Instant Pot Baked Potatoes are the easiest way to enjoy a fluffy, tender baked potato in record time!
Regardless of the size of your potato, this recipe for Instant Pot Baked Potatoes will walk you through the step-by-step process that will guarantee you have fork-tender, creamy baked potatoes--without the need to turn on the oven!
Instant Pot Baked Potatoes
Don't you agree that a baked potato is one of the most perfect side dishes? From London Broil, Apple Pork Roast, to pan-seared steak, a baked potato complements just about any main course.
But on busy nights, I don't have a lot of time to bake potatoes. And on hot summer nights, the last thing I want to do is turn on the oven to roast potatoes.
The Instant Pot solves BOTH those issues by making baked potatoes in record time without heating up the kitchen.
How to Make Potatoes in the Instant Pot
Step 1: The first thing you need to do is prepare your Instant Pot by pouring water into the inner pot and then placing a metal trivet or rack in the inner pot. This will keep the potatoes from being submerged in the water as they cook.
- Use 1 cup of cold water for a 6-quart model
- Use 1.5 cups of cold water for an 8-quart model
Be sure to use COLD water, as using warm water will change the time it takes the Instant Pot takes to get to pressure, which will change the actual cook times and your results.
Step Two: Scrub the potatoes well and prick the potatoes several times with a fork or knife to allow steam and pressure to escape the potatoes as they cook. Place the prepared potatoes onto the rack inside the inner pot.
Step Three: Place the lid on the inner pot and be sure the vent knob is sealed. Set the cooking time to HIGH pressure and adjust the time according to the size of your potatoes.
- 10 minutes for small potatoes (less than 2 inches in diameter or 4-5 ounces)
- 12 minutes for medium potatoes (between 2-3 inches in diameter or 5-7 ounces)
- 16 minutes for large potatoes (between 3-4 inches in diameter or 8-10 ounces)
- 20 minutes for extra-large potatoes (4-4.5 inches in diameter or 11-13 ounces)
Step Four: Once the cooking time has elapsed, allow the pressure to release naturally for 8-10 minutes. This just means to DO NOTHING and leave your instant pot alone. It is important to allow the pressure to release naturally to keep the potatoes intact and finish cooking. If after 10 minutes the pressure has not released fully, you can turn the valve to the venting position to release any remaining pressure.
Step Five (optional) If you like crispy skin on your baked potatoes, you can achieve this by finishing them in the oven or under a broiler. Simply place the cooked potatoes onto a sheet pan and brush them with olive oil or melted butter and sprinkle with kosher salt. Bake at 400-degrees F for 10 minutes or broil for 2-3 minutes per side.
Storage & Reheating
Allow the Instant Pot Baked Potatoes to cool fully and then store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Reheat the potatoes by placing them on a rack in the instant pot over 1.5 cups of cold water and cook on high for 3 minutes. Alternatively, microwave for 1 to 2 minutes or heat in a 400 degree F oven for 15-30 minutes until warmed through.
Serving Suggestions
Baked potatoes are great served classically with butter and sour cream, but there are so many more delicious ways to use Instant Pot Baked Potatoes.
- Stuff the Instant Pot Baked Potatoes with leftover Instant Pot Pulled Pork, Taco Meat, or Instant Pot Chili and shredded cheese for an easy meal that transforms leftovers into something spectacular.
- Use these baked potatoes to make speed up the process of making Twice Baked Potatoes.
- Dice up cooled baked potatoes and use to make a quick breakfast hash or as the base for a Oven Baked Potato Frittata.
- Allow the potatoes to cool fully then cut into wedges. Brush with olive oil and season with Seasoned Salt and bake the potato wedges at 450 degrees F for 10-15 minutes until crispy and golden for easy "fries."
Recipe FAQs
Fluffy and creamy--just like an oven-baked potato. This method is SO much better than the texture of a microwave-baked potato.
YES!! The trivet prevents the potatoes from getting watery. If you don't have a trivet or a metal rack, you can use crumpled-up pieces of foil in a bind. But I highly recommend investing in a $10 rack, as they are useful in MANY recipes.
Yes, that moisture allows the pressure to build up in your instant pot.
Yes! If you start with warm water, the cooking time will vary and that may result in under or over-cooked potatoes.
