Perfect Hard Boiled Eggs In The Instant Pot

There is no easier way to make Hard-Boiled Eggs than by making them in the Instant Pot. The Instant Pot cooks this high-protein snack perfectly EVERY time and makes the hard-boiled eggs super easy to peel. If you make hard-boiled eggs often, try this simple method!

I'll be honest - when I first got an Instant Pot, I was pretty excited. I'd read about all the awesome recipes you can make in a fraction of the time and couldn't wait to test them out.  Turning frozen chicken into a fully cooked meal in an hour? Sign me up!

But I quickly realized that while all these claims were true, it wasn't quite the time saver I had hoped for. This was mainly because while the cook time might be minuscule, most recipes fail to mention that you also have to wait for the Instant Pot to come to pressure, and then for it to release, which often adds at least 20 minutes onto the overall cook time.

Why Make Hard-Boiled Eggs In The Instant Pot?

When my sister first told me about making hard-boiled eggs in the Instant Pot, I scoffed.  "What's so hard about boiling them on the stove?". But she then explained to me the two best benefits.

#1: It's Totally Hands Off. No, it's not hard to just boil water, but it IS nice to set your Instant Pot to cook and then walk away, something that is a little more difficult when you're watching an open flame over your stove. (And this benefit applies to all meals made in the IP - It's sort of like a slow cooker on steroids where you can just throw everything in and then, voila! A little while later, you have a full meal, cooked all while being able to tackle the zillion other things on your to-do list.)

And #2:  Perfectly Peeled Eggs Every Time. When it comes to hard-boiled eggs, the Instant Pot cooks them perfectly Every. Single. Time.  No overcooking, super easy to peel, perfect-looking hard-boiled eggs. This is a huge plus for me since I often struggle with getting the shells off my eggs when I make them on the stovetop. Mine usually take me about 5 minutes to peel (each!) and come out looking like I've ice-picked my way nearly to the yolk. Not a good look, my friends.

So, while I know versions of this recipe (or maybe I should say cooking method?) have made the rounds many times over the past several years, I couldn't NOT post it, just in case you haven't had the pleasure of experiencing this sorcery. And, I was making some amazingly delish deviled eggs anyway, so why the hell not? (Get the recipe for my deviled eggs with jalapeno and bacon here!)

Making hard-boiled eggs in the Instant Pot really couldn't be easier. I like to make a full dozen to have on hand all week long for adding protein to breakfasts, salads, and snacks. (Looking for a slightly softer boiled egg? Check out my recipe for perfect jammy eggs here.)

How To Make Hard-Boiled Eggs In The Instant Pot

Here's how you do it.

1. Put 1 cup of water in your Instant Pot, place your trivet inside, then place 6-12 eggs on top of that. Put the lid on, set your Instant Pot to high pressure, and cook for around 5 minutes.
   This produces a perfect hard-boiled egg. Want your yolk semi-soft? Dial the cooking time down to around 3-4 minutes, and it should do the trick. 
2. After the cooking time is done, do a quick release. Then, take your eggs out and place them in an ice bath for a couple of minutes. The ice bath serves a couple of purposes.
   First, it stops the eggs from continuing to cook (so you don't get that gray ring you sometimes see around the yolk, a classic sign of an overcooked hard-boiled egg). Second, it shocks the membrane between the egg white and the shell, which helps loosen it from the shell, making the egg a dream to peel.  

And that's all there is to it. They'll peel perfectly, and you'll have beautiful, perfect-looking hard-boiled eggs to use for whatever your hearts desire. 

Hard-boiled eggs are made on the regular at our house. They're a great high-protein snack that we often have for breakfast or post-workout (see also this easy protein balls recipe!) To be honest, I would probably purchase an Instant Pot again if solely for making hard-boiled eggs. It's truly a game-changer.  

How Long Will They Last?

Hard-boiled eggs can be stored in the fridge for up to one week. It's not recommended to freeze hard-boiled eggs. And, while we're on the subject, don't throw them in the microwave either, unless you're up for a crazy exploding egg science experiment (just trust me on this one).

Did you try this method of making Hard-Boiled Eggs In The Instant Pot? Leave a comment below!

Try These Other Great Snacks!

• Cinnamon Sugar Pretzels
• No-Bake Peanut Butter Energy Balls
• Popcorn For Dinner
• Pineapple Jalapeno Salsa
• Cheese, Fruit, And Honey Bruschetta

Recipe