April 6, 2022
updated
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Today we are using the Instant Pot to make hard-boiled eggs. Thanks to the 5-5-5 method, they come out perfectly cooked and ready to use in all your favorite hard-boiled egg recipes.
But before we start, I want to mention some very important tips that make the difference between easy-to-peel hard-boiled eggs and ones where you take off half the egg white.

5-5-5 Method for Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs
The 5-5-5 method is the most recommended for hard-boiled eggs in the Instant Pot, and what I used for this recipe, plus it makes it easy to remember the proper timing for each step:
- 5 minutes on High Pressure
- 5 minutes on Natural Release
- 5 minutes in an ice bath
Just like my stove-top method for hard-boiled eggs, the eggs came out with creamy yellow centers and perfect whites.
How to Make Hard-Boiled Eggs in the Instant Pot
While 5-5-5 makes this pressure cooker boiled egg method easy to remember, if this is your first time, I’ve got more details for you to be sure your first time boiling eggs in the Instant Pot is a success.
- Prepare
Place the steamer basket in the bottom of your pressure cooker. Add 1 cup of water and set the eggs in an even layer on the steamer basket (no stacking). - Bring to Pressure
Close the lid of the pressure cooker and make sure the steam valve is sealed. Set the pressure to high and the timer for five minutes. - Natural Release
After the cooking is done, allow the eggs to sit for 5 minutes while the steam naturally releases. Once 5 minutes is up, using a wooden spoon flip the steam valve to vent any remaining steam and pressure. - Ice Bath
In a large bowl, create an ice bath and transfer the eggs to the cold water. Allow them to rest for 5 minutes.
Once the eggs are at room temperature, be sure to peel them before storing them in the fridge. Refrigerated hard-boiled eggs do not peel well, trust me.
Video: Making Hard Boiled Eggs in the Instant Pot
Cooking hard-boiled eggs in the Instant Pot consists of 4 easy steps. Watch how it’s done in this quick video.
Instant Pot Size and How Much Water to Add
The amount of water needed to make hard-boiled eggs in the Instant Pot depends on the size, check the size of your pressure cooked and refer to the chart below:
Instant Pot size | Amount of Water |
---|---|
6-quart | 1 cup |
8-quart | 1 ½ cups |
It’s simple and easy recipe tips like this one that help parents pull off mealtimes without a glitch. You’ll find them inside the MOMables Classic Meal Plan. Download a sample meal plan here.
How to Tell if an Egg is Boiled without Breaking it?
Want to tell if an egg is fully cooked without cracking it open? Easy, carefully grab a
hard-boiled egg that’s just been cooked, place it on a flat surface and give it a spin. If it wobbles and keeps spinning, it’s still undercooked. If it spins, stays upright, and stops, it’s cooked!
How Long Does it Take to Hard Boil Eggs in an Instant Pot?
Between bringing to pressure and natural release, it takes about 10 minutes to hard-boil eggs in the Instant Pot. The timer and settings make it convenient to avoid overcooking the eggs. An overly cooked hard-boiled egg will have a green-grayish ring around the yolk instead of a soft, yellow center.
How Many Eggs Can You Boil in an Instant Pot at One Time
Depending on your pressure cooker’s size, you can fit anywhere from 6 to 12 eggs; be sure not to overcrowd the eggs or stack them one on top of the other.
Depending on which Instant Pot model you have, there may be an egg trivet included. In that case, you can use up to 6 eggs at once. Otherwise, use the standard wire rack that comes with most pressure cookers to keep the eggs elevated. This prevents the eggs from cracking and creating one big pressure-cooked mess.
Peeling Your Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs
There are a few effective ways to peel hard-boiled eggs without taking off half the shell. From peeling under running water, shaking the eggs in an airtight container filled with water, or cracking and rolling, I’ve tried them all, and you can see which is the most successful in the video below:
No matter the method you choose, the most important factor for easy to peel hard-boiled eggs is using week-old eggs. If an egg is fresh, the white’s pH is super low, which causes it to stick to the shell membrane.
Recipes with Hard-Boiled Eggs
Eggs are one of the most versatile sources of protein you can use for a number of recipes. I’ve shared a few ideas below that you can make with hard-boiled eggs and guarantee no one gets bored with lunch.
5-5-5 Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs
Ingredients
- 6-12 large eggs
- 1 cup water
Instructions
- Place the steamer basket in the bottom of your pressure cooker. Add 1 cup of water and set the eggs in an even layer on the steamer basket (no stacking).
- Close the lid of the pressure cooker and make sure the steam valve is sealed. Set the pressure to high and the timer for five minutes.
- After the cooking is done, allow the eggs to sit for 5 minutes while the steam naturally releases.
- Once 5 minutes is up, using a wooden spoon flip the steam valve to vent any remaining steam and pressure.
- Create an ice bath in a large bowl and transfer the eggs to the cold water. Allow them to rest for 5 minutes.
- Once the eggs are at room temperature, be sure to peel them before storing them in the fridge. Refrigerated hard-boiled eggs do not peel well, trust me.
Mauliyani
nice article