The Best Instant Pot Cookbooks Of 2023

It's no secret that Instant Pot became the talk of the town as the latest, greatest small kitchen appliance in 2016, selling more than 200,000 units that year on Amazon Prime Day alone (via NPR). And in the years since, sales of this multi-functional tool haven't exactly slowed down, with Instant Pot becoming a billion-dollar business in 2020 — just 10 years after its initial launch, according to Medium. 

Of course, a handy countertop appliance designed to do everything from sautéing to steaming, pressure cooking to slow cooking, and even air frying doesn't do you much good if you don't know how to use it. So, with the boom of Instant Pot sales, a secondary industry has grown — Instant Pot cookbooks. These books are filled to the brim with appliance-specific recipes to provide users with everything they need to get the most out of their Instant Pot. But with so many options on the market (search "Instant Pot cookbooks" on Amazon, and you'll return more than 5,000 results), it's hard to know which cookbooks are worth a purchase. Here, we've narrowed down the best options by category to help you find the perfect cookbook to master your Instant Pot and turn out delicious, easy-to-make recipes sure to please your whole family. 

Not every Instant Pot user is looking for the exact same thing in a cookbook, so when it came to selecting the best ones to include on this list, we took some time to come up with different categories.

We first narrowed down the types of food different users may be looking to make. So, in addition to selecting cookbooks for general use, or those geared a type of home chef (beginners or children, for instance), we also selected cookbooks specific to different dietary parameters (gluten-free or keto-friendly) as well as those specific to international palates (Mexican, Italian, or Asian, for example). We then used the popularity of the cookbook based on its total number of reviews on retailers like Amazon and combined that with the real ratings and feedback the users provided. The result is a well-balanced list of cookbooks for your Instant Pot that are sure to meet the needs of those looking to make a purchase. 

When it came to selecting the best overall Instant Pot cookbook, we wanted to choose a beginner-friendly option with a broad selection of recipes. The 2023 edition of The Newest Instant Pot Recipes for Beginners by Melissa Burrill delivers just that. With more than 1,000 recipes appropriate for beginner to advanced Instant Pot users, it ticks all the boxes. And while the 2023 edition of this popular cookbook is relatively new, as of January 2023 it has more than 300 reviews with a total 4.6-star rating out of 5 stars on Amazon. 

In addition to standard recipes, the cookbook provides shopping lists, menu ideas, and options for breakfast, appetizers, and sides as well as diet-friendly recipes for vegans and vegetarians. "Love this cookbook!" shared one 5-star reviewer on Amazon. "The recipes are easy to follow and helped me learn how to use my new Instant Pot Pressure Cooker. Looking forward to my [next] recipe." 

Just keep in mind that the cookbook is extensive but doesn't offer photos for every recipe. As of this writing, it's available on Amazon for $13.99.

When you want your recipes to be as simple to throw together as they are to cook, you want a recipe book that uses minimal ingredients. The 5-Ingredient Instant Pot Cookbook by Georgina Flynn is the perfect option. Just as the title implies, each recipe contains five or fewer ingredients, which means you can probably make many of the recipes without needing to head to the store. Plus, with a whopping 1,500 recipes to choose from (including wide-ranging and great-sounding options like espresso oatmeal and buttery steamed lobster tails), you could try a new meal every day for years before you'd need to revisit previous options. 

Published on January 9, 2023, this cookbook has made a positive impression on buyers with more than 150 reviews and a total 4.9-star rating on Amazon. Just keep in mind that there aren't many photos to accompany the recipes. As of this writing, this cookbook is for sale on Amazon for $12.59. 

There's a difference between Instant Pot cookbooks that may offer some beginner-friendly options and Instant Pot cookbooks that are designed specifically for beginners. The Ultimate Instant Pot Cookbook for Beginners by Martha Romero features 1,500 Instant Pot recipes along with detailed instructions on how to use the small appliance. The 12 chapters are broken down by category, including breakfasts, stews, fish and seafood, grains, snacks, chicken and poultry, and even desserts. That means you can choose from among options like chocolate peanut butter popcorn, stuffed chicken parmesan, or ginger oregano brown lentils. 

