Instant Zest Plus Review

Love your Instant Pot but are wondering if an Instant Zest Plus would make a great addition to your kitchen? See if you should grab one of these 20 cup rice makers with my unbiased Instant Zest Plus review.

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Instant Zest Plus Review | 20 Cup Instant Pot Rice Cooker + Video

Instant Pot Zest Plus 20 Cup, 5Litre Rice Cooker,Steamer, Slow Cooker,13 One Touch Programs, No Pressure Cooking Functionality

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Why You Should Trust My Review

• Cookbook Author: I’ve written 5 Instant Pot Cookbooks that have been authorized by Instant Pot.
• Efficient: That’s the only way I know how to do things in the kitchen. Who has time to waste when you’re trying to get food on the table? I’m known for my ruthless efficiency and use the pot in pot cooking method every chance I get.
• Gadget geek! : I’m a self-proclaimed food tech enthusiast and have been known to purchase (and review) just about any kitchen appliance I can get my hands on.

1. Footprint

I’m not going to lie. For a rice cooker, this is rather large. It’s approximately the same size as a 6 quart Duo or Ultra .

If you’re short on space, or hate clutter on your countertops, this might not be the right appliance for you.

However, if you already have a rice cooker AND a rice cooker on your countertops, this will replace both of them and take up less room than the two appliances together.

If you’re curious on what the actual dimensions of this rice cooker are:

12.75 x 12.5 x 12.35 inches

If you don’t plan on using this often or prefer to put your appliances away after every use, rest easy knowing this only weighs 8 pounds and is very easy to lift and move.

2. Capacity

The Instant Zest Plus boasts an impressive 20 cup capacity. However, don’t think you can cook 20 cups of uncooked rice in this machine with that description. That’s the capacity of COOKED food. So you can cook up to 10 cups of rice in this amazing kitchen gadget.

3. Functions

The Instant Zest Plus has 9 programming functions as well as an option to manually adjust the time up and down. The programming options are:

1. White rice
2. Brown rice
3. Mixed grains
4. Quinoa
5. Barley
6. Couscous
7. Bulgur
8. Oatmeal
9. Risotto

On top of those functions, it also gives you the option to sauté, steam, slow cook, and keep warm .

4. Ease Of Use

If you’re used to cooking food with your Instant Pot, the manual presets will not be an issue for you.

They are totally intuitive and easy to use. Here’s how you cook with your Instant Pot rice maker :

If You’re Cooking Rice

1. Add Rice
2. Add Ghee or Butter
3. Pour Some Water
4. Add Salt
5. Close Lid
6. Select Your Preferred Preset
7. Let Cook in your rice cooker
8. Serve and Enjoy

If You’re Using The Slow Cook Function

1. Add all ingredients .
2. Select Slow Cook .
3. Adjust Time and Slow Cook Setting to Preferred Option .
4. Serve and Enjoy .

If You’re Using The Saute Function

1. Select Saute.
2. Allow to Heat Thoroughly.
3. Add Ingredients.
4. Cook Until Done.
5. Select Cancel to End Cooking Time.

5. Ease Of Cleaning

With the Nonstick liner, this Instant Zest Plus is a breeze to clean. All you need to do is rinse the liner with some dish soap and water and it’s ready to use again .

If you’re used to popping the Instant Pot lid in the dishwasher to clean it, you won’t be able to do this with the Instant Zest Plus . You’ll need to wipe it down with a wet cloth before using your machine again.

6. Price

I absolutely couldn’t believe how affordable this Instant Zest Plus was. For as many functions as it has with such a large capacity, it is absolutely a bargain.

If you’re known to cook less than great rice or have a tendency to burn the bottom of your rice, this will without a doubt save you money.

There’s no waste as this Instant Zest Plus makes perfect rice every time.

Would I Buy This?

While this might be a FANTASTIC addition for some people, this Instant Zest Plus might not be the right kitchen gadget for everyone. Let me give you some quick pointers to help you decide if it’s right for you :

Buy This If

• You’re on a budget and want a new kitchen gadget.
• You love your Instant Zest rice maker but would like the sautee or slow cooker function.
• Aren’t ready to make a jump to a pressure cooker.
• You want perfect rice every time.

