an eye out for great deals, and invest in this foundational piece of kitchen technology – it’s a gift that keeps on giving!
-
2. An Inspiring Instant Pot Cookbook (Your Culinary GPS)
For new Instant Pot owners especially, a good cookbook is like a personal culinary guide. I firmly believe that cooking from well-tested recipes is the very best way to learn the nuances of pressure cooking, understand timings, and build confidence. It helps demystify the process and opens up a world of delicious possibilities without the guesswork.
While I might be a little biased, I genuinely believe my own eBook bundle is an outstanding resource. It’s packed with over 45 healthy, simple, and thoroughly tested Instant Pot recipes, designed to get you cooking with ease and enjoyment. From quick weeknight meals to flavorful, nutritious dishes, these recipes are ready to print and use immediately. A quality cookbook, whether physical or digital, provides the essential foundation for mastering your Instant Pot and exploring new culinary adventures.
-
3. Mealthy CrispLid (Transform Your Pressure Cooker into an Air Fryer)
If you’ve been eyeing an Air Fryer but are hesitant to sacrifice precious kitchen counter or storage space, the Mealthy CrispLid offers a brilliant solution. This innovative accessory allows you to convert your existing 6-quart or 8-quart Instant Pot or other pressure cooker into a fully functional air fryer! It’s perfect for achieving that desirable crispy, golden finish on dishes after they’ve been pressure cooked.
Imagine perfectly browned chicken, crispy French fries, or even a beautifully gratinéed casserole, all from the same appliance. The CrispLid adds incredible versatility, enabling you to pressure cook until tender, then crisp up your food to perfection. It’s a fantastic way to enjoy the benefits of air frying without the need for another standalone appliance. To learn more about how this game-changing product works and if it’s right for your kitchen, check out this detailed Mealthy CrispLid review. Plus, don’t forget to use my exclusive coupon code CONFESSIONSOFAFITFOODIE to save $10 on orders over $59.95!
-
4. A Second Inner Liner Pot (The Secret to Seamless Meal Prep)
A second inner liner pot might just be one of the most underrated Instant Pot accessories, especially for those who love meal prepping or frequently cook multiple dishes. The convenience it offers is unparalleled: you can cook one dish, remove the hot pot, and immediately place a second prepped pot into your Instant Pot to continue cooking. This completely eliminates downtime, making your meal prep sessions incredibly efficient.
Beyond speeding up cooking, a spare liner is also fantastic for practical reasons. You can keep one for savory dishes and another for sweet desserts, preventing flavor transfer. It means you can always have a clean pot ready to go, even if the other is in the dishwasher or soaking. This simple addition is a true game-changer for busy households and makes multi-course cooking a breeze. It’s almost as good as having a second Instant Pot, but far more compact and budget-friendly!
-
5. Genuine Instant Pot Glass Lid (For Sautéing and Slow Cooking Perfection)
While the Instant Pot’s pressure cooking lid is a marvel of engineering, it’s not ideal for all cooking functions, particularly sautéing or slow cooking. That’s where a dedicated Glass Lid comes in handy. I used to make do with a lid from one of my regular pots, but having one specifically designed for the Instant Pot’s inner liner makes a world of difference.
The clear glass allows you to visually monitor your food without lifting the lid, which is incredibly useful when sautéing vegetables or simmering sauces. For slow cooking, it provides a lighter cover, allowing some steam to escape naturally, which can be preferable depending on the recipe. It also prevents splatters during sautéing and keeps food warm for serving. This accessory truly enhances the Instant Pot’s multi-cooker capabilities, making it more intuitive and enjoyable for everyday cooking beyond just pressure tasks.
-
6. OXO Instant Pot Silicone Sling (Effortless Pot-in-Pot Lifting)
Before discovering the OXO Instant Pot Silicone Sling, removing hot dishes from Pot-in-Pot (PIP) cooking was always a bit of a challenge. This ingenious tool has completely changed the game for me, making PIP cooking incredibly simple and safe. The sling fits around your cooking dish and has handles that allow you to easily lower and lift the hot dish from the Instant Pot liner without any fumbling or risk of burns.
It’s an absolute lifesaver for dishes like my Instant Pot Shepherd’s Pie, cheesecakes, lasagna, or even simply steaming vegetables in a separate bowl. Made from heat-resistant silicone, it’s durable, easy to clean, and designed for convenience. Just be aware that this particular sling is perfectly sized for 6-quart and 8-quart Instant Pots but will not fit in a 3-quart model. It’s an indispensable accessory for anyone who loves the versatility of PIP cooking!
-
7. Versatile Pot-in-Pot Casserole Dish (From Pressure Cooker to Broiler)
Continuing with the wonders of Pot-in-Pot cooking, this specific Casserole Dish is a fantastic investment. Designed to fit perfectly within your 6-quart or 8-quart Instant Pot, it opens up a world of possibilities for baking and preparing delicate dishes that benefit from the gentle, even heat of pressure cooking.
It’s ideal for crafting delicious quiches, personal-sized casseroles, meatloaves, and even moist cakes. What makes this dish particularly excellent is its versatility: it’s not only Instant Pot-friendly but also oven and broiler safe. This means you can pressure cook your dish to perfection, then easily transfer it to the broiler for a few minutes to achieve a golden, crispy topping – think melted cheese on a casserole or a caramelized crust on a dessert. While we generally prefer avoiding aluminum, there’s also a traditional aluminum cake pan option if that’s more your style. Either way, this accessory significantly expands your Instant Pot’s capabilities.
