Whether you want hard-boiled, medium, or soft-boiled eggs, this complete guide to Instant Pot Boiled Eggs has you covered. Say goodbye to the guesswork and hello to perfect boiled eggs every time!

Sure, the Instant Pot is fantastic for hearty dishes like pot roast and chicken stew, but this kitchen gadget is also great for the simple stuff, like hard-boiled eggs!

Boiling eggs on the stove can be tricky—we’ve all dealt with undercooked centers or overcooked yolks. But with the Instant Pot, you can say goodbye to the uncertainty. Whether you like your eggs soft, medium, or hard-boiled, the Instant Pot guarantees consistent results with minimal effort.

Instant Pot boiled eggs are standard in my meal prep routine. They’re a quick way to add extra protein to salads and bowls or to have on hand for breakfast or snacks on the go. You can cook a dozen at once, store them in the fridge, and enjoy them anytime!

Recipe features

• Learn how to cook boiled eggs in just minutes without babysitting them on the stove.
• The Instant Pot lets you easily control the cooking times for soft, medium, or hard-boiled eggs.
• Perfect for meal prep and a great grab-and-go protein for the week ahead!

Ingredients

Eggs – For the best results, use week-old eggs. Older eggs tend to peel more easily than fresh eggs. Also, let the eggs sit at room temperature for about 10 to 15 minutes before cooking to prevent the shells from cracking.

Instructions

Step 1: Prep. Pour 1 cup of cold water into your 6-quart Instant Pot, then place the trivet inside. 

Step 2: Add the eggs. Gently place as many eggs as you can fit on the trivet. Close the lid and set the knob to the “seal” position.

Step 3: Cook. Pressure cook on high for 3 to 5 minutes, depending on your preferred doneness (see the cooking times below). Let the pressure release naturally for 3 to 5 minutes, depending on your preferred doneness (see below), then manually release any remaining pressure.

Step 4: Ice bath. Quickly transfer the eggs to a large bowl filled with ice water.

Step 5: Peel and enjoy. Once cooled, peel the eggs and enjoy!

Cooking times for boiled eggs in the Instant Pot

Follow these cooking and natural release times to pressure cook your boiled eggs to the perfect doneness:

• Soft-boiled: 3-minute pressure cook (HIGH) and 4-minute natural release pressure.  
• Medium-boiled: 4-minute pressure cook (HIGH) and 4-minute natural release pressure.
• Hard-boiled: 5-minute pressure cook (HIGH) and 5-minute natural release pressure.

A note on the size of your eggs

Keep in mind that I used Vital Farms’ large eggs when testing these times. Your results may vary depending on the size of your eggs, different altitudes, and Instant Pot models. For example, extra-large eggs may require 1 extra minute of cooking time, while the time for medium eggs may need to be reduced by 1 minute.

In short, play around with the times as needed. Practice always makes perfect!

Tips and FAQs 

• Are you cooking a large batch? It’s okay to stack the eggs on the trivet. Just make sure they’re arranged evenly to allow for proper cooking.
• Don’t skip the ice bath! It stops the cooking process immediately, preventing the eggs from overcooking and making them easier to peel. Transfer the eggs to the ice bath right after cooking for the best results.
• For perfect peeling, gently tap the boiled egg on the counter to create small cracks and to separate the membrane from the egg white. Also, peel the eggs under running water or in a bowl of water for easy clean-up.

Serving suggestions

Making boiled eggs in the Instant Pot is great for meal prep. Keep a few in the fridge for a high-protein snack, to use for a quick egg salad or batch of deviled eggs, or to enjoy in these various ways:

• Avocado toast – Slice and serve the eggs on toast with avocado slices and a sprinkle of salt and pepper.
• Salads – Add them to your favorite salads for extra protein. They’re great in a shrimp cobb, chicken caesar, nicoise, or BBQ chicken salad.  
• Bowls – Include them in grain bowls like my autumn harvest bowl, burger bowl, or cauliflower breakfast bowl for extra protein.
• Ramen topping – Add Instant Pot soft-boiled eggs to your bowl of ramen for a rich and jammy topping.

How many eggs can I cook at once in the Instant Pot?

You can cook as many eggs as will fit on the trivet. For 6-quart Instant Pots, this is usually about 12 to 18 eggs. For an 8-quart Instant Pot, you can often fit even more!

Why did my eggs crack during cooking?

Cold eggs tend to crack when they’re placed in a hot Instant Pot. Letting your eggs sit at room temperature for 10 to 15 minutes before cooking can prevent this from happening.

What should I do if my eggs are undercooked?

If your eggs are undercooked, place them back in the Instant Pot, reseal the lid, and cook for an additional 1 to 2 minutes on high pressure, followed by a quick release.

What is the 5-5-5 method for cooking hard-boiled eggs?

The 5-5-5 method refers to the process of cooking hard-boiled eggs in the Instant Pot for 5 minutes on high pressure, followed by a 5-minute natural release, and then a 5-minute ice bath. This method ensures perfectly cooked hard-boiled eggs that are easy to peel.

Storage

Refrigerator: Store the boiled eggs in their shells in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week. If you’ve already peeled the eggs, I recommend eating them within 3 to 4 days.

More Instant Pot recipes

• Instant Pot Spaghetti Squash
• Instant Pot Broccoli 
• Instant Pot Carrots 

If you made this recipe, be sure to leave a comment and star rating below. Thanks!