Pass On This If

• You already have a slow cooker and you like the Instant Pot rice setting.
• Limited with counter space.
• You love using your Instant Pot for making rice.

Instant Zest Plus Pros and Cons

I’ve only had the chance to use this rice cooker a few times, but in the time I’ve owned it, I haven’t used my Instant Pot to make rice a single time. So far, I’m loving this Instant Zest Plus . Here are a few things I love and dislike about it:

Pros

• Large capacity.
• Sautee function
• Slow cook function
• Perfect rice every time
• Affordable

Cons

• Larger footprint.
• Can’t put the lid in the dishwasher like you can with an Instant Pot.
• Cheap steamer rack.

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• Misen Santoku Knife Review
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• Instant Pot Mini Duo Review
• Chef’s Choice 615A Meat Slicer Review
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Instant Zest Plus Review | 20 Cup Instant Pot Rice Cooker + Video

Instant Pot Zest Plus 20 Cup, 5Litre Rice Cooker,Steamer, Slow Cooker,13 One Touch Programs, No Pressure Cooking Functionality

If you found this Instant Zest Plus review helpful, make sure to share it with your friends on Pinterest and Facebook so they can decide if this is the perfect rice cooker or slow cooker solution for them too.

Originally Published August 27, 2020

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Nut and Seed Bread is a keto, gluten-free loaf made with a mix of whole nuts and seeds (like pistachios, almonds, flax seed, walnuts, sesame seeds, and cashews) plus eggs, oil, and salt. It’s quick and works well for a low-carb, gluten-free, yeast-free breakfast or snack (especially sliced and toasted). Unlike traditional bread recipes that rely on flour and yeast, this version is “bread-ish” but sturdy because it’s held together by flax and eggs. No flour, no leavening, just nuts-and-seeds goodness.

One of the hardest things to find a good alternative for when on a keto diet is crackers and chips. They’re both high carb snacks , but are easily one of the most popular and addictive snacks out there.

So this got me thinking, “How can I recreate the deliciousness of crackers while keeping the carb count low?” After much deliberation, I came up with this unbelievably satisfying Healthy Crackers with Seeds recipe.

What Makes These Low Carb Crackers So Good?

• Gluten Free . These are great to make for anyone with food allergies.
• Low Carb . Only 1 net carb per serving.
• Full of Fiber. 5 grams of fiber per serving.
• Great For Dipping. The perfect cripsy, crunchy vessel to use with your favorite dip recipe.
• Filling. With 10g of fat per serving, these will keep you fuller, longer.

What Kind Of Crackers Can You Eat On Keto?

Most of the crackers you will find in your local grocery store will be LOADED with carbs and should be avoided if you’re living a low carb lifestyle. My advice? Give this keto cracker recipe a try.

They’re super simple to make, low carb, and delicious. Best of all? They actually taste like crackers. Forget the days of trying to eat your favorite dip on a lackluster replacement or making charcuterie trays with veggies and meat only.

What Is In These Healthy Crackers?

If you’ve been eating low carb for any length of time, you likely already have these ingredients on hand. However, if you’re just getting started and want to make the perfect go-to snack, here’s what you’ll need:

• 2 cups Water
• 3 TBSP psyllium husk powder
• 1/2 tsp Kosher Salt
• 2 Cups Mixed seeds, for example (The ones I used are listed below) Sunflower Seeds pumpkin seeds flax seeds Sesame Seeds

How to Make This Keto Crackers Recipe

1. Pour 2 cups of tap water into a mixing bowl . Add in the psyllium husk powder, a little at a time, whisking all the while.
2. Once all the lumps are dissolved, add the salt and then the seeds. Stir well.
3. Let the mixture rest for about 10-15 minutes. This gives the psyllium a chance to gel. At this point, you may need to add more seeds.
4. Preheat your oven to 350F while allowing the mixture to rest.
5. Grease an 18 x 13-inch pan . Alternatively, you can also place a silicone mat on the pan to prevent the mixture from sticking.
6. Once the mixture has gelled, spread it as thinly and evenly as you can on the mat.
7. Place in the oven and set the timer to 30 minutes.
8. When the timer goes off, remove the pan and use a pizza cutter or a sharp knife to score the mixture into cracker shapes.
9. Put them back in the oven for another 15 minutes. Your crackers will likely take between 45-60 minutes to crisp up. Seeds burn easily, so you will have to watch them after the timer goes off.
10. Once they’re done, remove and break along the scored lines. Allow the keto crackers to cool and then put them in a sealed container. Enjoy them whenever you get the craving for something crunchy and low carb!

