Instant Pot hard-boiled eggs — the 5-5-5 method
4
Units:
Prep: 5 min Cook: 15 min
Ingredients
- 6 large eggs
- 1 cup water (in the Instant Pot)
- ice (for ice bath)
Pressure cooking produces the easiest-to-peel eggs of any method. The pressurized steam forces its way between shell and membrane, so even farm-fresh eggs peel cleanly. Ideal for large batches of meal-prep eggs.
Instructions
- Set up trivet: Place the trivet in the Instant Pot and add 1 cup water.
- Load eggs: Place eggs on the trivet in a single layer.
- Pressure cook: Seal the lid. Pressure cook on high for 3 min (soft), 5 min (medium), or 5 min for hard.
- Natural release: For hard-boiled, let pressure release naturally for 5 min after cooking finishes. For soft/medium, quick-release immediately.
- Ice bath: Transfer eggs to a bowl of ice water for 5 min.
- Peel: Crack and peel under running cold water.
Tips
- The 5-5-5 method (5 min pressure, 5 min natural release, 5 min ice bath) is the canonical Instant Pot formula for perfect hard-boiled.
- Can cook a dozen or more eggs at once with no change in timing.
- Works in any electric pressure cooker with a high-pressure setting, not only Instant Pot.
- Slightly longer total time than stovetop because of pressurization, but completely hands-off.
Created: 3/23/2026, 2:33:51 AM diy
Instant Pot or electric pressure cooker with trivet, bowl for ice bath