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Instant Pot baked potatoes are without a doubt one of the easiest ways to whip up a side dish — even easier than oven roasted potatoes (or oven baked sweet potatoes) or one pan steak and potatoes! I’ll show you how to make baked potatoes in the Instant Pot with a few simple ingredients, and you can upgrade them with your favorite toppings and mains. They’ll become a regular healthy side dish in your meal prep!
This recipe is specifically for the Instant Pot, but technically you could make pressure cooker baked potatoes in any other pressure cooker as well. The time should be the same if the size of the pressure cooker is similar.
Why You’ll Love Instant Pot Baked Potatoes
- Tender and fluffy
- One main ingredient, endless toppings
- Just 5 minutes hands-on time
- Quick and easy
- Pressure cooker baked potatoes are much faster than the oven!
Ingredients & Substitutions
This section explains how to choose the best ingredients for baking potatoes in an Instant Pot, what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card below.
- Potatoes – I used medium sized potatoes russet potatoes (about 2.5 pounds for 5 potatoes, or 8 ounces each), but any kind will work. Cook time might vary if yours are much larger or smaller than 8 ounces each.
- Water – You’ll need a cup of cold water on hand, as the Instant Pot always requires liquid.
- Salt & Pepper – For simple seasoning after the potatoes cook in the pressure cooker.
How To Make Baked Potatoes In The Instant Pot
This section shows how to cook baked potatoes in the Instant Pot, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique, to help you visualize it. For full instructions, including amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card below.
- Prep potatoes. Prick holes all over each potato using a fork.
- Prep the Instant Pot. Add a trivet and water to the bottom of the Instant Pot. Arrange the potatoes on top of the trivet.
- Pressure cook. Close the Instant Pot, set the knob to the Sealing position, and select Manual. Cook baked potatoes in the pressure cooker on high pressure. When time is up, allow pressure to release naturally, which will allow the potatoes to finish cooking and come out more fluffy.
- Transfer. Remove the lid and use tongs to carefully transfer the baked potatoes to a plate.
- Season. Slice baked potatoes down the center, fluff the insides with a fork, and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Add toppings. Add toppings as desired.
How Long To Cook Baked Potato In Instant Pot?
Cook medium potatoes in the Instant Pot for 14 minutes on high pressure. Let pressure release naturally.
Variations
- Add toppings – Although optional, toppings are an easy way to change the flavor after your Instant Pot potatoes are baked. For classic presentation, use butter, sour cream, chives or green onions, shredded cheddar cheese, and crumbled oven baked bacon.
- Swap seasonings – Instead of a sprinkle of salt and pepper, try seasoning mixes like taco seasoning or ranch seasoning, or upgrade your butter with a flavorful compound butter.
- Use sweet potatoes – Instead of white potatoes, use medium sweet potatoes with the same pressure cooking time.
- Get crispy skin – After cooking, brush potatoes with oil and finish in the broiler on high heat until skins turn crispy (about 4-6 minutes).
Storage Instructions
- Store: Keep leftovers in a covered container up to 4 days in the fridge.
- Reheat: For easy reheating, warm potatoes in the microwave or bake in a 400 degree F oven until warm.
- Freeze: Wrap tightly and store potatoes in an airtight, freezer-safe container or freezer bag for up to 2-3 months.
What To Serve With Instant Pot Baked Potatoes
Potatoes work with so many dishes! Try these pairings:
- Satisfying Mains – Although they make a classic side for steak (especially sirloin steak, ribeye, or filet mignon), pressure cooker baked potatoes also pair nicely with sirloin tip roast, slow cooker pulled pork or pan seared chicken breast. Or, for a quick and easy main, whole chicken wings.
- Sauces & Dips – Try topping with queso dip, homemade salsa, guacamole, or buffalo chicken dip for a super flavorful and filling meal.
- Hearty Soups – Potatoes make the perfect pairing with broccoli cheese soup, pork stew, or stuffed pepper soup.
More Easy Instant Pot Recipes
Besides cooking a perfect potato, Instant Pot recipes are great for making fast meals! Try these ones next:
Instant Pot Baked Potatoes
Instant Pot Baked Potatoes (Fast & Easy!)
Fluffy Instant Pot baked potatoes are so EASY and faster than the oven! Just bake potatoes in the Instant Pot and add your favorite toppings.
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Ingredients
Tap underlined ingredients to see where to get them. Please turn Safari reader mode OFF to view ingredients.
Basic Instant Pot Baked Potatoes:
Optional Toppings:
Instructions
Tap on the times in the instructions below to start a kitchen timer while you cook.
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Place a trivet in the bottom of the Instant Pot. Add the water.
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Use a fork to poke holes all over the potatoes. (This will prevent them from exploding while cooking.)
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Place the potatoes on top of the trivet.
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Place the lid on the Instant pot and make sure the knob is set to sealed.
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Select Manual, then High pressure and set the time for 14 minutes. When the timer goes off, use the natural pressure release (this took 6 minutes for my 6-quart Instant Pot).
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Carefully remove the lid of the Instant Pot. Use tongs to remove the potatoes from the Instant Pot and transfer to a plate.
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Slice the potatoes down the middle and fluff the insides. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
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If desired, add your favorite toppings: butter, sour cream, chives, cheddar cheese, and/or cooked bacon.
Last Step: Leave A Rating!
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Recipe Notes
Serving size: 1 medium potato
Nutrition facts are provided as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see our nutrition policy.
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8 Comments
Journa Liz Ramirez
0Never cooked baked potatoes like this before! These are so luscious and appealing. We had a wonderful night because of this. Instant pot is indeed a useful tool.
Jessica
0This is seriously the only way I make baked potatoes now! So easy and they come out perfect every time!
Cori P
0The only way I will make baked potatoes from now on! Simply perfect.
Cami
0I really love anything that has potatoes and I super loved this recipe!
Jennifer Moore
0I love that you’ve posted this recipe! It may not fit my current macros, but I wholly appreciate including a variety of fruits and veg in a healthy diet, and also ideas for yummy side dishes my family will enjoy!
Raquel
0These were perfectly cooked in our instant pot and were so easy to make! Will definitely be making these again.
Elena
0It is such a brilliant idea! Saves a lot of time and tastes great.
Journa Liz Ramirez
0This is amazing! I tried making it at home and it turned out so good. Thanks, Maya, for this highly recommended recipe. We’ll surely make this on repeat.