Marianne Martinez
Cooking little potatoes in an Instapot is a quick and easy way to make a tasty side dish to accompany a variety of meals. The pressure cooker function of the Instapot means that the potatoes can be cooked in as little as 5 minutes, and the quick-release function means that they won't be overcooked. The potatoes can be seasoned with herbs, olive oil, butter, salt, pepper, and garlic to create a flavorful dish.
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What You'll Learn
How to get fork-tender potatoes
Cooking fork-tender potatoes in an Instapot is easy and convenient. The first step is to prepare the potatoes by poking holes in them with a fork or a knife. The holes should be approximately one inch apart. This allows the pressure to be released during the cooking process.
Next, add one cup of water to the Instapot and place the trivet at the bottom. If you are using a larger 8-quart Instapot, you will need to add 1.5 cups of water. Place the potatoes in a steamer basket and set it on the trivet. If your potatoes do not fit in the steamer basket, you can place them directly on the trivet. Ensure that the potatoes are not overcrowded, as this will affect the cooking time.
Now, seal the Instapot and set it to pressure cook on high. The cooking time will depend on the size of your potatoes. For small potatoes, cook for 12 minutes, and for medium potatoes, cook for 15 minutes. If you are using baby potatoes, 10 minutes should be sufficient.
Once the timer goes off, allow the Instapot to naturally release pressure for about 10 minutes. Then, carefully release any remaining pressure and remove the lid once the steam has fully escaped. Poke the potatoes with a fork to check if they are tender. If they are not soft enough, you can place the lid back on for a few minutes to allow the residual steam to continue cooking the potatoes.
Finally, remove the potatoes from the Instapot and season them as desired. You can enjoy fork-tender potatoes with various toppings, such as butter, salt, pepper, parsley, or chives.
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How to make garlicky potatoes
Cooking little potatoes in an Instapot is a quick and easy way to make a delicious side dish. The potatoes come out tender, flavorful, and saucy. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to make garlicky potatoes in an Instapot:
Ingredients:
- Little potatoes (baby potatoes or extra small creamer potatoes)
- Water
- Butter
- Garlic
- Salt
- Pepper
- Other seasonings of your choice (optional)
Step 1: Prepare the Potatoes
There is minimal preparation required for this recipe. You can leave the baby potatoes unpeeled and whole unless they are larger potatoes, in which case you should cut them into similar-sized pieces.
Step 2: Pressure Cook the Potatoes
Place the potatoes in the Instapot and cover them completely with water. Seal the Instapot and set the valve to the sealing position, not venting. Set the Instapot to manual, high pressure, or pressure cook for 3-5 minutes, depending on the size of your potatoes. Extra small creamer potatoes will take around 3 minutes, while baby potatoes are usually done in 5 minutes.
Step 3: Quick Release the Pressure
When the timer goes off, release the pressure and allow the Instapot to vent. This step is crucial to prevent overcooking the potatoes. Once the float valve drops, carefully open the Instapot.
Step 4: Drain and Season the Potatoes
Drain the water from the cooked potatoes. Transfer the potatoes to a serving bowl and add melted butter, minced garlic, salt, and pepper to taste. You can also add other seasonings, such as Italian seasoning, onion and garlic powder, paprika, or fresh herbs. Toss the potatoes gently to coat them evenly with the butter and seasonings.
Step 5: Serve and Enjoy
Serve the garlicky potatoes while they are hot. You can also sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan cheese on top for an extra touch.
Tips and Variations:
- If you prefer crispy potatoes, place them in a single layer under a broiler after cooking until the exterior turns crisp.
- For a more complex flavor, sauté the garlic with butter before pouring it over the potatoes.
- You can also make garlic mashed potatoes in the Instapot by placing the potatoes in a steamer basket with water and peeled garlic cloves.
- Try using different types of potatoes, such as red potatoes, Yukon gold potatoes, or Russet potatoes, for varied colors and textures.
Enjoy your garlicky Instapot potatoes as a versatile and tasty side dish!
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How long to cook baby potatoes for
The cooking time for baby potatoes in an Instapot varies depending on the desired texture and the size of the potatoes.
For baby potatoes that are 1.5–2 inches in size, the cooking time is generally around 8 minutes. However, if you prefer your potatoes to be extra soft, you can cook them for up to 12 minutes or longer. On the other hand, if you like your potatoes slightly firmer, 5 minutes may be sufficient. If you are cooking extra small creamer potatoes, 3 minutes is recommended.
It's important to note that the cooking time may need to be adjusted slightly based on the size of the baby potatoes. Larger potatoes may require a few extra minutes, while smaller potatoes may cook faster.
