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Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs are perfectly cooked, easy to peel, with no grey or greenish coloring. Ever! The easiest way to get dozens of eggs ready quickly.
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Perfect Eggs Every Time
I’ll be honest—I used to dread making hard boiled eggs. Timing them just right, dealing with stubborn shells, and the dreaded gray ring around the yolk? No, thank you. But all that changed when I discovered how to make hard boiled eggs in the Instant Pot. Now, it’s my go-to method for perfectly cooked, easy-to-peel eggs every single time.
Why You’ll Love Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs
Making hard boiled eggs in the Instant Pot takes all the guesswork out of the process. No more standing over the stove, wondering if they’re done. The eggs come out with bright yellow yolks, smooth whites, and best of all—they peel like a dream. Plus, it’s a lifesaver when my kids are begging to dye more Easter eggs or when I need a batch for meal prep.
What You’ll Need for these Eggs
- 12 to 18 large eggs (you can cook a dozen or more at once!)
- 1 cup cold water
- Ice for an ice bath
- Optional: Salt and pepper if you’re enjoying them as a snack.
The Foolproof 5-5-5 Method
This method is pure magic:
- Pressure Cook: Place a cup of water in your Instant Pot, add the metal trivet or an egg rack, and arrange your eggs (it’s okay to stack them). Set the Instant Pot to High Pressure for 5 minutes.
- Natural Release: Let the pressure release naturally for 5 minutes, then carefully quick release any remaining pressure.
- Ice Bath: Transfer the eggs to a bowl of ice water and let them sit for 5 minutes to stop the cooking process.
That’s it—no guesswork, no overcooked yolks, just perfect hard boiled eggs every time.
Pro Tips for the Best Hard Boiled Eggs
- Use older eggs: Eggs that are about 3-5 days old peel more easily than super fresh ones.
- Peeling made easy: Gently roll the egg on the counter to crack the shell, then peel. The shell practically slides off.
- Batch cooking: You can cook up to 18 eggs at once with just one cup of water—perfect for meal prep or big gatherings.
- No trivet? No problem! A steamer basket or silicone sling works great, too.
Love Soft Boiled Eggs?
If you prefer soft boiled eggs with slightly runny yolks, just tweak the method:
3-5-5 Method: Pressure cook for 3 minutes, natural release for 5 minutes, then ice bath for 5 minutes.
Questions About Instant Pot Eggs
The steam and high pressure help separate the egg white from the shell membrane, making peeling a breeze.
You can still make perfect hard boiled eggs on the stovetop. Check out my recipe for Easy Peel Hard Boiled Eggs!
Nope! You should always put egg shells in the trash or in your compost bin.
Yes! This method works great for large chicken eggs. If you’re using smaller eggs like quail or larger ones like duck eggs, you might need to adjust the cooking time slightly.
Yes, if you’re cooking at high altitude, you may need to add an extra minute to the pressure cooking time to ensure the eggs are fully cooked.
Absolutely! Stacking the eggs won’t affect the cooking process. Just make sure they’re arranged securely so they don’t crack.
How Long Do Hard Boiled Eggs Last?
Store your hard boiled eggs in the fridge for up to one week. Keep them in their shells until you’re ready to eat to maintain freshness.
Delicious Ways to Use Hard Boiled Eggs
Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs
Ingredients
- 12 large eggs
- 1 cup cold water
Instructions
- Place the wire rack or trivet that comes with the Instant Pot in the bottom of the Instant Pot.
- Add 1 cup water and 12 (or up to 18) raw eggs on top of the wire rack. It is ok to stack them.
The 5-5-5 Method for Hard Boiled Eggs.
- Place the lid on the pot. Move the valve to the sealing position. Use the manual function to pressure cook for 5 minutes on high pressure.
- Natural or slow release pressure for 5 minutes. This step requires you to do nothing other than watch the timer for 5 more minutes. The Instant Pot will slow release on its own. Once 5 minutes is up, quick release remaining pressure.
- Remove lid. Using tongs move hot eggs into a large bowl filled with ice and water for 5 minutes.
- Peel immediately or refrigerate.
The 3-5-5 Method for Soft Boiled Eggs
- Place the lid on the pot. Move the valve to the sealing position. Use the manual function to pressure cook for 3 minutes on high pressure.
- Natural or slow release pressure for 5 minutes. This step requires you to do nothing other than watch the timer for 5 more minutes. The Instant Pot will slow release on its own. Once 5 minutes is up, quick release remaining pressure.
- Remove lid. Using tongs move hot eggs into a large bowl filled with ice and water for 5 minutes.
- Peel immediately or refrigerate.
Video
Notes
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- The best eggs to boil are those that are at least three days old. Super fresh eggs tend to be harder to peel.
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- The best part of this method is you can cook up to 18 eggs at a time in the Instant Pot with just one cup of water! Feel free to stack them on top of each other, it won’t hurt a thing.
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- To peel your eggs, simply roll them on the counter until a small crack forms, then peel. The shell comes off quickly and easily and you’re left with delicious, smooth eggs!
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- You can make perfect hard boiled eggs without an Instant Pot too. Try our recipe for Perfect Easy Peel Hard Boiled Eggs and see how easy it is to get the same perfect color and shape on the stove top.
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- Hard boiled eggs will keep for up to a week in the fridge.
Nutrition Information
Give this Instant Pot method a try, and I promise you’ll never go back to the stovetop again. I’d love to hear how it works for you! Did you try the 5-5-5 method? Have any tips or favorite ways to use hard boiled eggs? Leave a comment below and let’s chat! 🥚🥚🥚
5-5-5 got me 16 eggs with rubbery whites and green smelly yolks. Used instant release. Tried again with 3-5-5 and still had rubbery whites and yolks that were partially green.
This definitely sounds like an egg issue. 5-5-5 should be the perfect amount of time. Especially if 3-5-5 didn’t work. That should be more of a soft boiled egg. It could also be your pressure cooker. What brand do you have?
This is SOOOO much better than boiling them on the stove! Thank you!
This is the only way to boil eggs!! Fast, easy, & they turn out perfectly!!
Tried this method for dying Easter eggs this year and it couldn’t have been simpler! Easily, the best way to cook hard boiled eggs!
This method worked very well in my instant pot duo 6 qt. I cooked twelve eggs in a single layer on the steamer basket. One of them cracked. They all peeled nicely.
Just one more amazing way to use an instant pot and one more great reason I need one nooow!!
I boil my eggs because I usually cook several dozen at a time (3-5). Why is 18 eggs the most you can do?
If you do more than 18 they just don’t fit in the Instant Pot as well. It also takes longer for the IP to heat up with more eggs inside.
Using the Instant Pot is my favourite way to make hard boiled eggs – wouldn’t do them any other way now!
Such a great guide for the perfect hard boiled eggs in the instant pot. Your tips help me cook perfectly hard boiled eggs every time!
What a great way to boil multiple eggs quickly! Thanks for sharing!
Oh my goodness. I will never make hard-boiled eggs and different way again. Super easy, and I’ve never had such an easy time peeling eggs as I did after using the Insta pot! Total win!