How to Make Instant Pot Potatoes

Baby Instant Pot potatoes have never been easier to make in your pressure cooker and full of flavor with these Italian herb seasonings! You may have made baked potatoes but instead of a large russet you want to use a bag of fingerlings or petite sizes. Perfect side dish with dinner.

Have you made diced Instant Pot potatoes yet??!! They are tender, full of flavor with Italian seasonings, and take less than 15 minutes total including the time to reach pressure. It’s the perfect side dish for the holidays or dinner for your family. (originally published 9/18, affiliate links present)

Potatoes in Instant Pot

Let’s talk about boiling potatoes in Instant Pot shall we? You can use any type you like but petite potatoes were used here. They are great. Small and many times you get a variety of purple, brown and red together all in one bag. They will get super tender in no time so you can then make smashed potatoes when done or eat as is.

You do not have to have the IP brand either. There are many others out there and as long as it is electric and has the high pressure function you will be good to go. A Crockpot Express or Ninja Foodi machine will work just the same too.

How to Make Instant Pot Potatoes

You could use larger and just dice them up like I did when I made these Instant Pot cheesy bacon ranch potatoes, but the cook time below is for this size cut in half. Prepping at the beginning means they are easier to eat when done and no burned fingers trying to slice them for little eaters in your home.

I used petite baby potatoes, half Yukon gold potatoes and half red. You could use diced large potatoes too if russet potatoes is what you had on hand. The smaller the softer they will become when pressure cooking.

Here’s a comparison of an Instant Pot vs Ninja Foodi in case you’re interested in adding another kitchen appliance. I will say I enjoy having both. At first I wanted to try out easy recipes in an air fryer. I loved it so much that I bought a singular unit which I think honestly works better than the 2 in 1.

Easy Instant Pot Potatoes

I am all about easy, and cook dinner in my pressure cooker almost every night. Gone are the days of using multiple pots and pans and watching food on the stove. I now create new Instant Pot recipes each week and the only other device I use is my Ninja Foodi. Adding air fryer recipes has been a HUGE win for all of us.

I will say there is a difference in the texture and amount of starch is in each type of tater. Red will stay the firmest and don’t need to be soaked really if making fries. Russets are the fluffiest and then Yukon gold which are the yellow variety you see below.

How long does it take to boil potatoes in a pressure cooker?

First of all you aren’t really boiling them. In that respect it takes far less time than on the stovetop. If you’ve ever waited for water to boil it takes FOREVER! Using steam is much faster and doesn’t take the vitamins out of food like boiling tends to do.

Is it better to steam or boil potatoes?

Don’t waste time anymore boiling potatoes! Use steam or hot air instead. Steaming food has all the benefits of boiling but at a fraction of the time. You need just half an inch or so of liquid to soften them up as opposed to waiting for water to boil.

• They will maintain more of the natural flavor too. Don’t let the scalding water take all of that away.

Now you can just pop everything into an 8 or 6 qt. Instant Pot, set the time and walk away. You’ll know when it beeps it will be done to perfection.

Ninja Foodi potatoes

1. 2 lbs. petite potatoes
   1. cut in half, or diced if you choose “normal” size potatoes
   2. can use potato medley variety too
2. 1 packet of Italian dressing mix
3. Chicken stock – could use water or vegetable broth
4. Could put a dollop of sour cream on top of each serving

A steamer basket is not needed for these potatoes in an Instant Pot. I just put them right in our electric pressure cooker on high pressure with a quick release. It’s a very short cook time and our family loves them this way. So insanely easy to prep just like these other potato recipe ideas:

• Wash petite potatoes and cut each one in half. Put all potatoes into a bowl.
• Shake packet of Italian seasoning on top of potatoes and stir so they are all coated.
• Pour half of your broth into the bottom of your Instant Pot.
• Pour potatoes into your pot followed by remainder of broth over potatoes.
• Close lid and steam valve and set to pressure high for 7 minutes. (timing will vary depending on how large your cut pieces are)

Then pour liquid at bottom of pot on top of the potatoes for added flavor and serve! Allow to naturally release steam for 3 minutes, then do a quick release. Lift lid and put potatoes into a serving bowl.

How do you cook potatoes in an Instant Pot?

Well, it depends on how large they are and the method you want to use. If they’re whole you will place 1 cup cold water inside with a trivet at the bottom as you see here.

• For almost all other methods you’ll need to pierce each one 5-6 times with a fork to allow pressure to release while cooking. Then add potatoes carefully on to your trivet. You can stack them on top of each other but it is best to have just one layer.
• Set to high pressure

Cooking potatoes in the Instant Pot

Yes whole pressure cooker baked potatoes are great too but sometimes too much as a side. These come out tender, but if you want crispy skins try sweet potato in the air fryer.

• Air fryer baked potatoes also just require olive oil and some sea salt. This is probably our favorite way to make baking potatoes.
• These air fryer mashed potatoes are fab
• Slow cooker cheesy potatoes
• Roasted potatoes in the oven are always a great side dish too
• Or make Instant Pot potatoes and carrots together.