• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Grits and Gouda
  • Home
  • Recipes
    • Appetizers and Snacks
    • Meats and Mains
    • Breakfast Brunch Brinner
    • Veggies and Sides
    • Desserts and Cakes
    • Cookies and Candy
    • Shortcut Cooking
    • Lighten Up
    • Canning and Condiments
    • Wild Game
    • Salads & Slaws
  • About
    • About
    • Community
  • Work With Me
  • Cooking Classes
  • Shop
    • AMAZON
    • Cookbook
  • Contact
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Work With Me
  • Cooking Classes & Holiday Cooking Show
  • Shop
  • Contact
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    Home > Instant Pot > How to Make Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs (Easy Peel Every Time)

    How to Make Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs (Easy Peel Every Time)

    December 27, 2021 by gritsandgouda 2 Comments

    Share
    Pin
    Tweet
    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. See full disclosure.
    Jump to Recipe

    Here's how to make easy Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs with step by step directions. The best, fail-proof way to make hard boiled (hard cooked) eggs that easily peel every single time.

    Boiled eggs, halved and peeled on a white plate

    Until I discovered how to "boil" eggs in the Instant Pot, I always dreaded cooking them on the stovetop. So many factors weighed in on whether or not they would peel easily, be over/under cooked, or have a green ring around the yolk.

    Now, when I make them in the Instant Pot multi-function pressure cooker using the 5-5-5 Method, I never have to wonder if they will turn out the way I want them. They are perfect, no-fail hard boiled eggs. Every. Single. Time! It's that easy!

    Brown Egg shell peeled from an egg cooked in the Instant Pot all in one piece
    Egg shells easily peel off in almost one strip when cooked in the Instant Pot.

    What is the 5-5-5 Method for Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs?

    • 5 minutes cooking time on Pressure Cook
    • 5 minutes Natural Release (NR)
    • 5 minutes in a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process and cool down

    This is probably the most common method. I often drop down to 4 minutes cooking time (4-5-5 method). The yolks are still hard-cooked but the whites are not quite as hard/firm-which is how I like them. I often leave the eggs in the ice water for 6 or 7 minutes to make sure they are completely cooled down on the inside.

    I've seen recipes that cook the eggs in the Instant Pot for 6 minutes, but at that point, I think you risk getting the green or grey ring around the yolk and drying out the yolk.

    Ingredients and Equipment

    • Eggs (1 to 1 dozen)
    • 1 cup water
    • Insert rack that comes with the Instant Pot
    • Any model Instant Pot

    How to make Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs

    I used a 6 Quart Duo 7-in-1 Instant Pot

    Any size or model Instant Pot can be used. I often use my 3-quart Mini Instant Pot. I can stack an entire dozen eggs on the rack that comes with this model!

    Scroll down for detailed, printable recipe.

    • Open Instant Pot overhead view with eggs in a carton to the size
    • Eggs inside an Instant Pot
    • Closed Instant Pot set to 5 minutes
    1. Place a metal or silicone trivet (rack) in the Instant Pot insert pot.
    2. Eggs can be place in a single layer or even stacked on top of each other. Add 1 cup of water.
    3. Then, set the pressure valve to "sealing", not venting. Set to Pressure Cook for 5 minutes.
    • Instant Pot pressure valve on Venting
    • Spooning eggs from Instant Pot into bowl of ice water
    • Bowl of ice water and eggs with timer set to 5 minutes
    1. After 5 minutes of Natural Release (means do nothing after 5 minutes of cooking), push the pressure release valve to Venting for a Quick Release.
    2. Next, transfer the hot eggs into a bowl of ice water.
    3. Let stand in ice water at least 5 minutes. This cools down the eggs but also aids in the easy-peel process.
    Boiled eggs, halved and peeled on a white plate next to an Instant Pot

    For the last step, tap the eggs on the edge of a bowl or on the counter, then roll it around on the counter with the palm of your hand to crack the shell.

    The shell will almost fall off before you can even "peel" it off. It's like magic!

    How to store hard cooked eggs

    Store hard cooked (boiled or steamed) eggs peeled or unpeeled in an airtight container in the fridge up to 1 week.

    Hard cooked eggs do not freeze well.

    Will fresh eggs peel well when cooked in the Instant Pot?

    Yes! I've cooked both fresh farm eggs and older eggs from the grocery store in the Instant Pot using this 5-5-5 method and both peel like a dream. It's a game changer!

    Pros & Cons

    Pros

    • Easy to peel every single time. No more stressing over ragged outsides of eggs. Perfectly smooth Deviled Eggs.
    • You can set it and walk away!
    • Works perfectly even if the eggs are fresh from the hen. (Fresh eggs are notorious for not peeling well with stovetop method.
    • The eggs are basically steamed and do not move around and crack during cooking.
    • The yolks are a beautiful yellow color with no green or grey discoloration.

    Cons

    • It doesn't actually save time since it takes about 10 minutes to "come up to pressure", 5 minutes to cook, 5 minutes to Natural Release, then 5 minutes in an ice bath. BUT! I still consider it a time saver because I can set it and walk away and I save time not having to wrestle with peeling the eggs.
    • The cost of an Instant Pot if you don't already have one.

    Which Instant Pot model should I buy?

    No worries. Here are the 3 models I own plus Duo in teal. I highly recommend all of them.

