Can You Cook Potatoes in a Rice Cooker? Times, Steaming and Potatoes With Rice
Yes. The easiest way is to steam them: put 1 to 2 cups of water in the pot, potatoes in the steamer basket, and use the Steam setting. Cubes take about 20 to 25 minutes; small whole potatoes take about 30 to 40 minutes.
On a basic one-button cooker, put cut potatoes in the pot with enough water to come halfway up, press Cook, and check with a knife when it clicks to Warm.
- Steaming in the basket gives the best texture and keeps potatoes from going waterlogged.
- A rice cooker switches to Warm when the water is used up. Too little water means hard potatoes; too much means a very long cycle.
- Small, evenly cut pieces cook in one cycle. Large whole potatoes may need a second cycle.
- You can cook bite-size potatoes on top of rice in the same pot.
- A rice cooker cannot truly bake a potato. It steams it, so the skin stays soft.
Can you cook potatoes in a rice cooker?
Yes. A rice cooker boils water and cooks with steam, and that works for potatoes as well as rice. It is handy when your stove is busy, in dorm rooms and offices, or when you want potatoes and rice ready at the same time.
The one thing to understand is how the cooker decides it is done. It heats until the water in the pot has boiled away or been absorbed, then the temperature rises and it switches to Warm.
With potatoes, water is not absorbed the way rice absorbs it, so the amount of water decides how long it cooks.
Rice cooker potato cooking times
These are typical times on the Steam or Cook setting. Rice cookers vary in power and size, so test with a knife and add time as needed.
| Potatoes | Method | Water | Approximate time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-inch cubes | Steam basket | 1 to 1½ cups | 20 to 25 minutes |
| Baby or small whole (1½ inch) | Steam basket | 1½ to 2 cups | 30 to 40 minutes |
| Medium whole (2½ inch) | Steam basket | 2 cups, top up if needed | 40 to 50 minutes, or cut in half |
| Sliced ½ inch | Steam basket | 1 cup | 15 to 20 minutes |
| Cubes, no basket | In the pot | Halfway up the potatoes | One Cook cycle, about 25 to 35 minutes |
How to steam potatoes in a rice cooker
- Prepare. Scrub the potatoes. Cut them into even 1-inch cubes, or halve small potatoes so no piece is thicker than about 1½ inches.
- Add water. Pour 1 to 2 cups of water into the inner pot. Use more for whole potatoes and longer cooking.
- Load the basket. Put the potatoes in the steamer basket in a single layer if you can, and set it in the cooker.
- Steam. Close the lid and choose Steam. If your cooker lets you set the time, start with 20 minutes for cubes or 30 for small whole potatoes.
- Test. A knife should slide into the center easily. If not, add ½ cup of hot water and steam for 5 to 10 minutes more.
- Finish. Toss with butter, salt and herbs, or mash them for mashed potatoes.
Using the rice setting (Cuckoo, Aroma and basic cookers)
No Steam setting? You can use White Rice or the single Cook button. Put cut potatoes straight in the pot and add water to about halfway up the potatoes. Close the lid and press Cook.
When it clicks to Warm, the water has boiled away. Check the potatoes. If they are firm, add ½ cup of water and run another cycle. Do not run the cooker dry for long, as potatoes stuck to the bottom can scorch.
Cooking potatoes and rice together
Bite-size potatoes cook happily on top of rice in a single cycle. This works for simple potato rice, Japanese curry nights, or an Indian-style aloo pulao.
- Prepare the rice. Rinse the rice and add water to the normal line for that amount of rice.
- Add the potatoes. Peel and cut potatoes into ½-inch cubes. Scatter them on top of the rice; do not stir them in.
- Add a little extra water. Add about 2 tablespoons of extra water for each cup of potato cubes.
- Season. Add salt, a little butter or oil, and spices such as cumin, turmeric or garam masala for pulao.
- Cook and rest. Cook on White Rice, rest for 10 minutes, then gently fold together.
Can you bake potatoes in a rice cooker?
Not really. A rice cooker cooks with boiling water and steam, so it cannot make a crisp, dry baked-potato skin. You can make soft “baked-style” potatoes by steaming whole potatoes, then crisping the skins for a few minutes in a hot oven or air fryer.
Some rice cookers have a Cake or Bake program. These still cook from the bottom of the pot and are designed for cake batter, so they will not give you an oven-style baked potato.
Flavor ideas
- Garlic butter: toss hot potatoes with melted butter, crushed garlic and parsley.
- Potato salad: steam cubes until just tender, cool and dress with mayonnaise, mustard and pickles.
- Mashed potatoes: steam peeled cubes until very soft, then mash with warm milk and butter.
- Indian aloo: steam cubes, then fry briefly with mustard seeds, cumin, turmeric and chili.
Common problems
| Problem | Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Still hard | Not enough water, or pieces too big | Add water and cook again; cut smaller next time |
| Waterlogged | Boiled in too much water | Steam in the basket instead |
| Stuck or scorched on the bottom | Cooker ran dry with potatoes in the pot | Use the basket, or add a little more water |
| Uneven | Mixed sizes | Cut all pieces to the same size |
Frequently asked questions
Can you boil potatoes in a rice cooker?
Yes. Put cut potatoes in the pot with water about halfway up, and press Cook. Steaming in the basket usually gives a better texture.
How long do potatoes take in a rice cooker?
About 20 to 25 minutes for 1-inch cubes and 30 to 40 minutes for small whole potatoes on the Steam setting. Always check with a knife.
Can you cook small whole potatoes with butter and a little water in a small rice cooker?
Yes, but use at least ½ to 1 cup of water so the cooker does not switch off too soon or scorch. Add the butter after cooking, or a small knob at the start.
Can I use the rice setting on a Cuckoo rice cooker for potatoes?
Yes, with water halfway up the potatoes. If your Cuckoo has a Steam or Multi-cook setting, that gives you more control over the time.
Can you cook potatoes and rice at the same time?
Yes. Add small potato cubes on top of the rice with a little extra water, cook on White Rice, then rest and fold together.
The bottom line
Potatoes cook well in a rice cooker. Steam even-sized pieces over 1 to 2 cups of water for 20 to 40 minutes, or cook them in the pot with water halfway up on a basic cooker.
For faster results, see how to cook potatoes in a pressure cooker. For more rice cooker ideas, try congee or Rice-A-Roni.
- Top 10 Best Ceramic Cooker Under 100 2026 - October 30, 2026
- Top 10 Best Portable Ceramic Cooker 2026 - October 30, 2026
- Top 10 Best Compact Ceramic Cooker 2026 - October 30, 2026