-
8. Stainless Steel Steamer Basket Set (Healthy Cooking & Layered Meals)
For those committed to healthy eating and efficient cooking, a high-quality Steamer Basket Set is an absolute must-have. Steaming is one of the best ways to cook vegetables, preserving their vibrant color, texture, and essential nutrients. This particular set is fantastic because it includes baskets sized to fit both my 3-quart and my 6 or 8-quart Instant Pots, offering great flexibility.
I frequently use these baskets when preparing meals like my Instant Pot Beef Roast or Asian Pork Tenderloin. It allows me to layer vegetables above the protein, cooking an entire meal at once and saving significant time. Beyond steaming vegetables, these versatile baskets can also serve as an egg rack for perfect hard-boiled eggs, or even to steam delicate shellfish. Crafted from durable stainless steel, they are easy to clean and built to last, making healthy cooking effortless and enjoyable.
-
9. Silicone Gripper Gloves (Your Hands’ Best Friend in the Kitchen)
Safety in the kitchen is paramount, especially when dealing with hot steam and pots from your Instant Pot. This set of regular size and mini gripper silicone gloves is an absolute must-have for any Instant Pot owner. Unlike bulky oven mitts, these grippers offer precise control and protection when performing crucial tasks like safely releasing steam or carefully removing hot inner pots and Pot-in-Pot dishes.
Their key features include high heat resistance, waterproof design for easy cleaning, and a completely non-slip grip, which is essential for securely handling slippery or heavy hot items. The mini grippers are particularly useful for smaller, more delicate maneuvers. I also appreciate the fun color options available! These gloves provide peace of mind and make navigating the hot elements of Instant Pot cooking much safer and more comfortable. They’re a small investment that makes a big difference in kitchen safety and convenience.
-
10. Silicone Egg Bites Molds (Beyond Egg Bites: Versatility in Freezing & Baking)
The culinary world has gone wild for homemade versions of Starbucks’ famous egg bites, and for good reason – they’re delicious, healthy, and perfect for meal prep! These Silicone Egg Bites Molds are, of course, excellent for making those, but their utility extends far beyond just eggs. I also love using them for perfectly poached eggs, as seen in this fantastic Eggs Benedict recipe from The Foodie and The Fix.
However, the true magic of these molds lies in their versatility for freezing. I use them constantly to portion and freeze everything from homemade baby food and individual soup portions to my Freezable Cheese Sauce and 21 Day Fix Homemade Tomato Sauce. This makes future meal prep incredibly easy – just pop out a frozen portion when needed. Made from flexible, non-stick silicone, they are also great for mini cheesecakes, muffins, or even bite-sized desserts. They’re freezer-safe, oven-safe, and dishwasher-safe, making them an incredibly useful and multi-functional accessory for any kitchen.
-
11. Immersion Blender (The Soup & Sauce Master)
While not exclusively an “Instant Pot accessory,” an Immersion Blender (also known as a hand blender or stick blender) becomes an invaluable tool for Instant Pot owners. I’ve owned mine for years, but its utility has skyrocketed since incorporating the Instant Pot into my cooking routine. The primary benefit is the ability to blend hot soups and sauces directly in the Instant Pot liner after pressure cooking, eliminating the need to transfer hot liquids to a traditional blender – which is a huge time and mess saver, not to mention a safety advantage.
Imagine going from chunky ingredients to a silky smooth Butternut Squash Soup or my new favorite Easy Instant Pot Tomato Soup with Crispy Cheese Chips in minutes, all without extra dirty dishes. An immersion blender ensures perfectly creamy textures for puréed dishes, homemade baby food, or smooth gravies and sauces. Its compact size also makes it easy to store and clean, making it a powerful and convenient addition to any Instant Pot kitchen.
-
12. Extra Silicone Sealing Rings (An Instant Pot Essential)
You might not think of them as an exciting gift, but a pack of extra Silicone Sealing Rings is perhaps one of the most practical and appreciated gifts for any Instant Pot owner. These rings are absolutely critical for the pressure cooking function, creating the airtight seal necessary for safe and efficient operation. While every Instant Pot comes with one, having spares is incredibly useful.
The main reason for having multiple rings is preventing flavor transfer. Silicone can absorb strong odors from dishes like chili, curry, or garlic, which can then subtly impact lighter dishes or desserts cooked later. Having separate rings – perhaps one for savory, one for sweet – ensures that your cheesecake doesn’t taste like last night’s beef stew! Additionally, sealing rings can wear out or become stretched over time, which can compromise the pressure seal. A spare set guarantees that you’ll always have a fresh, functional ring on hand, preventing any interruptions to your cooking. Many come in different colors, making it easy to distinguish between them.
Investing in these Instant Pot accessories not only enhances the functionality of your beloved appliance but also opens up a world of new culinary possibilities. From making meal prep a breeze to tackling complex recipes with ease, these tools are designed to maximize your Instant Pot experience. Whether you’re shopping for yourself or an Instant Pot enthusiast, these gifts are sure to be a hit!
Looking for More Instant Pot Help and Inspiration? Check These Out!
5 Reasons Why You Need an Instant Pot
Easy Instant Pot Recipes for Beginners | What to Cook First in Your New Instant Pot
Healthy Instant Pot Mexican Favorites
21 Day Fix Instant Pot Freezer Meal Prep (Free Printable Grocery List and Step by Step Prep)
21 Day Fix Gluten Free Instant Pot Recipes
Looking for More Fit Foodie Gift Guides?
12 Gifts for Fit Foodies | Confessions of a Fit Foodie
Holiday Gift Guide 2019 | Confessions of a Fit Foodie
A Fit Foodie’s Favorite Things