Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs
Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs
For years, I searched for the holy grail of Hard-Boiled Egg Recipes. No matter what “tip” I tried, my hard-boiled eggs were left with huge chunks of missing “flesh” after we were done peeling.
Instant Pot Hard-Boiled Eggs continue to be the only way I can easily remove the shell without losing half the whites.
5-5-5 Method
Many people swear by the Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs 555 Rule. I’ve tried it several times, and had tough whites and grey yolks. Of course, as mentioned above, it depends on the size of your eggs and your ELEVATION.
After extensive testing, with both medium and large eggs, I found the ideal ratio to be 4-3-4: 4 minutes of steam, 3 minutes of natural pressure release, followed by 4 minutes of an ice bath. It’s just as easy to remember and, in my opinion, creates a better hard-boiled egg.
Of course, hard-boiled eggs are like candy. Some prefer sour candy, while others like chocolate. Both are delicious; however, it comes down to preference. You may need to play around with the time ratios to find the one that works best for you.
How Many Eggs Can You Make at a Time?
The number of eggs you can cook at one time is flexible and only limited by the size of your instant pot. I’ve done as few as four eggs and as many as 12. The cooking time will not change.
Why Use an Ice Bath?
When cooking eggs, it’s imperative to use an ice-water bath. The bowl of ice water stops cooking the eggs so they don’t overcook.
Recipe Testing Results
Thanks to extensive recipe testing, here are a few tips I’ve learned over the years.
- Utilize large eggs if possible. They are less apt to overcook. If you only have medium, shave a 1 minute off the cooking time.
- I tested the “steam” setting, “egg” setting, and “pressure cooker” setting. The steam method created an egg white that was chewy and soft, whereas the pressure cooker and egg setting whites were a bit tougher. It’s still nice but tougher.
- Do not let the eggs touch the water or the side of the pan. They will crack, and you’ll be sad. Add them to the metal trivet or a steamer rack to help avoid breakage.
Uses For Instant Pot Eggs
- Toast – slice and add to toast for a quick breakfast
- Use them to make egg salad sandwiches
- Snack- enjoy as a protein-rich snack
- Salad Recipes – chop and add to potato salad or macaroni salad
- Use them to make Smoked Deviled Eggs
Storage
Hard-boiled eggs will stay in the refrigerator for a week if the shells are intact. If shelled, they are good in the fridge for three days. These are a great option for meal prep.
More Egg and Instant Pot Recipes
More popular egg-based breakfast recipes and Instant Pot Recipes: Caprese Frittata, Instant Pot Egg Bites, or Sous Vide Egg Bites.
This recipe was originally posted in August 2016, but I updated it in July 2024 with new photos and additional text. The method has stayed the same.
Quick Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup water
- 12 large eggs
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Instructions
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Place the metal trivet that came with your instant pot in the pot.
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Add the water followed by the eggs.
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Close the lid and press the “steam” button and adjust to 4 minutes at high pressure.
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Let the pressure naturally release for 3 minutes, then finish with a quick release.
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While your eggs steam fill a large bowl with ice and water.
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Once the pressure is released place the eggs in the ice bath for 4 minutes.
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Remove from the ice bath, pat dry and refrigerate until you’re ready to enjoy.