19 Uses For An Instant Pot You’ve Probably Never Thought Of

What is an Instant Pot?

The "Instant Pot" is a popular brand of electric pressure cookers that has revolutionized the weeknight dinner routine. With over 35,000 ratings on Amazon and ranking among the top five best-selling items on Black Friday and Cyber Monday in 2018, this kitchen gadget is a game-changer. It functions similarly to a high-speed crockpot, making it quick and easy to prepare homemade meals.

By using the Instant Pot's pressure settings, you can cook meat dishes, soups, and even cheesecake in a fraction of the time it would take with traditional appliances, eliminating the guesswork involved with stovetop pressure cookers. However, the Instant Pot's versatility extends beyond just cooking quick pasta dishes. It can be used for a variety of creative purposes, from crafting and cosmetics to making candy, showcasing its multifunctional capabilities.

1. Herb Infused Oil

Maximize the benefits of your garden-fresh herbs by infusing them into oil using your Instant Pot. Whether you use fresh or dried herbs, the low heat provided by the yogurt setting on most Instant Pots is ideal for this process.

Start by combining your chosen herbs and oil in a mason jar. Place the jar on the trivet inside your Instant Pot, then fill the pot with water until it reaches halfway up the sides of the jar. Set the Instant Pot to low on crockpot mode or use the yogurt setting.

Allow the herbs to steep in the hot oil for up to four hours. Afterward, turn off the pot and let the oil come to room temperature. Strain the herbs from the oil using a cheesecloth or potato ricer. For best results, store the infused oil in an amber-colored container, away from direct sunlight.

2. Homemade Elderberry Syrup (and Gummies!)

Creating homemade elderberry syrup in your Instant Pot is simpler than you might think, and it allows you to control the flavoring process perfectly. This versatile syrup can also be used to make delicious and immune-boosting elderberry gummies. Sparkles To Sprinkles provides a great recipe for these dual-purpose treats.

To make the elderberry syrup, you’ll need a cup of dried elderberries, two tablespoons of fresh ginger, two cinnamon sticks, six whole cloves, and 1 ½ cups of raw honey. Place the dried elderberries, fresh ginger, cinnamon sticks, and whole cloves into the Instant Pot, then add four cups of water. Set the Instant Pot to manual pressure for seven minutes, then perform a quick release. Use a mesh strainer to press on the berries and extract their juices, and let the strained liquid cool for at least 15 minutes before adding the raw honey, stirring until well mixed.

Once you’re ready to make the gummies, gather ¾ cup of apple juice and three packets of gelatin. Combine the apple juice and elderberry syrup in a saucepan, sprinkling the gelatin on top and letting it sit for a few minutes. Place the saucepan on medium heat and stir continuously for about two minutes, or until the gelatin is fully dissolved. Remove the pan from heat and let it cool for two minutes, then pour the liquid into silicone molds of your choice. Allow the gummies to chill in the fridge for about an hour until they are firm. Once set, pop the gummies out of the molds and store them in the fridge for up to two weeks.

These elderberry gummies are a tasty and natural way to boost your immune system, making the most of your homemade elderberry syrup.

3. Handmade Popsicle Stick Bracelets

Attention budget-conscious jewelry lovers! Your Instant Pot can be your secret weapon for creating one-of-a-kind bracelets at a fraction of the cost. Here's how to transform ordinary popsicle sticks into extraordinary bangles.

First, fill your Instant Pot with water and switch it to saute mode. Watch as the water boils merrily. Once boiling, carefully add your chosen popsicle sticks – the width is entirely up to you!

Let the sticks simmer for a few minutes. Then, using tongs for safety, gently retrieve a stick. If it's pliable enough to be carefully bent into a bracelet shape, success! If not, give them a bit more time in the hot water bath.

Once the sticks have completely cooled, it's time to unleash your inner artist! Popular decoration methods include fabric or scrapbook paper applications, permanent marker designs, or even wrapping them in colorful embroidery floss.

The beauty of this project lies in its limitless creative potential. There are no rules, only the freedom to craft ultra-affordable and truly unique bangles that reflect your style.

4. Recycled Crayons

With a bit of creativity, your Instant Pot can be used to melt down old crayons and create new art supplies. Here's how to do it, inspired by A Well Filled Homemaker.

First, gather the necessary materials: popsicle sticks, parchment paper, small plastic cups, broken crayons in various colors, and a silicone mold in a fun shape.

Start by sorting the crayon pieces by color into the plastic cups. Different shades of the same color can be mixed, and there's no need to remove the paper coverings.

Add one cup of water to the Instant Pot insert and place the trivet at the bottom. Arrange the cups of crayons on the trivet and secure the Instant Pot lid. Set it to steam mode for two minutes, allowing the pressure to release naturally afterward.

