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)
Ry
I followed the Medium potato instructions and found that the 12 minutes with 10 minute natural release was not quite enough to get the center of my potatoes cooked (6 medium potatoes). Put them back on at high pressure for 5 minutes, quick released, and the ones closer to the bottom of the pressure cooker were fluffy and amazing, while the two that sat on top of the others were still slightly firm in the center. Next time I am going to try just 4. Glad I tried it because they do come out smooth and fluffy! Just need to tweak a bit to get them all evenly cooked.
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Ry! It is always a good idea to take notes on what works for your instant pot--just like ovens, each unit can vary a bit. Be sure to also use a cold/room temp water for even cooking as well.
Amy
Soft, fluffy and somehow also creamy.
Kristen Chidsey
It is truly amazing Amy, isn't it? And so easy!
Tracy C
Thanks! This worked perfectly... I was using larger potatoes (I weighed them they were 9-12oz each). I did 6 on the trivet with 1 cup of cold water (just from the tap cold) for 20 min cook time and I think they pressure released for almost 15 min (just because I lost track of time.) And they appear to have cooked perfectly. I did the extra step of putting them in the toaster over for 10 min with oil and salt... And the entire potato was perfect to eat, skin and all! thanks
Kristen Chidsey
I am so glad you enjoyed so much Tracy! And don't worry about letting pressure release too long--no rush for this recipe 🙂
Diana T
Anyone know if this works for a pot full of potatoes. I need to make several!
Kristen Chidsey
It sure will Diana! It make take a few extra minutes to come to pressure, but it works!
Mike
Even though I had fairly small potatoes, I followed the recipe to the letter for large potatoes and they were nowhere near done. I put them back on high pressure for 4 more minutes and allowed the pressure to naturally release for another 10 minutes. Still not done! Frustrated, I applied a thin coat of oil and salted them before placing them in a 375 oven for 15 minutes. I think they may be done now. Thanks but I'm looking for a different recipe next time.
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Mike. I am sorry you had issues with your baked potatoes. On high pressure cooking for at total of 20 minutes (16+4 per your comment) for small potatoes should have been more than enough time. A few things to take note: be sure to use cold water in your instant pot and be sure your pressure is set at high. It is easy to accidentally adjust to low pressure and that would cause your potatoes to not cook in the allotted time.
Katie
same thing happened to me...my water was ice cold and my potatoes were hard on the inside...this is the second or third time I tried...so frustrated
Kristen Chidsey
Oh goodness Katie! That sounds like an issue with your pressure cooker. The water should be extremely hot, way too hot to touch. I would be happy to help further troubleshoot for you. A good place to start is to try the water test again (or for the first time) if you have not already to ensure your Instant Pot is working correctly. Reach out with questions and I can help you get on the right path to making the instant pot work for you!
Christy
She probably meant she started out with ice cold water. 🙂 I used 4 medium potatoes and I needed 4 extra minutes on high for mine to be cooked through. I'm at high altitude, not sure if that's the difference.
Kristen Chidsey
HAHAHA! You are probably right Christy! I was thinking she meant the water was ice cold AFTER cooking. But using ice water would not cause the need for longer cook time, in fact it may result in shorter cook time as it takes longer to come to pressure. Higher elevation would need longer cook time.
Matt R
Same here, I did 16 minutes and 10 minute natural release for 3 potato’s, skins started to come off but the potatoes were hard, put them back in for 5 minutes with another 10 minute release. Still too hard to eat so I threw plastic wrap over and had to finish in the microwave. I could have done them in the oven in that amount of time and had crispy intact skins. Sorry it just did not work for me either.
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Matt! I am sorry you had issues. As stated in my recipe notes, this recipe takes longer if using less than 4 potatoes. I would add 5 minutes cook time if making less than 4 potatoes.
Pamela C
So no aluminum foil?
Kristen Chidsey
Not needed Pamela.
Shannon
I was always bad at making potatoes in the oven, they never cooked through. These turned out awesome, thank you!
Kristen Chidsey
So glad this recipe helped you perfect potatoes Shannon!
Becky
Made these today - the fourth thing I've cooked in my Instant Pot. I had 8 potatoes in there, so I increased the pressure cook time to 14 minutes, and then I had to drive kids around so it natural released for an HOUR. They were PERFECT - moist and fluffy. The joy of the instant pot is that the food can wait for you without being ruined, and you don't have to babysit it. Thanks for this recipe!
Kristen Chidsey
YAY! I am so happy you are enjoying your Instant Pot Becky! And that these potatoes turned out perfectly for you! I hope you find many more recipes to enjoy here!
Page
Perfect! Thank you so much! I used 6 medium to small Idaho potatoes and 12 min was perfect for me in 8qt Pot will never cook them any other way now
Lisa
I followed your directions exactly as written but set my time to 14 minutes for 4 potatoes that seemed to be in-between medium and large, ha! I think one extra minute would been perfection, but even at 14 minutes the potatoes were wonderful and I could not believe how easy that was! Thirty minutes start to finish for a great "baked" potato - amazing! Thank you so much, this will be my go-to recipe for baked potatoes from now on.
Kristen Chidsey
YAY! I am so glad you enjoyed this method and had success Lisa! It amazes me how perfect they turn out!
Lee
I have cooked potatoes several times in the instant pot and each time comes out so soft and creamy. I always use your guide and it never fails. Thank you.
Kristen Chidsey
I love hearing that you have such success with this recipe Lee! Thank you for taking the time to share!
CJ
Worked perfect in my Ninja Foodi. 20min for huge Sams club potatoes, brushed with olive oil and sea salt, flipped lid and broiled for 10 min. Perfection.
Kristen Chidsey
YAY for perfection! I am so glad you enjoyed CJ. Thank you so much for leaving a review.
Amanda Taylor
I tried this tonight with my new instant pot. OMG they came out amazing! My potatoes needed to be cooked a little longer because they were larger sized. I did 30 mins and then 10 mins in the oven with some oil and salt. Next time I will prob reduce the cook time to maybe 25ish because they were literally falling apart. Thanks for the recipe.
Kristen Chidsey
I am so glad you had success and enjoyed the baked potatoes.
JKos
Simple to make and delicious; I actually used them for making twice-baked stuffed potatoes, which I finished off in the oven for a few minutes. Using my Instant Pot reduced the prep/cook time significantly.
Kristen Chidsey
I love using these potatoes for twice baked too! I am so glad you enjoyed!
Eric
Absolutely Perfect! TY
Kristen Chidsey
I am so glad you had success Eric! Thanks for sharing
Merrymepenelope
I'm super excited to try this next time baked potatoes are on the menu! You're right about elevation influencing your sucess with the Instant Pot. 6000 feet above sea level will have you increase time by 20%, for instance. There are sites to help calculate for your elevation specific to the IP. Crazy, who knew!
Kristen Chidsey
I am glad you found my notes on elevation helpful! It really makes a HUGE difference. Atmosphere influences cooking so much (as does humidity, etc!)
Karen
Mine took longer. I first tried 13 minutes and they were not done at all. Tried another 13 and they were wonderful. I don't know why but my Instant Pot always takes longer than recipes give. Loved the results!
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Karen! Sometimes elevation can be a factor as well, but it is really good to know your instant pot and adjust recipes as needed. I am glad you enjoyed though!
Lori
This recipe was very successful. Loved the result
Kristen Chidsey
I am so glad to hear that Lori 🙂