With so many options, you may find it overwhelming, but the cookbook even offers a 4-week meal plan to help you start your Instant Pot journey. The cookbook was released in October 2022, so it's still new on the market and has accrued more than 180 reviews with a 4.7-star overall rating on Amazon. At the time of this writing, the cookbook is available on Amazon for $15.86.

Parents may understandably have a few misgivings about letting their children use the Instant Pot, which is known for releasing a hot burst of steam as the appliance's pressure is released. But with proper parental supervision (and kid-friendly recipes), there's no reason why kids can't get involved in Instant Pot cooking. The Instant Pot Cookbook for Kids by Shannon Jett features 53 recipes all designed to be perfect for the littlest home chefs. Each recipe features kid-friendly instructions along with color photos of the end result. From chicken tacos to spaghetti, buffalo chicken dip to fudgy peanut butter brownies, this cookbook has breakfasts, snacks, entrees, and desserts. 

With more than 170 reviews on Amazon, the cookbook maintains a 4.5-star overall rating. "My 10 year old daughter is making dinner for the family using this book and this is awesome. She has done a great job and can be all credited to this book," shares one happy parent on Amazon. As of this writing, the book is for sale on Amazon for $16.99. 

Most Instant Pot cookbooks have some vegetarian-friendly options, but if you're starting to get serious about cutting back (or cutting out) meat from your life, it's best to purchase an Instant Pot cookbook specific to your needs. The Instant Pot Miracle Vegetarian Cookbook written by the best-selling Instant Pot author Urvashi Pitre, who also wrote Indian Instant Pot Cookbook and Instant Pot Fast & Easy, features more than 100 recipes for vegetarians focused on using fresh, whole foods rather than meat alternatives like tempeh or seitan. 

Most (though not all) recipes are accompanied by full-color photos to get your taste buds salivating, and the options are a refreshing break from recipes so commonly found in general-purpose cookbooks. For instance, it has garlic-parmesan spaghetti squash, cilantro-lime millet pilaf, and even iced bubble tea. Also, given that this is a vegetarian cookbook, and not a vegan one, there's a section with eggs and cheese as well. As of this writing, the cookbook has a 4.6-star rating on Amazon and is available for $13.02.

For those committed to a completely vegan diet, standard Instant Pot cookbooks are unlikely to make the grade. The Complete Vegan Instant Pot Cookbook by Barb Musick, on the other hand, offers 101 vegan-friendly recipes that are easy to make and delicious to eat. Plus, the cookbook was authorized by Instant Pot itself, so you know it's up to snuff. 

Like most cookbooks, this one offers options for breakfasts, soups and stews, entrees, desserts, and sauces. Users can choose from among interesting-sounding recipes like deconstructed cabbage rolls, vanilla poached pears with caramel sauce, or kale and sweet potato mini quiche (an egg-free version, naturally). 

First published in 2019, the cookbook has more than 950 reviews on Amazon with an overall rating of 4.5 stars. Some users note they wish there were more photos of the recipes, but overall, home chefs rave about the easy-to-follow instructions and the flavor of the resulting meals. As of this writing, the cookbook is available on Amazon for $10.39.

Almost every Instant Pot cookbook includes at least a few recipes for soups and stews, but if you're the kind of person who can't imagine a dinner without a bowl of soup as a starter, you need a cookbook chock full of spoonable goodness. The Best Instant Pot Stew and Soup Cookbook by Helena Walker features 50 different recipes broken down by type of soup (vegetable, poultry, meat, or seafood, for instance) as well as type of cuisine (Mexican, Asian, or European). That means you can choose from simple staples, like chicken noodle or chicken broccoli soup, or something a little more far-ranging, like beef kimchi or cabbage leek soup. 

With an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars on Amazon, the cookbook has been well-received by customers since its 2019 release. The only commonly noted downsides? Like some of the other cookbooks, it doesn't offer photos for every recipe. Plus, the instructions are geared more to those who are familiar with Instant Pots rather than newbies. As of this writing, the cookbook is for sale on Amazon for $12.95.

