Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs
Updated May 31, 2025
Hard boiled eggs in the Instant Pot is easy with the 4-4-4 method. Even fresh eggs can be peeled easily after hard boiling when using the Instant Pot.
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
Jump to Section
My instant Pot Hard-Boiled eggs are so good!
I didn’t think I needed another way to make hard boiled eggs… until I tried Instant Pot hard boiled eggs. The 4-4-4 method sounded 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. No green ring, no rubbery whites, and the shells come off way easier than when I boil them on the stove. I usually make a whole batch at once and keep them in the fridge for the week.
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 way 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 totally use fresh eggs, and they still peel like a easy. I do it all the time. The pressure and steam inside the pot basically loosen the shell from the inside out. It’s like giving the egg a head start.
So if you’ve ever struggled with peeling super fresh eggs, hard boiling them in the Instant Pot is the way to go.
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 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
Nutrition
Nutrition information provided is an estimate. It will vary based on cooking method and specific ingredients used.
If you try this Instant Pot Hard Boiled Egg recipe or any other recipe on Feel Good Foodie, please rate the recipe and leave a comment below! It helps others who are thinking of making the recipe.
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 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 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 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-qt Instant Pot, but any more and they may not have room to cook properly.
- 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.
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
Store hard-boiled eggs in the refrigerator within two hours of cooking—keep them in their shells for up to one week, or peeled in a sealed container for up to five days. To reheat, simply place the eggs in a pot of boiling water for about two minutes.
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.
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. In an 8-qt, you can cook 18 eggs at a 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.
Yes, you can! However, I do recommend using a rack. This helps to keep the eggs from bumping into each other and cracking.
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.
