One major advantage of the Instant Pot is that it effortlessly produces consistent results, especially when making Instant Pot hard-boiled eggs! Once you know how long to cook them and how to release the pressure from the pot afterward, you can always produce the same delicious results from your favorite Instant Pot recipes.
After a lot of experimenting with cooking times and pressure release methods, I’ve finally mastered how to make perfect Instant Pot hard-boiled eggs (not to mention soft- and medium-boiled eggs too!) I’m excited to share my methods with you in this post!
Once you know how easy it is to make consistently perfect boiled eggs in your Instant Pot, you’ll never want to use any other method!
Jillee’s Take:
Table Of Contents
How To Make Perfect Instant Pot Hard-Boiled Eggs
Equipment:
- Instant Pot
- Trivet, steamer basket, or Instant Pot egg rack
- Tongs or large spoon
Directions:
Place a rack or trivet at the bottom of your Instant Pot. (The trivet that came with your Instant Pot, a steamer basket, or an Instant Pot egg rack would all work well here. They’re some of my most-used Instant Pot accessories!)
Arrange the eggs on the rack and pour 1 cup of hot water into the pot. Use the Pressure Cook or Manual program to cook the eggs on high pressure for 5 minutes.
When the timer goes off, follow the pressure release directions in the table below based on your desired doneness.
| Egg Doneness | Pressure Release Method |
|---|---|
| Soft (barely set whites and runny yolks) | Use Quick Release immediately |
| Medium (set whites and jammy yolks) | Natural Release for 2 minutes, then use Quick Release |
| Hard (firm whites and set yolks) | Natural Release for 7 minutes, then use Quick Release |
After releasing the pressure from the pot, use tongs or a slotted spoon to transfer the eggs to a bowl of ice water for at least 5 minutes. The ice bath will stop the eggs from cooking any further (and make them easier to peel too!)
With this method, you’ll get perfect Instant Pot hard-boiled eggs every time — no matter how many eggs you want to make. (More eggs may slow the pressurization stage somewhat, but you don’t need to adjust the cooking time.)
Storing Hard-Boiled Eggs
Once the eggs are cooked and cooled, you can peel and use them right away, or refrigerate them with the shells intact for up to one week.
Perfect Eggs Are As Easy As 5-5-5
- For a super simple method that’s easy to remember, think “5-5-5″!
- Pressure-cook the eggs for 5 minutes, let the pressure release naturally for 5 minutes, then put the eggs in a ice bath for 5 minutes.
- The 5-5-5 method is easy to remember and consistently produces eggs that are somewhere between medium- and hard-boiled. Delicious!
More Tips For Making And Using Instant Pot Eggs
1. Use Room Temperature Eggs To Avoid Cracks
Several factors can cause eggshells to crack during cooking, but one of the biggest ones is temperature. When you cook eggs straight from the fridge, the rapid temperature swings from cold to hot can put stress on the shell and cause cracking.
To make cracking less likely, pull your eggs out of the fridge about 30 minutes before cooking them. Using room-temperature eggs means the temperature shift will be less dramatic, and thus less likely to crack your eggshells.
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2. Crack And Roll For Easy Peeling
To peel a boiled egg quickly and easily, crack the egg on your countertop, then roll it across your counter using light pressure to break up the rest of the shell. Remove pieces of the shell until you can get your finger under the membrane, and then the rest of the shell will come off easily!
3. Instant Pot Eggs Make Your Favorite Recipes Easier
Using my Instant Pot to make hard-boiled eggs is a great time-saver whenever I make my mom’s potato salad. (I also cook the potatoes in my Instant Pot, which also saves me time and effort!)
In addition to potato salad and egg salad, Instant Pot hard-boiled eggs make a great shortcut when making deviled eggs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Water Should I Add To My Instant Pot When Cooking Eggs?
For Instant Pot hard-boiled eggs, add about 1 cup of water to the pot. The eggs should be elevated above the water level on a rack or trivet for best results.
Can I Cook More Than 6 Eggs At Once In My Instant Pot?
Absolutely! You can reasonably cook up to a dozen eggs in your Instant Pot at once without overcrowding them or needing to adjust the cooking process.
What’s The Best Way To Peel Cooked Eggs?
I highly recommend putting cooked eggs in an ice bath for a few minutes after taking them out of the pot. In addition to cooling the eggs, an ice bath will cause the membranes to pull away from the whites and make them easier to peel.
What Does The Egg Button On My Instant Pot Do?
