How to make perfect Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs. Cooking hard boiled eggs in your Instant Pot is quick, easy and hands-off.
Hard boiled eggs were one of the first things that I cooked in my Instant Pot, and I immediately fell in love with these easy peel eggs. While boiling eggs on the stove is also simple, I love that the Instant Pot makes the process especially hands-off.
Hard boiled eggs are a meal prep staple, perfect for quick breakfasts and high protein snacks. Perfectly cooked hard boiled eggs are essential ingredients for deviled eggs and egg salad.
WHY MAKE HARD BOILED EGGS IN A PRESSURE COOKER?
- Instant Pot hard boiled eggs peel so easily.
- This recipe is easy and mostly hands-off. You don’t have to watch a pot on the stove.
- Once you know the cook time to make your perfect hard boiled eggs, cooking them in your Instant Pot is foolproof. They’ll turn out just the way you like them, every time.
If you are new to using an Instant Pot, read my quick start guide on how to use an Instant Pot before you get started.
HOW TO MAKE INSTANT POT HARD BOILED EGGS
This recipe is really simple, but you may need to do some experimenting to find the cook time that cooks your eggs just how you like them. I’ve found that eggs can be finicky. You may need to adjust the cook time slightly depending on the size of your eggs, the age or quality of your eggs, and even your particular Instant Pot.
The method for making hard boiled eggs depends on whether you have a 6 quart or 8 quart Instant Pot. For most recipes, the size of your Instant Pot doesn’t matter, but eggs are an exception. I’ve tested this recipe again and again in both my 6 quart and 8 quart pots, and I’ll share what I’ve learned to help you achieve the best results.
For perfectly set hard boiled eggs:
- 6 Quart Instant Pot: 5 minutes pressure cook time (high pressure) + 5 minutes natural release
- 8 Quart Instant Pot: 5 minutes pressure cook time (high pressure) + quick release
Why do eggs take longer in a 6 quart Instant Pot? Really, they don’t. Since the 8 quart Instant Pot is larger, it takes more time to come to pressure before the cook time starts, as well as more time to release pressure after cooking. That means that your eggs are getting a few extra minutes of cooking time. To adjust for this, if you’re using a 6 quart Instant Pot, you’ll add on 5 minutes of natural pressure release time after the cook cycle ends. The eggs will continue to cook while the pressure naturally releases.
RECIPE STEPS:
1. You’ll start by putting 1 cup of water in the inner pot of your 6 quart or 8 quart Instant Pot. Water is needed to create steam which will pressurize the pot during the cooking process.
2. Next, put a trivet or egg steamer rack the Instant Pot. Place your eggs on the rack and close the lid. Turn the steam release valve to the sealing position. Press the “Pressure Cook” or “Manual” button and set the cook time to 5 minutes at high pressure.
3. The Instant Pot will take some time to reach pressure before the cook time begins. It will take about 5 minutes for a 6 quart Instant Pot to reach pressure, and about 9 minutes if you have the 8 quart. Once the pot reaches pressure the float valve will pop up and the cook time will begin counting down on the display.
4. When the cook time ends the Instant Pot will beep a few times. If you are using a 6 quart Instant Pot, allow the pressure to release naturally for 5 minutes by leaving the pot alone. I recommend setting a timer so you don’t forget! Otherwise you may end up with over-cooked eggs with the dreaded green ring around the yolks. If you are using an 8 quart Instant Pot, immediately quick release the pressure.
5. Quick release any remaining pressure by moving the steam valve to the venting position with the handle of a long spoon. Be careful, as the steam that escapes will be very hot.
6. Wait for the steam to stop coming out and the float valve (pin) to drop down. Open the pot and use tongs or a spoon to immediately transfer the eggs to an ice bath, which is a bowl of ice water. Let the eggs sit in the ice bath for 5 to 10 minutes and then peel.
HOW TO COOK SOFT BOILED EGGS:
- Cook at high pressure for 5 minutes and do a quick pressure release if you are using a 6 quart Instant Pot.
- Cook at high pressure for 3 minutes and do a quick pressure release if you are using an 8 quart Instant Pot.
HOW TO PEEL HARD BOILED EGGS
Tap the eggs on your counter to crack the shell in a few places. Use your fingers to remove the peels. The peels will literally fall off of pressure cooked eggs!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What if my eggs turn out under-cooked or over-cooked?
I recommend experimenting with cook times to find the time that produces eggs cooked just how you like them. If you find that your eggs are under-cooked, try adding a minute to the cook time or add a few minutes of natural release time before you turn the steam release valve to venting. I used to have the problem of under-cooked eggs in my 6 quart Instant Pot until I tried the 5-5-5 method: 5 minutes of pressure cooking + 5 minutes natural release + 5 minutes in ice bath. If your eggs are over-cooked, next time reduce either the cook time or natural release time by a minute or two.
Does the size of the eggs matter?
This recipe was tested with large eggs. If your eggs are extra large they may take an extra minute or two to cook.
Does the number of eggs matter?
I haven’t found any difference in the way the eggs cook when I cook 2 eggs versus a dozen. If you want to cook a dozen eggs, I recommend using these stackable egg steamer racks. For cooking up to 6-8 eggs, the steamer rack trivet that came with your Instant Pot works well.
Do fresh eggs cook differently than old eggs?
I haven’t noticed any difference between farm fresh eggs from our farm box and old eggs, in terms of cook times. Farm fresh eggs and organic free range eggs of course taste better and have a brighter golden yellow yolk.
HOW LONG DO HARD BOILED EGGS LAST?
Store hard boiled eggs for up to 7 days in the refrigerator. Do not leave hard boiled eggs out at room temperature for more than 2 hours. Hard boiled eggs do not freeze well. The egg whites have an unpleasant texture after freezing.
It is best to eat soft boiled eggs right after cooking.
RECIPE TIPS:
- Be sure you don’t forget about your eggs in the Instant Pot or you could end up with over-cooked eggs.
- Transfer your hard boiled eggs to an ice water bath right away. The cold water stops the cooking process.
- Hard boiled eggs peel easiest when you peel them right away after they sit in the ice bath for 5-10 minutes.
- It may take a little experimenting to cook your hard boiled eggs just the way you like them. If your first batch turns out too soft or over-cooked, adjust the cook time slightly next time until you find what works best for your eggs and your Instant Pot.
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