Show Me Instant Pot

Can You Bake Instant Pot Egg Bites

Definitely! If you dont have an instant pot, you can bake egg bites in a muffin tin instead:

Does Instant Pot Make Any Other Products

Instant Pot Instant Vortex Plus 7-in-1 Air Fryer Oven, 10-Quart

Instant Pot Instant Vortex Plus 7-in-1 Air Fryer Oven, 10-Quart

Well, funny you ask: The brand launched an air fryer , and just like the company’s original product, this one’s got multiple functions: air fry, roast, broil, bake, reheat, and dehydrate preset smart programsâ¯with an option to rotate for rotisserie-style cooking. All that to say, you can basically cook your food any way you want, using less oil, therefore resulting in a healthier dish.

But for folks who don’t want to massive machines taking up their pantry or counter top space, Instant Pot also launched the Instant Pot 8-quart Duo Crisp Combo Pressure Cooker Air Fryer. It’s both productsâa pressure cooker and an air fryer, as the name alludes toâin one. They’re not cheap , but the reviews are wonderful.

What Chicken To Use

I use boneless and skinless chicken breasts, because thats what I always have on hand. You can also use boneless, skinless chicken thighs which tend to be cheaper and more tender.

Keep in mind, using chicken thighs may affect the cook time so be sure to use a meat thermometer to ensure that the internal temperature of the chicken is 165 degrees F before serving.

Don’t Miss: How To Make Ribs In The Instant Pot

Pressure Cooking Requires Liquid

Before we continue, we must mention the most important aspect of pressure cooking. It requires liquid. This is because the pressure is built by the steam accumulating inside the pot, which is produced from the liquid.

Whether youre cooking rice, chicken breasts, pot roast, carrots, stew or cheesecake, you will need at least a cup of liquid for the Instant Pot to do its job.

This is a total amount of liquid and can be in the form of water, stock, tomato sauce, juice, wine and liquids released from the food while cooking , or a combination of those. The amount of liquid required varies depending on the recipe and amount of food but as a rule of thumb, 1 cup is always a good starting point. Also, the food doesnt need to be completely covered or submerged in liquid to cook.

How To Quick Release Instant Pot

This method will let out the steam in one go and depressurize the pot immediately. This will prevent any continued cooking and is useful if youre in a rush. Simply press the quick release button on top of the lid . The steam will rise through the top steam valve and a loud venting or hissing sound will occur.

Yes that steam is hot and so take care. Be quick to remove your hand once youve pressed the button and step away from the cooker. In some cases, you can hover a towel over the steam jet absorbing some of the moisture and reducing the amount of output youre exposed to.

Done cooking? Open the lid and stir the contents if needed. Once the pot is empty, remove the inner pot and add some water to soak before cleaning by hand or in a dishwasher. Unplug or switch off the main power to turn the Instant Pot completely off.

Read Also: Instant Pot Duo Crisp + Air Fryer 8 Quart

How Long Does It Take To Cook Pasta In The Instant Pot

If using uncooked medium shells, the pasta will cook in about 4-5 minutes in the instant pot. Set the timer for 4 minutes if you prefer more al dente pasta or, if you like it softer, set it for 5. Keep in mind, that doesnt include the time it takes for the instant pot to come to pressure which takes about 15 minutes or so depending on how cold or warm your ingredients are.

Whats The Difference Between Pad Thai And Lo Mein

Although both are stir-fried noodle dishes that originated in Asia, they are different.

Pad thai is a traditional Thai dish made with rice noodles and scrambled egg and usually garnished with peanuts. Lo mein, on the other hand comes from China and is typically made with udon noodles.

Overall, Lo mein is a rounder, oilier noodle dish with a sweet and savory taste while pad thai is a flat noodle dish with a complex sweet/salty/sour flavor in every bite.

If youd prefer a lo mein recipe, check out my slow cooker lo mein or my easy beef lo mein!

Read Also: How To Clean Your Instant Pot

What Is The Timer Button For

Some models have a button that reads Timer. While you may think that this is the button that sets the cooking time for your Instant Pot, it actually delays cooking time and will start the cooking when the timer counts down. You can set the cooking time with the plus/minus buttons or the dial, depending on the model.

