How To Make Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs
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Learn how to make Instant Pot hard-boiled eggs with the foolproof 5-5-5 method! Perfectly cooked and easy to peel every time, this is the only way I make boiled eggs now. With this simple method, you are literally putting all of your eggs in one (steamer) basket, and it’s so worth it!
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It’s February 2025, and eggs are really expensive right now. But if you have access to affordable eggs, boiling them in the Instant Pot is one of the best ways to use them!
I get my eggs from a local woman with backyard chickens for $5 a dozen, which is a steal even in better economic times.
If you can find someone with chickens, that’s a great way to save money on eggs (and it’s one of my top tips for old-fashioned frugality).
But one day, I’d love to have my own chickens, which is a total change of heart. I always swore I didn’t want chickens.
Honestly, I blame sourdough. You make sourdough bread once, and suddenly, you want a farm.
Eggs are a staple in our home. I freeze-dry eggs for long-term storage, but I also love keeping boiled eggs on hand for quick snacks and easy meals.
That’s where the Instant Pot comes into play! The 5-5-5 method is so easy, and the shells peel like a dream.
And what’s really nice about Instant Pot boiled eggs is that you can batch prep them in just a few minutes and have nutritious food at the ready, even on busy days.
Why You’ll Love Instant Pot Boiled Eggs
- Healthy: Hard-boiled eggs are a healthy, protein-rich snack to keep around. We use them for nutritious grab-and-go snacks and or pair one with homemade cottage cheese or home-cured bacon for breakfast.
- Versatile: Use them for deviled eggs, snacks, potato salad, and more. You can even pickle them in leftover candied jalapeño brine for a spicy treat or make delicious egg salad on sourdough sandwich bread with homemade Frech mayo!
- Saves Time: The Instant Pot makes it so quick—just 15 minutes from start to finish (plus warm-up time). The ice bath cools them fast, so they’re ready to eat right away!
- Consistent Cooking: I’ve tried just about every cooking method for boiled eggs. Hands down, the Instant Pot method is the most consistent.
- Easy Peel: I’ve heard it depends on the chicken, but in my experience, with farm-fresh eggs, peeling immediately after the ice bath works like a charm every time!
Ingredients
- Eggs: I can fit about a dozen eggs in my 8-quart Instant Pot with a veggie steamer. Depending on your steamer rack and pressure cooker size, you may be able to fit more or less.
- Water: Use 1 cup of cold water—some say to use more for an 8-quart Instant Pot, but 1 cup works fine for me. You can go up to 1.5 cups for an 8-quart pressure cooker if you prefer.
- Ice: I fill a large mixing bowl with about 2 cups of ice and fill it about halfway with water.
Tools You Will Need
- Instant Pot: I prefer an 8-quart Instant Pot because I can make larger batches of food, but any size will work.
- Steamer Tray: You will need a trivet or stainless steel steamer basket. I use a collapsible vegetable steamer. But once, I forgot to use the basket. A few cracked, but most of them turned out totally fine.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Place a steamer basket in the Instant Pot. Then, gently place the eggs in the Instant Pot. Depending on the size of the eggs, you can fit up to a dozen or so.
Step 2: Pour the water over the eggs.
Step 3: Pressure cook the eggs on high for 5 minutes. When finished, let the pressure release for 5 minutes.
Step 4: Meanwhile, fill a large mixing bowl with ice water.
Step 5: Transfer the eggs to the ice bath and allow them to sit for 5 minutes.
Step 6: Remove the eggs from the ice bath. For easy peeling, peel them immediately. Then, enjoy!
Tips for Success
- Use at least 1 cup of water. The Instant Pot relies on water to create pressure.
- The pressure cooker will need time to warm and pressurize. So account for those few extra minutes.
- The eggs are hot, hot, hot when they are finished cooking. Use tongs or a slotted spoon to transfer them to the ice bath.
- Place the eggs in a single layer inside the Instant Pot. Stacking them may cause them to break. To cook more without stacking them, you can use an egg rack.
How To Store Hard Boiled Eggs
Peeled Eggs
If you peeled the eggs, wrap them in a damp paper towel and store them in an air-tight container for up to 5 days.
Unpeeled Eggs
Store unpeeled eggs in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to 7 days.
FAQs
Dunking the cooked eggs in an ice bath stops the cooking process and makes peeling them easier. I recommend peeling the eggs as soon as they come out of the ice bath.
Yes! Make sure you thoroughly wash the eggs before using them.
Some folks say that farm-fresh eggs are harder to peel. That has not been true in my experience. However, the results may vary depending on the egg.
You sure can!
Use the 3-3-3 method for soft-boiled eggs—three minutes on high pressure, three minutes natural release, and 3 minutes in an ice bath.
Use the 4-4-4 method for medium-boiled eggs—four minutes on high pressure, four minutes natural release, and four minutes in an ice bath.
To prevent cracking, make sure you use a trivet or steamer rack. Also, don’t overcrowd the eggs.
Cold eggs are also more likely to crack. If the eggs have been refrigerated before cooking, you can let them sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before cooking.
The ice bath isn’t necessary, but in my experience, it does make peeling the eggs easier.
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Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs
Equipment
Ingredients
- 12 eggs, amount can vary depending on size
- 1 cup cold water
- Ice water
Instructions
- Place a steamer basket in the Instant Pot. Then, gently place the eggs in the Instant Pot. Depending on the size of the eggs, you can fit up to a dozen or so.
- Pour the water over the eggs.
- Pressure cook the eggs on high for 5 minutes. When finished, let the pressure release for 5 minutes.
- Meanwhile, fill a large mixing bowl with ice water.
- Transfer the eggs to the ice bath and allow them to sit for 5 minutes.
- Remove the eggs from the ice bath. For easy peeling, peel them immediately. Then, enjoy
Notes
- With a veggie steamer, I can fit about a dozen eggs in my 8-quart Instant Pot. Depending on your steamer rack and pressure cooker size, you may be able to fit more or less.
- The pressure cooker will need time to warm and pressurize. So account for those few extra minutes.
- The eggs are hot, hot, hot when they are finished cooking. Use tongs or a slotted spoon to transfer them to the ice bath.
- You can use more water for an 8-quart Instant Pot, but 1 cup works fine for me. You can go up to 1.5 cups for an 8-quart pressure cooker. But don't use less than 1 cup.
I love making these and eating them with bagel seasoning for a quick breakfast or snack!
I will never make boiled eggs any other way once I did in my instant pot so easy to peel!
I agree! It’s the most consistent method, for sure!
-Rebecca