Find out how to use the 5-5-5 method to get perfect hard-boiled eggs in the Instant Pot. They're easy to peel and ready in under 30 minutes!
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Cooking eggs has never been easier! Trust me, once you switch over to making hard-boiled eggs in an Instant Pot, you'll never go back to making them on the stovetop.
💛 Why You Need This Method
- The fastest way to make hard-boiled eggs. These go from the fridge to the table in 30 minutes!
- Easy to peel. With the method I use, the shells will fall right off.
- Low-fuss. No babysitting - Just pop the eggs in the Instant Pot and switch to an ice bath. Easy peasy!
🥣 Supplies Needed
Instant Pot - If you're making a dozen or fewer eggs, a 6-quart model is perfect. Any more than that would require an 8-quart model.
Silicone trivet (the metal trivet that came with your Instant Pot does work too, but this one helps prevent eggs from cracking)
Large glass bowl for the ice bath
Tongs
💦 Step 1: Prepare to pressure cook.
With your Instant Pot pressure cooker plugged in and ready to go, add 1 cup of water and the silicone sling (or metal trivet) to the Instant Pot's inner pot.
Carefully stack eggs in the silicone pockets. If needed, you can stack eggs on top of each other (but I don't recommend more than 2 layers of eggs).
Important: there must be some kind of barrier between the eggs and the bottom of the pan. The bottoms of the eggs will burn without one!
🍲 Step 2: Use the 5-5-5 method to hard boil eggs.
The method I use for cooking hard-boiled eggs is called the 5-5-5 method. This just means you pressure cook for 5 minutes, naturally release the pressure for 5 minutes, and cool eggs in an ice bath for 5 minutes.
Lock the lid on the Instant Pot and make sure the valve is turned to the closed position (away from you).
Set the Instant Pot to manual, high pressure, 5 minutes.
Once the cook cycle is over, allow pressure to naturally release for 5 minutes before turning that valve on top of the Instant Pot lid to quick release any remaining pressure.
Try more easy Instant Pot favorites! You'll love my Tender Mississippi Roast and Cheesy Chicken Casserole recipes.
🧊 Step 3: Cool eggs in an ice bath.
Prepare an ice water bath in a large glass bowl. This is just a couple of cups of ice cubes in a bowl of cold water.
For 5 minutes, let these eggs cool in the ice water bath. If you notice all of the ice has melted, just add a few more cubes of ice to the water.
Once the eggs are finished, remove them from the ice water bath with tongs.
🥚 How to Peel Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs
The easiest part is peeling these eggs! With the method we've used, the shells should slip off really easily.
A little tidbit that helps with this process: there is a thin membrane just under the shell of an egg. We're going to separate that membrane from the egg to get the shell off in as few pieces as possible.
Roll the cooled eggs on a hard surface (like a counter or a cutting board). Once there are lots of cracks in the shell, use your finger to get underneath the shell and membrane.
Keep gently using your finger, going all around the egg, to separate the membrane from the cooked egg white. You'll know that you've done this correctly if the shell comes off in kind of a sheet (even though it's cracked).
🎥 Step-by-Step Video
🥡 How to Store Hard-Boiled Eggs
I like to store my peeled eggs in a glass container in the refrigerator. These are best enjoyed within 3-4 days of cooking them.
Tip: If you want to keep them fresher for a little bit longer, don't peel them until you're ready to eat.
🙋♀️ FAQs
Enjoy those easy hard-boiled eggs, friends! 🥚 If you use this method, I'd love to hear what you think. You can leave a rating ⭐️ and review 💭 in the comments below.
Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs
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Equipment
- large glass bowl
- tongs
Ingredients
- 12 large eggs
Instructions
- Add silicone trivet and 1 cup of water to the Instant Pot's inner liner. Carefully stack eggs on the trivet.
- Lock on the lid and set the Instant Pot to manual, high pressure, 5 minutes. Once the cooking cycle is over, allow pressure to naturally release for 5 minutes before manually releasing the remaining pressure.
- Remove eggs with tongs and place in a bath of ice water. Allow eggs to cool in the ice water for 5 minutes, then remove with tongs.
- To peel: gently roll the eggs on a hard surface (like a countertop). Once the shell is cracked, get your finger under the inner membrane (right under the shell) and use your finger to separate the membrane from the egg white.
Notes
- I like to store my peeled eggs in a glass container in the refrigerator. These are best enjoyed within 3-4 days of cooking them.
- If you want to keep them fresher for a little bit longer, don't peel them until you're ready to eat.
- I recommend cooking no more than a dozen eggs in a 6-quart Instant Pot or 18 eggs in an 8-quart Instant Pot. Eggs can be stacked on each other in the pot, but don't go more than 2 layers high.
- If needed, the metal trivet that comes with your Instant Pot can be used. I prefer the silicone sling because it's softer on the eggs.
Nutrition Facts
Leslie Lambert is a lifestyle writer and content creator specializing in home organization, family recipes, and intentional living. With 16 years of experience in blogging and digital storytelling, she helps busy women create calm, purposeful homes they love.
