Instant Pot Baked Potatoes
A fast and easy method for making perfectly cooked russet potatoes in your Instant Pot – great for baked potatoes, mashed potatoes, or just as a quick side!
Ingredients
- 4-6 medium russet potatoes (or size of your choice)
- 1 cup water
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Potatoes
- Scrub the potatoes thoroughly under cool running water to remove any dirt.
- Prick each potato with a fork a few times, allowing the steam to escape during cooking. This ensures your potatoes don’t burst while cooking in the pressure cooker.
Step 2: Add Water and Prepare Instant Pot
- Pour 1 cup of water into the bottom of your Instant Pot. This liquid is essential for creating the steam necessary to cook the potatoes.
- Place a trivet, steamer basket, or foil balls in the bottom of the pot. This keeps the potatoes from sitting directly in the water and allows them to cook more evenly.
- Place the clean potatoes on top of the trivet. You can stack the potatoes if necessary, but try to arrange them evenly for best results.
Step 3: Cook the Potatoes
- Secure the Instant Pot lid in place and ensure the valve is set to SEALING.
- Set the Instant Pot to HIGH PRESSURE:
- Small potatoes: Cook for 10-12 minutes.
- Medium potatoes: Cook for 14-16 minutes.
- Large potatoes (like those you find at Costco): Cook for 18-20 minutes.
Step 4: Pressure Release and Remove Potatoes
- Once the cooking time is complete, allow the Instant Pot to naturally release pressure for about 8-10 minutes. This step helps the potatoes continue cooking and ensures they are tender.
- After the natural release, carefully do a quick release to release any remaining pressure.
- Use tongs to carefully remove the potatoes from the Instant Pot.
Step 5: Serve
- Once the potatoes are removed from the Instant Pot, they are ready to be served! You can enjoy them as-is, or top them with your favorite butter, sour cream, cheese, or herbs.
Notes
- Scrub Your Potatoes: Make sure to scrub the potatoes clean to remove any dirt. This is especially important if you plan to eat the skin.
- Size Matters: It’s best to use potatoes that are similar in size to ensure even cooking. If you have some larger and smaller potatoes, make sure to cut the larger ones to match the smaller ones or add extra cooking time for larger potatoes.
- Use a Trivet: Using a trivet keeps the potatoes elevated and allows steam to cook them evenly. If you don’t have a trivet, you can use a steamer basket or foil balls to raise the potatoes above the water.
- Don’t Under-Cook: If you’re unsure, it’s always better to cook the potatoes for a little longer than to undercook them. A little extra time won’t hurt, but undercooked potatoes may need more time and can be less tender.
Tips and Tricks
- Flavor Variations: After cooking, cut the potatoes open and top them with your favorite toppings like shredded cheese, bacon, chives, sour cream, or chili for a fun twist on classic baked potatoes.
- Instant Mashed Potatoes: If you’re making mashed potatoes, once the potatoes are cooked, simply mash them with butter, cream, and seasonings of your choice. The Instant Pot makes them super soft and easy to mash!
- Make a Baked Potato Bar: This recipe is perfect for a baked potato bar. Serve up a variety of toppings and let everyone customize their potato!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Can I cook other types of potatoes in the Instant Pot?
Yes! This method works for red potatoes, sweet potatoes, and other varieties, but cooking times may vary slightly. For sweet potatoes, you’ll typically want to cook them for about 15-18 minutes on high pressure, depending on size.
Q: What if my potatoes aren’t cooked all the way?
If your potatoes are still too firm after the initial cooking time, simply reseal the Instant Pot and cook them for an additional 2-3 minutes. Make sure to check them with a fork or knife to ensure they are fully cooked.
Q: Can I cook more than 6 potatoes at once?
Yes! You can cook up to about 10 potatoes in the Instant Pot, depending on the size of the pot. Just make sure to keep them stacked in an even layer and follow the same cooking times.
Storage
- Refrigeration: Leftover potatoes can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Freezing: You can freeze cooked potatoes, but keep in mind that the texture may change once thawed. To freeze, allow the potatoes to cool completely, then wrap them tightly in foil or plastic wrap and store in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months.
This Instant Pot Baked Potato recipe is a time-saver and a game-changer for busy weeknights, weekends, or any meal that calls for a delicious, hearty side. Perfectly cooked potatoes
Yield: 6
Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 168 Total Fat: 0g Saturated Fat: 0g Trans Fat: 0g Unsaturated Fat: 0g Cholesterol: 0mg Sodium: 26mg Carbohydrates: 37g Fiber: 4g Sugar: 2g Protein: 5g