Variations To Try

In this keto cracker recipe, I give you the seeds I used to make this specific batch, but you could also use whatever seeds you have on hand (or prefer the taste of best). I liked mixing up the size of the seeds I used to make these, and I really like the consistency of the cracker.

Tips and Tricks

Making keto nut and seed crackers at home is a simple way to enjoy a crunchy, low-carb snack that’s both healthy and satisfying. To help you get the best results, here are some tips and tricks:

• It’s important that you have the right amount of psyllium husk powder. This is what forms the gel and is what allows it to turn into a nice cracker.
• Make sure to pat out the mixture as thin as you can . Not only will it speed up the cooking process, but it also makes it more likely to get crispy, which is exactly what we want.
• Make sure to give it plenty of time to crisp up after it is done baking. No gobbling it while it’s still hot!
• Though you can use whatever seeds you like, it’s important that you use seeds that are on the small side (like sesame seeds, hemp seeds, etc). This is not a good place to put in almonds and cashews and the such. If you have larger nuts and seeds, check out my Nut and Seed Bread recipe !

How Long Do They Last?

These Keto Crackers will last for up to two weeks if you keep them in an airtight container. It’s a good excuse to put an old cookie jar to use!

Can You Freeze Them?

Yes, you can freeze keto crackers made with nuts and seeds, and it’s actually a good way to extend their shelf life.

They’ll keep well in the freezer for up to 2–3 months. When ready to enjoy, you can thaw them at room temperature, or pop them into a low oven or air fryer for a few minutes to crisp them back up.

What Should You Dip These Keto Crackers In?

• Lebanese Muhammara - Delectably low carb roasted pepper dip that goes really well with these crackers.
• Keto Savory Thyme Dip - It’s crazy simple and so, so good.
• Sugar free Jam - a sweet take on a low carb dip.
• Buffalo Chicken Casserole - A spicy favorite perfect for dipping.
• Baingan Bharta - Try eggplant in the most delicious way.
• Persian Beet Dip - As beautiful as it is delicious.
• Spicy Crab Dip - satisfy your seafood cravings.
• Low Carb Spinach Dip - Like your favorite takeout version, just without the carbs.
• Charcuterie Board - Stack these on a yummy low carb charcuterie board for a nice crunch.

If your keto crackers aren’t crispy and keep coming out soft, it’s almost always because the dough was rolled too thick or uneven, there was too much moisture, or they weren’t baked long enough to fully dry. For crispy keto crackers, roll to about 1/8 inch, dock holes so they don’t puff, bake until the edges are well set, and let them cool completely (they crisp as they cool). If they’re still bendy, do a short second “drying” bake or re-crisp in the oven/air fryer for a few minutes, and store airtight so humidity doesn’t turn them chewy again.

Often, yes. Keto seed crackers (made with chia, flaxseed meal, sesame, sunflower, etc.) can be lower in net carbs than almond flour crackers because seeds typically bring more fiber per serving, which reduces net carbs. That said, the real answer depends on the exact recipe ratios (some almond-flour crackers use a lot of cheese or psyllium and end up very low net carb too), so the best move is to calculate net carbs per serving for your batch and watch add-ins like honey/sweeteners or starchy seasonings.

For crispy keto crackers, parchment paper is usually better than a silicone mat because parchment lets a bit more moisture escape, helping the crackers dry out and get that clean “snap." Silicone can trap steam and leave the bottoms slightly softer. That said, a silicone mat can still work if you roll the dough very thin (about 1/8 inch) and you flip the sheet halfway or do a short second “drying” bake. So, if your keto crackers aren’t crispy, switching to parchment is an easy win.

