Fast and simple, Instant Pot mashed potatoes come together with just a few ingredients — and one of them is potatoes. These creamy, fluffy potatoes are ready in under 30 minutes, including the time it takes your pressure cooker to reach pressure.
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Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes
The Instant Pot is perfect for simple, hands-off recipes when you want dinner without babysitting the stove. I often use it for easy sides like roasted beets and whole artichokes, and it’s equally helpful for basic mashed potatoes. I tried my usual mashed potato method in the Instant Pot and was thrilled with the result: the potatoes were light, buttery, and perfectly fluffy — exactly how mashed potatoes should be.
The prep is minimal. I left the skins on, chopped the potatoes into large, evenly sized chunks, and added them to the Instant Pot with a little water and salt. After pressure cooking, a few stirs with a potato masher and a splash of butter and milk later, the potatoes were ready.
What are Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes
Instant Pot (pressure cooker) mashed potatoes are simply potatoes cooked under pressure until tender, then mashed with butter, a little milk, and seasoning until light and creamy. Because the Instant Pot steams the potatoes evenly, it’s a great option when you’re short on oven space or need a fast side for a crowd.
How To Make Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes
This quick mashed potato recipe is straightforward. Follow these steps:
- Cut potatoes into quarters so the pieces are roughly the same size for even cooking.
- Place the potatoes in the Instant Pot and add the water. Season with salt.
- Lock the lid and cook on high pressure for 10 minutes. Let the pressure release naturally — do not manually quick-release.
- Add butter, milk, salt, and pepper, then mash with a potato masher until fluffy.
- Transfer to a serving bowl and serve immediately.
Peeling is optional. I leave the skins on for extra nutrients and texture, but peel them if you prefer a smoother appearance. If you don’t have a potato masher, an electric hand mixer will work — mix for about 1–2 minutes until light and fluffy, taking care not to overmix or the potatoes can become gummy.
You can safely cook up to 3 pounds of potatoes in most Instant Pots; avoid overfilling the cooker.
I appreciate the Instant Pot’s versatility: it’s a multi-cooker with an intuitive pressure cook function that saves time and counter space for soups, stews, roasts, and quick sides like these mashed potatoes.
Tips for the Best Mashed Potatoes
- Potatoes – Choose starchy potatoes like Russets or Yukon Golds for light, fluffy results. Waxy reds can become pasty when mashed.
- Mixing – A hand masher gives you control over texture. If using a hand mixer, mash gently and stop as soon as you reach a light, fluffy consistency to avoid gumminess.
- Keep Warm – One advantage of using the Instant Pot is the “Keep Warm” function, which keeps mashed potatoes hot and ready to serve without extra fuss.
Variations for Mashed Potatoes
Customize the mashed potatoes with simple additions:
- Horseradish Cheddar – Stir in shredded cheddar and a hit of horseradish for a bold, tangy flavor.
- Cream Cheese and Chive – Cream cheese and fresh snipped chives add creaminess and a mild onion note.
- Roasted Garlic – Fold in roasted garlic for a deep, mellow garlic flavor.
- Bacon Ranch – Add crumbled bacon and a touch of ranch seasoning for a savory, crowd-pleasing twist.
For more mashed potato ideas, try variations with pimento cheese, brown butter, or sweet potatoes for different flavor profiles.
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Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes Recipe
Equipment
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Pressure Cooker
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Instant Pot
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Potato masher
Ingredients
- 3 lbs Yukon Gold Potatoes, Cut into quarters
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1/4 cup salted butter
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- Fresh snipped chives, optional
Instructions
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Cut the potatoes into quarters so pieces are approximately the same size for even cooking.
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Place potatoes in the Instant Pot and add the water. Season with salt.
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Lock the lid and cook on high pressure for 10 minutes. Allow the pressure to release naturally — do not release it manually.
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Add butter, milk, salt, and pepper to the pot and mash using a potato masher.
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Transfer mashed potatoes to a serving bowl and serve immediately.
Notes
To reheat, warm gently on the stovetop over low heat or return to the Instant Pot and heat on the warm setting.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.