Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs

5 from 18 votes

Using the 4-4-4 method, your Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs are sure to come out perfect every time! The shells peel off easily with no green ring in site!

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

Instant pot hard-boiled eggs – If you’re looking for a foolproof way to make perfect hard-boiled eggs, look no further than the Instant Pot! With this handy appliance, you can make perfectly cooked eggs in just eight minutes using the 4-4-4 rule. This method is simple and easy to follow, and it produces consistent results every time. So if you’re looking for a quick and convenient way to make hard-boiled eggs, the Instant Pot is your best bet!

A plate of hard cooked eggs cut in half with salt and pepper. Two half peel eggs sit behind plate next to a half shown instant pot.
Want to save this recipe?
Just type your email below and I’ll send it to you. And as a bonus you’ll get delicious new recipes from me!

Hard-boiled eggs are full of protein and make for a great snack or addition to a meal. And with the Instant Pot, they’re super easy to make! Many people think hard-boiled eggs are just one note. That you either eat them as is, make deviled eggs, or use them in egg salad. But there are so many other ways to enjoy them! Don’t think so? Check out some of my favorites further down the page!

WHY YOU’LL LOVE Making Hard boiled eggs in the IP

  • Faster egg peeling! Usually, when you have fresh eggs, and you cook them on the stovetop, it doesn’t matter what peeling tricks you use. It can still be challenging. But with the instant pot method, the eggshells peel off faster than any other method I’ve ever tried!
  • No need to wait for the water to boil. On the stovetop, you have to wait for the water to come to a boil before adding your eggs. And then you have to keep an eye on it, so it doesn’t boil over. With the Instant Pot, there’s no need to wait! You can set it and forget it.
  • Eggs cook evenly. When you cook eggs on the stovetop, they can often end up with different levels of doneness. Some may be overcooked, while others are undercooked. But with the Instant Pot, all the eggs will come out perfectly cooked!
  • It’s hands-off cooking. Once you add your eggs to the Instant Pot, you don’t have to do anything else! No need to watch the pot. Just set it and forget it!
  • It’s foolproof. If you’re worried about overcooking your eggs or not being able to peel them, don’t be! The Instant Pot takes all the guesswork out of cooking hard-boiled eggs. Just follow the simple instructions, and you’ll be able to make perfect eggs every time!
Instant pot with 12 eggs after cooking.

How to make hard-boiled eggs in instant POT

What you need to remember here is the 4-4-4 rule: 4 minutes high pressure, 4 minutes natural release, 4 minutes ice bath. Many people love the 5-5-5 rule, but I think the extra minute sometimes creates a gray ring around those eggs, so I prefer one minute less.

4 minutes of high pressure

  • Place the water inside a 6-quart Instant Pot, add the steam rack and then gently place eggs on the rack, spread out in a single layer.
  • Place the lid on and move the valve to seal. Press manual pressure and set the timer to 4 minutes high pressure.
Instant pot with water, steam rack and 12 eggs before cooking.

4 minutes of natural release

  • When the cooking time is up, let the pressure release naturally for 4 minutes, followed by a quick release of any remaining pressure (which is what is shown below)
Instant pot closed showing steam coming out.

4 minutes ice bath

  • Carefully remove the eggs from the Instant Pot with tongs or a large spoon and place them in an ice water bath for 4 minutes.
Large glass bowl with eggs in an ice bath after cooking.

store or peel the eggs

To peel your eggs, gently tap the egg on a hard surface, then you’ll want to roll the egg between your hands. The shell should start to crack and peel away. If the shell is being stubborn, you can use a spoon to help remove it. Start at the large end of the egg and work your way around. Once the shell is removed, you can enjoy your perfect hard-boiled egg!

Hands peeling a brown egg with a plate of peeled eggs below.

TIPS FOR MAKING perfect instant pot hard-boiled eggs

  • Use fresh eggs. Fresh eggs yield the best results and taste the best!
  • 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 IP, or if you plan to make hard-boiled eggs on a regular basis, an actual egg rack insert works wonders and can be stacked!
  • Don’t overcrowd the pot. You want to make sure there’s enough room in the pot for the eggs to cook evenly. If you overcrowd the pot, some of the eggs may end up overcooked.
  • Don’t skip the ice bath. The ice bath helps to stop the cooking process, and it also helps prevents the eggs from getting that green/gray ring around the yolk.

Recipes with Hard Boiled Eggs

HOW TO STORE & REHEAT hard-boiled eggs

Hard-boiled eggs can be stored in the refrigerator shell on or off.

To reheat, simply place the eggs in a pot of boiling water for about two minutes. Or, you can place them in a bowl of hot water for about five minutes.

HOW LONG WILL hard-boiled eggs LAST IN THE FRIDGE?

Hard-boiled eggs with the shell on do have a longer shelf-life in the fridge, about 1 week. But, if you know you’re going to use or eat your eggs within 3-4 days, go ahead and peel them for a quick snack on the go.

CAN I FREEZE hard-boiled eggs?

It’s not recommended to freeze hard-boiled eggs whole. The egg whites pretty much become inedible – tough and water-logged when thawed. If you want to freeze the yolks, you can. They do hold up better.

Frequently asked questions

How many eggs can you hard boil at one time in an Instant Pot?

This is going to vary depending on the size of your Instant Pot. For a standard six-quart Instant Pot, you can cook up to 12 eggs at one time. The important thing to remember is not to overcrowd the pot. You want to make sure there’s enough room in the pot for the eggs to cook evenly.

Can I cook eggs in the Instant Pot without a rack?

Yes, you can! However, I do recommend using a rack. This helps to keep the eggs from bumping into each other and cracking.

Can you stack eggs when hard boiling them in the Instant Pot?

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.

Overshead shot of recipe on a plate with wooden pepper grinder nearby.

Now that you know how to make perfect hard-boiled eggs in the Instant Pot, what will you do with them? Will you eat them as is? Make deviled eggs? Or use them in egg salad? I’d love to hear from you in the comments below!

Other Ways to Cook Eggs

If you try this feel good Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs recipe or any other recipe on Feel Good Foodie, then don’t forget to rate the recipe and leave a comment below! It helps others who are thinking of making the recipe. We would love to hear about your experience making it. And if you snapped some shots, share it on Instagram so we can repost on Stories!

preorder MY book

The Feel Good Foodie Cookbook is now available everywhere books are sold!

Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs

Using the 4-4-4 method, your Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs are sure to come out perfect every time! The shells peel off easily with no green ring in site!
5 from 18 votes
Servings 12 Eggs
Course Breakfast
Calories 126
Prep Time 0 minutes
Cook Time 16 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes

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 to 4 minutes high pressure. You’ll notice the Instant Pot will start to come to pressure first and then the timer will begin. It can take 8-10 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.

Notes

Note: You do not need to change the cooking time based on the number of eggs in the pot. If you have an 8qt IP and can fit 18 eggs, you’ll still use the 4-4-4 method.

Nutrition

Calories: 126kcal, Carbohydrates: 1g, Protein: 11g, Fat: 8g, Saturated Fat: 3g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 3g, Trans Fat: 0.03g, Cholesterol: 327mg, Sodium: 127mg, Potassium: 121mg, Sugar: 0.3g, Vitamin A: 475IU, Calcium: 50mg, Iron: 2mg

Nutrition information provided is an estimate. It will vary based on cooking method and specific ingredients used.

Cuisine American
Course: Breakfast

Rate and comment

Recipe Rating