Instant Pot Baked Potatoes are perfectly fluffy potatoes cooked in a digital pressure cooker. No aluminum foil is needed!
Jump to:
Why This Recipe Works
Before I got the Instant Pot digital pressure cooker, I used my slow cooker to make baked potatoes. It's a great way to cook them if you don't have a pressure cooker. However, this method is much faster and I can have baked potatoes ready in about 20 minutes, perfectly fluffy and ready for our favorite toppings.
If you need an easy lunch, make these Instant Pot Baked Potatoes and fill them with leftover chili, pulled BBQ pork, chicken, or Mexican quinoa. They are also absolutely delicious topped with cheese sauce or spinach artichoke dip. Tasty! You also need to try my Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes recipe. Total time-saver!
How to make baked potatoes in the Instant Pot?
- To cook your potatoes in the Instant Pot digital pressure cooker, use the wire trivet that came with the IP. If you don't have one, check out the helpful tips section below.
- Add one cup of water to the stainless steel insert and arrange the potatoes on the trivet.
- Close the lid and turn the valve to the "sealing" position. Set a timer. Make sure the IP is set to cook on high pressure.
- When the time is up and the Instant Pot beeps, press the "cancel/off" button and let it release the pressure naturally.
- Use kitchen tongs to remove the potatoes from the pressure cooker and set them on a platter. Done! Your potatoes are ready!
It's important to poke the potatoes with a fork. It allows the steam from the potatoes to escape during cooking.
No foil is needed to cook the potatoes in your pressure cooker.
Would you like to save this recipe?
We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!
How long do I cook baked potatoes in the Instant Pot?
I tested this recipe starting at 12 minutes. The potatoes were cooked but too firm for my liking. When cooked for 14 minutes, they were soft and fluffy inside. I used medium size potatoes. If using small ones, 12 minutes should be enough. If using large potatoes, add 2 more minutes of cooking time.
For small potatoes (about 1.5 inches in diameter): set the timer to 12 minutes, then let the pressure release naturally.
For medium potatoes (about 2 inches in diameter): set the timer for 14 minutes, then let the pressure release naturally.
For large potatoes (about 2.5 inches in diameter and larger): set the timer to 16 (up to 18) minutes, then let the pressure release naturally.
My 6-quart Instant Pot took about 8 minutes to come to pressure.
Helpful Tips!
- If you store your potatoes in the fridge, remove them at least 30 minutes before cooking. Cold potatoes will not cook evenly (the outside will be cooked and the center solid).
- Please note, baking potatoes are much larger in size than regular Russet potatoes. They will need a longer cooking time.
- Make sure that your Instant Pot is set to cooking at "high pressure". Check your settings, especially if you are new to this appliance.
- Do not forget to poke holes in the potatoes. This rule goes for baking them in the oven as well.
- Let the pressure release naturally after the cooking cycle is done. Do not switch the valve to the venting position. In my experience, the natural release takes anywhere from 12 to 16 minutes.
- Please note, that every pressure cooker takes time to build up pressure before the timer starts. In my experience, this takes about 8 to 12 minutes (depending on the temperature of your ingredients and the temperature in your home).
Recipe FAQs:
If you prefer baked potatoes with crispy skin, pop them under a broiler OR use an air fryer! It only takes a few minutes to get the skin nice and crispy.
To cook the potatoes properly, they need to be elevated and not touch the water. If you don't have the trivet that comes with the Instant Pot, use aluminum foil pie tin (placed upside down), balls of aluminum foil, or a steamer basket.
If you are cooking for a larger group, try placing the potatoes on a trivet vertically. They should fit nicely and cook well.
The time stays the same even if you are cooking just 2 potatoes.
To learn how to cook sweet potatoes, check out my Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes recipe with a bonus shortcut!
More Instant Pot Recipes:
For more recipes using the digital pressure cooker, feel free to browse our Instant Pot Category. Also, check out my Instant Pot Guide for Beginners, filled with all the info you need to get started with your new appliance! Seeing the BURN message on your IP? Read my Instant Pot Burn Message post to learn why and how to save your dish.
If you like this recipe and make it, let me know in the comments below! Don't forget to rate it if you enjoyed it!
Instant Pot Baked Potatoes recipe
Ingredients
- 5 medium Russet potatoes
- 1 cup water
Instructions
- Make sure the stainless steel insert is inside the Instant Pot. Add one cup of cold water to insert.
- Wash and scrub the potatoes clean. Poke with fork several times all over the surface of each potato.
- Place wire rack inside the insert. Arrange potatoes on the rack.
- Place lid on Instant Pot and turn the valve to "sealing" position.
- Make sure your IP is set to cook on HIGH pressure. Press the "manual" button and set timer to 14 minutes. See notes on cooking time.
- The Instant Pot will beep and start coming to pressure. When the valve comes up, it means it came to pressure and the timer will start within seconds.
- When done, the Instant Pot will beep a few times. Let it release the pressure naturally.
- Carefuly open the lid away from your face.
- Gently remove the potatoes and place on a platter.
- Serve potatoes with your favorite toppings: butter, spices, cheddar, sour cream, chives or parsley.
Video
Notes
- I tested this recipe starting at 12 minutes. The potatoes were cooked but too firm for my liking. When cooked for 14 minutes, they were soft and fluffy inside. I used medium size potatoes. If using small ones, 12 minutes should be enough. If using large potatoes, add 2 more minutes of cooking time.
- It's important to poke the potatoes with a fork. It allows the steam from the potatoes to escape during cooking.
- No foil is needed to cook the potatoes in your pressure cooker.
- Make sure you are adding cold water to the Instant Pot. If you use warm water it will change the time it takes the IP to come to pressure, cooking time and the final result.
- For Instant Pot MINI: cook max. 2 russet potatoes and enough water that fills the plastic cup that came with the mini. Cooking time remains the same.
Michael says
I would give this five stars, but the recommended time was not enough for me. I used large russet potatoes, but 16 minutes wasn't enough and they still were not fully cooked the first night. The second night I decided to increase the time to 30 minutes and they were perfect. Since the Instant Pot requires pressurized, I think it's better to be safe and cook for a longer time if you have large potatoes.
Jola says
Instant Pot is perfect, and with your recipes everything is so quick and tasty. Thank you very much
Christopher says
The recipe is worth recommending. Perfect potatoes