These Instant Pot hard boiled eggs turn out amazing every time! 6-minute eggs are easy to peel, perfectly cooked, and never have those icky green yolks...
Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs
So you know how I've raved for years about my awesome method for baked hard boiled eggs? Well, today, I take it all back. Okay, not really... But I'm definitely singing a new tune. My new method is even faster/easier/more consistent!
"It turned out excellent!"
I just got an instant pot for Christmas and this is the first thing I made. It turned out excellent! The egg shell came off so easily as well.
Hard Boiled Eggs for Meal Prep
You might be wondering why I care so much about hard cooked eggs... But I'm a BIG fan, especially since I've been consistently doing a weekly meal prep session.
Hard boiled eggs are a super inexpensive source of high quality protein that keeps well for up to a week, making them ideal for meal prep. Conventional eggs run about $0.17 per serving, but even organic eggs can be very economical. I pick up one or two cartons of 2-dozen organic eggs at Costco every week for just $5.99 each - which works out to just $0.25 per serving.
Even before I started doing a true meal prep routine, I made a batch of hard cooked eggs near weekly. They're perfect with breakfast (like these yummy frozen waffle ideas), an excellent addition to lunch and dinner salads, and a fabulous snack before and/or after sports or workouts. There's a lot of nutrition packed into these little 70-calorie powerhouses!
How To Make Hard Boiled Eggs In Instant Pot
As you've probably guessed from the title of this post, I now make my "hard boiled" eggs in my Instant Pot electric pressure cooker! A few days ago I shared my honest Instant Pot review, detailing how I went from being very much on the fence to a raving fan. These Instant Pot hard boiled eggs played a big role in making me a convert.
Instant Pot boiled eggs are nearly effortless and foolproof, consistently producing eggs that are perfectly cooked and super easy to peel. All in just 6 minutes of cooking time! Of course, it does take about 9-10 minutes for the Instant Pot to come to pressure - but this is completely hands off time. No watching to see when a pot starts to boil so you can start your timer!
If you're an Instant Pot newbie, these Instant Pot hard boiled eggs are the ideal recipe to follow to become acquainted with your new purchase. I will outline the step-by-step process for you below using only the accessories that come with the IP-DUO60 model.
But don't worry if you own a different model - I'll also share a few recommended accessories you can pick up that won't break your budget. Look for those after the recipe!
Printable Recipe ↓
6-Minute Instant Pot Hard-Boiled Eggs
Ingredients
- 12 large eggs
- 1 cup cold water
Instructions
- Place the stainless steel insert pot in the Instant Pot base, along with the included steamer insert. Pour in 1 cup of cold water.
- Arrange the eggs, cold from the refrigerator, on top of the steamer insert.
- Lock the lid on top of the Instant Pot and verify that the steam release knob is turned to "sealing".
- Press the Manual (Pressure Cook for the new IP-DUO60) button on the front. High pressure should automatically be selected, but if it's not for some reason, press the Pressure button to toggle it to high.
- Use the plus or minus buttons to set the cook time to 6 minutes*. Wait a few seconds and you should hear a beep. At this point, the display will read "on", indicating that the Instant Pot is pressuring up. Once it comes to pressure (about 9-10 minutes), it will switch to the timer to steam the eggs for 6 minutes.
- When the eggs are almost finished steaming, make an ice bath by combining 4 cups of ice cubes and 4 cups of cold water in large bowl.
- When the timer goes off, use a thick towel or a pair of tongs to turn the steam release knob to "venting". If you've never experienced this before, it can be pretty forceful, so pull your hands away quickly, stand back, and allow the steam to escape.
- Once the pressure is released, press the Keep Warm/Cancel button to turn the Instant Pot off.
- Using silicone-tipped tongs or a slotted spoon, transfer the eggs to the ice bath. Let sit for 15 minutes before peeling or transferring to the refrigerator for storage.
- Refrigerate cooled eggs until ready to eat. Peel before using.
Recipe Notes
Cooking Time Notes for Instant Pot Boiled Eggs
I know that my version of "perfectly cooked" hard boiled eggs doesn't always align with others' tastes. For me, 6 minutes of high pressure produces hard cooked eggs with a white that's completely cooked and a bright yellow yolk that is cooked through but still slightly creamy.
While 6-minute eggs are my preference, your ideal perfectly cooked egg may require a longer (or shorter) cooking time, so feel free to experiment. Here's an excellent resource for comparing the pressure cooking times for eggs.