Some Instant Pot models have a “smart program” for cooking eggs. Adjusting the setting to Less, Normal, or More will set the cooking time to 4 minutes, 5 minutes, and 6 minutes, respectively.
How Do You Use An Egg Tray In An Instant Pot?
To use an egg tray, simply place it in the bottom of your Instant Pot, add at least 1 cup of water, then arrange a few eggs on the tray. If you have stacking or tiered trays, make sure the higher tray is sturdy before placing eggs on it.
Can You Make Instant Pot Hard-Boiled Eggs Without A Rack?
It’s important to raise the eggs off the bottom of the pot to prevent the shells from cracking. If you don’t have an egg rack or trivet, you could use a few balled-up pieces of aluminum foil to give your eggs a boost!
How Do You Prevent Eggs From Cracking In A Pressure Cooker?
A few different things can help prevent cracking: elevating the eggs above the water line, waiting for the eggs to come to room temperature before cooking, and using a sturdy rack.
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How Does Altitude Affect Instant Pot Cooking Times?
One rule of thumb for pressure cooking at altitudes higher than 2,000 feet above sea level is to increase cooking times by 5 percent every 1,000 feet. Since eggs cook in just 5 minutes, you don’t need to make any adjustments unless you live above 6,000 feet (in which case you may want to add 1 minute to the cooking time).
Conclusion
Making boiled eggs in the Instant Pot is fast, easy, and consistent every time. I’ve also found that Instant Pot hard-boiled eggs are easy to peel and never end up with that weird gray ring around the yolk! Talk about a win-win.
Have you tried making hard-boiled eggs in your Instant Pot?
Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs Recipe
Equipment
- Electric pressure cooker
Ingredients
- 6 eggs
- 1 cup water
Instructions
- Place a rack or trivet in your Instant Pot, add 1 cup of water, then arrange the eggs on the rack.
- Pressure cook the eggs on high pressure for 5 minutes.
- When the timer goes off, release the pressure from the pot based on your desired doneness (see "Notes" below).
- Remove the eggs to a bowl of ice water and wait 5 minutes before peeling.
Video
I want some hard-boiled eggs now!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.are the instructions for eggs that are room-temperature or straight out of the fridge? Thanks!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Eggs from the fridge!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Thanks, Jillee!
Has it occurred to you that not everyone has an Instant Pot?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Could you adapt your recipes for both??
Hi Betty! I have a post about a stovetop method here: https://jillee.co/2sUa4Q7
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Hi June! The ads are a necessary part of the blog just to pay the bills – sorry for the hassle! If you’re looking for an alternative, consider joining OGT Plus – one of the perks is no ads: https://jillee.co/2t0oD4p
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Here’s a post about making hard boiled eggs on the stovetop: https://jillee.co/2sUa4Q7 :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I was wondering if anyone has tried this with fresh farm eggs. They tend to be harder t peel then store bought eggs. The only method I have found to work is to boil fresh eggs is to poke a pin hole in one end just past the shell then drop them in boiling water for 12 minuets. After they have boiled drop them in ice water until cool. They peel easily every time.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I always do 7 minutes on High Pressure with 2 cups cold water, 7 minutes natural release, and quick release remaining, then 7 minutes ice cold water. Perfect every time. Easy peel.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I SOOO agree Jillee! Eggs come out perfect and peel almost effortlessly!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Peeling boiled eggs is made easy by first pricking a pin sized hole in the wide end of the egg before boiling. That allows water to enter from the air space between the shell and the membrain. After the eggs are boiled and rinsed in cold water, a few cracks and a roll on the counter top, it all comes off clean and easy.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I make boiled eggs in my instant pot and yes, cooking the potatoes and eggs at the same time to make potato salad is the very best! What I have noticed, though is my timing seems to be off for most recipes so it’s taking me a little longer to get things right. I think it’s because I have an 8 quart pot and most people (I think) use a 6 qt. pot. I’m learning that more cooking time has to be added, though I haven’t gotten the formula down yet. Do you have any findings on this?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Hi Shellie! I found a great article all about adjusting recipes based on the size of your IP here: https://jillee.co/2sYV17L
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I love my Instant Pot but it’s kind of a behemoth to drag out just for boiled eggs. I cook eggs just barely covered with water and once it comes to a boil, remove from heat, cover and walk away for 10 minutes. Drain, rinse with cold water and peel. Perfect every time!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.A few years ago I discovered that if you bring the water to a boil BEFORE adding the eggs, they come out perfect every time, and are never hard to peel. Ever. This may help others who do not have an Instant Pot. I enjoy reading your tips. Thanks.
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