Creamy Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes

There’s no better side than these Instant Pot mashed potatoes. They turn out creamy and fluffy and cook in just eight minutes under pressure. Using the Instant Pot frees up stove top space, and you can make the potatoes ahead of time and keep them warm right in the cooker.

I eat potatoes in some form almost every day — whether sweet potatoes, fingerlings, or Yukon Golds. While I love crispy smashed baby potatoes, my husband and kids always prefer mashed, so mashed potatoes are a frequent request at our house.

These Instant Pot mashed potatoes are my go-to because they require less water than boiling, consistently come out tender, and are easy to finish and keep warm in the pot. If you like garlic, cooking whole cloves with the potatoes adds a gentle, rounded garlic flavor without overpowering the dish.

Why you’ll love this recipe:

• Instant Pot mashed potatoes are smooth, fluffy, and reliably tender.
• Pressure cooking cooks potatoes evenly in about eight minutes once at pressure.
• No need to boil a large pot of water — just a single cup of water in the Instant Pot does the job.
• They can be made ahead and kept warm in the Instant Pot, freeing up the stove for other dishes.

Recipe ingredients

Ingredient notes

• Potatoes: Yukon Golds are ideal for mashed potatoes because of their naturally creamy texture. They mash smoothly without becoming gluey.
• Garlic: Whole cloves cook with the potatoes and give a mild, pleasant garlic flavor. Use more or fewer cloves depending on how pronounced you want the garlic.
• Half and half: A mixture of cream and milk yields rich, silky potatoes. You can substitute whole milk, heavy cream, or a milk alternative, but the texture will vary: richer dairy equals creamier results.
• Butter: Adds richness and flavor; use unsalted butter and adjust salt to taste.
• Chives or parsley: Fresh herbs are optional but provide a bright finish and color contrast.

How to make this recipe

Making mashed potatoes in the Instant Pot is fast and straightforward. The pressure environment cooks the potatoes through quickly so you don’t need to simmer a large pot on the stove.

Pro tip: Cut potatoes into uniform pieces so they cook at the same rate.

1. Place the peeled and evenly chopped potatoes and the smashed garlic cloves into the Instant Pot. Add one cup of water and one-half teaspoon of salt.
2. Secure the lid, set the valve to sealing, and pressure cook on high for 8 minutes. Allow a quick release of pressure when the cook time ends. Note that the pot will take several minutes to come to pressure before cook time begins.
3. Drain the potatoes thoroughly in a colander, then return them to the Instant Pot insert.
4. Add softened butter, room-temperature half and half, freshly ground black pepper, and additional salt to taste. Mash the potatoes to your preferred consistency—smooth and creamy or a bit rustic with small lumps.

Serving suggestions

These mashed potatoes pair well with almost any main course. They make a comforting side for roast chicken or pork, and they’re elegant enough to serve with steak or salmon for a date night. They’re also a holiday table essential alongside ham or roast turkey. Leftovers mash into potato cakes or croquettes for a tasty second meal.

Recipe notes

• Uniform pieces: Cutting potatoes into equal-sized chunks ensures even cooking.
• Potato choice: Yukon Golds provide the creamiest texture; russets work too but may absorb more liquid.
• Dairy options: Use half and half, whole milk, or cream depending on how rich you want the potatoes. Lower-fat milks produce a lighter texture.
• Consistency: Adjust the amount of liquid to reach the thickness you prefer—add more half and half for looser mashed potatoes or less for thicker results.

More side dish recipes you’ll enjoy

• Air fryer baked potatoes
• Crispy air fryer potatoes
• Mashed butternut squash
• Garlic mashed cauliflower
• Parsnip purée
• Twice-baked mashed potatoes

Did you try this recipe? If so, leave a review and share your results on social media so others can see how it turned out.