Baking Potatoes In Your Hot Pot: A How-To Guide

Baked potatoes are a great side dish or snack, and cooking them in a hot pot is an easy and quick way to make them fluffy and tender. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to bake potatoes in a hot pot:

First, prepare your hot pot by pouring water into the inner pot and placing a metal trivet or rack inside. This ensures the potatoes don't get soggy. For a 6-quart model, use 1 cup of cold water; for an 8-quart model, use 1.5 cups. Cold water is essential as it affects the time it takes for the hot pot to reach pressure, impacting the cooking time and results.

Next, scrub the potatoes well and prick them several times with a fork or knife. This allows steam and pressure to escape during cooking. Place the prepared potatoes on the rack inside the inner pot.

Then, secure the lid on the inner pot, ensuring the vent knob is sealed. Set the cooking time to high pressure, adjusting according to the size of your potatoes. Here's a general guide:

1. Small potatoes (less than 2 inches in diameter or 4-5 ounces) - 10 minutes

2. Medium potatoes (2-3 inches in diameter or 5-7 ounces) - 12 minutes

3. Large potatoes (3-4 inches in diameter or 8-10 ounces) - 16 minutes

4. Extra-large potatoes (4-4.5 inches in diameter or 11-13 ounces) - 20 minutes

Once the cooking time is up, let the pressure release naturally for 8-10 minutes. This step is crucial to keeping the potatoes intact and allowing them to finish cooking. If the pressure hasn't fully released after 10 minutes, manually release any remaining pressure.

If you prefer crispy skin on your baked potatoes, finish them in the oven or under a broiler. Brush the cooked potatoes with olive oil or melted butter, sprinkle with salt, and bake at 400°F for about 10 minutes or broil for 2-3 minutes per side.

There you have it! A simple and efficient way to make delicious baked potatoes using a hot pot. Enjoy!

How to bake potatoes in an instant pot

Baking potatoes in an instant pot is an easy and quick way to cook a baked potato. This method is perfect for making a loaded baked potato or for use in gnocchi or creamy potato salad.

Step 1: Prepare the Instant Pot

Place a trivet at the bottom of the instant pot and pour in one cup of cold water. The water temperature is important as it will affect how long it takes your instant pot to reach pressure and, therefore, how long your potatoes will cook.

Step 2: Prepare the Potatoes

Scrub the potatoes and pat them dry. Pierce the potatoes all over with a fork to allow steam and pressure to escape while they cook.

Step 3: Cook the Potatoes

Place the potatoes on top of the trivet in the instant pot. It is fine if they are stacked on top of each other. Close the lid and set the steam valve to the sealing position.

Cook on high pressure according to the size of the potatoes. Small potatoes will take around 12 minutes, medium potatoes around 15 minutes, and large potatoes around 18 minutes. Then allow the pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes. Finally, release any remaining pressure and carefully open the lid.

Step 4: (Optional) For Crispy Skins

If you prefer your potatoes with crispy skins, place them on a baking sheet and rub with olive oil. Place them under the grill for 3-7 minutes, until the skins begin to crisp. Watch the potatoes closely so they don't burn.

Tips

• It is important to use potatoes that are roughly the same size so that they cook evenly.
• Don't forget to prick the potatoes with a fork before cooking to allow steam to escape.
• Be sure to cook the potatoes on a metal trivet to keep them out of the water at the bottom of the instant pot.
• You can cook about 6 medium-large russet potatoes in a 6-quart instant pot, or 8 small russet potatoes.

How to get crispy skin on instant pot baked potatoes

Ingredients:

• Medium-sized russet potatoes
• Olive oil
• Salt
• Water

Method:

First, scrub the potatoes and pat them dry. Pierce the potatoes all over with a fork to allow steam and pressure to escape while cooking. Place a trivet at the bottom of the instant pot and add a cup of cold water. Place the potatoes on the trivet and close the lid, ensuring the valve is in the 'sealing' position.

Set the instant pot to high pressure and cook for 12-18 minutes, depending on the size of the potatoes. Once the time is up, allow the pressure to release naturally for 7-10 minutes. Release any remaining pressure and open the lid.

