Baked Potatoes and Twice Baked Potatoes (IP)

Making baked potatoes and then Twice Baked Potatoes in the Instant Pot.  A new favorite!

I am loving making baked potatoes in the Instant Pot.  They come out fluffy and wonderful, like they had baked for over an hour in the oven.  I use the regular russet potatoes that come in a typical 5 or 10 pound bag from the grocery store.  So what I would call 'normal' size.  If you use larger potatoes you will want to adjust the time accordingly.  I would err on the side of a bit too much time, if you are unsure.  You don't want the disappointment of a hot but still hard potato.  :)

Scrub the potatoes and place on the trivet in the Instant Pot.  You can stack them if you like.  (we do because we want leftovers to make the twice baked potatoes!)  Pour a cup to a cup and a half of water in the bottom of the pot.  (I use 1 cup in the 6 quart and 1 ½ cups in the 8 quart.)  Seal the lid and vent and cook on manual high pressure for 23-25 minutes.  (remember to increase this time if you are using larger potatoes... perhaps up to 33-35 minutes.)  Allow for about a 10 minutes natural pressure release then quickly release any remaining pressure.  Remove the lid and top your potatoes with your favorite toppings.

My friend, Dana, gave me this wonderful idea for using leftover baked potatoes.  The next day you can cut the potatoes in half lengthwise then scoop out the insides of any remaining baked potatoes, leaving just a bit of potato around the inside of the skin.  Put the potato innards :) in a bowl and add milk (warmed), butter (softened or melted), sour cream, shredded cheese, crumbled cooked bacon, and sliced green onions to the potatoes.  Use a mixer to blend the ingredients together, adding more milk as needed for consistency.  Add salt, pepper, and any other seasonings you like.  Then scoop the mixture into each of the potato skins on a cooking sheet.  Bake at 425 degrees for about 25 minutes, then top with a little bit of shredded cheese and cook for an additional 3-5 minutes or until cheese is melted.  This can be your main dish or a side dish.  Yum!!!!