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Potatoes are incredibly versatile. You can bake, mash, or serve them in casseroles. However, cooking potatoes in the oven can take quite some time. What if you do not have hours to bake them? How can you quickly prepare many potatoes to feed a large family? If you ask these questions, I will demonstrate how to cook potatoes in an electric pressure cooker!
Health Benefits Of Cooking Potatoes In An Electric Pressure Cooker
When a potato is pressure-cooked and cooled, a large portion of its starch is converted into “resistant starch” – a healthier starch that is not fully digested and is instead used by the body as fiber – lowering blood cholesterol and fats.
Beans, whole grains, and certain fruits (bananas) typically contain resistant starch; however, it can also be created by cooking and then chilling typically starchy foods (such as potatoes, rice, pasta, and bread). This “retrograded resistant starch” is not naturally present in these foods and can only be created by converting common starch through cooking and cooling.
Scientists in Spain used an autoclave to measure potato starch samples at 100°C (boiling), 120°C (equivalent to 15 psi), and 250°C to determine how much of the potato’s starch would convert into resistant starch.
An autoclave is a pressure vessel used for research and industrial applications that can operate from 1 to 50 psi or more (depending on the model) – they can be brought to pressure using water-generated steam, just like a pressure cooker. Although their paper does not provide precise data from their findings, their conclusion was.
Therefore, pressure cooking converts more of the potato’s starch into healthier “resistant starch” than boiling. If eating cold mashed potatoes does not appeal to you, that is fine. Reheating does not destroy this newly formed resistant starch; it increases it.
How To Cook Potatoes In An Electric Pressure Cooker
Selecting and Preparing Potatoes
This method works with any potato with white flesh (sweet potatoes require a different cooking time). Use whatever potato variety is optimal for the intended purpose: baby potatoes, russets, Yukon golds, or standard white potatoes.
After selecting potatoes, scrub and cut them into one 1/2-inch pieces. It takes at least 20 minutes to cook whole potatoes in a pressure cooker. While the interior is creamy, the skin tends to crack and become soft, so I cannot recommend this method wholeheartedly.
Preparing the Pressure Cooker
To prevent potatoes from absorbing water during cooking, place them on a steamer rack. Fill the pressure cooker with two cups of water and the steamer rack. Use a steamer basket if your pressure cooker does not come with a rack. Place the potatoes on the rack and cook them under pressure for eight minutes. Quickly release pressure. Check the doneness of the potatoes. Replace the pressure cooker’s lid and cook cut potatoes for an additional two minutes if they require extra cooking time.
How To Cook Potatoes In An Electric Pressure Cooker
If you want to cook many potatoes in a short amount of time, pull out your electric pressure cooker!
Here is how to cook potatoes in an electric pressure cooker. I used my beloved 8 Quart Instant Pot Pro 10-in-1 Pressure Cooker to cook a ton of potatoes for several prominent family recipes.
Ingredients
- 2 cups water
- 1 to 16 ounces potatoes, cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces
Instructions
- Put water in the pot of an electric pressure cooker. Place the steamer rack in the pressure cooker. Use a steamer basket if your pressure cooker does not come with a rack or the rack’s wires are too widely spaced to hold the potatoes. Distribute the potatoes evenly across the rack.
- Cook the potatoes under pressure: Secure the lid—Pressure-cook for 8 minutes at HIGH pressure.
- Quickly release the pressure: Promptly release the pressure once the cooking cycle has concluded. (Refer to the manual of your pressure cooker for instructions on the quick release method.) If the potatoes are not tender, cook at HIGH pressure for an additional 2 minutes, then immediately release once more.
Tips On Cooking Potatoes In An Electric Pressure Cooker
- Serve the potatoes with melted butter and fresh herbs, or prepare them as mashed potatoes, home fries, or potato salad.
- If the potatoes are not entirely done, replace the lid. Depending on the firmness of your potatoes, extend the cooking time at high pressure by two to three minutes. If you want the potatoes to cook longer, allow the pressure to release naturally. Alternately, perform a quick release after cooking before opening the lid.
- Cooked potatoes can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for five days.
How to Reheat Boiled Potatoes
You can also use your electric pressure cooker to reheat leftover potatoes. They will retain their original softness and steaminess. Add one cup of water to an electric pressure cooker.
Place the potatoes in the steamer basket or a heat-resistant container. When using a heat-resistant container, place it on the trivet. Close the lid, set the valve to sealing, and select Manual/Pressure Cook. Set the timer for five minutes. This is a starting point, as there are multiple factors to consider when reheating food.
It depends on the amount of food, in this case, potatoes, being reheated—the temperature of the room and the food. If the potatoes are not thoroughly heated, cook for an additional 2 minutes. The heat moistens the potatoes, causing them to become steamed once more.