Additionally, if you want crispy potatoes, you can place them in a single layer under the broiler after cooking until the exterior turns crisp. This step should be monitored closely to avoid burning the potatoes.
Overall, the cooking time for baby potatoes in an Instapot can range from 3 to 12 minutes or more, depending on your preferred texture and the size of the potatoes.
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How to get crispy potatoes
To get crispy potatoes in an InstaPot, you can follow a few simple steps. First, give the potatoes a quick rinse and light scrub to remove any dirt. Pierce each potato with a fork to allow steam to escape while cooking and prevent them from exploding. You can also poke several holes using a small paring knife. Place the potatoes on a trivet or steamer rack inside the InstaPot, ensuring they don't touch the water, as this will make them mushy. Set the InstaPot to pressure cook for 11-12 minutes for small potatoes. You can also pressure cook baby potatoes in chicken broth for a more flavourful dish.
Once the potatoes are fork-tender, release the pressure and season them with salt and pepper, or your desired seasonings. If you want crispy potatoes, you can use the air crisp setting if your InstaPot has it, or the saute setting. Alternatively, you can place the potatoes under a broiler for a few minutes until the exterior turns crisp, but be careful not to burn them. You can also pan-fry the potatoes after steaming to get a crispy exterior.
Another way to achieve crispy potatoes is to preheat your oven broiler to 500°F. Arrange the potatoes on a baking sheet, drizzle them with olive oil, and sprinkle with kosher salt. Broil for 2-3 minutes, flipping halfway through, until crispy.
You can also achieve crispy potatoes by following a two-step process. First, pressure cook the potatoes in the InstaPot, and then use the saute mode to brown them. Make sure the oil/butter mixture is hot before adding the potatoes to the pot. You can also steam the potatoes in the InstaPot and then fry them to get a crispy exterior.
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How to make mashed potatoes
Cooking little potatoes in an instant pot is a quick and easy process. The potatoes are ready in just 5 minutes, resulting in a tender and flavorful dish.
Now, if you want to make mashed potatoes in an instant pot, here is a step-by-step guide:
Step 1: Prepare the Potatoes
Start by peeling and slicing the potatoes. You can use any type of potato, such as Russets, Yukon Gold, or Red potatoes. Cut them into 1-inch to 2-inch cubes or large rounds (about 4-5 rounds per potato). There is no need to peel them if you prefer to keep the skin on.
Step 2: Cook the Potatoes
Place the wire rack inside your 6-quart or larger Instant Pot or electric pressure cooker. Add water to the pot, with an option to add a cup of chicken or vegetable broth for extra flavor. The amount of water depends on the number of potatoes you are cooking, but ensure they are completely covered. Add a teaspoon of salt to the water.
Lock the lid and ensure the valve is set to seal. Set the Instant Pot to cook on high pressure for about 8-12 minutes. The cooking time may vary depending on the size and type of potatoes you are using. Extra small creamer potatoes, for example, may only need 3 minutes.
Step 3: Release Pressure and Drain
Once the timer goes off, release the pressure from the pot. You can do a quick release by manually venting the valve or letting the pressure release naturally. Open the pot and carefully drain the water.
Step 4: Mash the Potatoes
Return the drained potatoes to the Instant Pot. If you prefer, you can transfer them to a separate bowl for mashing. Add butter, milk, sour cream, or half-and-half to the potatoes, along with salt, pepper, and garlic powder to taste.
You can mash the potatoes using a standard potato masher or a handheld mixer for a smoother texture. If you want a more rustic texture, hand mashing is recommended to avoid over-processing, which can make the potatoes sticky.
Step 5: Serve
Your mashed potatoes are now ready to serve! You can top them with chopped parsley, chives, or additional butter for extra flavor and presentation.
Storage and Reheating
Leftover mashed potatoes can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, simply place the desired amount of mashed potatoes back into the Instant Pot and turn on the "keep warm" setting. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and top with butter before serving.
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Frequently asked questions
It takes about 5 minutes to cook little potatoes in an Instapot. The Instapot will take some time to come to pressure (about 13 minutes) and then it will count down the 5 minutes.
If you prefer your potatoes crispy on the outside, you can place them in a single layer under the broiler just until the exterior turns crisp. Watch closely so they don't burn.
Cook the baby potatoes for 12 minutes or longer. After cooking, release the pressure and drain the water. Place the potatoes in a serving bowl and add butter, salt, and parsley.
No, there is no need to peel the potatoes before putting them in the Instapot.
