The Best Kid-Friendly Instant Pot Recipes We've Made
Let's trade the amazing kid-friendly Instant Pot recipes our families love most.
This is a list for parents to recommend, review and like their go-to Instant Pot family recipes. So we can all discover something new that's worth trying out!
Chime in with your experience! What are the best Instant Pot recipes for kids that you've made to rave reviews, even from your picky eaters?
Instant Pot Popcorn
Vanessa M. said: Microwave popcorn packets are a family movie night favorite, but can sometimes have questionable ingredients such as hydrogenated oils and artificial colors/flavors, yuck! Bust out your Instant Pot for perfectly popped, all natural, delicious popcorn! This recipe calls for coconut oil, which is both healthy and tasty, but feel free to substitute the oil of your choice. Add this to the list of kid friendly Instant Pot recipes you'll be making all the time! From Smashed Peas and Carrots
Dump and Start Instant Pot Alfredo
Vanessa M. said: What if I told you a bowl of creamy, homemade linguine alfredo could be on your dinner table in about 20 minutes? This is the real deal, made with fresh ingredients, and even better, it is a kid friendly Instant Pot dump recipe so it could not be any easier! Perfect for busy weeknights! From Cooking with Karli
Instant Pot Faux-tisserie Chicken
Vanessa M. said: Store bought rotisserie chicken is easy and delicious, but if you want to cut out unwanted ingredients, it is easy to make at home in your Instant Pot. This faux-tisserie chicken is every bit as mouthwatering as its grocery store counterpart, and leftovers can be used in your favorite rotisserie chicken recipes. From Cooking with Curls
Instant Pot Ribs
Vanessa M. said: This is the recipe that won my Dad, the BBQ rib master, over to the dark side of the Instant Pot. He was amazed that cooking in the IP plus a few minutes under the broiler could produce tender, fall-off-the-bone ribs that rival the ones he spends hours cooking for our special family events. With the quick cook time and easy prep, Instant Pot ribs can be a weeknight meal for busy, rib-loving families! From Spend with Pennies
Instant Pot Red Lentil Soup
Vanessa M. said: Lentil soup is hearty, satisfying, delicious, and easier than ever to make in the Instant Pot! This vegan recipe takes only about 30 minutes. From Two Sleevers
Instant Pot Orange Chicken
Yoli B said: Your family will love this Instant Pot orange chicken and you will love the money you save on takeout. This version is also healthier and made with fresh orange juice and zest. It is super easy to make and the cleanup is a cinch! From Sweet & Savory Meals
Instant Pot Creamy Mac and Cheese
Vanessa M. said: Put away the boxed stuff; the Instant Pot can create creamy, cheesy macaroni and cheese your family will love in just 5 minutes! There are many ways to spice it up, or leave it plain for picky eaters. From FoodieCrush
Instant Pot Oatmeal
Erynn said: When the kids are hungry, it can be easier to pour them a bowl of cereal than it is to make an often-healthier pot of oatmeal. But your instant pot will shorten the cooking time for hearty grains like steel cut oats so you can get a healthy breakfast on the table in under 5 minutes! Plus, you can set it and forget about it while you tackle the morning's other tasks, then come back for a warm bowl yourself. From My Plant-Based Family
Instant Pot Wendy's Copycat Chili
Vanessa M. said: Wendy's restaurant makes a mean chili. This copycat recipe for Wendy's chili tastes like it simmered on the stove for hours, but it's actually made in minutes in the Instant Pot! Use the saute setting to cook the beef and veggies before pressure cooking everything together, and in 10 minutes your chili will be ready to eat! From A Night Owl
Instant Pot Spaghetti
Vanessa M. said: Spaghetti with meat sauce is a classic family favorite, only now it comes together in a snap in the Instant Pot! I found the 8 min this recipe suggests to be too long. A good rule for pasta in the instant pot is 1/2 the time suggested by the box (so if your box of spaghetti says to boil for 10 minutes, use 5 min in the Instant Pot, quick release). From The Salty Marshmallow
Instant Pot Olive Garden Pasta e Fagioli
Katie G. said: This family friendly Instant Pot recipe is so tasty! The majority of this soup is cooked while the pressure builds in the pot and through the natural release so don't let the 3 minute cook time fool you. Serve topped with shredded Parmesan and some crusty bread for a delicious family meal. From Cook Fast Eat Well
Instant Pot Refried Beans
Vanessa M. said: No need to presoak beans overnight with this recipe! Instant Pot refried beans are so easy to make, and are ready to eat in less than an hour! With fresh garlic and onion, dried pinto beans, and flavorful spices, Instant Pot refried beans taste way better (and more authentic!) than the canned stuff. There's no oil or frying, and they are perfect for nachos, burritos, or alongside your favorite Mexican dishes. It's vegan too! From My Plant-Based Family
Instant Pot Strawberry Jam
Vanessa M. said: This is a great recipe to make with kids, especially in the summer when fresh strawberries are readily available. Strawberries are easy for little helpers to slice with plastic knives, and with just three ingredients (strawberries, sugar, and orange juice), the jam will be bubbling away before kids lose interest. After cooking, use a blender or immersion blender to give jam a smooth texture. Then think of all the delicious ways to eat your fresh strawberry jam: on toast, yogurt, ice cream, or by the spoonful! From One Good Thing by Jillee
Instant Pot Mississippi Pot Roast
Vanessa M. said: This Instant Pot roast has a deep, rich flavor and is hearty and satisfying. It is the kind of meal that tastes like it took lots of effort to produce, but it could not be easier in the Instant Pot! From A Mom's Impression
Instant Pot Creamy Chicken Marsala Pasta
Vanessa M. said: This was a big hit at our house. It reminds me of dreamy pasta dishes from fancy Italian restaurants. The combination of sun-dried tomatoes, mushrooms, Marsala wine (the alcohol fully cooks out so it is safe for kids), heavy cream, and parmesan cheese takes this pasta and chicken dish to a new level of yum! From Pressure Luck
Primary photo: TR Davis on Unsplash
Upparent collects community-submitted recommendations and reviews, and any ideas that are shared reflect the opinions of individual contributors.