Just like ovens, the way an instant pot cooks can vary. If your potatoes are not fully cooked after the suggested cook time, place the lid back on the inner pot and cook for 2-5 minutes longer on high pressure. Take note of that added time so you can adjust the cooking time in the future.
You can cook as few as 1 potato or up to 8 potatoes in a 6-quart instant pot, and up to 8 potatoes in an 8-quart instant pot. However, if you are working with extra large potatoes, I would not cook more than 6 potatoes at a time.
If you are cooking at a higher altitude, you will need to adjust the cooking time. Refer to my Instant Pot Altitude Guide for guidance.
More Instant Pot Basic Recipes
- Instant Pot Baked Sweet Potatoes
- Instant Pot Quinoa
- Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs
- Instant Pot Chicken Breast
- Instant Pot Chicken Stock
If you enjoyed this method for making Instant Pot Baked Potatoes, I would love for you to leave a comment and review below.
Instant Pot Baked Potatoes
Ingredients
- 1-8 medium potatoes scrubbed clean
Instructions
- Place 1 cup cold water in the inner pot of pressure cooker pan and place trivet in instant pot. Note: Use 1.5 cups of cold water in an 8-quart Instant Pot.
- Scrub the potatoes well and then pierce potatoes 5-6 times with a fork to allow pressure to release while cooking.
- Add the potatoes carefully on trivet (stacking on top of each other if needed). Place the lid on the instant pot and seal the valve.
- Hit the manual or pressure cook button and be sure HIGH pressure is selected. Adjust cook time to 12 minutes for medium potatoes, 16 for average/larger potatoes, and 22 minutes for really large potatoes. See notes on sizes.
- Once cook time has elapsed, allow pressure to naturally release for at least 10 minutes before doing a quick release of pressure. Remove potatoes from Instant Pot and serve up with whatever toppings you like.
- If desiring crispy skin, brush the pressure-cooked potatoes with olive oil and sprinkle with salt, and place onto a baking sheet. Bake at 400-degree F for 10 minutes or broil for 2-3 minutes per side until crispy.
Equipment Needed
Notes
- 10 minutes for small potatoes (less than 2 inches in diameter or 4-5 ounces)
- 12 minutes for medium potatoes (between 2-3 inches in diameter or 5-7 ounces)
- 16 minutes for large potatoes (between 3-4 inches in diameter or 8-10 ounces)
- 20 minutes for extra-large potatoes (4-4.5 inches in diameter or 11-13 ounces)
Adam
You're right about the quantity. I tried just 1 potato and after 18 minutes, it was still rock hard.
Kristen Chidsey
Isn't it crazy Adam? I know it has to do with how much time it takes to come to pressure is longer with more than 2 potatoes, but for things like chicken breasts, the results are the same regardless if you have 1 or 6.
Monica Whitfield
What can I do with extra potatoes I’ve cooked but not eaten?
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Monica! I love to wrap and refrigerate. Then I chop up and saute for a breakfast hash or warm up and top with pulled pork, sloppy joes, etc. I also love to make Twice Baked Potatoes with them.
KJ
Thank you for your excellent guide on making perfect baked potatoes!
We made 4 large (approximately 10-12 oz each) potatoes, set them for 25 minutes and waited for the natural release. Fluffy, creamy, perfect!
We got the Instant Pot for Christmas and love it, but our first rodeo with baked potatoes was not a success.
Thanks to you, we are happy campers! 🙂
Kristen Chidsey
I am so happy you had success KJ!!! I hope you find many more recipes here to enjoy!
Emily M
You are the best! Love your recipes. Thanks for posting this recipe!
Kristen Chidsey
Oh thank you so much Emily! I am so glad you are loving these recipes <3
Mimi
I’ve made “baked potatoes” according to your recipe a few times now, and they’re always come out perfectly. I always make extra potatoes in case some one wants more or if not I can cube the cooked potatoes and put them in soup. Thank you for the recipe!!!
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Mimi! I love that you make extra! It is such a huge time saving tip 🙂
Nicole Tierheimer
I love this recipe but living in Denver I have to add 3 min and cook for a total of 15 minutes for a baked potato to be done perfectly. Hope that helps your altitude readers!
Kristen Chidsey
Thank you for the tip Nicole!
Laura Percival
Followed your easy instructions with 6 potatoes and they came out perfectly. They were super fluffy inside, so much nicer than microwaved. Big hit with the kids so thank you 😊
Kristen Chidsey
I am so happy to hear you all enjoyed! I will ONLY make baked potatoes in the Instant Pot now!
