Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs

At a glance

What stands out: This is a fool-proof way to cook eggs. Instant Pot boiled eggs are evenly cooked every time and the peels slip off so easily.

How long it takes: 5 minutes, plus time to come to pressure
Equipment you’ll need: Instant Pot or other pressure cooker
Servings: up to 12 eggs can be cooked at once

We eat a TON of eggs and we always have a bowl of boiled eggs ready and waiting in the fridge. We found that it’s a real time saver to use a pressure cooker. You can do a dozen at one time in an Instant Pot. They turn out evenly every time and it’s straightforward to do.

Our son, who is a carb lover but kind of picky when it comes to protein, loves boiled eggs. We're happy about that because eggs are good for you. Healthline actually claims that eggs are one of the healthiest foods on the planet. They used to be linked to heart disease because of the cholesterol found in them but the research no longer supports that claim.

When we heard that pressure cooker hard boiled eggs peel amazingly well, we knew we had to try it. Doesn’t it drive you crazy when a hard-boiled egg won’t release its shell? By the time you finish peeling it, there’s not much egg left and you can feel your blood pressure rising. There go all those good health benefits. Aargh!

But it’s TRUE, pressure-cooked eggs peel evenly and easily every time! We're never cooking an egg any other way. This is truly a game-changer. Imagine egg shells that just slip right off the hard cooked egg. It’s the most memorable thing ever. We're smitten.

About This Recipe

We did our research and found a few different methods of making Instant Pot boiled eggs. We tried them all but most left the yolks a bit green and overcooked. With some practice and experimentation, we found the time and method that yields the reliable hard cooked egg.

You won’t have to experiment because we've taken all the guesswork out for you. You will also find instructions on the recipe card below for cooking a soft-boiled egg and an extra firm hard boiled egg.

Apparently some Instant Pot models have an egg setting. Mine does not but it’s not necessary at all. It’s straightforward to do.

What You’ll Need

• Eggs: Use large eggs for a standby results, and you can cook two eggs up to a dozen at a time.
• Water: Pressure cookers need liquid to work properly. The eggs actually aren’t in the water; you’ll just put a cup of water in the bottom of the pot.
• Metal Rack/Steamer Basket: Depending on your model, Instant Pots come with a lightweight metal rack or a steamer basket. You’ll use that to cook your eggs.

Instant Pots

These versatile pressure cookers can be used for much more than pressure cooking. They’ll steam rice, make yogurt, and even slow cook!

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How it comes together

Pour 1 cup of water in the bottom of the Instant Pot.

Add the steamer basket or wire rack that came with your Instant Pot.

Place eggs on or in the basket or rack.

Secure the lid and make sure the valve is set to seal. Depending on your model, set it on Manual, High Pressure or simply High Pressure, for 5 minutes. This cooking time, paired with a speedy release, will yield an egg that is cooked through but still slightly darker yellow in the middle. This is our favorite way since the yolk isn’t as dry as it is in the 5-5-5 method eggs (see below).

How Long to Cook Boiled Eggs

• If you like softer boiled eggs, cook eggs for 4 minutes instead of 5 minutes, speedy release the pressure, and don’t omit the ice bath! This will yield a yolk that is mostly runny.
• For harder boiled eggs (pale yellow all the way through), try the 5-5-5 method: High pressure for 5 minutes, natural release for 5 minutes (before releasing remaining pressure), and ice bath for 5 minutes.

It will take a certain amount of time for the pressure cooker to come to pressure, depending on how many eggs you are cooking. The more eggs, the longer it will take.

While the eggs are cooking, prepare an ice water bath.

Speedy release pressure, remove lid, and and immediately put eggs in an ice water bath. This step is essential to stop the cooking process; otherwise, the eggs will continue to cook due to residual heat.

That’s it! Enjoy your hard boiled eggs!

Don’t have an Instant Pot pressure cooker? Try air fryer boiled eggs. It’s another straightforward method to “boil” eggs, whether you like them soft-cooked, jammy, or hard-boiled.

Make-Ahead Ideas

If you love hard boiled eggs, this is the way to go. Make a dozen of them and add them to a classic spinach salad or creamy potato salad. A hard boiled egg is a straightforward source of protein to add to lunchboxes. A from-scratch egg salad sandwich can’t be beat either. Deviled eggs are always a hit.

Keeping leftovers

It may surprise you to know that cooked eggs spoil more quickly than raw eggs. Eggs have a natural coating which preserves them, and the coating is removed when they are cooked.

Refrigerate: Hard boiled eggs can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week. Refrigerate them within two hours of cooking and store in an airtight container. They do not freeze well.

It’s best to leave boiled eggs unpeeled until you’re ready to eat them.

Reheat: Peel the egg and cut it in half. Place it in a microwave safe bowl or plate and microwave on medium power (50%) in 10 second intervals until it’s heated through.

• Yield: 6 eggs
• Cook: 5 minutes
• Total: 10 minutes

Ingredients

• 6 large eggs (you can make anywhere from 2-18 eggs)
• 1 cup water

Method

1. Place 1 cup of cold water in the bottom of a 6-quart Instant Pot or other pressure cooker.
2. Add steamer basket or wire rack that comes with Instant Pot.
3. Place eggs on/in basket.
4. Close lid, make sure valve is set to seal. Set on Manual (or Pressure Cook, depending on your model), High Pressure, for 5 minutes (see notes).
5. Meanwhile, fill up a large bowl with ice cubes and water.
6. Quick release pressure when five minutes is up (see notes) and immediately put eggs in ice water bath to cool and stop cooking.
7. Enjoy immediately or refrigerate within two hours of cooking.

Notes

If you like softer boiled eggs, cook eggs for 4 minutes instead of 5 minutes, use a speedy release, and don’t omit the ice bath! This will yield a yolk that is mostly runny.

For harder boiled eggs (pale yellow yolk all the way through), try the 5-5-5 method: High pressure for 5 minutes, natural release for 5 minutes (before releasing remaining pressure), and ice bath for 5 minutes.

Hard boiled eggs will keep in the refrigerator up to one week. Store them in an airtight container, unpeeled.

To reheat: Peel egg, slice in half, place in microwave safe bowl, and microwave at 50% setting in 10-second intervals until warm.