Rinse the gold potatoes under running water to remove any dirt. If you prefer to keep the skin, scrub them well to remove any residue. If you prefer skinless mashed potatoes, peel the potatoes using a vegetable peeler.
Cut the potatoes into evenly sized chunks.
Place the trivet in the Instant Pot and add the water to the pot.
Add the potato chunks to the Instant Pot. If you prefer skinless mashed potatoes, you can add the peeled potatoes directly. If you prefer mashed potatoes with skin, place the potato chunks on a steamer basket or in a heat-resistant dish that fits inside the Instant Pot.
Close the Instant Pot lid and set the valve to the sealing position.
Select the "Manual" or "Pressure Cook" function and set the cooking time to 8 minutes for skinless potatoes or 10 minutes for potatoes with skin. The Instant Pot will take some time to come to pressure before the cooking time starts.
Once the cooking time is complete, perform a quick release of the pressure by carefully turning the valve to the venting position.
Open the Instant Pot lid and carefully remove the steamer basket or dish with the potatoes if you cooked them with the skin.
Drain any excess liquid from the Instant Pot, reserving a small amount for mashing.
Add the cooked potatoes back to the Instant Pot. If you cooked them with the skin, you can choose to peel them now or leave the skin on for added texture and nutrients.
Add the salt, pepper, vegan butter, almond milk, and minced garlic to the pot with the potatoes.
Use a potato masher or an electric hand mixer to mash the potatoes until smooth and creamy. Add a small amount of the reserved cooking liquid if needed to achieve the desired consistency.
Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed.
Serve the mashed potatoes hot as a delightful side dish.
Enjoy your homemade Instant Pot mashed potatoes with or without the skin based on your preference!