Instant Pot Baked Potatoes

One of the things I’ve come to love the most about my Instant Pot is the option to make the most common and basic foods even easier. For instance, Instant Pot Baked Potatoes. Make easy, fluffy, perfect baked potatoes in your pressure cooker in half the time (or less), every time.

Instant Pot Baked Potatoes

I know getting excited about baked potatoes probably seems a little nuts, but there is nothing more versatile, hearty, and filling than a baked potato. Keep it simple with sour cream and butter for a perfect side dish. Or load it up with broccoli, bacon, cheese, chili, seafood, and/or any number of other toppings for the main dish.

Often, I bake a few potatoes and set out toppings, and we have a “potato bar” for lunch. It’s always a hit! They’re also great for busy nights or parties!

Anyway, an oven-baked potato takes at least an hour. But pressure cooking them in the Instant Pot is so easy and so much faster. And if you get potatoes that are relatively the same size, you can get a perfect baked potato every time. 

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Baked potatoes work for lunch or supper. They can be a side dish or make a loaded baked potato and you have a main course.
• Using an Instant Pot Pressure Cooker is a foolproof way to get perfect baked potatoes. This easy recipe is the best way to quickly bake potatoes in a fraction of the time it usually takes.
• You only need two ingredients: whole potatoes and a cup of water. Plus toppings of course… that’s the good stuff.

Video

More Delicious Recipes

We love our potatoes so I have a lot of favorite potato recipes:

• Crockpot Funeral Potatoes (Cheesy Potato Casserole)
• Easy Instant Pot Au Gratin Potatoes
• Instant Pot Potato Salad
• Red Potato Soup with Cream Cheese [Video]
• Our Favorite {No Onion} Baked Potato Salad
• The Best Mashed Potatoes with Cream Cheese

So… let me show you how easy this potato recipe is.

Tools Needed

• Instant Pot with rack (or other electric pressure cooker)
• Fork
• Measuring cup
• Baking sheet (if you want crispy skin at the end)

Ingredients

You only need two things!!

• Medium russet potatoes – the size of your potatoes matters – see notes below
• Cup of Water – always use cold water. If you use warm or  hot water, the potatoes may be overcooked
• Toppings: sea salt & pepper, butter, sour cream, shredded cheese, bacon pieces

How to Bake Potatoes in Instant Pot

1. Scrub your potatoes clean with a vegetable brush. Stab with a fork 4-5 times each.
2. Pour 1 cup of cold water in your Instant Pot.

3. Place the trivet or steamer basket at the bottom, then place potatoes on top of the trivet. Lock the Instant Pot lid and set the vent to “Sealed”.
4. Use manual mode and set to high pressure for 12 minutes. Cooking time may need to be adjusted if you use fewer, larger potatoes. See my guide below.

5. After it beeps, let it do a natural release, or quick release any remaining pressure after it has sat for at least 10 minutes.
6. Cut the potato open and fluff with a fork, serve and enjoy with your favorite toppings! Want a crisp skin for the very best baked potatoes? See my note below!

How Long to Bake a Potato in Instant Pot

Potato cooking time depends largely on their size. Using the info below can help you estimate doneness and avoid undercooked or mushy potatoes for different sizes of potatoes.

• Small potatoes (about the size of a tennis ball), cook for about 12 minutes
• Medium potatoes (about the size of a baseball), cook for about 15 minutes
• Large or Extra Large potatoes (about the size of a grapefruit), cook for about 18 minutes

Instant Pot Baked Potatoes – Crispy Finish

The only thing I really miss when making baked potatoes in the Instant Pot instead of the oven is that crispy skin, but the good news is you can still get it.

After cooking potatoes in the Instant Pot, a quick high-heat finish gives them perfectly crispy skins:

• Carefully remove the cooked potatoes and pat them dry
• Rub the skin of the baked potato lightly with olive oil and sprinkle with kosher salt
• Place on a baking sheet and broil for a few minutes, turning once if needed
• Remove when the skins are golden and crisp, then serve immediately

This simple step gives you fluffy insides and classic, crisp potato skins on the outside.

Pro Tips

• Want larger and/or fewer potatoes? You can, of course, do fewer potatoes. Or you can use larger “baking” potatoes. But if you do, you may have to adjust your cook time by adding 2-3 more minutes.
• Test your potatoes! I like to test my potatoes by cutting into them with a butter knife to be sure they’re tender. Because I almost always use the same size potatoes, I don’t worry too much about it these days because 12 minutes is perfect for us. But if you use larger potatoes, you may have to reseal the pot and cook for another 2-3 minutes.
• Toppings: We served our potatoes with butter and sour cream, salt and pepper. A steak from the grill and some broccoli and it was a delicious meal!

And that’s it! Do you love using your Instant Pot for staple foods and recipes?