do potatoes get mushy in instant pot

Learn how to make delicious and crispy potatoes in your Instant Pot with this easy and Paleo-friendly recipe. You’ll love the golden crust and fluffy texture of these pressure cooker potatoes.

Once again, with feeling: It all depends on what you mean when you say “Paleo.” There is, after all, no such thing as one definitive Paleo diet. Potatoes may not have been available to cavemen, but I really don’t care. Historical re-enactment ain’t my cup of tea. (Besides, it’s not like our prehistoric ancestors snacked on dark chocolate bars, either.)

My personal template for Paleo eating focuses on nutrient-packed whole foods that don’t hurt me. For me, potatoes fall into that category. After checking out Bill and Hayley’s post on the Paleosity of potatoes, listening to the safe starch debate, and soaking in Mat Lalonde’s talk about nutrient density at the 2012 Ancestral Health Symposium (during which Mat pointed out that peeled potatoes are actually more nutrient dense than sweet potatoes, save for the beta-carotene in the latter), I’ve decided that an occasional portion of peeled potatoes are a-OK on my plate. Your circumstances may be different; for instance, if you’re on a super-low-carb protocol at the moment, you’re probably not looking to down a bowl of spuds.

With that pesky business out of the way, let me show you how to use an Instant Pot to make spuds with crispy exteriors and fluffy interiors in no time flat.

do potatoes get mushy in instant pot

Why you should make this Instant Pot crispy potatoes?

Uh, because they’re delicious! The outside of the potatoes are crispy, crunchy, and well-seasoned while the centers are fluffy and perfectly tender. Plus, you can make them super quickly as a fab weeknight veggie side dish to pair with something fast and easy like Air Fryer Cracklin’ Chicken! I know your kids will prefer these crunchy spuds to boring baked potatoes!

  • Fingerling or Yukon Gold potatoes: I prefer fingerling and Yukon Gold potatoes to russet potatoes because they hold their shape better. I like to cut them into 1 to 1½ inch cube—make sure the size of the potatoes are the same to ensure even cooking. Whether you peel ’em is up to you, but there’s more fiber if you keep the skin on!
  • Ghee, avocado oil, or extra virgin olive oil
  • Diamond Crystal kosher salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • Minced chives or Italian parsley (optional)
  • Juice from ½ medium lemon (optional)

do potatoes get mushy in instant pot

How to make crispy potatoes in the air fryer

Heat the air fryer to 400°F and spray the cooked potatoes liberally with avocado oil. Air fry the potatoes in a single layer for about 6 to 8 minutes or until crispy all over, tossing at the halfway point. Season the potatoes with salt and pepper while the potatoes are hot.

INSTANT POT “BAKED” POTATOES

FAQ

Can you overcook potatoes in the Instant Pot?

The Best Kind of Potatoes for Pressure Cooking Cut them into 1 1/2-inch chunks, and they’re ready in under 15 minutes (about ten minutes for the pot to come up to pressure, then three minutes for the potatoes to steam.) Take ’em out right when the timer goes off so they don’t overcook, then use them however you like!

Does Instant Pot make food mushy?

Overfilling your Instant Pot can affect the pressure that builds up inside, so you might end up with a mushy meal, or one that doesn’t cook properly. Also, an overly-full Instant Pot can lead to a clogged pressure release knob, because food and liquid can get sucked up inside.

How do you keep vegetables from getting mushy in Instant Pot?

How can I use a pressure cooker to make healthy foods without them becoming mushy or overcooked? Just use less time for the pressure period (at the low end, pressure time can be as little as 1 min, and electric pressure cookers can even be set for 0 minutes).

How to cook mashed potatoes in Instant Pot?

Simply add 1 cup of water to the Instant Pot, add the trivet (metal rack), and place the potatoes on the trivet (for mashed potatoes, leave the trivet out). The cooking time will vary based on the size of the potatoes, so it’s best to use potatoes that are as even in size as possible. Cook on high pressure for perfectly tender potatoes

How to cook roasted potatoes in Instant Pot?

Roasted Potatoes: Cut the potatoes into small pieces and toss them with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Place them on the trivet in your Instant Pot and cook on high pressure for 5 minutes. Then, transfer the potatoes to a baking sheet and broil them in the oven for a few minutes until crispy.

How long do you Pressure Cook potatoes in an Instant Pot?

Add 1 cup of water to your Instant Pot and set the metal trivet over top. Then place potatoes on the trivet (they can be touching, but to ensure even cooking, don’t stack or overcrowd). Secure lid and pressure cook on high for 12-15 minutes (12 minutes for small potatoes (2 inches, 50 mm), or 15 minutes for medium potatoes (2 ½ inches, 64 mm).

Can you cook russet potatoes in Instant Pot?

Yes, it is recommended to add water to the Instant Pot when cooking russet potatoes. Adding about 1 cup of water to the bottom of the pot helps create steam and pressure that cooks the potatoes evenly. Can I season the potatoes while cooking them in the Instant Pot? Yes, you can season the potatoes before cooking them in the Instant Pot.

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