Mung Dal With Kale And Kohlrabi

Kohlrabi or German Turnip, also known as Ganth Gobi in Hindi, is a part of the Cauliflower/Cabbage family. Just like its relatives, it is highly nutritious and very low on carbs. Though it looks like a turnip, the flavors are more like the stem of a broccoli or a cauliflower. In this dish, we created pretty much a one-pot meal with some very interesting textures and colors. The Kale Leaves, besides the pop of color,

Don’t Miss: What Does Auto Mean On Instant Pot

Can You Use Egg Whites

Yes! If you want to just use egg whites, youll need to supplement for the yolks.

Four large eggs measures out to be about 3/4 cup + 2 tablespoons of liquid. I recommend using liquid egg whites or cracking eggs whites into a measuring cup until youve reached 3/4 cups + 2 tablespoons!

Keep in mind, these wont be quite as fluffy and creamy, because youre missing out on fat from the yolk.

Using Saute Function After Cooking

The Sauté function is also useful for finishing the dish after pressure cooking is done. Once the pressure has been completely released, open the lid and then press Sauté button again. Press the button again to cycle through Less or More for lower or higher temperatures.

Use it for:

• Simmering the sauce or broth in the dish that needs to evaporate and reduce or thicken.
• Adding more fragile or no-cooking-required ingredients like baby spinach, fresh tomatoes, fruit, cheese, milk or cream.
• Thickening sauce with butter, cream or flour.

Recommended Reading: Swanson Chicken Broth Instant Pot Recipes

Get To Know The Design

Electric pressure cookers come with an inner pot and an outer pot , as well as a lid that creates an airtight seal.

The airtight seal is what creates the pressure, which will eventually need to be released, and to do so safely, youll need to read the directions that come with your pot. But generally speaking, youll either use the quick-release method , or the natural-release method .

Test Kitchen tip: A cool, wet towel placed on the lid can help speed up the release process.

Where Can I Find The Best Instant Pot Recipes

Good Housekeeping Instant Pot® Cookbook

Good Housekeeping Instant Pot® Cookbook

If you need recipe inspo for all the fuss-free meals you can make in your new Instant Pot, check out Good Housekeeping’s Instant Pot Cookbook. In addition to a primer filled with all the how-to info youll need to know, it features 60 delicious dishes, including Weeknight Tuscan Ragu, Vegan Black Bean Soup, Spicy Sesame Rice Bowls and Korean Pork Lettuce Wraps.

Read Also: How To Make Ribs In Instant Pot

How To Start The Instant Pot

Step 1. Place the Instant Pot on a sturdy countertop or a table close to a power socket. Make sure there is plenty of open space above the pot as you will have steam eject from the lid up in the air if you quick release the pressure.

Step 2. Make sure the inner pot is inside the cooker base and is clean. Plug the power cord in. Instant Pot will switch on and the OFF status symbol will appear on the control panel. This is called a standby mode.

Step 3. Decide on which cooking method you want to use from the below scenarios. This will depend on what you want to cook. Usually, recipe instructions will guide you along here.

In general, your choices will come down to whether you want to Sauté food first and then whether you want to use a manual setting or one of the smart programs.

What Is An Instant Pot

Instant Pot is a brand name for a popular brand of electric pressure cooker, an airtight pot that cooks food quickly using steam pressurethink any meal in under 20 minutes. The term Instant Pot has lately become synonymous with pressure cooking, and specifically, electric pressure cooking. Well focus on how to use an electric pressure cooker.

Also Check: Ceramic Pot For Instant Pot

When To Select Low Pressure

Low pressure should be used for delicate foods like eggs, fish, and vegetables. However, all of these foods can also be cooked using high pressure for a reduced amount of time. If you are confused about whether or not to use low or high pressure, its best to stick to high pressure. This should be specified in recipes.

What To Consider When Shopping For An Instant Pot

Control panel: All Instant Pots currently on the market have relatively large control panels. It makes sense, given how multi-functional these kitchen gadgets are. But while theyre all rather comprehensive, the more sophisticated models offer sleeker, more digital control panels, including features like a dial to click through varying cooking functions and added guidance like OK to open lid.

Cooking pot: Though all Instant Pots have a stainless-steel inner pot with a tri-ply bottom for sauteing, more advanced models have additional benefits. The Instant Pot Pro comes with an added layer of extra-thick 3.5mm aluminum for faster, more efficient heating, while the Instant Pot Pro Plus has an inner pot thats stovetop-safe and induction compatible.

