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.
Raina
I rarely leave comments, but I wanted to say the boiled eggs I made tonight were perfection. I never knew something so ordinary could taste so good. Thank you. 10/10
Kristen Chidsey
Well, thank you for taking the time to leave a comment. I truly appreciate it!
KO
Perfect every time
Nikki M
I just tried this because I have the worst luck with hard boiled eggs, and this was the first time I’ve ever had them this perfect. And they peeled way easier than I’ve had them before. So grateful to have found this.
Carol Ernst
Loved your tutorial The first time I tried your method the eggs were perfect in my 6qt pot. That pot broke and I have an 8qt now, which did not work as well. The eggs were left out 30 minute, but two cracked and they were overdone, but still totally usable. I will try the 4-4-5 method next time.for this larger Instantpot. Wonder if in general the 8qt needs less time as pressurizing is longer?
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Carol! Just like it can take some time getting used to a new oven, it can take some time getting used to a new instant pot. However, using 1.5 cups of water in an 8-quart vs the 1 cup in a 6-quart accounts for the size difference. Even when using the same size, sometimes things vary. I would suggest cutting the time to 4 minutes to test those results.
Kelly
I followed the 5-5-5-5 method with room temperature eggs and cold water, yet my eggs peel poorly and are soft boiled. How would you recommend modifying next time?
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Kelly. I am sorry you were disappointed with the results. It may be that your instant pot does not get as hot as other models OR an elevation issue. Do you happen to live at higher elevation?
Stella
You'd think I'd be able to remember this method by now! I've been using it since, what, 2020? It truly is the best way to make hard boiled eggs. Especially when you remember how OR look it up again!
Thanks Kristen.
Kristen Chidsey
You are so welcome, Stella! Thank you for leaving a review!
Melanie
Finally the perfect instructions to the perfect hard boiled eggs recipe for the IP! Thanks a million!
Bob Serata
Another from my award-winning Dumb Question of the Day series: does 5-5-5-5 (or thereabouts) work with eggs right from the fridge or do the eggs need to be closer to or at room temperature?
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Bob! No such thing as a dumb question in my book. While the timing works, the eggs are much more likely to not crack if closer to room temp.
Janice Bird
My Instant Pot takes longer to pressurize than 5 minutes. It takes more like 8-10 minutes. As a result, my eggs get fully cooked but have that greenish color to them. Do I reduce my cook time to compensate for the longer pre-pressure time?
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Janice! I would suggest reducing the time to 4 minutes with a 4-minute natural release. Then you can decrease more if needed.
Christina Johnson
How many eggs can you do at one time in a 6qt IP? Do you just pile them up on the steam rack all on top of each other? Is the time the same no matter how many eggs? And is the timing any different if you live at a high altitude?
Sorry for the question bombarding! lol I want to get it right for Easter eggs!
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Christina! Here are my adjustments for high altitude As for the number of eggs you can cook, keep the cooking time the same, stack the eggs on top of each other, and I have had success making 18 eggs perfectly in a 6 quart--but others have shared they have done more 🙂
Jeanne Kazley
Perfection! Thank you for posting!
Alicia
I was so excited to try this but I need some help! I just did 2.5 dozen to make a bunch of deviled eggs, and every one of them has a thick, dark green ring. 🙁 I notice your recipe mentioned 5 mins to come to pressure, but mine took much longer than this - at least 15 I would guess. Did I do something wrong? Does the qty of eggs affect this? Any thoughts?
Happy to report however that the eggs peeled beautifully!
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Alicia! I am sorry this did not work out perfectly for you. It sounds like something was up with it coming to pressure. Did you use just 1 cup of water? (or 1.5 cups for an 8 quart IP) Did you place the eggs in the liquid or on a trivet? Do you live at high pressure? Let me know and I will further troubleshoot for you.
Alicia
Yes I measured 1 cup exactly for my 6qt pot. I placed the eggs on the wire rack that came with the IP. And no high pressure here in good old Ohio. Haha. I’m by no means an IP expert, should it always be coming to pressure that quickly? I feel like mine typically takes longer than 5 mins.
Kristen Chidsey
Thank you for that information 😊 I would suggest trying 1 egg at a time, using different timing until you find what works best. Just like ovens, instant pot models can vary in heating. I would start with 4 minutes of cooking time, followed by 4 minutes of pressure release. Once you have it perfected, it should be the same cook time regardless of how any eggs you cook.
Robyn
Perfect every time and peel easily right from pot or out of fridge, whether fresh or older eggs. Makes hard boiled eggs super simple!
Heather K
I always seems to mess up hard boiled eggs with the peels being hard to get off but these really turned out perfectly, thank you!
Kristen Chidsey
I am thrilled to hear you finally had success.
Phaedra Culley
You have become my go-to for all things InstaPot!! Your recipes are spot on! I now put your site in my search terms! THANKS
Kristen Chidsey
I just love hearing this, Phaedra!
Arinda Sawyerr
Writing to let you know that I am so in love with your recipes! I have sent them to my friends and family. I love how you explain everything so easily using pictures and YouTube. Thank you so much for all your hard work. Have a blessed day. 💖
Kristen Chidsey
This just made my day! Thank you so very much, Arinda!