Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs
Updated Oct 09, 2025
Making Instant Pot hard boiled eggs is fast and easy and makes it easy to peel eggs every single time! Even fresh eggs!
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Try these instant Pot Hard-Boiled eggs!
I didn’t think I needed another way to make hard boiled eggs… until I tried these Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs. To make perfect Instant Pot hard boiled eggs, you use what’s called the 4-4-4 method. It might sound confusing at first, but it’s just a shortcut: 4 minutes on high pressure, 4 minutes natural release, and 4 minutes in an ice bath. That’s it! It’s a super easy way to remember the cook time when making hard boiled eggs in the Instant Pot. The eggs will come out without green rings and no rubbery whites, and the shells come off way easier than when I boil them on the stove.
Happy Cooking!
– Yumna
Instant Pot Hard Boiled Egg Ingredients
Okay, I know it might sound weird, but using older eggs actually makes peeling hard-boiled eggs easier. Something about them sitting in the fridge for a week or so helps the shell separate from the white. Science-y stuff, but it works.
Buuut, if you’re using the Instant Pot, you can use fresh eggs, and they’ll still peel easily. The pressure and steam inside the pot basically loosen the shell from the inside out! Just one of the reasons why this Instant Pot egg recipe is the best.
How to Make Instant Pot Hard-Boiled Eggs
Instant Pot Hard Boiled Egg Recipe
Ingredients
- 12 eggs
- 1 cup cold water
Instructions
- Place the water inside a 6-quart Instant Pot, add the steam rack, and then gently place up to 12 eggs on the rack spread out.
- Place the lid on and move the valve to sealing. Press manual pressure and set the timer on high pressure to 3 minutes for soft, 4 minutes for medium, and 5 minutes for hard-boiled eggs. You’ll notice the Instant Pot will start to come to pressure first and then the timer will begin. It can take 3-5 minutes to come to pressure.
- When the cook time is up, let the pressure release naturally for 4 minutes, then do a quick release for any remaining pressure. Carefully open and remove the lid.
- Remove the eggs from the Instant Pot and place them in an ice water bath for 4 minutes.
- Remove the eggs from the water bath and store in the fridge for up to 7 days.
Notes
- My Top Tip: Use an egg rack. This helps to keep the eggs from bumping into each other and cracking. You can use the rack that came with your Instant Pot, or if you plan to make hard-boiled eggs on a regular basis, an actual egg rack insert works wonders and can be stacked! You can make Instant Pot hard boiled eggs no rack, but just be aware they might roll and crack a bit.
- Storage: You should store hard-boiled eggs in the refrigerator within 2 hours of cooking. They will keep them in their shells for up to 1 week, or peeled in a sealed container for up to 5 days. To reheat, simply place the eggs in a pot of boiling water for about 2 minutes. (Never microwave hard boiled eggs! This can actually cause them to explode.)
- Note: You do not need to change the cooking time based on the number of eggs in the pot. If you have an 8-quart Instant Pot and can fit 18 eggs, you’ll still use the 4-4-4 method.
Nutrition
Nutrition information provided is an estimate. It will vary based on cooking method and specific ingredients used.
Recipe Tips
- Peeling tips. I like to gently tap the top and the bottom of the egg, then gently roll it along the counter with medium pressure to loosen the shell. Then, I peel the egg under cool, running water to help remove the shell and any bits of shell left behind.
- Use an egg rack. This helps to keep the eggs from bumping into each other and cracking. You can use the rack that came with your Instant Pot, or if you plan to make hard-boiled eggs on a regular basis, an actual egg rack insert works wonders and can be stacked! You can make Instant Pot hard boiled eggs no rack, but just be aware they might roll and crack a bit.
- Don’t overcrowd the Instant Pot. You want to make sure there’s enough room in the Instant Pot for the eggs to cook evenly. If you overcrowd the pot, some of the eggs may end up overcooked. I have had success using up to 18 eggs in my 8-quart Instant Pot, but any more and they may not have room to cook properly. I wouldn’t make more than a dozen in a 6-quart Instant Pot!
- Don’t skip the ice bath. The ice bath helps to stop the cooking process, and it also helps prevent the eggs from getting that green/gray ring around the yolk.
- Make sure to use high pressure. This Instant Pot egg setting works fast, but I also find it cooks more consistently than using low pressure!
Ideas for Using Hard Boiled Eggs
- Vegetarian Cobb Salad
- Sweet Potato Breakfast Bowl
- Beet Pickled Eggs
- Deviled Eggs – 3 Ways
- Macaroni Egg Salad
- Avocado Egg Salad
- Healthy Egg Salad
- Smoked Salmon Salad
FAQs
No, you don’t want to stack your eggs on top of each other. You want to make sure they are all in a single layer, so they cook evenly. The only exception is if you’re using a stackable egg rack!
