23 Easy Instant Pot Appetizers

These Instant Pot appetizers are certified crowd-pleasers! Whether you’re having a party, hosting a game day, or going to a potluck, these starters will not disappoint.

There is a slew of recipes you can pull off using this magical kitchen appliance, all of which are delicious and incredibly easy to make. 

This list of appetizers alone is proof. Varying from dips to pizza to popcorn, the Instant Pot can whip up just about any starter you can think of, and in such a short amount of time, at that.

Is your Instant Pot gathering dust inside your cupboard? It’s time to take it out and give these Instant Pot appetizer recipes a try. 

1. Instant Pot Beef Nachos 

Whether it’s a party with friends or a random weeknight with the family, I’m always in the mood for beef nachos. 

If you’re looking to add more excitement to the classic, though, here’s the recipe for you.

For a fun twist, turn things around by turning the nachos upside down! 

This version of nachos has the beef at the bottom, the cheese in the middle, and the tortilla chips on top.

The placement may be different, but you’ll get the exact same amazing flavor.

2. Instant Pot Pizza Dip  

This dip has everything in a pizza, minus the crust. I’m talking layers of cream cheese, spaghetti sauce, mozzarella, and a basil topping to boot.

Dip your favorite chips or crackers, or just eat it with a spoon!

Thanks to the Instant Pot, you can make this epic dip while watching the game.

Just pop the ingredients in the pot and it’ll take care of the rest – no babysitting required.

3. Crazy Bread 

You’ll definitely go crazy over crazy bread. It’s probably why it was named as such. This Little Caesar’s copycat is just as good as the original. 

These breadsticks are soft, fluffy, and cheesy. The smell of it cooking in the pot is just divine.

Also, I’ll bet you didn’t know you could make bread using your Instant Pot. There’s absolutely nothing this nifty gadget can’t do.

4. Spinach Dip  

Let’s be honest, spinach isn’t the most beloved food in the world. Spinach dip, though, is a completely different story.

Featuring sour cream, cream cheese, Monterey Jack, parmesan, garlic, and of course, spinach, this dip is ridiculously addictive.

Show up to a potluck with this dip, and your friends will definitely be mind-blown.

It’s also an excellent way to introduce kids to spinach, and prove to them that vegetables aren’t so bad!

5. Instant Pot Queso

If you’ve never had queso before, you’re in for a treat! This thick and creamy dip is one for the books.

Queso is Spanish for cheese, and this dip is cheesy, for sure. Cream cheese, white cheddar, heavy cream, and canned tomatoes intertwine to create one of the most phenomenal dips known to man.

Spiced with jalapenos and flavored with spices, I guarantee you this dip will be your new favorite.

6. Instant Pot Buffalo Cauliflower  

Attention vegetarians: this one’s for you. 

If you’re missing the goodness of buffalo wings but can’t have chicken, this recipe is the solution to your problem.

It’s basically just cauliflower florets cooked in a blend of spices. But you’ll be surprised at the flavor! 

From the tangy and spicy flavor to the mild crunch from the florets, this appetizer will be a hit with both vegetarians and meat lovers alike.

7. Instant Pot Little Smokies

Smokies are given a sweet and spicy twist! If you’re looking to elevate those bite-sized goodies, this recipe is calling your name.

While the Smokies are the star of the appetizer, it’s the sauce that takes them to another level.

A combination of pineapple juice, brown sugar, and chili sauce, it’s sweet and tangy with a touch of heat.

The sauce complements the smokiness of the sausages so well. Biting into them will give you major tropical feels.

8. Instant Pot Pot Stickers

Potstickers, gyoza, pierogies – no matter what you call them, these dumplings are simply the best. 

If you have friends coming over on short notice, don’t fret! You can always turn to frozen potstickers.

With the Instant Pot, those frozen goods will seem like they came straight out of the restaurant. 

From the skins to the filling, the potstickers will be cooked perfectly.

The skins are tender – not too firm, not too mushy. They even have those brown and crispy bottoms, too!

9. Instant Pot Popcorn 

Make popcorn from scratch the easiest way possible. Your Instant Pot has you covered. 

Homemade popcorn is so much more affordable than the microwaveable kind. Plus, you’ll get to decide how to season or flavor them. 

From classic butter to cheesy cheddar to sweet caramel, there are tons of ways to transform your basic popcorn.

10. Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs 

Whether you’re making egg salad or deviled eggs, there’s one crucial step you need to take: boil the eggs.

With the Instant Pot, you’ll get perfect hard-boiled eggs all the time. You might be thinking, why can’t I just use a regular pot? 

Well, if you want effortless peeling, you’ll definitely want to use the Instant Pot. One of its superpowers is the ability to make eggshells easy to peel. 

11. Instant Pot Pizza 

Are the kids begging you for pizza? There’s no need to preheat the oven! Use the Instant Pot, instead.

