Easy to peel with perfect results every single time Instant Pot eggs are quick and effortless to make in your pressure cooker using the 5-5-5 method. Once you learn this fail-proof way, you won’t cook your hard boiled eggs any other way!
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Perfect Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs
Whether you are making hard boiled eggs for meal prep or to serve with Easter dinner, learning the 5-5-5 method for Instant Pot eggs ensures you get perfect results every time!
Before I had a pressure cooker I made hard boiled eggs using the traditional method of boiling them on the stove. No more, though! Instant Pot hard boiled eggs are not only hands off but are so easy to peel.
If you love to make egg salad and deviled eggs, learning this method will make your life so much more simpler! No pots, hot water or hot stovetop. Hard boiled eggs in the Instant Pot just makes sense.
Why The 5-5-5- Method Works
The 5-5-5 method means 5 minutes of pressure cooking time, 5 minutes Natural Release and 5 minutes in an ice bath. You will love this easy way to make perfect hard-boiled eggs!
- Easy peel: These are the easiest hard boiled eggs to peel! By using your pressure cooker it allows a small amount of steam to get inside the egg’s shell and that causes separation between the shell and egg.
- Hands-off: There is no need to carefully watch a pot on the stove and hope you got it right.
- Perfect texture: The egg yolk is perfectly cooked whether you use it to make deviled eggs, at lunch on a sandwich or as breakfast to-go!
- Versatile: Cook 2 eggs or 12 eggs and the time and temperature will stay the same plus use any size Instant Pot you have whether it is 3 quart, 6 quart or 8 quart all work!
Recipe Ingredients
You really need only 1 ingredient for Instant Pot eggs, but I will list other essentials that you must have to successfully make this recipe. Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.
- Eggs: I recommended 8 large eggs, but you can make as many 12 or as few as 2. Any color eggs work!
- Cold water: This will help the Instant Pot come to pressure. You do not want to use hot water as that starts cooking the eggs before the 5 minute timer starts.
- Bowl of ice water: To quickly bring the egg temperature down after cooking so that your hard boiled eggs are not overcooked.
Variations
If you would like softer eggs with a more jammy yolk just decrease the cooking time. Here is a handy time chart for Instant Pot eggs.
- 5 minutes: For firm yet slightly soft hard boiled eggs.
- 4 minutes: For soft boiled eggs with a jammy yolk.
- 3 minutes: For a set white but slightly runny yolk.
How to Make Instant Pot Eggs
If you are new to Instant Pot cooking, this basic recipe is perfect for beginners! See all my top tips on how to use an Instant Pot complete with a printable time chart for all your basics.
- Prepare: In a 6-quart Instant Pot fitted with a steam rack or trivet, add the water (you want just enough water to sit right below the rack). Place the eggs on the rack.
- Pressure cook: Set the valve to sealing and pressure cook on High or Manual for 5 minutes.
- Release pressure: Use Natural Release to let the pressure subside for 5 minutes.
- Cool eggs: Remove eggs immediately to a bowl of ice water to cool down for 5 minutes.
How to Peel Hard Boiled Eggs
After 5 minutes, remove your eggs from the ice bath, crack them on your counter, then roll each one to finish cracking the entire shell. Start peeling at the base of the egg and the rest of the peel should come right off.
Your eggs will be perfectly hard boiled and the egg yolk will be a nice yellow color with no gray or green circle around it!
Expert Tips
- Don’t forget to add cold tap water to your pressure cooker before starting. Your Instant Pot needs water to come to pressure and if you use hot water or warm water it will start the cooking process too early.
- Transfer Instant Pot boiled eggs to an ice bath immediately to stop the cooking process.
- Set another timer in the kitchen so you don’t forget about your eggs in the Instant Pot or you might end up with over-cooked eggs.
- You can make up to a dozen eggs with this process and the cook time will not change.
- If you find that your eggs are cracking during the cooking time, bring them to room temperature first before adding them to the Instant Pot.
Recipe FAQs
Using the 5-5-5 method your eggs should be perfectly cooked, but you may like them cooked a little more or a little less. If your eggs are undercooked to your liking, add a minute to the cook time or add time to the natural pressure release before you move the valve to venting. If you find they are overcooked reduce the cook time or natural release by just a minute or two.
You can use as few as 2 large eggs up to 12 eggs, the cooking time will not change.
Technically you can but I use either the trivet that comes with the Instant Pot or a steamer basket to prevent the eggs from moving around and possibly cracking. If you are making a dozen eggs the steamer basket is helpful when removing the eggs to the ice bath.
If your Instant Pot has an egg setting, you can use that button and still follow the 5-5-5 method as the button is preset for 5 minutes.
Your cook time should remain the same no matter if you have farm fresh eggs or old eggs. Fresh eggs tend to have a brighter yolk.
Serving Suggestions
There are so many ways to use Instant Pot hard boiled eggs! You can eat them for a snack with a sprinkle of salt and pepper or make them into these bacon ranch deviled eggs at the holidays!
For an easy lunch I often use them to make an egg salad sandwich but they are just as great on top of avocado toast as well.
How to Store Hard Boiled Eggs
If storing in the refrigerator for later use, I recommend keeping the shells on. This helps to extend their shelf life and keeps them fresher longer.
Unpeeled eggs will keep for about 1 week in the fridge. I like to store mine in either an airtight container or zip-top bag.
Need more egg recipes? Be sure to try my recipes for scrambled eggs, bacon ranch deviled eggs and poached eggs, too!
More Instant Pot Basics
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Instant Pot Eggs
Video
Equipment
- 1 6-quart Instant Pot
Ingredients
- 1 cup cold water
- 8 large eggs
- Bowl of ice water
Optional seasoning: Salt and ground black pepper
Instructions
- In a 6-quart Instant Pot fitted with a steam rack, add the water (you want just enough water to sit right below the rack). Place the eggs on the rack.
- Secure lid and set to cook 5 minutes on High pressure.
- When the timer goes off, naturally release the pressure 5 minutes before quickly and carefully releasing the remaining pressure.
- Remove the lid and using a slotted spoon, transfer the eggs to a bowl of ice water. Let cool 5 minutes.
- Tap the eggs on the counter until the shell cracks and run under cold water to peel.
Notes
- Slightly soft boiled: cook 4 minutes
- For firm yet slightly soft: cook 5 minutes
Nutrition
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!
Categorized as: 5 Ingredients Or Less, American, Dairy-Free, Easter, Eggs, Gluten-Free, Instant Pot, Instant Pot, Low Carb, Meal Prep, Whole 30
Jamielyn Nye is the founder and recipe creator at I Heart Naptime. She is also the author of the I Heart Naptime Cookbook. Here you will find easy family-friendly recipes for every occasion.
I usually have an issue with the texture of hard-boiled eggs, but this technique has completely changed my mind! I love how easy and delicious you made this more me!
I’m so glad you enjoyed these instant pot eggs!
My go-to way to make eggs! so fast and the eggs come out perfectly EVERY. SINGLE. TIME. This recipe is a win!!
These come out perfect every single time. I wil never boil them again!