Pressure levels: On some models, there is only one pressure option: high. On others, you can choose from high or low pressure levels. And still others, you can even choose a max pressure level. High is perfectly suitable for most recipes, while low is good for slower cooking or things that you want to make more tender over a longer period of time, like beef stew, as well as foods that are delicate like rice, fish and even cakes. Machines with the extra-high pressure level will yield the fastest results and also make a really good and concentrated bone broth.

Recommended Reading: Can You Cook Frozen Meat In An Instant Pot

How To Natural Release Instant Pot

Simply leave it undisturbed! It will release all the steam and pressure by itself after a period of time . Once the pressure is released, the float valve on the top will drop back down and the lid will loosen up allowing you to open it. Please note, the food continues to cook at a slower rate during the natural release.

When Should I Use The Keep Warm Function

The Instant Pot can be kept on Keep Warm after cooking most foods. In fact, its very handy if you are finished cooking before youre ready to serve food. Some foods like rice, quinoa, or anything that has soaked up a lot of liquid should be monitored or warmed in a more moist environment to prevent dryness or burning. You can select Keep Warm cycle before you start cooking or after.

Recommended Reading: Is The Instant Pot Viva Good

What Cheese Is Best In Mac And Cheese

Cheddar, gruyere, and parmesan are the best cheeses to use in mac and cheese. Not only do they all melt deliciously, they also add slightly different flavors to the dish!

• Sharp Cheddar. Gives the pasta its bold flavor and that classic mac and cheese taste. Feel free to use mild or medium for a more subtle flavor.
• Gruyere. Adds a sweet, nutty flavor and smooth, velvety texture.
• Parmesan. Provides a rich, salty flavor to balance out the sharpness of the cheddar and richness of the gruyere.

If those three cheeses arent your thing, feel free to use others. Try to shoot for a bold flavored cheese , something melty , and something salty . White cheddar, gouda, romano, etc. would also be fantastic choices.

Course Instant Pot Barbecue

Don’t Miss: How To Cook Corn In Instant Pot

Which Instant Pot Is The Best

The best Instant Pot is the one that has all of the features you need. The brand currently manufactures five different models with varying features and functionality, from basic models to advanced models with built-in air frying capabilities. In general, the Instant Pot Duo seems to be the most popular, because it offers excellent value its the most affordable model but still cooks seven ways and has basic, intuitive controls. There are two new additions to the lineup: the Instant Pot Duo Plus, a model thats very similar to the Duo but has quiet release technology and an upgraded digital control panel, and the Instant Pot Crisp, which doubles as an air fryer.

Average Price For An Instant Pot

The price of an Instant Pot depends mainly on the model. Since all Instant Pots come in 6-quart sizes , we’ll use this size for comparison.

• A 5.7-litre Instant Pot Lux costs around $80.

• A 5.7-litre Instant Pot Duo costs around $100.

• A 5.7-litre Instant Pot Duo Plus costs around $120.

• A 5.7-litre Instant Pot Ultra costs around $150.

• A 5.7-litre Instant Pot Smart costs around $160.

You May Like: Dimensions Of 6 Qt Instant Pot

A Quick Recap Of Key Cooking Stages

As we discussed in this post, there are three key phases to cooking in the Instant Pot. Once you add all ingredients and liquids, secure and lock the lid and choose your setting and time, the following things happen:

Learn How To Boil Water

Whichever electric pressure cooker you end up with, your first time using it should involve literally learning to boil water. You do this by adding a cup or so of water to the inner pot , sealing the lid, and selecting a short cook time. Within five minutes, the water should heat up and build pressure, at which point the pressure is released via the natural method, or you can use the quick-release method. .

Read Also: Instant Pot Beef Roast Recipe

Release The Pressure Safely

When you release the pressure, the escaping steam will be very hothot enough to burn you. So make sure the hole on top of the steam release is facing away from you before pressing the release button. Also, the quick-release method is not suitable for soups or cereals , because quick release may cause food to splatter out with the steam.

Is The Instant Pot Worth It

Besides the just-mentioned lead bit, people generally do consider their Instant Pots to be game-changers. If it doesn’t seem like your kind of thing, though, you’ve got options: though crock pots and pressure cookers might seem the same, they can yield entirely different results and might be more up your alley. Find some recipes utilizing those here.

Recommended Reading: Can You Put Parchment Paper In Instant Pot