Who ever thought you could prepare your Taco Tuesday feast without turning on the oven or stove? The Everyday Mexican Instant Pot Cookbook authorized by Instant Pot itself (and written by Leslie Limón), is packed with more than 80 Mexican, Tex-Mex, Cali-Mex, and Southwestern recipes full of traditional and Mexican-inspired flavors. From salsa verde shredded chicken taquitos to roasted poblano peppers to black bean, sweet potato, and chorizo chili, this book has options you're unlikely to discover anywhere else. There's even a recipe for fruity agua fresca (which, admittedly, doesn't require the Instant Pot). 

With more than 380 reviews on Amazon, the cookbook maintains a 4.5-star rating. "This book has just become my favorite Mexican cookbook. Easy to follow recipes with a great variety of the food I like to eat. AWESOME BOOK," shares one 5-star reviewer on Amazon. One thing to keep in mind, though, is that these aren't all one-appliance recipes. The author focuses on fresh foods and preparing dishes from scratch, which means that some of the recipes require preparation in addition to the Instant Pot itself. As of this writing, the cookbook is for sale on Amazon for $13.19.

Another Instant Pot-authorized cookbook, the Instant Pot Italian: 100 Irresistible Recipes Made Easier Than Ever by Ivy Manning offers all sorts of Italian-inspired fare that you might not know you can make in your Instant Pot. For instance, would you have thought you could make a squid, tomato, and olive salad with the help of your handy appliance? Or how about a ricotta cheesecake with amaretto cherries? Some recipes like stuffed artichokes and duck ragu are less likely to be found in other, non-Italian-focused Instant Pot cookbooks. 

Like many other Instant Pot cookbooks, a main detractor for buyers is the lack of photos. That said, it's still been well-reviewed since its 2018 release with more than 270 reviews and an average rating of 4.4 stars on Amazon. Just keep in mind that some of the recipes are fairly involved and may take more time than desired on a busy weeknight. As of this writing, the cookbook is available on Amazon for $12.44.

Mediterranean Instant Pot: Easy, Inspired Meals for Eating Well is part region-specific cookbook and part healthy-eating cookbook, as its recipes are all aligned with the tenets of the Mediterranean diet. The cookbook is also authorized by Instant Pot and published by America's Test Kitchen, so you know its recipes have been carefully reviewed by experts prior to publication. Plus, it's full of regional favorites, like hummus, baba ghanoush, marinated artichokes, and even homemade yogurt. 

One thing you won't find in this cookbook is a section for desserts. That said, you could always mix that homemade yogurt with fresh fruit for a sweet after-dinner treat. Plus, you'll find many (though not all) of the recipes are accompanied by full-color photos — a nice feature that many cookbooks don't offer. With more than 1,800 reviews on Amazon since its release in 2019, it's a popular option maintaining a healthy 4.5-star overall rating. As of this writing, the cookbook is available on Amazon for $23.98.

Admittedly, Asia is a giant region to cover in a single cookbook, and there are certainly cuisine-specific options available, like Vietnamese, Thai, Korean, Chinese, or Indian Instant Pot cookbooks. That said, if you're a fan of every style of Asian cuisine and you want a cookbook to help walk you through the different Asian flavors, the Instant Pot Asian Pressure Cooker Meals: Fast, Fresh, & Affordable by Patricia Tanumihardja is a good, well-rounded choice.

Its more than 50 recipes include Asian fare like Japanese-style soy sauce eggs (Japan), kimchi tofu stew (Korea), tangy Filipino beef steak (Philippines), baby eggplant curry (India), and even sweet sticky rice with fresh mango (Thailand). You really will enjoy a light tasting tour of the world's largest continent as you work your way through this cookbook. With more than 430 reviews it also has a popular 4.5-star overall rating on Amazon. As of this writing, the cookbook is available on Amazon for $11.59.

Some Instant Pot cookbooks include a section on sweets and desserts, but it's a category that rarely gets a lot of attention. If you want to use your Instant Pot to make cakes, pies, and other treats, The Ultimate Instant Pot Desserts Cookbook by Janet A. Zimmerman is the best option for you. This 2022 cookbook features a full range of dessert recipes from chocolate chip banana bread and caramelized banana upside-down cake to peach and blueberry cobbler and chocolate and orange bread pudding. There are even options for cinnamon-vanilla applesauce and homemade ricotta cheese! As long as you're not trying to make candies or ice creams, it has recipes for just about everything. 

