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
natasha haine
Perfect eggs. I just used the insert rack and put ten in and they turned out just right. Not too hard, yolks are set, delicious and so easy.
Kristen Chidsey
Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment Natasha! So happy to hear you enjoyed!
Bob
This method didn’t work for me, and I tried it twice just to be sure, i had medium boiled eggs at best, and every one of them had white that was stuck to the shells. This may work for Instant Pot brand cookers, but I’ll stick to the 12 minute cook with a quick release for my Pampered Chef Quick Cooker, as that method has worked every time I’ve cooked my eggs.
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Bob! Thanks you for sharing what did work for you, as I am sure that will help others with the same model you have. As I have stated many times, not all pressure cookers are created equally and much like ovens, you need to adjust yourself once you learn if your model cooks hot, colder, etc.
Judy Webster
Easiest eggs I've ever hard boiled! No watching the pot; just setting a timer. And the best peeling, by far. Thank you
Sue
Just tried this and my yolks were undercooked slightly, I need hard boiled for deviled eggs. I followed your instructions exactly. The eggshells weren’t peeling that easily either.
Then I noticed my eggs were extra large size, I only ever buy Large but my husband got XL eggs this time. I plan to put the soft boiled eggs that I haven’t peeled yet back in the IP for a few more minutes, after letting them come to room temperature. Any suggestions for how long to cook them?
Thank you!
Kristen Chidsey
HA! Well, your husband tried at least 😉 I would cook for 7 minutes with 6 minute release.
Brittany
Thank you so much for this recipe. I hate peeling eggs and end up having destroyed eggs for deviled eggs. I tried this recipe and the shells basically slid right off! I will only be using this recipe for my hard boiled eggs from now on. Thank you!
Kristen Chidsey
You are so welcome.
Michael
Yep! Came out perfect and peeled so easily.
Andi
This technique is great. I have an 8 qt Intantpot. I use 1.5 cups water and my timing is 4 minutes cooking and 5 minutes natural release then 6 minutes ice water.
456 because I don’t count the warming up part since it varies depending on cold eggs or room temp.
Cindy
Yummy eggs every time!
Tara
I have NEVER been able to successfully make a proper hard boiled egg. This recipe did the trick! No eggs cracked during cooking. The eggs were cooked perfectly with no soft yolk or green overcooked yolk. They also peeled easily without making the egg crumble. I made these for egg salad but they’re so perfect that I could use them for beautiful deviled eggs.
The best part about this recipe is that this recipe was incredibly easy! Thank you for helping me FINALLY cook perfect hard boiled eggs!
Kristen Chidsey
YAY! I am celebrating with you! I know the feeling. I love IP Hard-Boiled Eggs SO much!
Richard
Thanks for your recipes. I was afraid of my little mini instant pot. I have the small one. It makes perfect boiled eggs. I like mine a little on the soft side.
3 minutes, instant release, and into a bowl of cold water. This is such a useful tool!
I have also followed your rice, potato, sweet potato, and frozen chicken ideas. They all work.
I am way too old fashioned to use the sautee function in this machine. But thank you for your recipes. My go to place for using my little instant pot.
Kristen Chidsey
I love hearing I am your go-to for instant pot recipes Richard! And thanks for sharing the timing that works for your hard boiled eggs.
Tina
I have to say for someone who hasn't used the Instant Pot ever before (despite having owned it for 5 years), I really appreciate the level of detail in your recipe!!! Seriously!! I am now up for attempting hard-boiled eggs. Thanks for the encouragement.
Kristen Chidsey
YAY! Way to go Tina! I am so proud of you for giving the instant pot a go and honored to hear it was due to my detailed instructions. I hope you find many more recipes here to enjoy!
Cheryl
My eggs were only partially cooked. When I tried to take the shells off after the ice bath, raw egg oozed out all over my countertop. Were the eggs supposed to be room temp when they went in the Instapot?
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Cheryl. This recipe does work better with room temp eggs, but using eggs right from the refrigerator should not result in eggs that are that undercooked. Be sure to use cold tap water and set to high pressure. Test with one egg, if still undercooked, adjust to cooking to 6 minutes with 6 minutes release to see if that works best for your instant pot. Just like ovens, instant pots can vary.
Dave
We loved this process. The eggs came out perfectly! I've cooked hard boiled eggs many times before using many different techniques and this one by far produces the best, perfect results.
Emily
If after you’ve cooked them like Cheryl above, is it ok to recook them to harden them or are they all toast?
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Emily! I did a little research on if it is safe to recook undercooked boiled eggs and the information out there is mixed. I personally don't feel comfortable advising you to try to recook, as I don't want you to risk getting sick. Sorry!
Erin Whitcraft
I'm not sure what I did wrong! 1/3 of the eggs blew right out of the shell; this would have been fine had they been for egg salad, but they were for dying.
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Erin! I am so sorry this happened to you. While some cracking can be possible, I have never heard of the eggs blowing right out of the shell unless they were cracked to begin with. Be sure to use room temp eggs and cold water. Also, it may just have been that your eggs were cracked before--sometimes it is really hard to see those hairline cracks.
Kara
Hi there! I followed the recipe exactly using eggs from our chickens, however, they are all very undercooked when I went to peel them. I did a dozen eggs in our 6qt pot. Not sure where it went wrong but do you recommend increasing cook time when more eggs are cooked at once?
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Kara! It may be that your chickens eggs a bit on the larger size, as the cooking time does not need to increase when cooking more eggs at time. 5-5-5 is a great start to the recipe, but just as ovens vary, so do instant pots. Be sure eggs are room temp and water in the inner pot is cold, If that was the case you will want to try 6 minute cook time, 6 minute release. Sometimes you need to adjust for altitude as well. If that is the case, you can follow my Altitude Conversion.Â
Rick
IFollowed your recipe exactly like you said. The easiest way ever to make hard-boiled eggs! They were absolutely perfect! I will never try any other way. Thank You for sharing!
Michele
I have had gray around the yolks in the past, so I decreased the cook time to 4 min. The yolks are still gray. I did put them in the IP directly from the refrigerator. Any ideas?
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Michele! I would allow the eggs to come to room temp, be sure to use COLD water and if you still have a gray yolk, decrease cook time to 4 minutes. I hope that helps!