Instant Pot Baked Potatoes are an easy way to make tender, fluffy potatoes without heating the oven. They cook evenly in the pressure cooker and are ready to serve with butter, sour cream, chives, cheese, bacon, or any of your favorite baked potato toppings.
If you enjoy simple potato side dishes, you may also like baked sweet potatoes or onion soup potatoes. This Instant Pot baked potato recipe is especially helpful when you want a dependable side dish with very little prep and no oven time.
Technically, potatoes made in an Instant Pot are not baked in the traditional sense. Baking uses dry heat from an oven, while a pressure cooker uses steam and pressure to cook food quickly and evenly. Even so, the result is very similar to a classic baked potato: a soft, hot center that is perfect for splitting open and loading with toppings.
For that reason, these are commonly called Instant Pot baked potatoes. The name keeps things simple and makes it clear that this recipe gives you the same kind of potato you would serve with steak, chicken, chili, barbecue, or a casual weeknight dinner.
How to Cook Whole Potatoes in a Pressure Cooker
Start by washing the potatoes well under running water. Since potato skins can hold dirt, take a little time to scrub the outside, then dry them with a clean towel. Russet or Idaho potatoes work well because they become light and fluffy once cooked.
Place the stainless steel liner inside the Instant Pot, then add the trivet. Pour 1 cup of water into the bottom of the pot. The water is necessary because it creates the steam that allows the pressure cooker to come to pressure and cook the potatoes properly.
Arrange the whole potatoes on the trivet. They can touch each other, but try not to pack them so tightly that steam cannot move around them. Secure the lid, check that the sealing ring is fitted correctly, and move the valve to the sealing position.
Cook the potatoes on high pressure for 30 minutes. When the cooking time ends, let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes. After that, carefully turn the valve to release any remaining pressure. Once the pin drops, open the lid and remove the potatoes with tongs.
Split each potato open, fluff the inside with a fork, and add your favorite toppings. Butter, salt, pepper, sour cream, shredded cheddar, chopped green onions, and cooked bacon are all classic choices.
Why Cook Potatoes in an Instant Pot?
Cooking whole potatoes in an Instant Pot is convenient, consistent, and simple. You do not need to preheat an oven, and you do not have to guess whether the center of the potato is cooked through. The pressure cooker creates a steamy environment that helps the potatoes soften from the outside all the way to the middle.
This method is also useful if you do not have access to an oven or prefer not to use one. It can be a practical option for small kitchens, hot days, camping setups, or busy evenings when you need a reliable side dish without much attention.
Microwaved potatoes can be quick, but they sometimes turn out uneven or dry in spots. Instant Pot baked potatoes tend to have a softer, more even texture, making them a great option when you want a potato that feels closer to oven-baked.
Why Do These Potatoes Take 30 Minutes to Cook?
This recipe uses large potatoes that are about 2.5 to 3 inches wide. Potatoes that size need enough time under pressure to become tender all the way through. Shorter cooking times may leave firm or undercooked areas in the center.
After testing different cook times, 30 minutes on high pressure followed by a 10 minute natural release gives the best result for large russet or Idaho potatoes. If your potatoes are smaller, you may need to reduce the time slightly. If they are much larger, they may need a few extra minutes.
Do the Potatoes Need to Be Wrapped in Foil?
No, foil is not needed for Instant Pot baked potatoes. Simply wash and dry the potatoes, place them on the trivet, and cook them with water in the bottom of the pot. The pressure cooker does the work without wrapping, and skipping the foil makes the prep even easier.
Instant Pot Baked Potatoes Recipe Tips
- You do not have to poke holes in the potatoes before pressure cooking. You can if you prefer, but it is not required for this method.
- The potatoes used for this recipe were large, about 2.5 to 3 inches wide. Adjust the cook time if your potatoes are noticeably smaller or larger.
- For a baked potato bar, prepare toppings such as butter, shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, chopped green onions, and cooked bacon before serving.
- Use tongs when removing the potatoes from the Instant Pot because they will be very hot after cooking.
- Serve the potatoes immediately for the best texture. They are softest and fluffiest while hot.
Other Instant Pot Potato Recipes You May Enjoy
- Instant Pot Loaded Mashed Potatoes
- Instant Pot Baby Potatoes
- Instant Pot Potato Soup with Bacon
- Instant Pot Potato Salad
Instant Pot Baked Potatoes
These Instant Pot baked potatoes are tender, fluffy, and simple to prepare. Make them as an easy side dish or turn them into a full meal with hearty toppings.
Ingredients
- 4 large potatoes, Idaho or russet, about 2.5 to 3 inches wide
- 1 cup water
Instructions
-
Pour 1 cup of water into the stainless steel insert of the Instant Pot. Add the trivet, then place the washed potatoes on top of the trivet.4 large potatoes1 cup water
-
Close the lid and make sure the valve is set to sealing. Select manual or pressure cook, set the Instant Pot to high pressure, and cook for 30 minutes.
-
When the cooking time ends, allow the pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes. Carefully open the valve to release any remaining pressure.
-
Open the lid, remove the potatoes with tongs, split them open, and serve hot with your preferred toppings.