To get crispy skins, rub the potatoes with olive oil and sprinkle with salt. Place the potatoes under a preheated broiler for 3-7 minutes, keeping a close eye on them to avoid burning.

Tips:

• For even cooking, ensure the potatoes are of similar size and thickness.
• Pierce the potatoes several times to prevent explosions.
• Use a rack to keep the potatoes out of the water.
• Add cold water for consistent cooking.

How to bake potatoes in the oven

Baked potatoes are a great side dish or snack, and can be loaded up with your favourite toppings. Here is a step-by-step guide to achieving the perfect baked potatoes in the oven.

Ingredients and Equipment:

• Russet potatoes
• Butter or olive oil
• Kosher salt
• Freshly-ground black pepper
• Wire cooling rack (optional)
• Baking sheet
• Paring knife or fork
• Pastry brush
• Oven mitt

Step-by-Step Method:

Step 1: Prepare the Oven and Baking Sheet

Heat the oven to 450°F. If you have a wire cooling rack, place it on top of a baking sheet. If not, you can place the potatoes directly on the oven racks with a baking sheet below to catch any drips, or you can bake the potatoes on a foil- or parchment-lined baking sheet (although this may affect crispiness).

Step 2: Prepare the Potatoes

Using a fork or paring knife, poke the potatoes at least 10 times all over. This will prevent the potatoes from exploding in the oven.

Step 3: First Bake

Place the potatoes on the prepared baking sheet and bake for around 25 minutes, until the skin starts to feel dry and slightly wrinkled.

Step 4: Brush with Butter or Oil, and Sprinkle with Salt

Remove the potatoes from the oven and use a pastry brush to coat them in melted butter or olive oil. Sprinkle the potatoes with a generous pinch of Kosher salt, and place them back on the baking sheet, opposite side up, so they cook evenly on both sides.

Step 5: Second Bake

Place the potatoes back in the oven and bake for an additional 20 minutes. Then, use an oven mitt to carefully squeeze the potatoes to check for doneness. If the insides are soft and give under pressure, they are ready. If not, continue cooking in 5-minute increments until they are soft.

Step 6: Cut, Fluff, Season, and Serve

Slice the potatoes open lengthwise with a paring knife, give them a gentle squeeze to open them up, and fluff the insides with a fork. Add your favourite seasonings or toppings, and enjoy!

Tips:

• For vegan baked potatoes, use vegan butter or a high-heat cooking oil instead of butter.
• To achieve extra crispy skin, finish the potatoes in the oven or under a broiler after cooking them in an Instant Pot. Brush the cooked potatoes with olive oil or melted butter and sprinkle with kosher salt. Bake at 400°F for around 10 minutes, or broil for 2-3 minutes on each side.
• To prevent the potatoes from exploding, poke them all over with a fork to allow steam to escape.
• For fluffy and creamy potatoes, use cold water in your Instant Pot. Using warm water will change the time it takes for the pot to reach pressure, which will affect the cooking time and results.
• The cooking time will depend on the size of the potatoes. On average, they typically take 45-55 minutes to cook.

How to get crispy skin on oven-baked potatoes

There's nothing quite like a baked potato with crispy skin and a soft, fluffy centre. Here's a detailed, step-by-step guide to achieving that perfect combination.

Ingredients and Equipment:

• Russet potatoes
• Olive oil or canola oil
• Flaked sea salt or coarse kosher salt
• Baking sheet
• Wire cooling rack (optional)
• Parchment paper (optional)
• Pastry brush
• Fork
• Oven mitt
• Knife

Step-by-Step Method:

Preheat your oven to a high temperature, around 400-450°F. While the oven is heating up, prepare your baking sheet. For the best results, place a wire cooling rack on top of the baking sheet. If you don't have a wire rack, you can place the potatoes directly on the oven racks with a baking sheet below to catch any drips, or you can bake them on a foil- or parchment-lined baking sheet (at your own risk, as parchment paper might burn).

Wash the potatoes under cool running water, gently scrubbing them to remove any dirt. Dry the potatoes thoroughly with paper towels or a clean kitchen towel. Place the potatoes on the prepared baking sheet.

