Instant Pot Baby Potatoes Recipe

This recipe is the easiest way to make Instant Pot Baby Potatoes! They’re soft and creamy and make a quick and healthy side dish for busy weeknights! 

The thing about Instant Pot Roasted Potatoes is that they’re so versatile—in addition to being incredibly delicious and satisfying, they’re also economical. You can use them as a side for so many main dish recipes like Crock Pot Pork Chops and Chicken Tenders. 

We love Crock Pot Potatoes, but this recipe cooks in just minutes, so you don't have to spend hours waiting. Just add your potatoes and water and let the Instant Pot do the work. 

With minimal effort, you'll end up with tender and flavorful potatoes that will please even your pickiest eaters.

Ingredients

• Water
• Baby potatoes - you can also use baby red potatoes. Using potatoes that are 1.25 inches to 1.50 inches works best.
• Sea salt and pepper and butter if you like.

Find complete instructions in the printable recipe card below. 

Supplies

• 6-quart Instant Pot - you can use an 8-quart, but increase the water to 2 cups. 
• Using a stainless steel steamer basket yields the best tender potatoes. 

How to make Instant Pot new potatoes

Just add these little potatoes to your pressure cooker with a cup of water and cook for a few minutes. That's it! So grab a bag of baby potatoes, and let's get started.

STEP 1 - Prep

Wash the potatoes.

STEP 2 - Add potatoes to Instant Pot

Pour 1 cup of cold water into the Instant Pot, then place a stainless steel steamer basket on top of the water. Next, add 1 ½ pounds of baby potatoes into the steamer basket. 

STEP 3 - Pressure cook

Place the lid onto the pressure cooker and turn the pressure valve to the sealing position. Select HIGH PRESSURE COOK for 10 minutes.

STEP 4 - Quick release

When the Instant Pot beeps and it's finished cooking, do a quick release by turning the valve to the venting position. When the pressure is released, the pin will drop, and you can open the lid.

PRO TIP: Place a dish towel over the vent so the steam won't spray everywhere.

Take your potatoes out and place them in a serving bowl. Add butter, salt, and pepper if desired, and stir to coat them evenly. Serve and enjoy!

If you want a roasted finish

1. After the potatoes finish cooking, take them and the steamer basket out of the Instant pot, empty the water, and towel dry the inner pot.
2. Press the sauté function and add 2 tablespoons unsalted butter and a tablespoon of olive oil. Let the pot heat up. 
3. Add pressure-cooked baby potatoes into the Instant Pot. With a wooden spoon, gently stir the baby potatoes to coat them with butter and oil. Add garlic powder and onion powder if desired. Cook for 1-2 minutes until skins become crispy like roasted potatoes.

Recipe tips and tricks

• For the best pressure cooker new potatoes, use potatoes that are roughly the same size, so they cook evenly. If you have larger baby potatoes, cut them in half.
• Wash the baby potatoes before cooking them.
• If you want your potatoes to be extra crispy, try roasting them in the oven after they've been cooked in the Instant Pot.
• This simple recipe is great if you want to make potato salad. 

PRO TIP: Make sure your potatoes are roughly the same size so they will evenly cook. Cut larger potatoes in half if needed.

Erin

Instant Pot Potatoes without a steamer basket

• To make Instant Pot Baby Potatoes without a steamer basket, place 1 cup of water, a pinch of salt, and potatoes in the pressure cooker. Then, cook per instructions.

NOTE: This method will yield potatoes that are less fluffy on the inside and will also be a bit firmer than steamed.

What are baby potatoes?

Baby potatoes, also called new potatoes, are harvested early before they are fully mature. Therefore, they're much smaller than mature potatoes and have softer, thinner skin. They also tend to have a creamy texture. 

Do you have to peel baby potatoes?

Because baby potatoes have softer, thinner skin, you don’t typically need to peel them before eating. Just wash the outside before cooking.

Do you have to poke holes in potatoes before pressure cooking?

For new potatoes, the skin is soft enough, so you don’t need to poke holes before cooking baby potatoes. 

If you’re cooking thicker-skinned larger potatoes like russet potatoes, poking holes will help the potatoes release steam without exploding. 

Substitutions

• Use any type of potato: Yukon gold, little red potatoes, or even sweet potatoes. If you have large potatoes, don’t be afraid to use those! 
• Try other seasonings: Garlic, rosemary, or thyme would be great.
• Cook the potatoes right in the pot: If you don't have a steamer basket, you can cook the potatoes right in the pot. Add 1-2 cups of water and cook for the same time.

Variations

For a complete meal, add some protein to the pot. Chicken, sausage, or shrimp would be great.

• Make your Instant Pot Potatoes a little bit decadent by adding some cheddar cheese, Parmesan cheese, or sour cream on top.
• Try adding some carrots to the pot and cook them alongside the potatoes.
• You can top them with your favorite fresh herbs. 

How to store and reheat

Storage: Store any Leftover potatoes in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.

Reheating: To reheat your Instant Pot Baby Potatoes, add the potatoes to a skillet over medium heat and cook until warm. You can also reheat them in the microwave.

If you're looking for a quick, easy and delicious side dish, look no further than Instant Pot Baby Potatoes. With just a few minutes of prep time, you'll have soft baby potatoes that will please everyone around the table.

More side dish recipes

Perfectly Cooked Quinoa
Instant Pot Brown Rice
Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Let us know how it goes

If you try these Instant Pot Potatoes or any Suburban Simplicity recipe, don’t forget to rate it and let us know how it went in the comments below. We love hearing from you! Better yet, use the hashtag #suburbansimplicity if you make the recipe.

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Food safety tips

• Always refrigerate perishable food within 2 hours (1 hour with dairy and when the temperature is above 90 °F).
• Always wash hands with soap and warm water for 20 seconds before and after handling food.

See more food preparation and food safety guidelines at USDA.gov.