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
Breanna
Absolutely perfect. Even with my *oops* I let them natural release for 9 mins instead of 5. After the ice bath, they basically fell out of their shells. As someone who is responsible for 4 families worth of deviled eggs every major holiday, I am eternally grateful to you for saving me from the struggle from now on. You're my hero. Thank you!!!
Kristen Chidsey
I am so happy to make your process of making deviled eggs a bit easier!
Lisa Beck
Hi!
I'm hoping you can help as I've scoured the Internet to no avail. When I first got my instant pot in 2019, I followed your technique and had perfect eggs every time but now it isnt working anymore. O even adjusted the time under pressure to 7 minutes and my yolks are STILL underdone.
Any thoughts?
Thank you
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Lisa! I would check to be sure your pressure is set to high and not low. You may have accidently set it to low and now it defaults to that. Let me know if that helps.
Jen
This recipe really works! I am amazed how perfect these hard-boiled eggs are. I’ve rarely gotten them to come out like this on the stove top. Tip: follow the recipe exactly. It really does matter to do a quick release and remove the eggs immediately. Yesterday I got interrupted while cooking them and did not do this, and they came out so overdone. But today I was able to do it uninterrupted and they came out perfect! And they peeled so easily. Thank you so much for this!
Kayla
So I just borrowed my brother’s Instant Pot to try it out before I buy one. I tried your hard boiled egg method and it worked like a charm! Thanks so much for sharing! My pickled-egg-loving husband will love this!
Sunny
Wow, these are so fresh and flavorful. Will def be keeping this tecipe, thanks!
Liz
I’m trying to figure out where to add the warm bath. Is that before you cook them?
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Liz, if you want to get your eggs up to room temperature quickly you can place in lukewarm water for just a coupled minutes. Then cook for 5 minutes, let pressure release for 5 minutes, and then place in ice bath for 5 minutes.
Mary Barrella
My eggs came out perfectly in the IP.
Noreen from Maryland
I made the hard-boiled eggs today using the 5-5-5-5 method. They did turn out perfectly! I appreciate the suggestion to set a timer for the 5 minute pressure release and the 5 minute ice bath; otherwise, I likely would have missed the times and the eggs may not have been so perfect! (Alexa was a big help for the timers.) For a very long time I have used an electric egg cooker that makes hard-boiled, soft-boiled and poached eggs. Now, I do not need to use that for hard-boiled eggs. And, while the shell was easy to remove from eggs cooked using the electric cooker I found the shells easier to remove having used the instant pot. We will be this method for hard-boiled eggs from now on.
Kristen Chidsey
Wonderful! So glad you had such great success!
Mary Alice
The first 3-4 times I made the eggs this way in my IP they came out perfect - the peeling and membrane practically fell off the egg, I was so eggsited :0). The yolk and white are so different than the boiled eggs I made in the past. I have always been a peel fighter, always ending up with mangled looking eggs. The IP changed all that but after the perfect 3-4 times, now I am having issues with peeling again! I dont know what I would be doing differently - but I find myself again fighting a bit with the peeling, and some of the white is sticking to the shell. What can it be!!??
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Mary Alice! I am so glad you have been enjoying this method. As for why your eggs are having difficulty peeling, I suggest peeling right from the water bath for best results. The peel still comes off better than the traditional method if refrigerated first, but easier right away. It also may help to run under cold water.
Lynn
Do I have to allow the raw egg to warm to room temperature before following your Instant Pot instructions?
Santa brought me an Instant Pot and this my first cooking experience.
Kristen Chidsey
I do recommend that so that the eggs don't crack as easily. Excited for you to fall in love with your new toy😊
Marie
THIs was the first time I had cooked eggs in my IP. Used the 555 method and they came out perfect. Only way to cook hard boiled eggs.
Kristen Chidsey
It is a dream isn't it Marie?!
Prila
I messed up and hit quick release after the 5 min of pressure cook. What can I do to fix this?
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Prila! You can leave your eggs in the instant pot for 5 minutes to continue to sit in the heat. They may not be perfect, and several may be cracked, but it should help!
Harvey Verstraete
Harvey
This method worked perfectly for me with desired yolk texture and peeled like a dream. Thanks so much, my Xmas pickled eggs will be a hit!
Marcia
Super easy. Found that 6 minutes work better for pressure cooking to get thoroughly cooked. Thanks for this helpful recipe
Kristen Chidsey
Just like ovens, the heat can run differently on instant pots. Glad you have perfected the timing to your liking.
Bonnie
What is the most eggs that I can put in an 6 qrt pot and how much water?
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Bonnie! The amount of water will not change based on how many eggs you cook. As for how many eggs, you can do as many will fit on the trivet, leaving about 2 inches from the top of the pot. I have made 2 dozen myself without issue.
Tim from Winnipeg
Eggs turned out perfectly. I make my own dill pickles, and instead of tossing the brine when a jar is done, I hard boil 8 eggs and put them in the jar and the next day....pickled eggs! Thanks for the keeper recipe (of sorts :).
Kristen Chidsey
That's a great idea! Thanks for sharing Tim!
Vinner
Turned out great. I like the 5 - 5 - 5 - 5, it's so easy to follow and to remember
Kristen Chidsey
So glad you had success!!!
Robin Yoder
Amazing! That’s all I can say. Such an easy, no guess work, way of cooking hard boiled eggs. I will never boil my eggs again.
PS. I love my Instant Pot!
Kristen Chidsey
Yay!!! I love my instant pot too...and using it to make hard boiled eggs.