Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs (12 Easy Steps for Perfect Results)

Let’s get right down to it. This article is for you if you’re wondering about Instant Pot hard boiled eggs.

We cover the 5-5-5 method that consistently churns out perfect hard-boiled eggs every time. Plus, some additional tips make the process even easier. It’s super easy (seriously). 

Using a pressure cooker to hard-boil eggs with a built-in timer makes it super simple. There is no giant mess to clean up (or small egg cooker to dissemble and clean mineral sediment out of). Instead, the Instant Pot is simple to give a quick clean, and the eggs peel easily without the green-colored yolk (overcooked).

The Instant Pot 5-5-5 Method

You’ll find a popular technique online called the Instant Pot 5-5-5 method for hard-boiled eggs. Essentially the “5-5-5” represents the steps involved in the cooking process:

• 1.) Five minutes to get the Instant Pot to cooking pressure
• 2.) Five minutes to cook
• 3.) Five minutes of natural release (then you do manual release) 

This method works, but there is some risk of overcooking the eggs due to not cooling fast enough. Like traditional hard-boiling on a stovetop- you want to cool the eggs off quickly after step three.

So add in a fourth step of placing the eggs into ice water:

• 4.) Five minutes of ice water

I call this the 5×4 method of perfectly boiling eggs with an Instant Pot (I like to make up names… I’m a guy.. and it reminds me of lumber dimensions :).

So, if you were wondering how long it takes to hard-boil eggs in Instant Pot, you have your answer- about 20 minutes (4 steps, 5 minutes each).

Note: Our Instant Pot took around six minutes to get to pressure during cooking. But ours is a bit of a dinosaur, so that could be why it took a bit longer than five minutes. So time isn’t exact, and your eggs should be good as long as you get close. 

How To Cook Hard-Boiled Eggs With an Instant Pot: Step by Step

Here is a breakdown of 12 steps to follow:

1.) Put one cup of cold water (for 6-quart models, 8-quart models should use 1.5 cups of water) into the Instant Pot. Water is what turns into steam and builds the pressure, hence the “pressure-cooker.” If you ever have a pressure issue, it is usually caused by the amount (or lack of) of water.

2.) Use the stand/rack with the cooker and place the eggs onto it. 

3.) Place the lid on and seal (don’t use the “venting” mode as we need high-pressure).

4.) Adjust the timer to five minutes of high-pressure by selecting manual mode, then push the button to five minutes.

5.) It will build up pressure for about five to six minutes; then, the countdown timer will start. 

6.) During this time, prepare a bowl of ice water.

7.) When the timer is at zero, it will beep, then let it naturally release for another five minutes. The Instant Pot has a built-in timer for this so that you can keep an eye on it. Of course, you could also set a timer, but why add additional items?

8.) After five minutes of natural release venting, carefully (hot steam comes out) move the venting selector to “vent .” This will release any remaining pressure. 

9.) Next, we need to place the eggs in the bowl of ice water. DON’T use bare fingers for this as the eggs will be super hot still— tongs for grilling work great. 

10.) Leave the eggs in their ice bath for five minutes (you will need an additional timer since we are no longer using the timer on the Instant Pot).

11.) The eggs are now ready to crack and peel. As usual, you can give them a slight tap, then roll around with the palm of your hand. The eggs should peel very easily. 

12.) Now smile, maybe do a happy dance, and enjoy your perfectly cooked hard-boiled eggs!

13.) P.S. Remember to clean your Instant Pot. Here is a guide from chachingqueen.com.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Long Do Instant Pot Hard-Boiled Eggs Last?

How long your newly hard-boiled eggs last depends on if you peel them. The eggs should be suitable for around seven days if you leave the shell intact. However, if you peel them, eat them within three days.  

If you leave them at room temperature, you should consume them within two hours. Otherwise, they should be refrigerated. 

Some people wonder about freezing their hard-boiled eggs, but it’s not recommended as they can get rubbery (although yolks can be frozen for around three months in a freezer bag).

What’Re Better, Fresh or Old Eggs?

Well, first, you have to start with defining “better.” But, to sidestep that debate, let’s just say that the healthiest eggs you can get are the best. Look for local, pasture-raised eggs. And both fresh and older eggs will cook great in an Instant Pot.

How To Peel Instant Pot Hard-Boiled Eggs

As the above step-by-step guide mentioned, peeling Instant Pot hard-boiled eggs is a super simple task. The shell should come right off by adding in the ice bath without sticking to the egg white. 

• After the five-minute ice bath, you can grab the egg and give it a slight tap on the kitchen counter, then roll it around gently with the palm of your hand. You’ll feel the shell break up and separate from the egg.
• Pick the remaining shell off, and give the egg a quick rinse of water to remove any shell fragments. 

How Many Eggs Can You Hard-Boil at Once in Instant Pot?

If you have a six-quart Instant Pot model, you can cook up to 16 eggs at once! Or just a single egg if that’s all you need.  

Final Thoughts

Once you learn how to cook hard-boiled eggs in an Instant Pot, you’ll be kicking yourself that you didn’t do it sooner. It is simple and easy, and the Instant Pot is a versatile device. No need for a separate egg-cooker that costs money and takes up space when you have an Instant Pot.

Additionally, you no longer have to worry about over or undercooking hard-boiled eggs the traditional way.