Easy-Peel Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs (5-5-5 Method)

These easy-peel Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs are going to be your new favorite. Once you try this 5-5-5 method to steam eggs in your instant pot, you will never cook them any other way. Eggs are boiled to perfection every single time!

Who doesn’t loves eggs for breakfast?   I am a big fan of eggs for breakfast and have been excited about the option of making perfect hard-boiled eggs in an instant pot.  It is quick and simple, and they come out perfect each time, with the added advantage of being super easy to peel.  

In the past, I was boiling eggs on the stove, which is a big hassle – boiling water, adding the eggs, then timing it.  I would many times mess up, and they would either overcook or undercook.  Then they were hard to peel, sometimes losing a portion of the egg trying to get the peel off!

But with these instant pot boiled eggs, they are super easy to peel.  They are kind of steamed, which is probably what makes the difference.

If you are a beginner with instant pot, then you must try this recipe. You will love these eggs!

Try them in my avocado egg salad, guacamole deviled eggs, or egg biryani.

What is the 5-5-5 method for Instant Pot Eggs?

The 5-5-5 method is an awesome technique to cook perfect hard-boiled eggs in the pressure cooker.

• 5 minutes – Pressure cook time
• 5 minutes – Release pressure 5 minutes after beep (also called 5-minute NPR).
• 5 minutes – Water bath.

With these 3 easy steps, you will be guaranteed to get perfectly cooked, easy-peel steamed eggs each time.

How to cook Instant Pot Boiled Eggs?

Let’s go through the detailed steps to cook eggs in the pressure cooker.

Start with pouring a cup of water into the instant pot steel insert. Now place the steamer rack or trivet.

Arrange the eggs on the trivet. It is okay to stack the eggs even if they are touching each other. However, you don’t want the eggs touching the base of the instant pot steel insert.

You can easily stack up a dozen eggs in the 6qt instant pot. The cooking time does not change whether you cook 2 or 12 eggs.

Now close the lid with the vent in the sealing position.

Cook: Set the instant pot to pressure cook (or Manual) on high pressure for 5 minutes.

After the instant pot beeps, wait for 5 minutes, then quick release the pressure. You can use an external timer to get a beep so you don’t forget to get the eggs out in time. The instant pot will also show the time of 5 minutes if you are keeping an eye on the pot.

Ice bath: Immediately transfer the eggs to an ice bath so that they don’t continue cooking with the residual heat. Use tongs, as the eggs are super hot at this time.

Peel: This is the best part. Peeling eggs steamed in the instant pot is so easy and just a breeze. Just this will make your instant pot feel all worth it!

Give a gentle tap to the boiled egg on the counter to break the shell. Then with your fingers, peel off the shell from all sides.

Enjoy: Cut in half and enjoy with salt and pepper or your favorite seasoning.

Or use these eggs to make Instant Pot Deviled Eggs….so good!

Note that I used my 6qt instant pot to cook steam these eggs. Cooking times can vary with a different size or brand of pressure cooker and also with altitude. 

You can peel the eggs and store them in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for 5 days.

Tips for Perfect Hard-Boiled Eggs

• You can use as few as 1 egg and up to 12 eggs in a 6-quart pressure cooker. The cooking time does not change.
• Don’t forget to add water to the steel insert before pressure cooking. Make sure you use cold tap water; warm water or hot water can change the cooking time. 
• An external timer may be helpful if you want to remove the eggs in time after 5 minutes of natural release.  
• Note that results can vary if you are cooking at a higher elevation. They can also vary if the eggs are fresh or older. You want to test this method and then vary slightly based on the results as needed.
• If you prefer soft-boiled eggs, try the 3-3-3 method.

Use these instant pot boiled eggs to make these delicious Avocado Egg Salad Sandwich, Guacamole Deviled Eggs, or my favorite Egg Curry.