Fork tender Instant Pot Baked Potatoes come out perfectly fluffy in your pressure cooker in half the time it takes in the oven. This is a foolproof recipe for potatoes of any type or size!

Instant Pot potatoes and Instant Pot mashed potatoes are other favorite timesavers.

Plated Instant Pot baked potatoes sliced open with butter and chives.

Instant Pot baked potatoes come out as creamy and fluffy as any oven baked potato in a fraction of the time. Perfect for loading it up with toppings!

This is one of my favorite Instant Pot recipes because the pressure cooker tenderizes the versatile potato which makes it a quick and easy side dish for slow cooker ground turkey chili. But it’s just as good mashed with butter, salt, and pepper.

With summer Instant Pot recipes like this Instant Pot baked potatoes recipe, it’s a great way to enjoy your grilled steak with a potato without heating up the house!

Seven cooked potatoes in the Instant Pot.

Why This is the Best Way to Bake Potatoes

  • Easy: Toss in up to 8 potatoes (no foil needed), water, close the lid, and set the timer. Done!
  • Versatile: Can be used as a side dish, as a main loaded with toppings, or for healthy mashed potatoes.
  • Quick: A baked potato ready in 22 minutes is a dream.
  • Efficient: Doesn’t require turning on the oven and takes up very little space.
  • Texture: Light and fluffy, creamy potato flesh possible with pressure cooking.

Ingredients You’ll Need

A bag of russet potatoes.

Baked potatoes are so versatile from an easy lunch to a dinner side! And the best part of this Instant Pot baked potatoes recipe is you don’t need to use any foil.

  • Potatoes: Russet potatoes are a popular choice for baked potatoes. They’re large enough to only need 1 per person (maybe 2) and they have enough starch in them to make them light and fluffy. You want them overall smooth, with no soft spots, no eyes, and no signs of mold (obviously).
  • Water: Use cold water as it will prevent potatoes from overcooking.

How to Make Baked Potatoes in the Instant Pot

Making baked potatoes in the Instant Pot really is so easy, just follow these steps!

Washed potatoes in a bowl being pricked with a fork.

Prep potatoes: Give potatoes a good rinse and scrub, if necessary. Supermarket potatoes often are very well pre-washed and don’t need much scrubbing.

Poke potatoes with a fork or knife about 8 times each.

Potatoes in Instant Pot with trivet and water.

Add cold water and trivet: Add 1 cup cold water. Place the trivet or steamer basket inside.

You don’t want the potatoes to touch the water, otherwise, they’ll be soggy “baked” potatoes.

Place up to 8 large potatoes and it is OK to pile up potatoes on top of each other.

Finished baked potatoes in instant Pot.

Cook potatoes: Close the lid and set the valve to Sealing position. Pressure cook potatoes and choose either a Quick Release or Natural Pressure Release.

How Long Do I Cook Instant Pot Baked Potatoes?

For this Instant Pot baked potatoes recipe, I have tested numerous sizes of potatoes. The most important thing is to make sure potatoes are of similar size and then follow these cooking times:

  • Baby potatoes: Using baby potatoes means you’re no longer in “baked potato” territory but it is still possible to use them. 2 lbs of baby potatoes will take about 2 minutes of cook time, then pressure release naturally for 5 minutes before turning valve to Venting position to release remaining pressure.
  • Small potatoes (2″ wide): 15 minutes on High Pressure.
  • Medium russet potatoes to large potatoes (2.5″ – 3″ wide): 20 minutes on High Pressure.
  • Jumbo potatoes: I would cook them for 23 minutes and cook no more than 8 large potatoes at once.

Recipe Tips

Instant Pot baked potatoes recipe is such a simple method to master for beginners of Instant Pot cooking. Here are a few tips for a perfect baked potato.

  • Cold water: Make sure to use cold water as it prevents potatoes from overcooking.
  • Prick potatoes: Poking holes in the potatoes helps steam to escape and prevents potatoes from exploding.
  • Stacking: It is OK to pile up potatoes on top of each other.
  • Use a rack: Or trivet to prevent potatoes from touching water.
  • Size counts: The cook time remains the same no matter what type of potato you use, as long as they are all the same size.
  • Seasoning: Olive oil and simple salt and pepper seasoning can not only be added to the flesh after cooking but also rubbed on potato skins before pressure cooking!
  • Crispy skin: Brush cooked potatoes with oil and sprinkle with salt. Then bake on baking sheet for 10 minutes in preheated 400 degrees F oven, or place under the broiler. You could also make these baked potatoes in an air fryer instead.
Instant Pot baked potatoes halved and served with butter and chives.

Serving Suggestions

Baked potatoes are of course delicious for healthy sides with just butter, salt and pepper or you could get fancy and turn them into twice baked potatoes!

  • Loaded: Besides butter, salt, and pepper our other favorites include sour cream, yogurt, green onion or chives, shredded cheese, and bacon bits.
  • Stuffed: Transform leftovers of Instant Pot beef chili into a new dinner!
  • Topped: Skip the pasta and top these naturally gluten free spuds with my Instant Pot bolognese.
  • Holiday meals: If you’re planning to host a smaller holiday meal or a special occasion with roasted turkey breast, switch up your potato side to loaded Instant Pot baked potatoes.
  • Weeknight dinner: Plain baked potatoes pair well with flavorful honey garlic chicken wings.

