Instant Pot Baked Potatoes are the perfect side dish for any meal and they cook in just 15 minutes with a perfectly fluffy and moist interior.
» You might also like this Instant Pot Pork Shoulder and Instant Pot Philly Cheesesteak Pasta.
» Check out our Instant Pot Cooking Times Cheat Sheet so you never have to look up times again for your favorite foods you make in the pressure cooker. Print or bookmark it so you always have it handy!
The Instant Pot is a great way to make baked potatoes in a fraction of the time. I’m not a huge fan of baking potatoes in the oven, since they take at least an hour to get a fluffy and moist interior. An hour in the oven vs 15 minutes in the Instant Pot – it’s a no-brainer!
Ingredients You Need
To make baked potatoes in the Instant Pot, you need very few ingredients. In fact, there are only two that matter:
- Potatoes
- Water
The type of potato you use will determine the tenderness and how fluffy they are. I tend to use russet baking potatoes. You also need at least a cup of water in the bottom of the Instant Pot in order for it to come up to pressure.
Why “Bake” a Potato in the Instant Pot
The idea of making baked potatoes in the Instant Pot is kid of humorous, but once you realize they turn out just as good in a fraction of the time as putting them in the oven, you’ll be a true convert for sure.
I used to make baked potatoes in the oven, like everyone else. It took at least an hour to get the potato cooked all the way through. In that time, my kitchen’s temperature swelled and I lost patience. Ugh. It shouldn’t be that difficult to make a simple side dish!
When I got my Instant Pot, I decided to give it a try. It can cook everything else, why not potatoes?
I’ll never go back to baking potatoes the hard way again.
Ready for more great Instant Pot potato recipes? Try these Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes or Instant Pot Baby Potatoes.
Why Use An Instant Pot?
The Instant Pot is one of the most useful kitchen appliances you can buy, because it drastically cuts down on the cooking time for developing flavors in soups and stews, getting tough cuts of meat tender, and even baking a cheesecake. If you don’t have one, check out our guide on which one to buy. Also see our guide to How to Use an Instant Pot and the many accessories you can buy for it.
- Don’t Have an Instant Pot? This guide can help you choose the right one.
- See reviews and prices for Instant Pots on Amazon.
- Learn some great Instant Pot Tips & Tricks.
- Click to find more recipes to make in your Instant Pot.
How To Make Pressure Cooked Baked Potatoes
The only things you need to make these baked potatoes are an Instant Pot and the wire insert it came with.
You also need the wire insert that comes with the IP. It’s a trivet that sits a few inches off the base of the pot, so the food doesn’t burn.
If you don’t have a trivet, you can use a steamer basket, or ball up some tin foil and put it in under the potatoes.
Step 1: Insert the Trivet
You just need to set the trivet into the base of the inner pot. It will keep the food raised about an inch off the bottom.
Step 2: Pour in water
You need to add one cup of water to the inner pot. You don’t want it to touch the bottom of the potatoes, so don’t add more than that. If you’re using a smaller Instant Pot, like the 3 quart version, you can add less water.
Step 3: Prepare the potatoes
Coat the potatoes with olive oil, sprinkle with salt, and place on the trivet inside the Instant Pot.
Step 4: Cook
Seal the Instant Pot lid and close the vent. Depending on the size of your potatoes, you may need more or less time. A large russet baking potato takes about 15-18 minutes, while smaller potatoes take 13-15 minutes.
If for some reason your potatoes aren’t cooked through when the time is up, just set the machine again for an additional 5 minutes.
Step 5: Release pressure and remove the potatoes
You don’t want to do a natural pressure release for these potatoes, to keep from overcooking them. Instead, when the time is up manually release the pressure. Just be careful and stand back as the steam escapes.
Step 6: Dress up the potato with toppings of your choice
Cut a slit along the top of the potato and gently squeeze it on the ends to open up a pouch. Use a fork to fluff up the potato inside.
Make sure you salt the interior of the potato before adding extra toppings, like sour cream, butter, chives and cheese. Skipping this step leads to a bland-tasting potato. Potatoes need salt!
How to Serve Instant Pot Baked Potatoes
Baked potatoes in the Instant Pot are a revelation. They’re so quick to make and they turn out fluffy and moist. And all of this in just half the time it would take to make them in the oven.
You can also make as many at once as you like, so you can serve the whole family in no time.
Baked Potatoes don’t have to be served plain. Dress up your baked potato with shredded BBQ chicken, or add nacho toppings to give them a twist.
Cut them in half and make twice baked potatoes, or scoop out the filling to make Loaded Baked Potato Casserole or fried potato pancakes. You can even use these potatoes to make gnocchi (and WAY faster than the traditional way!).
Main Dishes to Serve This With
This is a great side dish to serve with just about any main dish protein. I like to serve it with chicken and pork. Here are a few options to enjoy:
Instant Pot Rio
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Instant Pot Baked Potatoes
Note: Made in a 6-qt Instant Pot
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 baking potatoes
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Sour cream cheese, butter, chives optional toppings
Instructions
- Clean and dry the baked potatoes. Rub the outside with olive oil and sprinkle with salt.
- Place the trivet into the base of the Instant Pot inner pot. Fill with 1 cup of water.
- Place the potatoes on top of the trivet. Lock the lid and set the valve to “sealing”. Press the “Pressure Cook” button and set to 15 minutes at high pressure.
- When done, manually release the pressure. Remove the potatoes and rest for a few minutes. Slit the potato open, fluff the potato inside. Season with salt and pepper and fill with preferred toppings.
Notes
- Large potatoes may need up to 20 minutes to cook through. If the potatoes are not tender after 15 minutes, put them back on for another 5 minutes. The pressure will build quickly if you do this right away.
Nutrition
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Laura is a passionate home cook and the owner of A Pressure Cooker Kitchen. She is dedicated to helping people create delicious Instant Pot meals with ease. Laura is an expert at developing recipes that can be prepared quickly and easily using a pressure cooker.
I just got an instant pot for Christmas and can’t wait to try this! Thanks so much for the tutorial. These look divine!
I’ll have to try this. I love baked potatoes and the only issue with them is the amount of time they take in the oven!
I was so intrigued by this idea of using my insta-pot to make baked potatoes when I noticed this on Pinterest. I have made them in my air-fryer and loved them. However, I am very impressed by this idea and look forward to making your recipe this afternoon.
Thanks for the beautiful idea, and I will let you know how it works out.
Have an awesome day!
Heidy L. McCallum
Love this recipe idea! So easy! Will be making this again for sure!
This is such an easy way to make baked potatoes in the instant pot. Such a time saver!
Great timing….it’s so hot, I don’t want to turn on the oven…but we want baked potatoes. Thank you!!!
Turned out great!
I haven’t tried this yet, but you have inspired me. Potatoes are going in the instant pot this weekend!
These Instant pot baked potatoes are really yum.
Super easy and so fluffy!
Really easy and turns out perfect every time!