A foolproof recipe for easy Instant Pot Baked Potatoes. Learn how to cook perfect baked potatoes in your pressure cooker, plus how to make baked potatoes with crispy skins.
One of my go-to quick and easy weeknight meals is a simple baked potato bar. Our usual toppings include butter or sour cream, shredded cheese, roasted broccoli and sometimes chili. My family loves baked potatoes, especially since everyone can choose their own potato toppings!
Baked potatoes are a filling and nutritious meal that is also budget-friendly. Russet potatoes are a good source of protein, fiber, iron, magnesium and Vitamin C, as well as other vitamins and minerals.
Since I’ve owned an Instant Pot pressure cooker, cooking baked potatoes in my Instant Pot is my preferred method. It’s faster than cooking them in the oven and the potatoes always turn out fluffy and tender. Just like with my Instant Pot mashed potatoes recipe and Instant Pot sweet potatoes, the Instant Pot works its magic on potatoes once again with these Perfect Instant Pot Baked Potatoes!
Besides being a delicious lunch or dinner on their own, baked potatoes are a good side dish to serve with baked salmon, steak, pork tenderloin or baked chicken thighs. You can cook your baked potatoes ahead of time and reheat them for an even faster meal.
If you are new to using an Instant Pot, you might find my post about how to use an Instant Pot helpful.
HOW TO MAKE INSTANT POT BAKED POTATOES
These Instant Pot potatoes are so simple to make. You’ll start by scrubbing your potatoes. Then, prick the potatoes a few times with a fork. Pricking the potatoes will allow steam and pressure to escape from the potatoes as they cook.
Place 1 cup of cold water in your Instant Pot. Cold water is recommended because the water temperature will affect how long it takes your Instant Pot to reach pressure, and therefore how long your potatoes will cook.
Next, place the metal trivet in your Instant Pot. You want to cook the potatoes on top of the trivet so that they don’t sit in the water and get soggy.
Place the potatoes on top of the trivet. It is okay if your potatoes are stacked on top of each other in the pot. Close the Instant Pot lid and turn the steam release valve to the sealing position.
HOW TO MAKE BAKED POTATOES WITH CRISPY SKIN
If you like crispy skins on your baked potatoes, you can place them under the broiler after you cook the potatoes in the Instant Pot. This step is optional and I often skip it when I’m short on time. It does add lots of flavor, though! If you don’t have an Instant Pot yet, try my oven baked potatoes and Crock Pot baked potatoes or, for the crispiest skin, air fryer baked potatoes.
Place the cooked potatoes on a baking sheet. Rub the baked potatoes with olive oil and sprinkle them with salt before placing them under the broiler in your oven. Watch the potatoes closely so they do not burn. Mine took about 7 minutes to crisp under the broiler.
COOKING TIPS FOR INSTANT POT POTATOES
- Don’t forget to prick your potatoes a few times with a fork before cooking them. This allows steam and pressure to escape from the potatoes as they cook.
- Be sure to cook your baked potatoes on the metal trivet to keep them out of the water in the bottom of the Instant Pot.
- The cooking time for baked potatoes depends on their size. Cook the standard large size Russet potatoes that you find at the grocery store for 20 minutes at high pressure plus 10 minutes natural pressure release.
- If you want potatoes with more flavorful, crispy skins you can place them in your oven and broil for a few minutes after they have cooked in the Instant Pot. Rubbing the skins with olive oil and sprinkling them with salt and pepper helps them to crisp and adds flavor.
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