Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs

Name: Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs
Prep time: 2 min
Cook time: 9 min
Total time: 11 min
Ingredients: 12 whole large eggs; 2 cups cold water

5 from 16 votes

27 comments

April 1, 2022

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Instant Pot Hard Boiled eggs are quick, easy to peel, and come out perfect every time! Great to have for a protein-filled lunch or snack! (I also have stovetop directions!)

Happy to be sharing my recipe for hard-boiled eggs today! It’s not so much a recipe as it is a method to get easy to peel, never fail, always perfect, hard-boiled eggs! Whether you’re dying eggs for Easter, making egg salad, or making a few protein snack boxes, you need perfect hard-boiled eggs and this is just the ticket.

close up of a sliced hard boiled egg with salt and pepper

The Secret to Perfect Hard Boiled Eggs

Cooking a hard-boiled egg to perfection is kind of tricky because there are so many variables. How cold the water is, to begin with, how cold the eggs are right out of the fridge, how long to boil them for, how long it takes to bring the eggs to a boil, whether you use an electric cooktop or gas stove, whether you submerge in cold water or ice water, etc. etc.

Eggs to me were just super annoying to deal with because I could never get them right every time. SO! The only reason why I’m posting a simple recipe for hard-boiled eggs is that I figured out the formula! I’ve tried cooking these eggs 6 times, ya’ll!! And they came out perfectly every time. Easy to peel with that quintessential bright yellow yolk.

My secret? I steam them in my instant pot/electric pressure cooker! The Instant Pot works by bringing everything up to a steady temperature together, holding all ingredients (in our case, eggs, and water) at said temperature for 4 minutes and then slowly releasing that pressure for 5 minutes before removing the eggs and shocking them in a water bath. This method works perfectly for everyone who tries it because the pressure cooker removes all the variables I listed above that could potentially keep you from achieving success. And that’s why I’m sharing this with you today.

What if I don’t have a pressure cooker?

Never fear! I’ve tested this recipe on a gas and electric stove too with pretty darn good results. See the section below and the recipe card for further instructions.

Use Week Old Eggs

I think we have all had those terrible, hard-to-peel hard-boiled eggs a time or two before. From what I can tell, this happens because the eggs you are using are fresh. So, use eggs that are a few weeks old for best results.

Still Having Peeling Trouble?

Still having issues with peeling your eggs? Crack them all around without peeling, then soak them in water for a couple of minutes. The water will seep through the cracks and wiggle between the shell and egg making for an easier peel.

What if I Want a Soft or Medium Boil?

This might take some experimenting on your part to get your desired results but after reading this super informative article here’s what has worked for me in the past:

Soft Boiled: high pressure, 3 minutes, quick release
Medium Boiled: high pressure, 4-5 minutes, quick release

Natural vs Quick Release

Quick release simply refers to how the steam from the pressure cooker is released. Natural release is when you allow the pressure to disapate without touching the machine (this is the longer process). Quick release is when you *carefully* open the steam release valve and a stream of hot steam is released all at once.

How to Hard Boil Eggs in an Instant Pot

For full details on how to hard boil eggs in an Instant Pot, see the recipe card down below 🙂

Place Ingredients in Instant Pot

Pour 2 cups of cold water into the bottom of a cold pressure cooker and place the steaming rack into water. The rack should stand just above the water, so no eggs ever come in contact with it. Place the eggs onto the rack, creating an even layer across the bottom (you don’t want them to be stacked on top of each other).

Steam and Natural Release

Close the lid and lock. Ensure the valve is sealed. Press “Steam” function and “High” pressure. Adjust cook time to 4 minutes and press “Start”. The pressure cooker will take a little bit of time to come to temperature before the 4 minute countdown starts.

After 4 minutes have passed, wait another 5 minutes before releasing pressure completely (natural release for 5 minutes, then quick release the rest).

Ice Water Bath

Remove lid and transfer eggs to an ice water bath. Cool until they are easily handled.

Peel and Use

Gently crack shell all the way around and peel away using the side of your thumb (it should come off in big pieces). Rinse under cold water and place onto dry paper towels until all eggs are peeled.

How to Hard Boil Eggs on the Stove

This method isn’t quite as sure proof as the instant pot method but you can still get great results. Here’s how to hard boil eggs on the stovetop:

Place Ingredients in a Pot

Place eggs in a single layer in the bottom of a pot. Cover completely with cold water. Cover and place on stove.

Boil and Wait

Bring to a rolling boil gently over medium to medium-high heat.

Turn burner off and let eggs sit in hot water for 12 minutes. If using an electric stove, remove from burner. Not necessary if using a gas burner.

Ice Water Bath

Remove eggs from hot water and immerse in a large bowl of ice water for 5 minutes or until easy to handle.

Peel and Use

Crack shell gently around the entire egg and using the side of your thumb, peel shell off (it should remove easily as long as you get underneath the membrane just under the shell). Then use as desired!

Storing Instructions

Store hard boiled eggs in an airtight container in the refrigerator, for up to 5 days!

Can I Freeze Hard Boiled Eggs?

I wouldn’t suggest freezing hard boiled eggs. This is because the cooked egg white and yolk become watery after thawing, gross.

Favorite Recipes Using Hard Boiled Eggs!

Oh, so many things to be made with these beauties! Here are a few of my favorites:

5 from 16 votes