Place the valve in the venting position and quickly release the Instant Pot. Open the pot and remove the potatoes for immediate service.
The Ideal Methods For Storing Boiled Potatoes
If not using the potatoes immediately or preparing a large quantity, several ways to store them. Always allow the potatoes to cool completely:
- Refrigerate – the potatoes can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. You may keep them for up to one week.
- The potatoes can also be frozen. Store them in an airtight container or plastic Ziploc bag. Label it, so you know when you placed it in the freezer. It can be kept for up to three months.
Timing is an Instant Pot vs. a Stovetop Pressure Cooker
Some dishes take longer to cook when using an electric pressure cooker, such as an Instant Pot, than a stovetop pressure cooker. Traditional stovetop pressure cookers can reach up to 15 PSI, while the Instant Pot reaches a maximum of 12 PSI. However, when recipes call for such a brief cooking time as in this case, there is typically no discernible difference. Use the same cooking time using a stovetop model (3 minutes).
Models of Instant Pot
This recipe is compatible with both six- and eight-quart models as written. If you have a mini (three quarts), you may need to add one minute to the cooking time or use a natural release. The three-quart cooker is less powerful than larger models and uses a lower PSI.
Some modern models employ a computerized pressure release system that prevents a quick release if the pot is too full. This safety mechanism is intended to avoid dangerous splatters, but it can sometimes be accidentally activated. Do not panic if your pot will not release the pressure. Your potatoes will still be perfectly cooked if you allow the pressure to release naturally. Instant Pot Pro 10-in-1 Pressure Cooker
How To Cook Potatoes In An Electric Pressure Cooker - FAQs
A pressure cooker is a sealed chamber that traps the steam produced as its contents are heated. As moisture builds, pressure rises, pushing the boiling point of water beyond 212°F. This higher temperature shortens cooking times and extracts flavor from foods more efficiently due to the absence of evaporation.
Pressure cookers force liquid into food, speeding up the cooking process and allowing cooks to tenderize tough foods quickly. In addition, the extra heat they generate increases caramelization and browning, allowing for the creation of complex flavors.
Potatoes come in a variety of sizes. To pressure cook them quickly, they must be approximately 1.5 inches in diameter.
- Small potatoes cook faster both on the stovetop and in a pressure cooker.
- You can keep baby potatoes 1-12 inches in diameter whole or cut them in half.
- Small potatoes are between 2 and 3 inches in length. Halve or quarter these potatoes.
- The standard size for potatoes is 3 to 4 inches. Quarter the potatoes.
- Any potato larger than four inches must be cut into at least four 2-inch pieces. If the pieces are larger than two inches, cut them again.
If you want more ideas for cooking for large families, here is a favorite chili recipe! Here you can also find a growing list of the Instant pot and electric pressure-cooking recipes for large families!
Potatoes are dense and, when cooked, want to release the steam that builds up within them. Using a fork, you can puncture the potatoes to release steam.
I never poke holes in potatoes, especially when using starchy potatoes. They are already prone to disintegration, so creating holes will accelerate the process. If you are using waxier or more solid potatoes, it is worthwhile to poke holes in them.
Place potatoes in a single layer in the pressure cooker and secure the lid. Cook over high heat for 5 to 10 minutes, or until the pressure regulator reaches 15 psi. Remove from heat.
Electric pressure cookers require at least one cup of water, whereas valve cookers require at least half a cup. Add food to the cooker before adding water.
When learning how to use a pressure cooker, ensure that the unit is never more than two-thirds full of liquid so that steam can accumulate.
It is quick and straightforward to boil or steam potatoes in an Instant Pot pressure cooker! It always turns out perfectly and can be used to make dishes such as Potato Masala for Dosa, Spicy Potato Sandwich, and mashed potatoes. Cooking time is primarily determined by the size and variety of potatoes.
The effects of overfilling a pressure cooker include flavor and texture loss. This is due to the excess pressure generated by the abundance of liquid. Too much pressure degrades food. If the pot is overfilled, it is also possible for the food to block the pressure valve.
You cannot use a pressure cooker without water. Because the pressure will build without water, the pressure cooker will explode.
In the Instant Pot, you can safely pan-fry with lesser amounts of oil. You can also stir-fry. However, it would help if you did not attempt deep-frying. Large amounts of oil are incompatible with the Instant Pot’s pressure-cooking setting.
There is no difference between boiling regular potatoes and boiling other potatoes. Therefore, you can undoubtedly boil baby potatoes using the above recipe.
Conclusion
After cooking the potatoes in a pressure cooker, they can be served with fresh herbs and melted butter. You could also use them for salad, mashed potatoes, or fries. Here, the options are limitless, and you can choose how to prepare anything. There is also the option to delay their use. The cooked potatoes can be stored in an airtight container. They will be fine for a total of five days. Ideally, you should cook them immediately for the best flavor and experience!
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