Yes, you can double a keto crackers recipe easily. Just mix a larger batch and bake in multiple thin, evenly rolled sheets rather than trying to crowd one pan, since thickness is what makes keto crackers crispy (not soft). Use two baking sheets (or bake in rounds), rotate pans halfway for even drying, and keep the dough around 1/8 inch so the crackers bake at the same rate. Then cool them completely and store airtight to keep them crunchy.

For the best thickness for crispy keto crackers, roll the dough very thin. Aim for bout 1/8 inch (3 mm) for a snappy, crunchy cracker, and go closer to 1/16 inch if you want extra-crispy “chip-like” results (just watch for browning). If your keto crackers aren’t crispy, they’re usually too thick or uneven, so aim for a uniform sheet, dock holes to prevent puffing, and bake until dry. Then let them cool completely to set (you can also do a short second “drying” bake to lock in crunch).

Keto Crackers | Low Carb Crackers with Seeds

Equipment

• HALF SHEET BAKING PAN

Ingredients

• ▢ 2 cups ( 500 g ) Water
• ▢ 3 tablespoons ( 3 tablespoons ) psyllium husk powder
• ▢ 1/2 teaspoon ( 0.5 teaspoon ) Kosher Salt
• ▢ 2 cups ( 280 g ) Mixed seeds for example
• ▢ 1 cup ( 218 g ) Sunflower Seeds
• ▢ 1/2 cup ( 32 g ) pumpkin seeds
• ▢ 1/3 cup ( 56 g ) flax seeds
• ▢ 1/3 cup ( 50 g ) Sesame Seeds

Instructions

• Into a large mixing bowl, pour in 2 cups of tap water.
• A little at a time, mix in the psyllium husk powder, whisking all the time. Do not use hot water. Do not put in powder first and then try to add water #askmehowiknow
• When all lumps are dissolved, add the salt and then the seeds. Stir well.
• Depending on your husk powder, you may need to add a few more seeds. But before you do that, just let it rest for about 10-15 minutes. This gives the psyllium a chance to gel.
• Heat oven to 350F while it is resting.
• Grease an 18 x 13-inch pan or use a silicone mat to prevent the mixture from sticking.
• Once the mixture has gelled, spread it as thinly and evenly as you can on the mat. I found it handy to have a small bowl of water that I could dip my fingers into from time to time to reduce the sticky factor.
• Place in the oven and set a timer to 30 minutes.
• When the timer goes off, remove the pan. Use a pizza cutter or a sharp knife to score the mixture into cracker shapes. I scored 4 long strips and 8 short strips for a total of 32 crackers.
• Put them back in the oven and set the timer for 15 minutes. Your crackers will likely take between 45-60 minutes to crisp up. Seeds burn easily, so you will have to watch them after the timer goes off. You’re aiming for crisp crackers, but keep in mind they continue to cook a little when you get them out of the oven.
• Once they’re done, remove and break along the scored lines. Allow them to cool and then put them in a sealed container. Enjoy them whenever you get the craving for something crunchy and low carb!

1. It’s important that you have the right amount of psyllium husk powder. This is what forms the gel and is what allows it to turn into a nice cracker.
2. Make sure to pat out the mixture as thin as you can . Not only will it speed up the cooking process, but it also makes it more likely to get crispy, which is exactly what we want.
3. Make sure to give it plenty of time to crisp up after it is done baking. No gobbling it while it’s still hot!
4. Though you can use whatever seeds you like, it’s important that you use seeds that are on the small side (like sesame seeds, hemp seeds, etc). This is not a good place to put in almonds and cashews and the such. If you have larger nuts and seeds, check out my Nut and Seed Bread recipe !
5. These will keep for about a week or two if you store them in a cookie jar. Coincidentally, keeping these crackers in a cookie jar is also why my kids have trust issues 😂
6. I counted 4 crackers as a serving, out of 32 crackers.
7. Your macros will vary depending on what types of seeds and nuts you use.
8. To calculate macros for this recipe I used the seeds I specified, but you can use whatever you like.

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Nutrition

Don’t forget to check out my other Ketocookbooks.

Keto Instant Pot, Keto Fat Bombs, Sweets, & Treats , and Easy keto in 30 minutes.