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.
- Place lid on the pressure cooker and set for cook time for 5 minutes on high pressure.
- 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.
- Let eggs sit in water bath for 5 minutes.
- Remove eggs from the water bath.
- 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.
- I find it is best to peel eggs right from the water bath, the shell comes off beautifully every single time.
- 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.
- If you live at high altitude, be sure to use Instant Pot Altitude Adjustments.
Beth
I actually have a question. I never have ice in my house, will it still work if I just use cold tap water?
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Beth! I would suggest getting a bowl of cold water and placing in the fridge while the eggs cook and then use that for the "ice bath." It should work great.
Nate
Don't forget to take them out on time. You can "burn" your eggs as they are not submerged in water.
Cara Shields
My kids got me the Instant Pot Duo, 8 qt for my birthday. I love it! I just made your hard boiled eggs. They are AMAZING! I’m making baked potatoes tonight. I’m so glad I found you 😊
Kristen Chidsey
I am so glad you found me as well Cara! Please reach out with ANY questions ANY time!
Lyne
After following these directions pretty much to the letter, for the first time in my life I just peeled a dozen PERFECT boiled eggs.
Thank you, thank you, thank you
Kristen Chidsey
It's truly the best!! Thank you so much!
Nancy kuhlman
I want to try this 5 5 5 5 method for hard boiled eggs in my new 3 qt. Instant pot mini. How much water do I need?
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Nancy! I would use 1 cup.
Michelle
Hi, loving all of your recipes I’ve tried lately (just made the taco seasoning - yum!!). Quick question during the natural pressure release time- I have a Cuisinart Pressure Cooker, and once pressure is met for the specified time, it automatically goes into “warm” mode. Should I turn the pressure cooker off during that 5 minute natural pressure release, so the eggs don’t continue cooking? Thanks so much!
Kristen Chidsey
I am so glad you enjoy my site and recipes Michelle! No need to worry about turning off the "warm mode" my Instant Pot does that as well.
Wally
Perfect and foolproof! We just got an Instant Pot and used your method and made the easiest peeling hard boiled eggs ever! They seriously peeled perfectly in about 5 seconds total per egg!
Kristen Chidsey
Isn't this method the best Wally?! Thanks for sharing your success.
Julie
Perfection, easiest-peeling eggs, ever, every time, thank you!!
Kristen Chidsey
It is the best Julie! Love that it is perfection for you as well.
Ashley
This is the first time I’ve cooked eggs in an instant pot since I’ve purchased it last year! This is perfect, thank you! 5-5-5-5 worked for me perfectly. I used cold, straight from the fridge, eggs... and they didn’t crack! Thank you!
Kristen Chidsey
It is WONDERFUL--isn't it?!
Glenda Vanatta
Tried to 5-5-5-5-5 method in my instant pot. Mine does not have a way to change pressure and did not know what to set it on. I used the rice button and they came out perfectly. I had always put my eggs in cold water after boiling for 10 minutes but this way the yolks taste so much better and when you crush the big end first and them roll the eggs crushing them on the cabinet tops. most of them just rolled out and not one of the eggs were damaged. I WILL NEVER DO HARD BOILED EGGS ANY OTHER WAY!!!
Suzanne
What would cause my yolks to have a gray coating or almost all gray?
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Suzanne! That typically happens when eggs are overcooked. Be sure to use cold water and put into an ice bath immediately after releasing pressure. If you previously did that, change the cook time to 4 minutes. Just like stoves, pressure cookers can cook a bit differently from one to the next. This recipe is a great starting point but you may need to adjust for personal preferences. I hope that helps!
Donna
OMG...it was the greatest thing ever to be able to peel eggs so easily! I’m sold forever.
Kristen Chidsey
It is pretty incredible! 🙌😉
Robyn Robinson
I only see 5 5 5. 5 mins to cook, 5 mins natural release, and 5 mins in ice bath. Where is the other 5 mins??
Kristen Chidsey
I also included 5 minutes to come to pressure--give or take 🙂