There’s no easier or faster way to make a perfect baked potato than in the Instant Pot. They’re done in just 25 minutes!
If you’re looking for a quick and delicious side dish to serve with your main dish, like these bacon-wrapped pork chops or my favorite marinated chicken thighs, you’ll be happy to hear that the Instant Pot is a great way to make baked potatoes in a fraction of the time.
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.
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!
SERVE & ENJOY
Baked potatoes in the Instant Pot are a revelation for me. They’re so quick to make and they turn out fluffy and moist.
You can use these potatoes for just about anything. They don’t have to be served as plain baked potatoes.
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!).
If you’re looking for something to serve these with, why not try one of these recipes:
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Instant Pot Baked Potatoes
Ingredients
- 2 large baking potatoes
- 1 tbsp 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. Close the lid. Make sure the valve is set to Sealing. Press the Pressure Cook button and set to 15 minutes.
- When done, manually release the pressure. Remove the potatoes. Slit the potato open, fluff the potato inside. Salt the potato. Fill with your preferred toppings.
Notes
Nutrition
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Laura is a home cook who loves making new recipes and finding new favorite things to eat, whether at home or abroad. She also runs a popular travel blog and spends a lot of her time traveling for food.
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!