While the cookbook hasn't amassed many reviews (due in part to its relatively recent publication date and in part to its niche), it has an average 4.7-star rating on Amazon. As of this writing, the cookbook is available on Amazon for $8.79.

For anyone looking to lighten up their regular menu and make fast, easy, lower-calorie recipes, then the No. 1 national bestselling cookbook, The Lighter Step-by-Step Instant Pot Cookbook by Jeffrey Eisner is the perfect pick. Released in 2021, it has almost 6,000 ratings on Amazon with an average of 4.7 stars. The book features 90 lightened-up recipes, many of which are written to fit into diet-specific menus for those who follow keto, Paleo, gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan, or vegetarian eating plans. Whether you want to try your hand at a tequila-lime shrimp fettuccine or a more classic comfort food, like a French onion pot roast, there's a little something for everyone in this easy-to-follow cookbook. 

Best of all? Each recipe is fully illustrated with step-by-step photos to accompany the delicious-looking final images. This makes it a particularly helpful cookbook for visual learners and those who are new to using the Instant Pot. As of this writing, the cookbook is available on Amazon for $14.59.

To be clear, carbs aren't the enemy when it comes to overall health, but reducing the consumption of refined carbs is often a goal when you're looking to eat a healthier diet. This can be tough when you're used to turning to breads, pastas, rice, and potatoes as your main menu items. To get the most out of your Instant Pot while also reducing the amount of carbs you're consuming, the Low-Carb Instant Pot Cookbook by Helena Walker (the same author who put together the stews and soups cookbook) is a good all-around option. 

Each recipe features a color image, simple instructions, and a breakdown of calories, fat, protein, and carbs. This makes it easy to track your daily food consumption in app-based fitness trackers. The cookbook has over 200 ratings on Amazon with an average of 4.3 stars. 

Just keep in mind that while the cookbook is also positioned as "ketogenic," it's not as clear as some options (like the cookbook mentioned below) that all the recipes are keto-friendly. While keto-friendly recipes are all going to be low-carb (that's the nature of the ketogenic diet), not all low-carb recipes will necessarily fit into all keto-style diets, particularly very strict ones. So, if you're using this cookbook as part of your keto plan, pay close attention to the number of carbs each serving contains. As of this writing, the cookbook is available on Amazon for $12.99.

Whether you're following a gluten-free diet due to a celiac disease diagnosis, a gluten allergy, or the desire to cut back on carbs, it can be hard to come up with easy, gluten-free recipes if you're new to the diet. This is particularly true if you want to make them in your Instant Pot. That's why The Gluten-Free Instant Pot Cookbook by Virginia Campbell is a good choice to keep in your kitchen. Plus, it highlights recipes that are kid-friendly, that are made with limited ingredients, or that take 20 minutes or less to cook. In other words, it's easy to put the cookbook to use for a variety of situations. 

With 50 easy-to-follow recipes including artichoke and lemon pork chops and red wine-braised beef short ribs, you'll be so satisfied with the flavorful results that you won't even miss the gluten. With more than 125 reviews on Amazon, it maintains a 4.3-star rating. As of this writing, this cookbook is for sale on Amazon for $13.97.

For anyone following a keto-specific diet, The Ultimate Keto Instant Pot Cookbook by Lawrence V. Stevens is the way to go. This cookbook contains more than 1,000 high-fat, low-carb, keto-friendly recipes you can whip up in your Instant Pot, along with a 21-day meal plan to help guide you through the initial stages of your keto diet. Whether you want to make a bone broth, a keto-friendly ketchup (most regular ketchups aren't keto-friendly), avocado breakfast burgers, or even hot chocolate, there's a recipe to meet your cravings. 

With more than 260 reviews on Amazon, the cookbook maintains an average 4.4-star rating. Like many of the other cookbooks that feature a large number of recipes, this one doesn't offer many images to accompany the recipes, a frequently cited downside of the book. That said, the recipes themselves are much appreciated, although some users note the instructions may not be suited for new Instant Pot users. As of this writing, the cookbook is available on Amazon for $12.99.