It doesn’t get any easier than this method
If you’ve ever wrestled with cutting a raw pumpkin, you’ll know it’s no small feat. The good news? Your Instant Pot (magic pot) is about to become your new best friend. Cooking a whole pumpkin—skin, seeds, and all—has never been easier, safer, or quicker.
Pop the whole pumpkin into your Instant Pot (as long as it fits!), add water, and let the pressure do the hard work. In no time, you’ll have perfectly cooked pumpkin flesh that’s soft, scoopable, and ready for anything from soups and curries to baking and baby food and my favourite pumpkin and dark chocolate scones (the recipe for this is in my second book – ‘Winter Warmers’)
The skin peels away effortlessly once it’s cooked, and the seeds can be scooped out with ease (hello, roasted pumpkin seeds – This recipe can also be found in ‘Winter Warmers‘ ). This method works best with smaller varieties like Sugar Pie, Baby Bear, or Crown Prince—anything that fits comfortably in the pot.
Whether you’re tackling a glut of garden pumpkins or just want to simplify your autumn cooking, this hands-off hack will save time, effort, and your fingertips. Once you try it, there’s no going back to the old knife-wielding ways.
Helpful FAQ’s about cooking whole pumpkins in the (magic) instant pot
Can I really cook a whole pumpkin in the Instant Pot
Yes! As long as it fits inside your Instant Pot (usually 6L or larger), you can cook it whole—skin, seeds, and all.
What size pumpkin fits in the Instant Pot?
Smaller varieties like Sugar Pie, Baby Bear, or Kabocha usually fit best. Aim for a pumpkin under 1.5kg. If it’s too big, you can cut it in half or quarters.
Do I need to peel the pumpkin first?
Nope! One of the best parts about this method is that the skin peels off easily after cooking.
How much water do I need to add?
Add about 1 cup of water to the bottom of the pot to create steam. Use the trivet to keep the pumpkin off the bottom.
How long do I cook it for?
Cook on high pressure, depending on the size of your pumpkin, using this method.
You will need 10 minutes per kilogram of pumpkin. For example 1kg = 10 minutes.
Let the pressure release naturally for best texture.
What do I do with it after cooking?
Scoop out the seeds and stringy bits (roast the seeds if you like!), then use the soft flesh in soups, baking, purées, or freeze for later.
You should make my Thai Inspired Pumpkin Soup. The recipe is here.
Can I use this method for other squash?
Absolutely! Butternut, acorn, and Kabocha squash all cook beautifully this way.
Is the texture good for soup?
Yes! The flesh becomes soft and creamy, perfect for blending into smooth soups or even mash.
The Easiest Way to Cook a Whole Pumpkin – Instant Pot Style
Equipment
- 1 Instant pot (multicooker or magic pot)
Ingredients
- 1 pumpkin (approx 1-2kg)
- 1 cup water
Instructions
- Weigh your pumpkin and work out how long you need to cook it for. You will need 10 minutes per kilogram of pumpkin. For example 1kg = 10 minutes.
- Add the cup of water
- Wipe your pumpkin clean and place it on the trivet inside of your pressure cooker.
- Place the lid on and turn it to the locking position.
- Pressure cook on high for your allocated time. For example my pumpkin was 2.3kg so I cooked it for 23 minutes.
- Once the cooking time has finished allow the steam to release naturally.
- If your pumpkin does not fit in the magic pot in it’s entirety. You may need to play Tetris with large pieces of pumpkin.
- Once your pumpkin is cooked use the back of a spoon to peel the skin away. You will be so surprised how easy it is to peel the pumpkin.
- Peel all the skin away so you only have orange flesh.
- Cut the pumpkin in half and scoop out the seeds.
- Now mash to make a puree, add to a soup, or simply freeze to use another day.