Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs

Learn how to make perfectly cooked hard boiled eggs in your Instant Pot. This quick and easy recipe yields consistently delicious eggs every time using the 5-5-5 method in the pressure cooker.

How to Make Perfect Hard Boiled Eggs in Instant Pot (5-5-5 Method)

I made my first pressure cooker hard boiled eggs right before Easter. Nothing like a holiday to inspire a few kitchen shortcuts, right?! We needed so many hard boiled eggs to make Easter eggs that I wanted to make the process as easy as possible. And, you guys, I am SO glad I did!

Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs are super easy to make using the 5-5-5 method in the pressure cooker and so easy to peel. Make a dozen or more at one time! These pressure cooker hard boiled eggs are the best hard cooked eggs ever — every single time! And seriously, this is one of the easiest Instant Pot recipes you can make!

Usually, I make eggs in the 6 quart, but you can cook a bunch of eggs at one time in the 8 quart Instant Pot.

Why make hard boiled eggs in the Instant Pot?

Honestly, for me, this method is foolproof and much easier than using the stove. I did 5 batches of eggs, and everyone of them turned out well with only one egg having a small crack. No green ring either!

You don’t have to stand over a pot of boiling water, and your house won’t smell like eggs afterwards. Plus the shells are super, super easy to peel off!

What’s the best method for making eggs in the Instant Pot?

There are many different recipes for Instant Pot hard boiled eggs out there. But I stuck with the one I’ve used over and over again — the 5 5 5 method. It’s the best way to cook eggs in the pressure cooker.

What’s the 5-5-5 Method for Eggs

It’s basically the amount of time to cook eggs in the Instant Pot or any electric pressure cooker. With this method you allow:

• 5 minutes pressure cooking time
• 5 minutes for a natural pressure release
• 5 minutes in an ice water bath or cold water bath to stop the cooking process

Basically, you place a trivet or steamer basket in the Instant Pot. Then, you add a cup of water and your eggs.

You pressure cook the for 5 minutes on high pressure. Then, you let the pressure come down naturally for 5 minutes. You do a quick pressure release for the remaining pressure, and then, you stop the cooking process by letting the eggs cool off in a nice icy bowl of water for 5 minutes.

After that, you’re good to go. Peel ’em right away, stick ’em in the fridge for later — whatever works best! We love using hard boiled eggs to make Instant Pot Potato Salad, Guacamole Deviled Eggs, Basil Parmesan Deviled Eggs and egg salad!

Storage

You can store unpeeled hard boiled eggs for 1 week in the refrigerator. Peeled hard boiled eggs keep for 2-3 days in an airtight container.

How Many Hard Boiled Eggs Can You Make in the Instant Pot

I have made a dozen eggs at once in my IP. It’s okay if they touch — it won’t affect the cooking experience.

Although I personally haven’t tried it, others have made more — up to 24 eggs ( 2 dozen) at a time.

How to Make Hard Boiled Eggs in the 8 Quart

You can also use the 5 5 5 method in the 8 qt. Some people say that you can overcook eggs using this method in the 8 quart, but this isn’t entirely true.

I cooked hard boiled eggs in my older 8 quart Duo and my brand new 8 quart Duo Crisp. The new Duo Crisp took 5 minutes to reach pressure and after a 5 minute natural release, it released the remaining pressure in a few seconds — just like my 6 quart.

The older Duo took 7 minutes to pressurize, so I tried a quick release, and it took a little longer to release pressure. All 3 Instant Pots made perfectly cooked hard boiled eggs, although I liked the texture better from the eggs that were naturally released.

How Much Water do You Need to Cook Eggs

For the 6 qt, you need 1 cup of cold water. For other models, follow the instructions that came with your Instant Pot. For example, my older 8qt Duo needs 2 cups of water, while my newer one only needs 1 1/2 cups water.

Post was originally published in 2018 and updated in 2024.

For easy recipes, sign up for the weekly newsletter and follow me on social media.

Happy Cooking,