Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs are the BEST and ONLY way to make PERFECT hard-boiled eggs. Eggs are cooked to perfection EVERY SINGLE TIME!
How to Make Perfect Hard-Boiled Eggs
I will never forget my first Easter I spent away from my family.
We were living in Georgia at the time and invited friends over for an Easter Egg hunt and Ham Dinner. While the ham and scalloped potatoes were delicious, the eggs were a complete disaster.
After coloring the eggs, our guests cracked a few open for a snack to find that they were not fully cooked!
But I used the same stove-top method for cooking hard-boiled eggs that I had for years. That method worked MOST of the time, but clearly, it was not fool-proof. And frankly, I became a bit fearful to ever cook hard-boiled eggs again--well at least for company!
By cooking eggs in my Instant Pot, I no longer have to worry about embarrassing accounts of under-cooked (or over-cooked) hard-boiled eggs. Pressure cooked hard boiled eggs are FOOL-PROOF. You will have golden, set centers without green rings, and these hard-boiled eggs peel like a dream!
5-5-5 Method for Cooking Hard Boiled Eggs
The perfect technique for cooking hard boiled eggs in the pressure cooker is the 5-5-5 method.
- 5 minutes to come to pressure
- 5 minutes cook time
- 5 minutes natural release
But to really get PERFECTLY cooked hard boiled eggs that peel like a dream, I have added another step:
- 5 minutes in a water bath.
So really, the PERFECT method for hard-boiled eggs is 5-5-5-5 method!
This means in 20 minutes, you will have hard-boiled eggs that peel perfectly and are perfectly set and bright yellow (no green rings here!!)
How to Cook Hard Boiled Eggs in Instant Pot
- Place 1 cup of COLD water in the inner pot of pressure cooker (liquid is ALWAYS needed for the pressure cooker to be able to reach pressure.)
- Place eggs in egg rack or carefully on top of the rack that the Instant Pot came with.
- Seal pressure cooker.
- Set cook time to 5 minutes (5 minutes on high pressure--push the manual button and adjust the timer to 5 minutes)
- After cook time has elapsed, let the pressure release naturally for 5 minutes (I suggest setting a timer that will beep at 5 minutes so you don't lose track of time. )
- Once 5 minutes has elapsed, release any remaining pressure in Instant Pot by using a wooden spoon or kitchen towel to knock vent knob to vent position.
- Carefully, remove eggs from the pressure cooker and place it in an ice bath. Eggs are VERY hot, so use potholder if your fingers aren't made of steel!
- After eggs have been in an ice bath for 5 minutes, remove eggs from the ice bath.
- Peel and enjoy your PERFECT hard-boiled eggs.
How to Peel Hard Boiled Eggs
Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs are the easiest eggs to peel EVER!
- Once eggs have cooked and cooled in the ice bath, crack them open by rolling them on a kitchen counter.
- The peel will come right off--and will NOT take any egg white with it!
Storing Hard Boiled Eggs
- I find it is best to PEEL eggs before storing them in the refrigerator.
- Once eggs are peeled, place in a sealed container and store in the fridge for up to 3 days. If unpeeled, they can be stored for 7 days.
How Long are Hard Boiled Eggs Good For?
- Hard boiled eggs will keep for up to 3 days in the refrigerator when peeled, 7 days if unpeeled.
- Hard boiled eggs will last for up to 2 hours at room temperature. So be sure that Easter Bunny doesn't leave the eggs hidden too long!
- Hard boiled eggs do not freeze well! Cooked egg whites will become rubbery.
- You can freeze the cooked egg yolks if desired by placing cooked yolks freezer bag and freezing for up to 3 months.
Are Fresh or Old Eggs Best for Hard Boiled Eggs?
Isn't this an age-old question?! While everyone has their theory, I can tell you I have tested older eggs and farm fresh eggs in my pressure cooker and both came out perfectly and peeled with the same ease.
Instant Pot Basic Recipes
- Instant Pot Chicken Breasts (Fresh or Frozen)
- Instant Pot Yogurt
- Instant Pot Quinoa
- Instant Pot Beans
Instant Pot Hard Boiled Egg Recipe
I would love to know how you enjoy this recipe! Be sure to leave a comment and let me know. Or snap a picture and tag @amindfullmom on Instagram and hashtag it #amindfullmom
Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs
Ingredients
- 12 eggs
- water for cooking
Instructions
- Place 1 cup of COLD water in the inner pot of Instant Pot for a 6 quart instant pot and 1.5 cups COLD water for an 8-quart Instant pot.
