When I perfected stove-top boiled eggs, check here for the top tips to make easy peel hard-boiled eggs, I thought that was it for me. Then I discovered air fryer boiled eggs, which require even less “babysitting,” no water, and take less time. But, for those without an air fryer, Instant Pot hard-boiled eggs are the best and most consistent method so far – especially when it comes to being the easiest peel ever! Cooking hard-boiled eggs in an Instant Pot is not only super simple and entirely hands-off, but they take just 15 minutes to cook. Even better, they require no additional tips or tricks (like vinegar or poking holes) for perfectly easy-peel eggs every time, regardless of their age, batch size, or anything else. The time saved on trying to carefully peel the eggs without gouging away egg white makes this method so worth it for any Instant Pot owner. Best of all, using the 5-5-5 method for pressure cooking eggs, yields consistently great easy peel eggs with perfectly cooked whites, creamy yolks, and no sign of unappealing green/gray rings. Plus, you can make as little as one egg up to a dozen (or however many fit in your pressure cooker) with no method change – perfect for weekly meal prep and feeding crowds! You might also enjoy making perfectly poached eggs, fluffy scrambled eggs, or French-baked eggs. Then, place your eggs on the rack. Close the lid, ensuring the steam release valve is in the sealing position, then cook the eggs on manual HIGH pressure for 5 minutes. Wait for the natural pressure release for 5 minutes (it’s best to set a timer), then push the vent knob to the venting position to quickly release any remaining pressure. I like to do this with the end of a long wooden spoon or with a tea towel around my hand, as it can sputter scalding water when turning the vent knob. Carefully, using tongs or a potholder, transfer the Instant Pot hard boiled eggs to an ice bath (a bowl filled with cold water and ice). Leave to cool for 5 minutes and finally peel. To peel the eggs, I like to tap them against my kitchen table and gently roll them across the counter to create cracks in the shell. At that point, the peels practically slide right off your perfect hard-boiled eggs.
How Long to Cook Hard Boiled Eggs in Instant Pot?
This recipe uses the 5-5-5 method for cooking hard-boiled eggs in a 6-quart Instant Pot. What does that mean?
The pressure cooker will take 5 minutes to come to pressure. You set it to 5 minutes of cook time. Then allow it to natural release for 5 minutes before opening the valve to release the remaining pressure. I then transfer the eggs to an ice water bath for 5 minutes (so really, 5-5-5-5 method).
If you use an 8-quart Instant Pot to hard boil eggs, it will take closer to 9-10 minutes to come to pressure, so you won’t need the additional 5 minutes of natural release afterward. This method will yield fool-proof, perfectly cooked (no chalky yolks or green/gray rings), easy-peel eggs every time. Once cooked, enjoy these Instant Pot hard boiled eggs in all your favorite ways. As a snack, over toast (like avocado toast with egg), egg salad sandwich, deviled egg potato salad, and other salads, sliced or mashed and added to sandwiches like egg salad sandwich, wraps, to make Scotch eggs, added to buddha bowls/grain bowls, and more! It’s best to keep the peeled eggs whole to avoid drying out, and I don’t recommend freezing the eggs, as the whites become rubbery upon thawing. However, egg yolks will freeze for up to 3 months.
