15 Easy Multi Cooker Recipes for a 1.2L Multipurpose Cooker

These 15 easy multi cooker recipes are made for a 1.2 litre multipurpose cooker, also called a multi-cook kettle. Each one uses one pot, simple Indian food and clear times. You will find quick snacks, full meals, steamed dishes, and slow-cooked dal and stew.

What Can You Cook in a Multi Cooker?

Quick answer: A 1.2 litre multi cooker can boil, cook and steam. In the pot you can make Maggi, chai, oats, eggs, rice, pasta, poha, upma, soup, dal and stew. On the steamer trays you can make momos, idlis, boiled eggs and vegetables. It cooks for 1 to 2 people at a time. It is not an oven, so it does not bake.

Did you search for Wonderchef, Prestige or another brand's multi cook kettle recipes? These steps work in most 1.2 litre electric multi cookers and multi-cook kettles. A small one is also called a mini multi cooker or an electric cooking pot. The recipes stay the same. Just check your own manual for the water limits and the heat settings. And if you asked "multi cooker me kya bana sakte hai" (what can I make in a multi cooker), the 15 recipes below are the answer.

How fast is it? The InstaCuppa cooker uses 600 watts. Heating 1 litre of water from 25 °C to 100 °C needs about 314 kJ of energy, because water needs about 4.18 kJ per kg for each °C (Engineering ToolBox). At 600 watts, that takes at least 8.7 minutes. Our product page says 8 to 10 minutes, based on how warm the water is at the start. Smaller amounts boil faster.

One safety rule for every recipe: never switch the pot on empty. Our product page asks for at least 500 ml of water when you boil water or steam food. For recipes with less liquid, like Maggi or oats, stay next to the pot, stir, and switch off when the food is done.

Quick Multi Cooker Recipes: Under 10 Minutes on HIGH

1. Maggi Masala Noodles

Add 350ml water to the pot. Set to HIGH. When it boils, add Maggi noodles and masala packet. Cook for 3 minutes, stirring once. Done in 8 minutes total.

2. Boiled Eggs (Soft, Medium, or Hard)

Pour 500-700 ml water into the pot. This is the amount our product page gives for steaming. Put the eggs on the egg tray and set it on top. Close the lid and set to HIGH. Once the water boils, steam for 10-12 minutes for hard-boiled eggs, the time on our product page. Take them out a few minutes earlier for a softer yolk. More egg recipes here.

3. Masala Chai

Add 300ml water + 100ml milk to the pot. Add tea leaves, sugar, ginger, and cardamom. Set to HIGH. Let it come to a rolling boil. Strain and serve. Total: 5-7 minutes.

4. Instant Oats

Add 200ml milk + 100ml water. Set to HIGH. When warm, add oats and stir. Cook for 3-4 minutes. Add honey or fruit. Total: 5-7 minutes.

5. Fried Eggs (Non-Stick Version)

Add a teaspoon of butter or oil. Set to HIGH. Crack 2 eggs into the pot right away, so the pot never heats empty. Cook for 3-4 minutes until whites set. Season with salt and pepper. Best with the non-stick version. Use a wooden or silicone spatula, not a steel spoon, so the coating does not scratch.

Electric Multi Cooker Meal Recipes: 15-25 Minutes on HIGH

6. Plain Rice

Rinse 1 cup rice. Add to pot with 2 cups water. Set to HIGH. Cook for 15-20 minutes. Turn off and let rest covered for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork. Got leftover rice? Put it in the fridge within two hours and eat it within 48 hours, as the UK Food Standards Agency advises for leftovers.

7. Pasta (Penne or Macaroni)

Boil 500ml water on HIGH. Add pasta and a pinch of salt. Cook for 10-12 minutes until soft. Drain. Toss with butter and seasoning.

8. Poha (Flattened Rice)

Soak 1 cup poha in water for 2 minutes. Drain. Add 1 tbsp oil to pot on HIGH. Add mustard seeds, curry leaves, onion, and turmeric. Stir-fry for 2 minutes. Add poha. Mix. Cook for 3-4 minutes. Total: 10 minutes.

9. Upma

Roast 1 cup rava in the pot on HIGH for 2 minutes (stir constantly). Set aside. Add oil, mustard seeds, urad dal, and veggies. Stir-fry for 3 minutes. Add 2.5 cups water. When boiling, slowly add roasted rava. Stir well. Cover for 5 minutes.

10. Vegetable Soup

Add chopped carrots, beans, corn, and onion to the pot. Add 500ml water. Set to HIGH. Cook for 10-12 minutes. Blend with a hand blender if you want smooth soup. Season with salt and pepper.

Steamed Dishes Using the Steamer Trays

11. Steamed Momos

Oil the steamer tray. Place up to 8-10 momos (fresh or frozen); our product page says the basket holds about that many. Pour 500-700 ml water into the pot. Set to HIGH. Once the water boils, steam for 10-12 minutes, the time on our product page. Frozen momos need a few minutes more, so cut one open and check it is hot in the middle. Serve with red chili chutney. Full momo recipe here.

12. Steamed Idlis

Grease the idli tray. Pour batter into moulds (3/4 full). The tray makes about 4-6 small idlis per batch. Pour 500-700 ml water into the pot. Set to HIGH. Once the water boils, steam for 10-15 minutes, the time on our product page. Serve with coconut chutney and sambar. Full idli guide here.

13. Steamed Vegetables

Cut broccoli, beans, and carrots into small pieces. Place on steamer tray. Pour 500-700 ml water into the pot. Set to HIGH. Soft vegetables like broccoli need 5-8 minutes. Hard ones like carrots need 10-15 minutes. So steam the carrots and beans first, and add the broccoli for the last few minutes. Season with lemon juice and salt.

Slow-Cook Multi Cooker Recipes on the LOW Setting

14. Dal (Moong or Toor)

Soak dal for 2 hours. Add to pot with 3 cups water. Start on HIGH until it boils. Switch to LOW. Simmer for 20-25 minutes. Add salt, turmeric, and a tadka of cumin and garlic.

15. Chicken/Vegetable Stew

Add diced veggies or chicken pieces to the pot. Add coconut milk and water. Start on HIGH until it boils. Switch to LOW. Simmer for 20-30 minutes. The gentle heat lets flavors blend without burning. Season with salt, pepper, and curry leaves. For chicken, cut the biggest piece open before you serve. It must be steaming hot all the way through, with no pink meat, as the UK Food Standards Agency advises.

The LOW setting is the key. Without it, you cannot simmer. Food can burn on constant high heat. The product video on our product page shows two temperature settings. That two-setting design turns a simple kettle into a real cooker.