- Add in egg or steam rack and carefully set as many eggs as desired on or in the rack.Â
- Place lid on the pressure cooker and set for cook time for 5 minutes on high pressure.Â
- Once cook time has elapsed, let the pressure release for 5 minutes. Then do a quick release and carefully remove eggs from Instant Pot and place in ice water bath.Â
- Let eggs sit in water bath for 5 minutes.Â
- Remove eggs from the water bath.Â
- Store in the fridge for up to 7 days unpeeled or peel and use within 3 days.
Equipment Needed
Notes
- You can use as few as 1 egg and up to 16 eggs in a 6-quart pressure cooker.Â
- I find it is best to peel eggs right from the water bath, the shell comes off beautifully every single time.Â
- To help prevent your eggs from cracking during cooking, let your eggs come to room temperature before pressure cooking.
- Be sure to use cold water, warm water or hot water will change the cooking time.Â
- If you live at high altitude, be sure to use Instant Pot Altitude Adjustments.Â
Joy
Every time I have tried this recipe I have ended up with eggs that won't peel at all. I end up with no whites and all yolks or holey eggs as part of the whites peel off. I have tried this three times with the same results. Show me how to easy peel!.
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Joy! I am sorry you are having issues. A few things that may help--use older eggs--ones that are close to their best by date. Let the eggs come to room temperature before pressure cooking, and use cold water to cook. Also be sure to let them sit in ice bath for full 5 minutes. I hope those tips helps.
Sandy
I have had my Instant Pot for a couple of months. I have cooked hard boiled eggs at least a dozen times, and perfect. Did them today, and almost raw. Cooked them a second time and still not done. Pressure is up, water is boiling, any help?
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Sandy--this may sound obvious, but check to be sure your seal is ON your Instant Pot. Also, be sure to use cold water in bottom of the Instant Pot.
Branna
Are the eggs in your recipe large or extra large? No one ever posts the size of the eggs they use. I only buy extra large eggs. Will this recipe work? Also will the recipe work if you put the eggs in the IP right out of the fridge?
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Branna! That is a great question. This is for large (standard size) eggs. I would cook for 6 minutes and let pressure release naturally for 5 minutes still. Also, it really is best to let your eggs come to room temperature. This helps them cook evenly and not crack. You can run under lukewarm water for a few minutes to speed the process up.
Deb
Ok tried eggs for the first time turned out perfect thank you
Kristen Chidsey
YAY! So glad you had success Deb 🙂
Nan Vroman
Just bought an instant pot. With your directions, my boiled eggs turned out perfectly and so much better than on the stove! Thx!
Kristen Chidsey
I am so glad you had success Nan!!! Thank you for leaving a review!
Tiffany
I did 6 eggs and they were PERFECT! Thank you!! The shells slid right off!
Amanda
Half my eggs had cracked and exploded During cooking. The Eggs that did not crack peeled wonderfully tho. Maybe ill try 4 min next time.
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Amanda! Try to let your eggs come to room temperature before pressure cooking--that helps with the cracking 🙂
Sharon M
I am a new instant pot owner and was skeptical about cooking eggs in one. This recipe came out just as promised! No gray/green on the yolks. I left my eggs in the ice bath a few minutes longer so that the eggs would completely cool on the inside. Thanks for this great tip
Kristen Chidsey
I understand your skepticism--I was there with you at first too! It really is amazing!
Tanya S.
Can I use less than 12 eggs?
Kristen Chidsey
Yes Tanya! This recipe works with any amount of eggs 🙂
Dawn
It took 10 min to come to pressure before the timer started. Is that normal? Do I adjust other times?
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Dawn! Sometimes it can take longer to come to pressure than expected, but the cook time will remain the same 🙂
Hayley Holston
My sister in law got me an egg holder for my instant pot a few months ago and I've been dying to use it. I had to make deviled eggs for a work party tomorrow and decided to give your hard boiled egg recipe a whirl! They came out PERFECTLY! I told my husband I would never boil eggs on the stove again! Thank you!
Kristen Chidsey
I am so glad you had the same experience as I did Hayley! I just love using my Instant Pot for Hard Boiled Eggs--no other way for me either 🙂