Carefully remove the cups from the Instant Pot and pour the melted wax into the silicone molds, using the popsicle sticks to keep the paper coverings out of the way. Once the wax has hardened, pop your new crayons out of the molds and enjoy your recycled art supplies.

5. Fruit-Infused Water

If you love flavored water but want to reduce costs and avoid single-use plastic bottles, use your Instant Pot to make homemade fruit-infused water. Slice your favorite fresh fruits and herbs, such as orange, basil, and a tablespoon of fresh ground ginger, and add them to the pot, filling it halfway with water.

For easier filtering, place the ingredients in a strainer basket. Set the Instant Pot to manual mode for five minutes, then allow a natural pressure release for another five minutes. 

Once cooled, strain the water through a fine sieve, and chill it in the fridge until you're ready to drink. For a more intense flavor, double the ingredients and freeze the infused water into ice cubes to add to lemonade or other beverages.

6. Double Boiler for Melting Chocolate

If you own an Instant Pot, you can easily avoid burning your melted chocolate by using it as a double boiler. Simply set the Instant Pot to sauté mode and heat it without the lid until the water boils. Then, place a smaller bowl inside the Instant Pot to melt the chocolate. This method ensures even heating and prevents scorching, making it perfect for dipping or baking projects.

7. Milk and Honey Corn on the Cob

For a rich, buttery corn on the cob with minimal hassle, try this recipe from Simply Happy Foodie. Combine water, milk, butter, salt, honey, and Cajun seasoning in your Instant Pot with 6-8 ears of corn. Pressure cook the mixture for four minutes, then let the pressure release naturally for five minutes.

Serve the corn immediately from the Instant Pot for a delicious, flavor-infused side dish that's sure to impress. This method ensures perfectly cooked, flavorful corn without the fuss.

8. Homemade Vanilla Extract

Enhance your baking with homemade vanilla extract, easily made in your Instant Pot. You'll need a pint-sized mason jar, kitchen shears, five vanilla beans, and vodka.

Start by cutting each vanilla bean pod in half lengthwise with the shears, or into one-inch pieces if they are too dry. Place the pieces in the mason jar and fill it with vodka, leaving an inch of headspace. Lightly tighten the jar lid.

Add a cup of water to the Instant Pot and place the trivet at the bottom. Set the jar on the trivet, secure the Instant Pot lid, and pressure cook for thirty minutes. Let the pressure release naturally. Once cooled, the extract can be used immediately or stored for future baking projects.

This method speeds up the extraction process, allowing you to enjoy rich, homemade vanilla extract much sooner than traditional methods.

9. Sterilize Breast Pumps and Baby Bottles

Instant Pots are a versatile tool for nursing mothers, offering a convenient way to prepare meals and sterilize baby bottles and other nursing supplies.

To use your Instant Pot for sterilization, start by adding a cup of water to the pot and placing the trivet inside. Arrange all the items you want to sanitize on the trivet, ensuring they do not touch each other to allow proper steam circulation. Close the lid securely, set the pot to steam mode for two minutes, and let the steam release naturally for five minutes. Afterward, manually release any remaining pressure, and carefully remove your sanitized items. Place them on a clean kitchen towel to air dry.

10. Roast Garlic

Your Instant Pot can also be used for roasting garlic, resulting in soft, spreadable cloves. Simply place peeled garlic cloves in a foil packet, drizzle with olive oil, and seal. Place the packet on the trivet in the Instant Pot, add a cup of water, and cook on manual pressure for five minutes. Allow the pressure to release naturally. The roasted garlic will be aromatic and perfect for spreading on bread or adding to your favorite dishes.

11. Homemade Dog Food

Your Instant Pot isn't just for human meals; it's also a fantastic tool for preparing nutritious pet food. With the Instant Pot, you can toss all the ingredients in at once and attend to other tasks while the food cooks.

This method allows you to prepare a week’s worth of dog food in one batch, simplifying the process and ensuring your pet gets fresh, homemade meals. This is often healthier and more cost-effective than buying commercial kibble.

Almost any homemade dog food recipe can be adapted for the Instant Pot. For example, Tales From the Back Road offers a detailed guide for making a healthy chicken recipe. Just follow the steps to create a balanced, delicious meal for your furry friend.

12. Natural Easter Egg Dye

Create beautiful, naturally dyed Easter eggs using your Instant Pot. Use purple cabbage for blue, beets for pink, yellow onion skins for orange, ground turmeric for yellow, and red onion skins for red.

Chop the vegetables or measure the spices and place them in the Instant Pot with water. Simmer on sauté mode for about 15 minutes. Strain the liquid into bowls, add a tablespoon of white vinegar to each, then submerge hard-boiled eggs in the dye until you achieve the desired color. For deeper colors, refrigerate the eggs in the dye overnight. This method provides vibrant, natural hues for your Easter celebrations.