Sherry Johnson
Tasted great and so fast...
Kristen Chidsey
Isn't it amazing to have such fast baked potatoes? Glad you enjoyed Sherry!
Carolyn
Thanks so much for this post. I'm assuming you're using russets in your recipe; I've done some IP cooking with yukon golds (yellow), red potatoes, and russets and the results are very different using the same times with just these three varities of potatoes.
When I want a good baked potato, I use russets so it'd be really helpful to know if you've weighed small, medium and large sizes? Depending on where you live, there can be quite a difference in what's meant as a medium or a large potato. Thanks again!
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Carolyn! These are for russet potatoes (and you are right, my red potato recipe for the Instant Pot is different) as for sizing,
A regular potato would be between 5-6 ounces. A large potato would be over 6 ounces–closer to 8 ounces. A small potato would be about 4 ounces.
Hope that helps!
Carolyln
Thanks, that's helpful. The russets I bought yesterday were 14-15 oz each (Idaho bakers). Have you tried any that large in the IP?
Kristen Chidsey
I have not made a potato that large, however--I would set time for 25 minutes. That should be enough. Worse case, if they are not done, cook for an additional 5 minutes on high pressure (and check to be sure you still have enough water in bottom of pan.)
Terrie
Hi, I was wondering if you could help. At work we occasionally have a potato bar lunch where we all bring in different toppings for a baked potato and a slow cooker for the potatoes. . Since we're cooking a larger number of potatoes and they are wrapped in foil and cooked in a slow cooker do you think that method of foil wrapping 12 or so potatoes and cooking them in an instant pot would work for us?
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Terrie! First, I would not wrap in foil. Secondly, as long as your Instant Pot can fit the potatoes (with rack and water) you will be good to go. Timing SHOULD not change, but it will take longer to get to pressure.
Nikki
This was the first time I used my IP, and per your instructions, my baked potatoes for supper tonight came out great. I made 7 medium potatoes and would have preferred them just a tad softer, but I figure that probably had to do with our altitude (3500'). Next time I will add a minute to the cook time (13 minutes). They should be just perfect then. Thanks so much for sharing your instructions! With the reduced cook time in the IP, we will be able to enjoy baked potatoes much more often. 🙂
Kristen Chidsey
Isn't it wonderful to have baked potatoes so quickly? I am so glad you enjoyed (and yes, I would add 1-2 minutes for time for elevation.)
Lance
My 6 quart says never use less than 2 cups of liquid in the Instant Pot?
This recipe only calls for one cup?.
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Lance! Can I ask what model you have? I can assure you that for Instant Pot Brands, 1 cup in 6 quart is plenty. For 8 quart 1.5 cups is perfect. Hope that helps.
Elinor
I cooked 3 large potatoes for 30 minutes and they were still uncooked! I have 6qt duo.
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Elinor. I am sorry for your frustration and lack of cooked potatoes. It sounds like an error may have occurred.
-Did you use COLD water?
-Was your Instant Pot Sealed fully?
-Did you use HIGH pressure (not another function on your pressure cooker)
Check those issues and I bet you won't have the problem again!
Heather
It would be super helpful if you could provide approximate weights for the potatoes instead of just saying “small, medium, large.”
Thanks for the tutorial! I haven’t quite got it perfected yet but your instructions provide a good starting point.
Kristen Chidsey
That is a great suggestion.
A regular potato would be between 5-6 ounces
A large potato would be over 6 ounces--closer to 8 ounces
A small potato would be about 4 ounces.
Hope that helps!
Debbie
I just got a lot for Xmas and thank you for the step by directions. I really need all the help to understand this instant pot
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Debbie! I understand the pressure cooker is intimidating until you really understand it. I have this post on Instant Pot 101 to help OR I have a course with videos explaining everything–sometimes it helps to watch the video. Please don't hesitate to reach out with questions you may have.
Bethany Peake
Omg yum and perfect!!!! Yes poke dem taters lol and whoever came up with the instant pot for cooking foods is a genius and earned their wings in heaven! 🙂 I gotta brag about this recipe to my mom she'll be dying to try it out. Thank you so much for a perfect recipe!
Kristen Chidsey
You are so incredibly welcome Bethany! I am hope you enjoy for years to come!