    Which Instant Pot should I buy?

    Instant Pot multi-function cookers have almost as many new versions as iPhones. Fortunately, you can't really go wrong with most any of them.

    The only version I would avoid is one of the very first models-the Instant Pot Luxe version. It lacks a couple of the basic features I love like the handy slots in the handles to place the hot lid that drains the collected steam back into the pot.

    See what I'm talking about in this article by The Kitchn about this cool trick. It's tempting to buy this model because it is often on sale in the big box stores and online.

    For a detailed overview of the various Instant Pot models, prices, and features, check out the post from Healthy Kitchen 101.

    Lets be social!'

    Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and YouTube. Be social and share, y'all! Don't forget to sign up with your email so you don’t miss a single post on my Southern shortcut recipes!

    If you make this recipe I'd love to see it! Tag me on social media with #gritsandgouda or @gritsandgouda. Leave a comment below the printable recipe if you have questions or tell me how you liked the recipe. Don't forget to give the recipe a rating of 5 stars if you love it!

    Other Instant Pot recipes you will love

    • Naturally Dyed Deviled Eggs and Easter Eggs
    • Instant Pot Bone-In Pepper Jelly Ham
    • Instant Pot Fresh Green Beans with Bacon
    • Instant Pot White Bean Chicken Chili
    • Instant Pot Chocolate Peanut Butter Swirl Cheesecake
    • Instant Pot Boiled Peanuts
    • Instant Pot Chicken Bacon Ranch Alfredo
    Eggs inside an Instant Pot
    Print Recipe
    5 from 1 vote

    How to Make Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs (Easy Peel Every Time)

    Here's how to make easy Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs with step by step directions using the 5-5-5 time method. Hands down the quickest, no-fail way to make hard boiled (hard cooked) eggs that easy-peel every single time.
    Prep Time1 min
    Cook Time5 mins
    Coming up to pressure & Natural Release & Chill20 mins
    Total Time26 mins
    Course: Appetizer, Breakfast, Side Dish
    Servings: 6 servings
    Calories: 78kcal
    Author: Kathleen Phillips | GritsAndGouda.com
    Cost: 2
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Equipment

    • instant pot

    Ingredients

    • 1 to 12 large eggs
    • 1 cup water

    Instructions

    • Place a metal or silicone trivet (rack) in the Instant Pot insert pot.
    • Eggs can be placed in a single layer or even stacked on top of each other. Add 1 cup of water.
    • Set the pressure valve to "sealing", not venting. Set to Pressure Cook for 5 minutes.
    • After 5 minutes of Natural Release, push the pressure release valve over to Venting for a Quick Release. There will not be much pressure left to release.
    • Transfer the hot eggs into a bowl of ice water. Let stand in ice water at least 5 minutes. This cools down the eggs but also aids in the easy-peel process.
    • When ready to eat, tap the eggs on the edge of a bowl or on the counter, then roll it around on the counter with the palm of your hand to crack the shell. The shell will almost fall off before you can even "peel" it off.

    Notes

    Natural Release means do nothing after cooking time is up and pressure will naturally release, although you can't hear or see it. I set a timer for the Duo model. Other models show the progress on a grid.
    How to store hard cooked eggs: Store the eggs peeled or unpeeled in an airtight container in the fridge until ready to use.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1egg | Calories: 78kcal
    Did you make this recipe?If you love it, share it! Tag me on Instagram @gritsandgouda using #gritsandgouda Comment below before you go!

    Nutrition analysis on GritsAndGouda.com recipes are mostly calculated on an online nutrition calculator. I am not a dietitian and nutritional information is an estimate and can vary based on products used.

    Updated February 2023

    Updated December 27, 2021

    More Instant Pot

    • Instant Pot Chicken Bacon Ranch Alfredo No need to drain the pasta! Cook it all in one pot and no Ranch dressing packet needed!
    • Easy Instant Pot Boiled Peanuts A classic Southern snack made with raw peanuts-which aren't really nuts at all!
    • Instant Pot Bone-In Turkey Breast and Gravy Give yourself more time for family and your oven more room for side dishes and pie by cooking your holiday turkey in the Instant Pot this year.
    • Deviled Easter Eggs (Naturally Dyed)

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Debby

      September 19, 2020 at 8:04 pm

      Thanks so much! I can't wait to try this!

      Reply
      • gritsandgouda

        September 20, 2020 at 8:49 am

        My pleasure! Let me know in the post comments how you like them if you try them!

        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Hi y'all! I’m Kathleen. I share Southern shortcut recipes! I’m a food stylist, cookbook author, and former test kitchen director in Alabama. I take traditional Southern recipes you know and love (and a few new ones) and make them with shortcuts so you can enjoy them faster.

    More about me →

    • Mail
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest

    Popular Recipes

    • Cookies and Cream Shortbread Cookies
    • Blonde Brownies with Cheaters Caramel Icing
    • Easy Yellow Squash Casserole
    • 2 Ingredient Biscuits

    More Popular Recipes →

    Footer

    Hi y'all! I’m Kathleen. I share Southern shortcut recipes! I’m a food stylist, cookbook author, and former test kitchen director in Alabama. I take traditional Southern recipes you know and love (and a few new ones) and make them with shortcuts so you can enjoy them faster.

    Copyright © 2023 Grits and Gouda · Privacy Policy