See my guide on how to use an Instant Pot.


A foolproof recipe for easy Instant Pot Baked Potatoes. Learn how to cook perfect baked potatoes in your pressure cooker, plus how to make baked potatoes with crispy skins.

Instant Pot baked potato topped with salt, pepper, butter, sour cream and chives.

Since I’ve owned an Instant Pot pressure cooker, cooking baked potatoes in my Instant Pot is my preferred method. It’s faster than cooking them in the oven and the potatoes always turn out fluffy and tender. Just like with my Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes recipe and Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes, the Instant Pot works its magic on potatoes once again with this perfect Instant Pot baked potato recipe!

You can turn these Instant Pot baked potatoes into loaded baked potatoes or Twice Baked Potatoes, or serve them as a side dish with Steak or Baked Chicken Thighs. You can cook your baked potatoes ahead of time and reheat them for an even faster meal.

Russet potato held in woman's hand.

How to Make Instant Pot Baked Potatoes

These Instant Pot potatoes are so simple to make. If you are new to using an Instant Pot, you might find this post about How to Use an Instant Pot helpful.

First, scrub the potatoes and pat them dry. Then, prick the potatoes a few times with a fork so that steam and pressure to escape from the potatoes as they cook.

Place 1 cup of cold water in your Instant Pot. Cold water is recommended because the water temperature will affect how long it takes your Instant Pot to reach pressure, and therefore how long your potatoes will cook.

Next, place the metal trivet in your Instant Pot. You want to cook the potatoes on top of the trivet so that they don’t sit in the water and get soggy.

Four uncooked russet potatoes on trivet in instant pot.

Place the potatoes on top of the trivet. It is okay if your potatoes are stacked on top of each other in the pot. Close the Instant Pot lid and move the steam release valve to the sealing position.

Pressure cook on high pressure according to the cook times below, depending on the size of your potatoes. Then allow the pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes. Finally, quick release any remaining pressure before opening the Instant Pot lid.

Four large baked potatoes in an instant pot.

Then serve, with your favorite baked potato toppings! We like butter or sour cream, salt and pepper and chives or green onions. Sometimes we also add shredded cheese or crispy bacon crumbles.

How Long to Cook Baked Potatoes in an Instant Pot

The pressure cooking time depends on the size of your potatoes. I have tested out lots of different potatoes of varying sizes to determine these cook times. It is important to cook potatoes that are roughly the same size so that they will cook in the same amount of time.

  • Small Potatoes (2 – 2 1/4 inches wide): 12 minutes at high pressure plus 10 minutes natural pressure release
  • Medium Potatoes (2 1/2 inches wide): 16 minutes at high pressure plus 10 minutes natural pressure release
  • Large Potatoes (3 inches wide, pictured in my hand above): 20 minutes at high pressure plus 10 minutes natural pressure release

When I’m not sure about the cook time for my exact size of potatoes, I always err on the side of adding an extra minute or two to the cook time. I’d rather end up with softer potatoes than under-cooked potatoes and have to do a second pressure cooking cycle.

Plated baked potato topped with salt, pepper, butter and chives, with instant pot in the background.

How to Make Baked Potatoes with Crispy Skin

If you like crispy skins on your baked potatoes, you can place them under the broiler after you cook the potatoes in the Instant Pot. This step is optional and I often skip it when I’m short on time. It does add lots of flavor, though! If you don’t have an Instant Pot yet, try my Oven Baked Potatoes and Crock Pot Baked Potatoes or, for the crispiest skin, Air Fryer Baked Potatoes

Place the cooked potatoes on a baking sheet. Rub the baked potatoes with olive oil and sprinkle them with salt before placing them under the broiler in your oven. Watch the potatoes closely so that they do not burn. Mine took about 7 minutes to crisp under the broiler.

Four instant pot baked potatoes on a baking sheet after crisping in the oven.

Instant Pot Potatoes Recipe Tips

  • Don’t forget to prick your potatoes a few times with a fork before cooking them. This allows steam and pressure to escape from the potatoes as they cook.
  • Be sure to cook your baked potatoes on the metal trivet to keep them out of the water in the bottom of the Instant Pot.
  • You can fit about 6 medium-large russet potatoes in a 6 quart Instant Pot, or 8 small russet potatoes.
  • The cooking time for baked potatoes depends on their size. Cook the standard large size russet potatoes that you find at the grocery store for 20 minutes at high pressure plus 10 minutes natural pressure release.
  • It’s best to cook similar sized potatoes so that they will cook through in the same amount of time.
  • If your potatoes aren’t quite done after pressure cooking, you can pressure cook them again for a few minutes. Check that there is still enough water in the bottom of the pot. The Instant Pot will come up to pressure much faster the second time since it’s already hot.
Baked potato topped with salt, pepper, butter and chives, with instant pot in the background.

More Easy Instant Pot Recipes

Instant pot baked potato topped with butter, salt, pepper, sour cream and chives.
4.88 from 8 ratings

Instant Pot Baked Potatoes

Servings: 4 servings
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 43 minutes
A foolproof recipe for easy Instant Pot Baked Potatoes. Learn how to cook perfect baked potatoes in your Instant Pot pressure cooker, plus how to make baked potatoes with crispy skins. Serve them as a side dish or load your baked potato up with toppings to make it a meal.

Ingredients

  • 4 russet potatoes, scrubbed

Instructions
 

  • Pour 1 cup cold water into the bottom of the Instant Pot inner pot. Place the metal trivet in the pot.
  • Prick the potatoes in a few spots with a fork.
  • Place the potatoes on top of the trivet in the Instant Pot. It is ok if they are stacked on top of each other.
  • Close the lid and move the steam release valve to the sealing position.
  • Pressure cook on high pressure according to the size of the potatoes: 12 minutes for small potatoes (2 – 2 1/4 inches wide), 16 minutes for medium potatoes (2 1/2 inches wide), 20 minutes for large potatoes (3 inches wide). The Instant Pot will take about 8-12 minutes to reach pressure and then the cook time will begin counting down.
  • When the cook time ends, let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes by leaving the Instant Pot alone. Then quick release any remaining pressure by carefully moving the steam release valve to the venting position using the handle of a long spoon.
  • When the float valve drops down, open the Instant Pot lid.

To Get Crispy Skins (Optional)

  • Place the baked potatoes on baking sheet (line with foil if desired, but not parchment since you cannot place parchment paper under the broiler).
  • Rub/brush the potatoes with olive oil and sprinkle with Kosher salt.
  • Place under the broiler in the oven for 3-7 minutes, until skins begin to get golden and crisp. Watch the potatoes closely so they don’t burn.
Serving: 1potato, Calories: 168kcal, Carbohydrates: 38g, Protein: 4g, Sodium: 10mg, Potassium: 888mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 1g, Vitamin C: 12.1mg, Calcium: 28mg, Iron: 1.8mg
Nutrition information is an estimate.
Cuisine: American
Course: Side Dish
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