How to Cook Hard Boiled Eggs in the Instant Pot Recipe (5-5-5 Method)

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3.67 from 3 votes
Published: April 8, 2022Author: Kristen Hills
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One of the best things to make in the Instant Pot is Hard Boiled Eggs. The 5-5-5 Method will change the way you cook eggs forever.
How to Cook Hard Boiled Eggs in the Instant Pot Recipe (5-5-5 Method)

Instant Pots are one of the most popular kitchen gadgets right now and these Hard Boiled Eggs just might be the most popular thing to make in them.  

If you want perfectly cooked eggs that peel easily every single time, then we can show you how to make Hard Boiled Eggs in the Instant Pot. 

How to cook Hard Boiled Eggs in the Instant Pot:

The first step is to place a steamer basket in the Instant Pot.  Then, place 12 eggs directly in the steamer basket. If you don’t have a steamer basket, see below.

Now you don’t have to cook all 12. If you want 1 egg, the time would still be the same.

Add at least 1 cup of water.  Some have shared that if you completely cover the eggs, fewer eggs will crack.

Place the lid on the Instant Pot.  Make sure the knob is turned to “Sealing,” not “Venting.”  Push the “Manual” button and set for 5 minutes.

Instant pot set to 5 minutes

While the eggs are coming to pressure and cooking, prepare an ice bath. After the eggs have cooked for 5 minutes, let the pressure naturally release for 5 minutes, then you can do a quick release.

Instant Pot steamer basket full of eggs

Remove the steamer basket and eggs and place in the ice bath.  Allow the eggs to cool for 5 minutes in the ice bath. As you peel, crack the egg and gently peel.  They will be the easiest eggs you’ve ever peeled! Every time!

Hard boiled egg sliced in half

What if I don’t have a steamer basket? Where can I get a steamer basket?

This is the steamer basket that I have and love.  Bonus! It comes with 2 extra 6 quart Instant Pot Sealing Rings.

Having a steamer basket makes transferring the hard boiled eggs from the Instant Pot to the ice bath so easy!  I also recommend having a second Instant Pot liner for your ice bath. Find it here.

If you don’t have a steamer basket, you can still make Hard Boiled Eggs in the Instant Pot. Simply nestle the eggs in the pot or on top of the trivet. Add water and you are good to go!

What is the 5-5-5 method for Hard Boiled Eggs?

The 5-5-5 method is one of the most popular techniques for making hard boiled eggs in the Instant Pot.  The 5’s refer to:

  • Setting the cook time for 5 minutes
  • After cook time, a 5 minute natural release
  • Cooling the eggs in the ice bath for 5 minutes

How can I keep my eggs from cracking?

I’ve made the hard boiled eggs with just 1 cup water, but I always seem to have at least one egg that cracks.  A reader recommended filling the pot with water until all the eggs are covered to avoid cracking eggs. Give it a try!

Bowl filled with ice water
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What is the purpose of the ice bath?

An ice bath is simply a container of ice water that you can place the eggs in after the 5 minute natural release.  Placing the eggs in the ice bath cools them quickly and stops them from overcooking. If you want your eggs to be just right, don’t skip the ice bath.

Ever since I started doing the ice bath, my eggs are a lot easier to peel. You will have to let me know if you can tell a difference.

Now you can make our famous Deviled Eggs with all your hard-boiled eggs! Or take things up a notch with our Loaded Deviled Eggs!

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Serves: 6

How to Cook Hard Boiled Eggs in the Instant Pot (5-5-5 Method) Recipe

3.67 from 3 votes
One of the best things to make in the Instant Pot is Hard Boiled Eggs. The 5-5-5 Method will change the way you cook eggs forever.
Prep Time 5 mins
Cook Time 5 mins
Natural Release 5 mins
Total Time 15 mins
Print Pin

Ingredients

  • 12 eggs
  • 1 cup water

Instructions

  • Place steamer basket in the Instant Pot.  Then, place 12 eggs directly in the steamer basket.
  • Add as much water as desired, at least 1 cup.  Some have shared that if you completely cover the eggs, fewer eggs will crack.
  • Place the lid on the Instant Pot.  Make sure the knob is turned to “sealing,” not “venting.”
  • Push the “Manual” button and set for 5 minutes.
  • While the eggs are coming to pressure and cooking, prepare an ice bath.
  • After the eggs have cooked for 5 minutes, let the pressure naturally release for 5 minutes, then you can do a quick release.
  • Remove the steamer basket and eggs and place in the ice bath.  Allow the eggs to cool for 5 minutes.
  • Peel and eat.

Video

Notes

  • If you don’t have a steamer basket, you can still make Hard Boiled Eggs in the Instant Pot. Simply nestle the eggs in the pot or on top of the trivet. Add water and you are good to go!

