Make perfectly cooked hard-boiled eggs with your trusty Instant Pot! This convenient and foolproof 5-5-5 method eliminates the guesswork and frustration often associated with traditional stovetop boiling.
In just a few minutes, you'll have a batch of delicious and easy-to-peel hard-boiled eggs ready for all your favorite uses, from breakfast salads to creamy deviled eggs.
What Is The 5-5-5 Instant Pot Eggs Method?
The 5-5-5 Instant Pot Eggs method is a simple and reliable way to achieve perfectly cooked hard-boiled eggs. It involves just three steps: 5 minutes of pressure cooking on high, followed by a 5-minute natural pressure release, and finally, a 5-minute stint in an ice bath.
This method ensures consistent results, with perfectly set whites and yolks that are neither dry nor runny. The ice bath at the end is key for easy peeling!
Why You'll Love This Recipe
Unlike traditional methods that can leave you with overcooked, green yolks or cracked shells, the Instant Pot ensures consistent results every single time.
This recipe is a game-changer for busy cooks who need perfectly cooked eggs without the hassle.
- Fast and Easy: Cook a batch of hard-boiled eggs in just a fraction of the time compared to stovetop methods.
- Foolproof Results: No more green yolks or cracked shells! The Instant Pot ensures perfectly cooked eggs every time.
- Simple Cleanup: Just a quick rinse of the pot is all that's required after cooking.
- Perfect for Meal Prep: A batch of hard-boiled eggs is a versatile and protein-packed option for meal prepping throughout the week.
Jump to:
- What Is The 5-5-5 Instant Pot Eggs Method?
- Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Why Do Hard Boiled Eggs Get A Green Ring Around The Yolk?
- Ingredients For Instant Pot Eggs
- How To Hard Boil Eggs In Instant Pot
- Transfer To A Bowl Of Ice Water
- Substitutions and Variations
- Tips for Success
- Serving Suggestions
- Related Recipes
- Equipment
- Storage and Reheating
- Frequently Asked Questions
- More Delish Ideas
- Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs 5-5-5
Why Do Hard Boiled Eggs Get A Green Ring Around The Yolk?
This green ring is caused by an iron-sulfur compound reacting with the egg white when exposed to high heat for too long.
The hard boiled eggs are perfectly safe to eat, but if you want to avoid it, try using a shorter cook time or immediately transferring the eggs to an ice bath after cooking.
Ingredients For Instant Pot Eggs
Use a 6 quart Instant Pot or Ninja Foodie Duo (I have both) this recipe yields approximately one dozen perfectly cooked hard-boiled eggs.
Use Room Temperature Eggs
Cold eggs can take longer to cook and may result in unevenly cooked whites. Using eggs at room temperature ensures consistent and even cooking.
How To Hard Boil Eggs In Instant Pot
You Instant Pot cooks by steam, which is actually more effective at cooking than boiling water. Steam burns can be more severe than boiling water burns due to the pressure behind the steam.
Be sure to keep your hands out of the path of the steam when you do a Quick Pressure Release on any pressure cooker.
To make steam though, you need water. So, when using the Instant Pot (and most generic brands) you always add at least 1 cup of water to the pot before anything else. This ensures you have the steam to cook with.
Prepare The Instant Pot
- Add 1 cup of water to the inner pot of your Instant Pot.
Add The Eggs
- Carefully place the eggs on the steamer trivet that comes with your Instant Pot. You can also use an egg rack or a steamer basket. The egg rack is best for when making Deviled Eggs, as it centers the egg yolk perfectly while cooking.
Seal The Lid And Manually Set For 5 Minutes
- Secure the lid and ensure the pressure valve is set to "Sealing."
- Select the "Manual" or "Pressure Cook" function and set the cooking time for 5 minutes at High Pressure.
- Once the cook time is complete, let the pressure release naturally for 5 minutes. After 5 minutes, you can perform a quick pressure release by carefully turning the pressure valve to "Venting."
