The Best Kid-Friendly Instant Pot Recipes We've Made

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Vanessa M. said:  In the mood for something creamy, cheesy, and bacon-y? This is a good picky eater Instant Pot recipe. I like to stir in a bag of steamed mixed veggies as my kids are more likely to eat veggies covered in this delicious sauce! From One Hangry Mama

Tracy Snyder Molina said:  This kid-friendly keto recipe for butter chicken has been an Internet sensation and with good reason. Chicken thighs are pressure cooked with the star of this dish, the sauce. Wonderfully silky and full of flavor, it is tomato based and infused with a blend of spices. The sauce is finished with butter and cream or it can easily be made dairy-free by using coconut oil and coconut milk. Serve over zucchini noodles or rice and you have an easy dinner. Even better, the recipe makes enough sauce that you can save half of it in the freezer for another time! From Two Sleevers

Vanessa M. said:  My kids are crazy about shrimp! This recipe for low country shrimp boil is one of our family's favorite meals. We've made it over a campfire, in the slow cooker, in the oven, and now in the Instant Pot! It works well with any method and creates a hearty, delicious meal you will want to keep in your regular rotation. From What's Cookin, Chicago?

Katie G. said:  French dip sandwiches in the instant pot are a breeze to make and so delicious! The beef in this recipe is juicy and tender and falls apart at the end of the cook time. The mix of flavors is robust, yet mild so kids will love it too. Top each sandwich with melted provolone cheese and be sure to dip in au jus. If your family can't finish all the meat, freeze the leftovers for a quick make ahead freezer meal in the future. From Eazy Peazy Mealz

Erynn said:  This is one of my favorite Instant Pot vegan recipes. If you've ever had traditional posole, you'll love this meatless version (or you can swap the recipe's jackfruit for pulled pork). Once your instant pot does all the work of cooking, you can top the soup with shredded cabbage for some crunch, or top with lime juice, cilantro, or any other ingredients that sound tasty. From Tried & True Creative

Katie G. said:  The beauty of the instant pot is that you can cook one pot meals in no time at all. These burrito bowls are no exception. In just 10 minutes (plus time for pressure to build) you can feed your family a healthy and tasty weeknight dinner. This recipe can be adapted to your family's liking - adding more or less spice and adding toppings to each individual bowl. This recipe makes a lot so be prepared for leftovers during the week. From Cook Fast Eat Well

christadiserio said:  Typically with a chicken, broccoli and rice casserole you have to cook each main ingredient separately before baking. That's NOT the case when you make this delicious recipe in your Instant Pot. It's an easy peasy weeknight recipe that calls for ingredients you'll likely already have in your fridge or pantry - and it comes together in no time. By no time, I'm talking 20 minutes from start to finish for a meal that you AND the kids will love. From I Don't Have Time for That

christadiserio said:  This Instant Pot chicken piccata took me about 20 minutes from start to finish (including sorting ingredients) and it tasted better than the piccata I make over the stove, which takes way longer than double the time. Serve with rice, pasta or risotto if you’re really feeling fancy! From Happy Foods Tube

Kelly R. said:  This kid friendly Instant Pot dump recipe is the first thing I made in mine, and now I get what the fuss is all about. Pour in a variety of simple ingredients, pressure cook for a few minutes, and you're left with a wonderful creamy tomato pasta that tastes like it took much more effort than it did. We enjoyed ours with some warmed peas mixed in at the table. Easy peasy! From Mel's Kitchen Cafe

Jaclyn Keifer said:  Our family LOVES this one! Our kids are toddler to teen in age and this is one that is consistently eaten well. The pine nuts are spectacular!!! From 365 Days of Slow + Pressure Cooking

christadiserio said:  This is one delicious version of your average chicken noodle soup. It's creamy, noodle-y, so flavorful and somewhat healthy for kids with the veggies (celery and carrots) in it. It will be a hit recipe in the family, especially on the colder days! From A Mom's Impression

Kelly R. said:  This delicious and hearty cheeseburger soup features ground turkey and cauliflower for a healthy spin on the kid-favorite comfort food in an easy weeknight meal! From Skinnytaste

Kelly R. said:  Meatballs and sauce that taste slow cooked, but come together in a snap in the Instant Pot! Try them in meatball sandwiches or over spaghetti. From Favorite Family Recipes