Nutrition

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

Equipment

  • Instant Pot
  • Steamer Basket

Recipe Details

Course: Snack
Cuisine: American

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How to Cook Hard Boiled Eggs in the Instant Pot (5-5-5 Method)

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  1. Jane says:
    February 18, 2019
    Just made hard boiled eggs in my new IP for first time. They were brownish and the yolks were dark on the outer edge when they were done. I used eggs from different stores, not planned that way, but same reaction so I’m not sure what happened. Any suggestions?
    Reply
    • Lois Morse says:
      May 26, 2019
      I just made eggs in mine today. I have been reading different recipes and went with this one. I learned to not let the eggs touch the water so I put my normal rack in and my egg rack (Oxo 9-egg silicone rack) on top of that. My eggs are from a friend who has chickens. They turned out beautifully with not one crack (I've had at least one crack each time before). I also try to pick eggs that are equal in size. Try it again!
      Reply
    • PAULINE OHADI says:
      March 22, 2020
      That happened to my eggs also, they were brownish and the yolks were dark on the outer edge when they were done. I learned that it was because when 5 minutes past, I did not remove the eggs quick and the warmer remained on cooking the eggs for another 30 minutes, maybe it was an hour before I took the eggs out of the IP. YOU MUST REMOVE THE EGGS IMMEDIATELY AFTER 5 MINUTES. PLACING THEM IN ICE CUBES WATER WOULD ELIMINATE THIS, IF YOU DID IT RIGHT AWAY.
      Reply
      • Audrey says:
        June 15, 2020
        Are the eggs on low med or high pressure ?
        Reply
  2. Colleen Casey says:
    January 7, 2020
    Best method I've ever tried. I have farm fresh eggs and they alway come out perfect with this method. Farm fresh are the hardest eggs to hard boil, you always loss so much egg with other methods. Now my eggs come out perfect.
    Reply
  3. Pauline Ohadi says:
    March 22, 2020
    My Instant Pot does not have a manual button so please give me directions for my type of IP. Thank you.
    Reply
    • Cyd says:
      March 26, 2020
      Manual or Pressure cook are the same thing.
      Reply
  4. Ginny benton says:
    April 14, 2020
    I tried this last night 5-5-5. They were not done in the middle.. wasn’t thrilled
    Reply
  5. TK says:
    June 12, 2020
    How would you adjust the times for cooking at an altitude of 5280 feet?
    Reply
  6. Linda Rhoden says:
    August 27, 2020
    Raw...put back in for another five minutes. Still slightly in yolk. Very disappointed.
    Reply
  7. Linda Booker says:
    September 27, 2020
    This is the best way to "boil" eggs ever! The first time I tried it, with one cup of water, there were s few slightly cracked eggs. I just did it again but used 2 cups of water and had no cracks. Not sure if the amount of water helped but thats how I'll do it from now on.
    Reply
    • Momma Cyd says:
      October 15, 2020
      Hi Linda. It's a game changer!! We are so glad you are using your Instant Pot!
      Reply
  8. T.G. says:
    October 25, 2020
    I had some issues using cold refridgerated eggs in a silicone basket. So I now use the metal rack and let the eggs warm to room temp for a bit prior to cooking. Then 5 5 5. Thanks!
    Reply
  9. Sherry conrad says:
    January 18, 2021
    Thought I would try hard boiled eggs today & they turned out perfect! So impressed
    Reply
    • Momma Cyd says:
      January 18, 2021
      Cooking eggs to Hard boiled is so easy in the Instant Pot.
      Reply
  10. Kathy says:
    March 28, 2021
    Eggs were perfect!!
    Reply
  11. Holly says:
    April 27, 2021
    Perfect hard boiled eggs. I did 18 eggs in steamer basket and only 1 egg cracked. I added 4 cups of water.
    Reply
  12. Carey says:
    April 17, 2022
    This did not work for me. Followed recipe and I had trouble peeling and they came out rubbery and tough.

    1 star

    Reply
  13. Shelly Shrock says:
    April 25, 2022
    I loved this method! It worked perfectly for making Easter eggs.

    5 stars

    Reply
  14. Emily Parker says:
    April 26, 2022
    This is the best way to hard-boil eggs. Super easy and always consistent!

    5 stars

    Reply
  15. Rick Park says:
    June 19, 2022
    I tried this recipe as a new IP owner. The initial try was slightly underdone. Then watching your videos, I realized you were at a higher altitude, while I am just above sea level! Adjusted to 6-6-5, and they turn out perfect every time. If you’re near sea level, this will work, and if at very high altitude, you may have to adjust the other way. The point is that SSS is providing a great starting place, so adjust until right for you!
    Reply
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