Recommended Instant Pot Accessories
You may not have received an insert trivet if you have an Instant Pot model other than the IP-DUO60. If this is the case, I highly recommend this silicone steamer insert. In fact, I'm going to pick one up even though I have the included insert, simply because I like that I can easily lift the eggs out and submerge them in the ice water bath all at once. Also, if you're looking for a set of silicone-tipped tongs, you can't go wrong with these.
Are you excited to make some hard boiled eggs in your Instant Pot? I can't wait to hear your thoughts after you try this recipe. If you're not an Instant Pot owner, I still stand by my old hard boiled eggs in oven method. But if you have one (and love hard boiled eggs like we do), this method is life changing!
More Instant Pot Basics To Try
If you like making hard boiled eggs in the Instant Pot, you might also enjoy these other time-saving Instant Pot basics:
- Perfect Instant Pot Brown Rice
- Easiest Ever Instant Pot Pasta
- Foolproof Instant Pot Sweet Potato Recipe
- Coconut Lime Quinoa Side Dish
And when you're ready to try your hand at something a little more difficult, this versatile and delicious Instant Pot salsa chicken is ideal!
Did you make this recipe?
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Susan Hallmark says
Unfortunately this method did not work for me. I'm not in a higher altitude; I'm actually in Texas. I followed the instructions to the T. I used a 6 qt in IP, one cup of water, 12 eggs , high pressure for 6 minutes and then release the pressure and transfer the eggs to ice water bath for 5 minutes. When I started to peel them, they were completely runny on the inside. So I guess I'll just stick to the 5 - 5 - 5 method instead.
Dajeau says
Hi! I tried your method and they were perfectly cooked, however, peeled poorly for me. Our eggs are fresh from the farm, but I let them age a bit before using them.... one week or so. I don't know what it was, but they did NOT peel well. I'm going to alter a bit. Perhaps letting them naturally release a bit before the manual release. Have you heard of anyone else altering to prevent this?
Tara Kuczykowski says
Very frustrating! I don't have any solid solutions for you, because I haven't tested this personally, but you might check out this blog post and try her tips on adding vinegar and peeling right away: https://laraclevenger.com/how-to-hard-boil-farm-fresh-eggs/ I'd love to hear back on how they turn out for you!
Kimm says
I followed this to a tee and they were not cooked and some were even runny,
His is the second time I’ve tried hard boiled eggs in the IP. And hey weren’t cooked.
Tara Kuczykowski says
Hi Kimm — it sounds like maybe you're located in a higher altitude area. Check the notes in the recipe card for adjustments to my original method.
Peg says
So easy and the eggs are perfect every time. I will never boil eggs any other way! Thank you for the recipe.
Tara Kuczykowski says
So happy it worked well for you, Peg! It's my forever favorite way to make them, too.
Anji says
If you're at a higher altitude it will take a few minutes longer, I tested 7 minutes to start and yolk was liquid, I'm at 6k feet in elevation. 10-11 minutes was perfect.
Tara Kuczykowski says
Thanks for the great tip, Anji! Having never lived at high altitude, it's hard for me to gauge how it might affect things. I'm going to add your comment to the recipe notes to help others in the same situation out.
Annette Brittain says
Cooked a total of 9 minutes still had runny yolk. Checked other recipes, that said to use a natural release
Tara Kuczykowski says
Did you have your Instant Pot set to high pressure? It's not normal to have a runny yolk after 9 minutes at high pressure, even without a natural pressure release.
Tina says
I just got an instant pot for Christmas and this is the first thing I made. It turned out excellent! The egg shell came off so easily as well. I am sold on cooking my eggs like this from now on. It also only took a couple minutes for the pot to pressurize and start cooking. Thank you so much for the detailed instructions.
Tara Kuczykowski says
Yay, so happy I could help make your maiden voyage a smooth one, Tina!! I've got loads of Instant Pot recipes to share this year, so I hope you'll keep coming back.
Lisa says
I will never come my boiled eggs any other way again! Perfect every time! I cooked 21 eggs, 6 minutes, perfect! Thank you!
Tara Kuczykowski says
So happy that I could make you a convert, Lisa!
Kim says
In the final stages, it says to immediately remove and place in an ice bath. Then the directions state to put the pot on warm and let the eggs cool for five minutes. Do I let the eggs cool first and then put them in the ice bath? Just verifying. Thanks!
Tara Kuczykowski says
Sorry, if that was unclear, Kim! You press the Keep Warm/Cancel button to turn the Instant Pot off, and leave the eggs to cool in the ice water bath for 5 minutes.
Sandy says
This is definitely the BEST hard boiled egg recipe for the instant pot!! I've tried many others only to be disappointed! Thank you for sharing this recipe!!
Tara Kuczykowski says
Thanks so much, Sandy. Very happy to hear that it worked well for you!