Storage, and Reheating

Storing: Instant Pot baked potatoes taste best fresh or at least the same day.

Reheat: You can reheat in a microwave the next day but not past that. Potatoes are not good freezer candidates either. Instead, cook only as many as you need. Thankfully, it is quite easy.

FAQs

Why is my pressure cooker not coming to pressure?

The Instant Pot won’t come to pressure if the valve isn’t in the sealing position. You may also want to check your silicone sealing ring around the lid to make sure it’s intact and not broken. Last, don’t forget to add your water! The pressure won’t build without it.

Can I substitute different potatoes other than russet?

You can. Any potatoes will work. If you’re using a creamier potato like Yukon Gold or red potatoes, they make great mashed potatoes and have delicate skin, which is a pleasure to eat. As long as you follow the size guide as to how long to cook them, it doesn’t matter what kind.

How many potatoes can I put in the Instant Pot?

This depends on the size of the potato and the size of your pot. The rule of thumb is no more than 8 large potatoes. Stack them if you need to.

How do I know potatoes are done?

When you can pierce potatoes with a fork and no resistance, you know they are done. If they feel firm, cover the lid and pressure cook for 2 more minutes.

Do I have to poke holes in potatoes before pressure cooking?

Yes. Poking holes in the potatoes helps steam to escape and prevents potatoes from exploding.

More Instant Pot Recipes

Browse all healthy Instant Pot recipes.

Close up of Instant Pot baked potatoes with butter and chives.
instant pot baked potatoes

Easy Instant Pot Baked Potatoes

Fork tender Instant Pot Baked Potatoes come out perfectly fluffy in half the time it takes in the oven. Use any type or size of potato!
5 from 18 votes
Servings 8 potatoes
Calories 168
Diet Gluten Free
Prep Time 2 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 22 minutes

Equipment

Ingredients  

  • Up to 8 large russet potatoes

Instructions 

  • Wash potatoes well. Prick them with a fork or knife about 8 times each.
  • Add 1 cup of cold water and place trivet or steamer basket inside your Instant Pot. Place up to 8 large potatoes on a trivet. It is OK to pile up potatoes on top of each other.
  • Close the lid and make sure pressure valve is set to Sealing. Cook small potatoes (2" wide) for 15 minutes on High Pressure with Quick or Natural release. And medium to large potatoes (2.5" – 3" wide) for 20 minutes.
  • Remove potatoes onto a plate, cut lengthwise open in a middle, fluff with a fork and serve with your favorite toppings.

Notes

  • Store: Baked potatoes taste best fresh or same day. Maximum you can reheat in a microwave next day but not past that. Potatoes are not good freezer candidates either. Instead cook only as many as you need.
  • Cold water: Make sure to use cold water as it prevents potatoes from overcooking.
  • Prick potatoes: It helps steam to escape and prevents potatoes from exploding.
  • Crispy skin: Brush cooked potatoes with oil and sprinkle with salt. Then bake on baking sheet for 10 minutes in preheated 400 degrees F oven.

Nutrition

Serving: 1potato | Calories: 168kcal | Carbohydrates: 38g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 11mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 1g
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: North American
Author: Olena Osipov
Did you make this recipe?Mention @ifoodreal or tag #ifoodreal!

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About Olena

Welcome! I grew up in Ukraine watching my grandma cook with simple ingredients. I have spent the last 11 years making it my mission to help you cook quick and easy meals for your family!

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Comments

    1. Sweet potatoes need different time depending on their thickness. I would do 12 mins for medium thick and more for very thick etc.

  1. 5 stars
    Well it just doesn’t get easier than this. Bought some big beautiful russets on sale and boy were they good! Smothered in cream cheese, nacho sauce and butter. Yikes! If you don’t want all those calories, they’re still perfectly “baked”! Yummy

    1. So true! I love-live freshly cooked baked potatoes. Even plain so much flavor. Even with salted butter so good!

  2. 5 stars
    Hi, I think your website is the best. Keep up your good work. It is greatly appreciated. I’ve learned so much!!

  3. 5 stars
    I’m absolutely hooked on instant pot. Thank you. How fun is this after the first time I did baked potatoes. Now I’ll throw three or four or six potatoes in the instant pot and cook them just so I have them. We eat them hot mashed with butter or salt I throw them in the refrigerator and if my husband wants some fried potatoes with breakfast oh my so simple they’re already cooked so it’s just a matter of heating them up while I make him eggs. I make potato salad. Which normally is a once a year thing because it’s such an ordeal. Not anymore. They consistently come out cooked completely no matter what size potato I use. I just follow your guidelines and I’m good to go thank you

  4. 5 stars
    Mmmmm GOOD!

    My husband followed your Instant Pot Baked Potato recipe and it turned out delicious…..moist and very flavourful!

    We had it with your ‘Baked Chicken Breast’ recipe which paired up nicely!

    We are old folks learning new tricks with this Instant Pot, your awesome recipes and delightful videos….. with many tips!

    Thank You so much Olena!

  5. 5 stars
    I’ve used this recipe several times and the potatoes come out perfect every time. I love watching Olena demonstrate the recipe. Very entertaining!

    1. That’s so great! It sounds like you have a new favorite, Jeanette! Haha well glad to help with recipe and entertaining.

5 from 18 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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