You need not make pizza dough from scratch, either. The Instant Pot can make refrigerated pizza dough taste like hand-tossed crust!   

Topped with mozzarella, pepperoni, and whatever topping you have in the pantry, your Instant Pot pizza will be a hit.

12. Garlic Parmesan Chicken Wings

Wings are the quintessential game-day snack. Many are huge fans of buffalo wings, but I’m a sucker for garlic parmesan.

There’s just something phenomenal about the combination of garlic and parmesan cheese.

This magnificent coating makes chicken wings insanely addictive. 

They’re so good it’s impossible to stop at one (dozen.) Fortunately, you can easily double or triple the recipe.

13. Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Dip

Just by staring at this cheesy, ooey-gooey dip, my mouth is already salivating.

It’s technically a dip, but honestly, I don’t need chips or crackers of any kind to devour this glorious thing.

So here’s how it goes down: chicken, Frank’s hot sauce, butter, ranch dressing, cream cheese, cheddar, and mozzarella. Sinful is an understatement.

Here’s a bonus: this delectable dip will be ready in just 13 minutes. It couldn’t get any better than that.

14. Instant Pot Salsa 

While I have nothing against salsa in a jar, I’d much prefer to make one myself. For one, it’s a lot cheaper. More importantly, the flavors are spot on.

This Instant Pot salsa is bright, beautiful, and just banging.

The combination of tomatoes, onions, and bell peppers, as well as the seasonings, make this salsa a star. 

It’s homemade, but it’s at par with your favorite Mexican restaurant.

15. Instant Pot Twice Baked Potatoes 

Bake potatoes once and they’re great, but bake them twice, and they’re even greater. 

Fluffy and creamy mashed potatoes are loaded with melty cheese and crisp bacon. It’s the ultimate guilty pleasure!

It’s the kind of appetizer that even if you know it’s sinful and indulgent, you just don’t care.

It’s hearty, sure, but that won’t stop you from asking for seconds. But it’s okay because it’s worth every calorie.

16. Instant Pot 3-2-1 Dip

Want a quick and easy dip for your next Netflix and chill? This 3-2-1 dip is as easy as 1-2-3. It only calls for three ingredients, yet it’s ridiculously amazing. 

Complete with ground Italian sausage, cream cheese, and canned tomatoes, it has all the best nacho toppings. All that’s missing are the tortilla chips!

The dip is already fantastic as it is, but you can amp it up further by topping it with cilantro and chopped bell peppers.

17. Instant Pot Deviled Eggs 

Deviled eggs are the perfect Easter appetizer. It’s an awesome way to make use of all those Easter eggs!

I don’t know why I once thought deviled eggs are such a chore to make.

When I realized how easy they were, I made it a point to make them every Easter. 

Apart from their sheer creaminess and deliciousness, they’ll also give your get-together a fancy flair.

18. Instant Pot Cornbread 

Having a Southern-themed celebration? Cornbread is a must, then.

Whether it’s chili, fried chicken, or stew, this soft and crumbly appetizer tastes amazing with every entree you can imagine.

Isn’t it amazing how the Instant Pot can make cornbread, too? It truly is the ultimate versatile kitchen gadget.

19. Instant Pot Steamed Artichokes and Aioli

Artichokes don’t necessarily scream appetizing on their own.

Add aioli to the picture and you’ll get an appetizer so scrumptious even kids won’t say no to it.

The combination of crunchy and creamy is always a winner.

You can stick to aioli for the dip, but feel free to serve it with any of the dips on this list. 

20. Oyster Cracker Munch 

Oyster crackers are okay on their own, but apart from the crunch, they really don’t have much going on. 

Turn them into an addictive appetizer by cooking it with dill weed, parmesan, and seasonings. Trust me, it makes a huge difference.

Whether you serve them as-is or add them to trail mix, you can’t go wrong.

21. Instant Pot Baba Ganoush 

Baba ganoush is a Lebanese appetizer made of mashed eggplant, lemon juice, and seasonings.

This creamy treat is perfect for dipping pita, tortilla, chips, crackers, and crudites.

Serve this to your guests to give your party a fun Lebanese flair. 

22. Instant Pot Chicken Taquitos

Chicken taquitos go from the freezer to the dinner table in just 45 minutes – how awesome is that?

Not only is the recipe quick, but it’s also super easy, too.

The Instant Pot takes care of everything, so there’s barely any effort required from you.

The result is absolutely stunning chicken taquitos. These guys are creamy, cheesy, and meaty as heck!

Serve them with salsa and sour cream, and you’ll have the appetizer of your dreams.

23. Instant Pot Chex Mix 

Chex Mix is great, but nothing beats homemade. 

Combining your favorite Chex varieties, pretzels, nuts, and bagel chips, this snack is ridiculously crunchy.

The components are already flavorful on their own, but they’ll taste a hundred times better when drizzled with seasoned melted butter.

The sauce really ties all the flavors together.