Emilie Meyer
Cooking baked potatoes in an Instapot is a quick, easy, and energy-saving method that yields perfect, fluffy, and tender potatoes every time. The Instapot uniformly cooks the potato, resulting in a creamy, fluffy texture that is comparable to traditionally cooked potatoes. The cooking time depends on the size of the potatoes, with larger potatoes requiring a longer cooking time. Russet potatoes are a popular choice due to their high starch content, which absorbs water during cooking and creates a pillowy, fluffy interior. The Instapot method is versatile, allowing you to make loaded baked potatoes, twice-baked potatoes, or even using the leftover potatoes for dishes like potato salad or soup.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ease of cooking | Easy, foolproof, and faster than an oven |
| Taste | Fluffy, tender, golden, and tasty |
| Energy efficiency | More energy-efficient than an oven |
| Time efficiency | Takes less than half the time of a normal baked potato in the oven |
| Potato type | Russet potatoes are best; other types work too |
| Potato size | Adjust cooking time according to size; small, medium, and large potatoes require different cooking times |
| Potato quantity | Cooking time remains the same whether you make 1 or 6 baked potatoes |
| Potato toppings | Kosher salt, garlic powder, chives, butter, sour cream, grated cheddar cheese, sea salt |
| Potato dishes | Loaded baked potato, twice-baked potatoes, gnocchi, creamy potato salad, broccoli and potato soup |
| Potato storage | Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days; can be frozen for up to 3 months |
| Potato reheating | Reheat in the instant pot over 1.5 cups of cold water on high for 3 minutes, or in a 350°F oven for 20 minutes |
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What You'll Learn
Russet potatoes are best for baking
Baked potatoes can be cooked in an instant pot and are a great way to achieve the perfect baked potato every time. The instant pot does all the heavy lifting and cooks the potatoes uniformly. The instant pot is also a great energy saver as you don't have to heat up the oven.
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How to prepare the potatoes and Instant Pot
First, wash and scrub the potatoes well. Prick the potatoes several times with a fork or knife to allow steam and pressure to escape the potatoes as they cook. This will also prevent them from exploding. You can also cut a large 'X' into one end of the potato to make it easier to peel after cooking. If you want to ensure even cooking, select potatoes that are similar in size.
Next, prepare the Instant Pot by pouring 1-2 cups of cold tap water into the inner pot. Place a trivet or steamer rack inside the pot, and stack the potatoes on top. If you don't have a trivet, you can ball up some tin foil and place it in the water, laying the potatoes on top.
Finally, secure the lid on the inner pot and ensure the vent knob is sealed. Set the cooking time according to the size of your potatoes, using high pressure. Small potatoes (2-2 1/4 inches wide) will need 12-15 minutes, while medium potatoes (2 1/2 inches wide) will need 16 minutes. Large potatoes may need up to 18-20 minutes.
Once the cooking cycle is complete, allow the pressure to release naturally for at least 10 minutes. If the pressure has not fully released after this time, you can turn the valve to the venting position.
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Cooking time and temperature
The cooking time and temperature for baked potatoes in the Instant Pot vary depending on the size of the potatoes. Small potatoes weighing 6-8 ounces and about 2 inches wide are considered small, while medium potatoes weigh 8-10 ounces and are about 2.5 inches wide. Large potatoes, on the other hand, typically weigh 10-12 ounces and measure around 3 inches in width.
For medium-sized Russet potatoes, it is recommended to use cold water, as it impacts the cooking time. The temperature of the water will determine how long it takes for the Instant Pot to reach pressure, affecting the overall cooking time. The potatoes are ready when they can be easily pierced with a fork or knife. If they still feel a little firm, you can cover the lid and pressure cook for an additional 2 minutes.
The Instant Pot simplifies the cooking process by eliminating the need to wrap potatoes in foil. Additionally, the pressure cooker ensures uniform cooking, resulting in fluffy and tender potatoes. After cooking, you can place the potatoes under the broiler to achieve crispy skins, although this step is optional.
When reheating baked potatoes, place them on a rack in the Instant Pot over 1.5 cups of cold water and cook on high pressure for 3 minutes. Alternatively, you can reheat them in a 350°F oven for 20 minutes until warmed through.
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How to achieve crispy skin
Baked potatoes can be cooked in an Instant Pot and several recipes refer to them having a fluffy texture. However, if you want to achieve crispy skin, you could try the following:
Firstly, it is recommended to use Russet potatoes due to their high starch content, which yields a pillowy, fluffy interior. Before cooking, scrub the potatoes and prick them several times with a fork or knife to allow steam and pressure to escape.
When it comes to the cooking method, one source suggests that the Instant Pot air fryer lid can be used to crisp up the skin. Another source suggests placing the potatoes under the broiler after cooking in the Instant Pot to achieve a crispy skin, although this is an optional step that can be skipped if short on time.
If you are looking for the absolute crispiest skin, one source suggests that an air fryer is the best tool for cooking baked potatoes.
Finally, if you plan on peeling your potatoes, or would like to repurpose them for another dish, cut a large 'X' into one end of the potato.
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Serving suggestions and toppings
Baked potatoes are incredibly versatile and can be served in a variety of ways. Here are some serving suggestions and topping ideas to get you started:
Classic Combination: A traditional way to serve baked potatoes is with a combination of butter, sour cream, cheddar cheese, chives, and crumbled cooked bacon. This classic pairing never goes out of style and is a crowd-pleaser.
Loaded Baked Potato: Turn your baked potato into a meal by loading it up with toppings. Try chilli, curry, BBQ sauce, or pulled pork for a hearty and satisfying option. You can also add butter, salt and pepper, bacon bits, and sour cream for a creamy and savoury flavour profile.
Twice-Baked Potato: Twice-baked potatoes are a fun way to switch up your regular baked potato routine. Simply bake your potatoes in the Insta Pot, then scoop out the insides, mix with your favourite toppings, and stuff the mixture back into the potato skins before baking again.
Side Dish: Baked potatoes also make an excellent side dish. Serve them alongside a pan-seared steak, baked chicken thighs, or any grilled meat of your choice for a classic meat and potatoes dinner.
Topping Ideas: When it comes to toppings, the possibilities are endless. In addition to the suggestions above, try kosher salt, garlic powder, butter, alfredo sauce, pepper, or even sea salt for a unique flavour boost. You can also sprinkle on some chopped green onions or chives for a fresh garnish.
With so many serving suggestions and topping options, you can easily customise your Insta Pot baked potatoes to suit your taste preferences and dietary needs. Get creative and experiment with different combinations to find your favourite way to enjoy this versatile dish!
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can cook baked potatoes in the Instant Pot.
First, pour 1-1/2 cups of cold tap water into the inner pot and insert a trivet. Then, scrub the potatoes and prick them with a fork or knife to allow steam and pressure to escape. Place the potatoes on the trivet and close the lid. Set the Instant Pot to high pressure according to the size of the potatoes. Once cooked, allow the pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes before releasing any remaining pressure and opening the lid.
Cooking baked potatoes in the Instant Pot takes less than half the time of cooking them in the oven. The cooking time depends on the size of the potatoes and whether you are cooking them with a quick release or natural release.
For potatoes that don't match in size, place larger potatoes at the bottom of the Instant Pot as they are closer to the heat and will cook more evenly. Russet potatoes are recommended for their high starch content, which yields fluffy interiors. You can also sprinkle sea salt on top of the potatoes after they are done cooking to enhance their flavor.
