Name: Instant Pot Hard-Boiled Eggs
Prep time: 2 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 12 min
Ingredients: 12 large eggs; 1 cup water

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Instant Pot Hard-Boiled Eggs changed how I meal prep because they peel so easily and cook so evenly. The whites are tender and the yolks stay smooth and creamy with that perfect yellow color. No more wrestling with stubborn shells or ending up with gray yolks. You’ll love having a batch ready in the fridge all week long.

A bowl of Instant Pot Hard-Boiled Eggs, with one egg cut in half to reveal the yolk, garnished with a sprig of parsley and a sprinkle of black pepper. — Instant Pot Hard-Boiled Eggs. Photo Credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

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I make them for meal prep Sundays, quick weekday breakfasts, and of course, deviled eggs for Easter and holiday parties. They’re perfect for picnics, potlucks, and work lunches because they travel well and stay fresh in the fridge for up to 7 days. Keep a batch ready for snacks, salads, or protein bowls throughout the week.

Ingredients You’ll Need

You’ll need all the ingredients shown in the photograph below.

A beige plastic egg holder containing six Instant Pot Hard-Boiled Eggs, viewed from above. The handle in the center is labeled "Eggs. — Instant Pot Hard-Boiled Eggs Ingredients. Photo Credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

How to Make Instant Pot Hard-Boiled Eggs with Step-By-Step Instructions

Scroll down for the full recipe card containing a full printable recipe and measurements in both US customary and metric units.

Here’s how to make perfectly hard-boiled, easy-peel eggs in your pressure cooker using the 5-5-5 method (this is mostly a matter of timing!).

Set Up the Instant Pot

Place a steamer basket, egg rack, or steamer rack trivet inside the Instant Pot insert. This keeps the eggs elevated above the water so they steam instead of boiling, which helps them cook evenly and peel easily.

Add Water and Eggs

Pour 1 cup of water into the bottom of the pot. Carefully arrange the white eggs in a single layer on the rack. You can stack them if needed, but a single layer works best for even cooking.

Secure the lid and set the valve to Sealing. Select High Pressure and pressure cook for 5 minutes.

A top view of eleven white eggs arranged on a metal rack inside an Instant Pot—the perfect start for making Instant Pot Hard-Boiled Eggs. — Add 1 cup water to the pot, place the eggs on the rack, seal the lid, and pressure cook on High for 5 minutes.

Release Pressure

Once the timer is up, wait about 5 minutes of natural pressure release, then quick-release any remaining pressure. The natural release prevents the eggs from overcooking and keeps the yolks creamy.

You’d want to use a steam release diverter here to keep your cabinets and kitchen wall backsplash safe.

Cool the Eggs

Use silicone-tipped tongs to carefully transfer the eggs into a bowl of ice water and let them sit for 5 minutes to cool and stop the cooking process.

The ice bath makes the shells contract slightly, so they’ll peel right off without sticking to the whites.

A glass bowl filled with ice cubes and several white eggs submerged in water, showing the cooling process for Instant Pot Hard-Boiled Eggs. — Transfer the eggs to an ice bath for 5 minutes to cool, then peel and serve.

Peel and Serve

Now, you have perfect Instant Pot hard-boiled eggs, ready to peel and serve immediately, or refrigerate for later use. The shells should slip off easily with minimal effort. Enjoy!

Keep peeled eggs chilled in an airtight container with a damp paper towel on top to prevent them from drying out during transport to picnics, potlucks, or work lunches. For unpeeled eggs, pack them in a cooler with ice packs.

Instant Pot Hard-Boiled Eggs

I love making Instant Pot Hard-Boiled Eggs because they come out perfect every time. The pressure cooker makes tender whites and perfectly creamy yolks that stay bright yellow (no gray ring!), and shells that peel off cleanly every single time. They're perfect for meal prep Sundays, deviled eggs for Easter and potlucks, egg salad sandwiches for picnics, and quick breakfasts throughout the week. The eggs stay fresh in the fridge for up to 7 days, making them ideal for snacks, salads, and protein bowls.

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Prep Time: 2

Cook Time: 5

Releasing time: 5

Total Time: 12

Course: Breakfast, Snack

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Instant Pot Hard-Boiled Eggs

Servings:

Calories: 63kcal

Equipment

Instant Pot

Ingredients

12 large eggs
1 cup water

US Customary – Metric

Instructions

Place a trivet or steamer rack inside the Instant Pot insert.
Pour 1 cup of water into the bottom of the pot. Carefully arrange the eggs in a single layer on the trivet. Secure the lid and set the valve to Sealing. Select High Pressure and cook for 5 minutes.
1 cup water, 12 large eggs
Once the cooking time is up, allow the pressure to naturally release for 5 minutes, then quick-release any remaining pressure.
Use tongs to transfer the eggs into a bowl of ice water and let them sit for 5 minutes to cool and stop the cooking process.
Peel and enjoy immediately, or refrigerate for later use.

Notes

Here are my best tips for making perfect batches of hard-boiled eggs every single time.

Use older eggs for easier peeling: Eggs that have been on your counter for a few days or in your fridge for at least a week peel more easily than super-fresh eggs because the pH changes and the membrane loosens from the shell.

Adjust cooking time for egg size: If you’re using extra-large or jumbo eggs, add 1 minute to the cooking time. For medium eggs, reduce the time by 1 minute.

Allow pressure to release naturally: Those 5 minutes of natural release before a quick release prevent the eggs from overcooking and keep the yolks creamy rather than chalky.

Don’t skip the ice bath: The cold water stops the cooking immediately and prevents that green ring from forming around the yolk, plus it makes the shells contract so they slip right off.

Peel under running water: If the shells are still sticking, peel them under cool running water. The water helps separate the membrane from the white.

Store properly: Keep the hard-boiled eggs fresh and covered tightly in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week. You can also soak peeled ones in a bowl of cold water for the best result. Do not freeze.

Nutrition

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How to Store Leftovers

Whether peeled or unpeeled, these hard-boiled eggs can stay fresh in the fridge for up to a week as long as you store them properly. An airtight storage container helps prevent them from absorbing odors or losing their moisture.

If you’re storing them peeled, you can also put them in a bowl of cold water in the fridge and change the water daily for maximum freshness. Use a bowl with a lid to prevent any accidental spills in your refrigerator.

I don’t recommend freezing these hard-boiled eggs because the whites turn rubbery and watery when thawed.

What to Serve With Instant Pot Hard-Boiled Eggs

I love slicing them onto avocado toast with everything bagel seasoning, adding them to grain bowls with quinoa and roasted vegetables, or chopping them into Cobb salads with bacon and blue cheese.

They’re also perfect for ramen bowls, spinach salads with warm bacon dressing, or breakfast sandwiches with cheese and hot sauce. They’re great as a quick protein snack with a sprinkle of salt and pepper, too.

You can mash them into classic egg salad with mayo and celery, turn them into deviled eggs with mustard and paprika, or serve them alongside fresh fruit and toast for a simple breakfast.

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About the Author

A woman with long brown hair is smiling and standing with her arms crossed. She is wearing a sleeveless, black and white diamond-patterned dress.

Hey there! I’m Mandy

Mandy Applegate is a home cook, food blogger, and writer who believes the best meals are the ones shared with the people you love.

She’s all about easy recipes that taste amazing, the kind that make ordinary days feel a little more special and remind you why cooking at home matters.

She has been published on NBC, the Daily News, the Boston Herald, and the Chicago Sun-Times, amongst many others.

Instant Pot Hard-Boiled Eggs

Ingredients You’ll Need