Instant Pot Baked Potatoes are perfectly fluffy potatoes cooked in a digital pressure cooker. No aluminum foil is needed!
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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.
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.
Bunny says
Hi, I'm new to instant pot cooking, which setting do you use? Steam or pressure cooker?
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
Hi Bunny! I use "manual" or " pressure cooking" setting.
Amy says
Have my potatoes in the instant pot now! Excited for the quick cook time!
Cyndi says
Hello! Curious if these have to be in a single layer. Could I cook more potatoes on top and maybe just increase cooking time?
Thanks for your recipes!
Jessica says
Hi there! Just wondering what size Instant Pot you have? Mine is 6 quart, so I’m wanting to gauge how well potatoes will fit. Thanks!
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
Hi Jessica! Mine is 6 quart too. Make sure to pay attention to the size of the potatoes. Extra large ones will take even up to 20 minutes. Average size (medium) potatoes that you can buy in most grocery stores should be cooked in 14 minutes. Let me know how it goes!
Jima64 says
We are using your recipe tonight. Also agree it is a great way to have baked potato without heating up the house.
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
Yes! And so easy! Let me know how it turns out and how you like it!
Jessica says
I followed your recipe exactly and the potatoes were completely rock solid at the end, barely cooked. What did i do wrong?
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
Hi Jessica! After 12 minutes of cooking time, the potatoes should not be rock solid. Is your IP set to HIGH pressure? Did it come to pressure at all?
Carlissa says
I had the same problem with the potatoes not cooking properly, they only got cooked about halfway. I tried the next night and cooked for 16 minutes and they still didn't cook all the way. The IP was set at High pressure.
Vicky says
Hi! Thank you for the recipe. I was thinking of cooking both 3 large sweet potatoes and 2 medium russet potatoes (for the one who doesn't like sweet potatoes) at the same time. Do you believe that the timing for them all to be cooked correctly be impossible? Thanks!
Jenn says
Vicky, I know your question wasn't directed towards me, but I use this same recipe for sweet potatoes except I cook for 15 minutes, don't poke holes, and allow it to naturally release (~10 minutes). They are heavenly!
Kathy says
I love your instant pot recipes!! Keep 'em coming!!
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
Thank you, Kathy for the sweet comment!
amanda says
This makes me want to buy an instant pot! I can't believe you can make baked potatoes that quickly!
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
Thank you, Amanda!
Abeer says
I love the idea of making baked potatoes in the Instant Pot!
Catalina says
You can never go wrong with baked potatoes!
Katerina says
I LOVE how easy and delicious these are!!
Jen says
This is going to be perfect for the summer when I don't want to heat up my house making baked potatoes! Thank you!
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
Absolutely! It's so easy! Thanks, Jen!
Sabrina says
Such an easy way to get your side dish made without taking up any oven space!
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
Right? It works every time! Thanks, Sabrina!
Amanda says
Love this idea for summer!!
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
Thanks, Amanda!
Kalyn says
SUCH a good idea! And thanks for the shout-out for my Instant Pot Refried Beans.
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
Thank you, Kalyn! I can't wait to make them!