13. Iced Tea

Make the world’s easiest iced tea in your Instant Pot with this smooth yet strong recipe from Two Sleevers. Combine four teabags, six cups of water, and a ½ cup of sugar in your Instant Pot. Cook on high pressure for four minutes, then let the pressure release naturally for at least 15 minutes. Chill the tea before serving it over ice.

For added convenience, you can reuse the same tea bags for your next batch, just add one or two more to maintain the flavor. This method ensures a consistent, refreshing iced tea every time.

14. Boiled Peanuts

Boiled peanuts, a classic Southern snack, can be made effortlessly in your Instant Pot. For the best results, use green peanuts, which are freshly harvested and have a higher moisture content. If green peanuts are not available, raw peanuts work as well, but require a longer cooking time and soaking overnight.

To begin, rinse two pounds of peanuts and place them in the Instant Pot. Customize your seasoning with a blend of ½ cup of salt, one tablespoon each of Cajun seasoning, crushed red pepper flakes, and Zatarain’s liquid crab boil. Cover the peanuts with water and place a steamer rack on top to keep them submerged.

Pressure cook the peanuts for 45 minutes and allow the pressure to release naturally. For raw peanuts, extend the cooking time to 80 minutes.

15. Homemade Seafood Stock

After enjoying a big seafood dinner, it might feel wasteful to toss out the shells, bones, and shrimp tails. Instead, make the most of these remnants by turning them into flavorful seafood stock using your Instant Pot. This simple recipe will enhance your homemade bisques, soups, gumbo, and Cajun-inspired dishes.

Any combination of seafood remnants can be used, and you can store them in the freezer until you have enough to make stock. Get creative with your flavors by adding fresh thyme, lemon slices, and Creole seasoning blends.

To start, fill your Instant Pot halfway with water and add your collected seafood remnants and chosen seasonings. Stir to combine, then close the lid and pressure cook for thirty to sixty minutes. Allow the pressure to release naturally, then use a colander to strain the liquid, separating the solids from the stock.

You can store the seafood stock in the fridge for up to a week, or freeze it in ice cube trays so you can thaw the exact amount you need for each recipe. This way, you get double duty out of your seafood meal, reducing waste and adding a rich, hearty flavor to your future culinary creations.

16. Easy “Egg Loaf”

Tired of boiling and peeling hard-boiled eggs? Simplify the process by making an Instant Pot egg loaf, perfect for egg salad.

Use a glass bowl that fits inside your Instant Pot. Spray it generously with non-stick spray and crack eight to ten eggs directly into the container. Add a cup of water to your Instant Pot and place the trivet inside. Balance the bowl on top of the trivet and cook at high pressure for 20 minutes. Let the pressure naturally release for five minutes before performing a quick release.

Allow the bowl to cool in the Instant Pot for five minutes before carefully removing it. Slide the egg loaf out and chop it up for your favorite egg salad recipe. This method eliminates the hassle of peeling individual eggs and makes preparation quick and easy.

17. Wine from Grape Juice

Yes, you really can make wine in your Instant Pot. The basic process involves a jug of grape juice, one cup of sugar, and a packet of red wine yeast. Follow the detailed instructions from FoodnService for the best results.

First, pour the grape juice into your Instant Pot, then stir in the sugar until it dissolves. Add the packet of red wine yeast and mix well. Set your Instant Pot to the yogurt setting and keep it on for 48 straight hours.

After two days, you can enjoy your homemade wine. This method works best with an Instant Pot that has a yogurt setting, as it maintains the necessary temperature for fermentation over an extended period.

18. Hand Lotion Bars

You can use your Instant Pot to make nourishing hand lotion bars with this recipe from Traditional Cooking School. Gather the following ingredients: one cup each of grated cacao butter and beeswax pastilles, ½ cup of extra virgin olive oil, one teaspoon of vitamin E, and twenty drops of your favorite essential oil.

Set your Instant Pot to warm mode and add the cacao butter, grated beeswax, and olive oil. Allow the ingredients to melt, which will take about 12 minutes. Once melted, transfer the mixture to a glass measuring cup and whisk in the vitamin E and essential oils. Pour the blend into silicone molds and let them sit until hardened. Use the lotion bars immediately or store them in airtight containers. This simple method creates moisturizing bars perfect for personal use or gifts.

19. Proof Bread Dough

Bread lovers rejoice; your Instant Pot can simplify one of the trickiest parts of baking bread: proofing the dough. Using the warming mode or yogurt setting on your pressure cooker creates the ideal environment for yeast to thrive, ensuring consistent results.

The consistent, slightly warm temperature maintained by the Instant Pot helps the dough rise perfectly every time. This method can significantly reduce the time required for proofing and minimize the variability that comes with leaving dough on the countertop. By using your Instant Pot for proofing, you streamline your baking process and achieve reliable, delicious homemade bread with less effort.