Natural Pressure Release vs Quick Pressure Release
A Natural Pressure Release allows the pressure to release naturally from the Instant Pot over time. This can take 10-20 minutes depending on the size of your pot.
A Quick Pressure Release involves manually releasing the pressure by turning the pressure valve knob to the venting position. This is a faster method, but it's not recommended for all recipes.
Transfer To A Bowl Of Ice Water
- When the steam has completely released, open the lid and transfer the eggs to a bowl filled with ice water. Let the eggs cool completely in the ice bath for at least 5 to 15 minutes before peeling.
PRO TIP: Older eggs will be harder to peel. To help with the job, tap them lightly to break the shells as you add them to the ice water. This lets the ice water seep under the shell and help loosen them.
Substitutions and Variations
Here are a few substitutions and variations using this Instant Pot hard boiled eggs recipe:
- For softer-cooked eggs: Reduce the cooking time to 4 minutes at High Pressure.
- For creamier yolks: After the natural pressure release, perform a quick pressure release, then immediately transfer the eggs to the ice bath.
- For Soft-Boiled Eggs: Reduce the cook time to 3 minutes on high pressure, followed by a 5-minute natural pressure release and then quick pressure release.
Tips for Success
- Use eggs that are at room temperature for even cooking. Cold eggs can result in slightly tough whites.
- Don't skip the ice bath! The cold water stops the cooking process, contracts the eggs from the shell, and prevents the yolks from developing a green ring.
- For easier peeling, gently crack the shells all over before placing the eggs in the ice bath.
Serving Suggestions
Enjoy hard-boiled eggs on their own for a protein-packed snack. Slice them and add them to salads, sandwiches, or grain bowls for a satisfying protein boost.
Use them to make classic deviled eggs or experiment with different fillings for a crowd-pleasing appetizer. And, of course, dye them as Easter eggs!
Related Recipes
Equipment
Equipment can have a big impact on how a recipe turns out. Below are some of my favorite pieces of equipment that I use when making this dish.
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Storage and Reheating
- Hard-boiled eggs can be stored in the refrigerator, peeled or unpeeled, for up to one week.
- For longer storage, peeled hard-boiled eggs can be frozen for up to 2 months. Thaw them overnight in the refrigerator before using.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, actually, hard boiled eggs CAN be frozen!
While not essential, using the trivet helps to elevate the eggs out of the water, allowing for more even cooking, preventing any brown spots where the eggs were in contact with the heated insert bottom.
You can cook up to two dozen eggs at a time in your Instant Pot, but use the steamer basket instead of the trivet.
The Instant Pot cooking time will stay the same, whether you are preparing just one single hard boiled egg, or as many as the Instant Pot can hold.
More Delish Ideas
Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs 5-5-5
Instructions
- Add 1 cup of cold water to the inner pot of your Instant Pot.1 cup water
- Carefully place the eggs on the steamer trivet that comes with your Instant Pot. You can also use an egg rack or a steamer basket. The egg rack is best for when making Deviled Eggs, as it centers the egg yolk perfectly while cooking.12 large eggs
- Secure the lid and ensure the pressure valve is set to "Sealing."
- Select the "Manual" or "Pressure Cook" function and set the cooking time for 5 minutes at High Pressure.
- Once the cook time is complete, let the pressure release naturally for 5 minutes. After 5 minutes, you can perform a quick pressure release by carefully turning the pressure valve to "Venting."
- When the steam has completely released, open the lid and transfer the eggs to a bowl filled with ice water. Let the eggs cool completely in the ice bath for at least 5 to 15 minutes before peeling.
Notes
- Use eggs that are at room temperature for even cooking. Cold eggs can result in slightly tough whites.
- Don't skip the ice bath! The cold water stops the cooking process, contracts the eggs from the shell, and prevents the yolks from developing a green ring.
- For easier peeling, gently crack the shells all over before placing the eggs in the ice bath.
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