Poke each potato several times with a fork to allow steam to escape during cooking and prevent the potatoes from exploding. You can also prick the potatoes with the tip of a knife.

Rub olive oil or canola oil all over the potatoes. Make sure they are well-coated, but not swimming in oil.

Generously sprinkle flaked sea salt or coarse kosher salt over the potatoes. Make sure you get a good crust of salt all over.

Place the potatoes in the oven and bake for around 40-70 minutes, depending on their size. For large potatoes, they may take up to an hour or longer to bake fully.

Once the potatoes are tender and easily pierced with a fork, remove them from the oven using an oven mitt. Carefully cut a slit or a zig-zag pattern on top of the potato, then squeeze the ends in towards each other to "pop" it open like a restaurant-style baked potato.

Serve the potatoes with your desired toppings. For a simple yet delicious option, try butter and pepper. For a classic loaded baked potato, add baked bacon, sour cream or Greek yoghurt, shredded cheddar cheese, and green onions or chives.

How to serve baked potatoes

Baked potatoes are a versatile dish that can be served as a main course or a side. Here are some ideas on how to serve them:

As a Main Course:

• Loaded Baked Potato: Top your baked potato with sour cream, bacon, cheese, chives, and butter. You can also add shredded cheese, crispy bacon crumbles, or green onions.
• Chilli Baked Potato: Top your potato with chilli, along with cheese, sour cream, green onions, and/or avocado.
• Guacamole Baked Potato: Generously top your potato with guacamole and add extra cheese and/or crumbled tortilla chips if desired.
• Broccoli Cheese Baked Potato: Combine steamed broccoli with melted cheese and use this as a topping.
• Pizza Baked Potato: Load your potato with pizza toppings such as meat, pizza sauce, and cheese.
• Baked Potato with Eggs: Try something different by topping your potato with sunny side up eggs.
• Baked Potato with Creamed Corn: Tinned creamed corn can make a delicious and easy topping.
• Baked Beans and Cheese Baked Potato: Combine baked beans with cheese for a hearty topping.
• Black Beans, Salsa, and Guacamole Baked Potato: A vegetarian option that combines black beans, salsa, and guacamole.
• Buffalo Cauliflower Baked Potato: Top your potato with spicy, crispy buffalo cauliflower for a fun twist.
• BBQ Chicken Baked Potato: Add some smoky, sweet, and tangy flavours to your potato by topping it with BBQ chicken.
• Broccoli and Cheese Baked Potato: Steam some broccoli and cover it with melted cheese for a tasty topping.
• Grilled Chicken Thighs with Baked Potato: Serve your baked potatoes as a side dish with grilled chicken thighs.
• Mango Cucumber Summer Slaw or Sweet Asian Slaw with Baked Potato: Complement your baked potatoes with a refreshing slaw on the side.
• Meat Dishes: Serve your baked potatoes with meat dishes such as steak, chicken, or bacon.

As a Side Course:

• Grilled Vegetables: Bell peppers, zucchini, eggplant, or asparagus can be grilled to create a colourful and healthy side dish.
• Steamed Broccoli: Season steamed broccoli with lemon juice, garlic, and parmesan for a simple and nutritious side.
• Caesar Salad: The crisp romaine lettuce, tangy dressing, and salty parmesan of a Caesar salad pair well with a baked potato.
• Roasted Brussels Sprouts: Drizzle Brussels sprouts with olive oil, salt, and pepper, then roast them for a flavour-packed side.
• Sautéed Mushrooms: Sauté button, cremini, or shiitake mushrooms for an earthy and savoury side dish.
• Bacon-Wrapped Asparagus: Combine the smokiness of bacon with fresh asparagus for an elegant side.
• Garlic Green Beans: Infuse green beans with garlic for a tasty and vibrant side dish.
• Coleslaw: The creamy dressing and crunchy texture of coleslaw provide a refreshing contrast to baked potatoes.
• Roasted Tomatoes: Intensify the flavour of tomatoes by roasting them, adding a touch of sweetness to your meal.
• Spinach and Artichoke Dip: Serve a creamy and comforting dip alongside your baked potatoes.

Frequently asked questions