Here’s my go-to, foolproof way to make the perfect hard boiled or soft boiled eggs every single time. The secret? Use the Instant Pot! The eggs cook in less than 5 minutes and are the perfect make-ahead breakfast protein. And the best part is you can use fresh eggs or older eggs, both peel perfectly, using this easy recipe.
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If you love this recipe, you’ll also love my favorite breakfast recipes: protein chocolate yogurt, high protein overnight oats, egg omelet cups, chocolate baked oatmeal, scrambled egg sandwich, perfect scrambled eggs, and freezer breakfast burritos.
The Easiest & Best Way to Make Eggs For Breakfast
What You’ll Need
- Medium or Large Eggs: Cook as many eggs as will fit in your Instant Pot. Use any kind of egg, too: brown eggs, white eggs, blue eggs, or even duck eggs. For duck eggs, increase the cooking time 1-2 minutes to compensate for the large size.
- 1 cup water: Liquid is always needed to properly pressure cook food.
- Instant Pot: Any size Instant Pot or electric pressure cooker of choice.
- Trivet Rack or Steamer Basket: A steamer basket or trivet is used to separate the eggs from the bottom of the Instant Pot liner.
- Bowl of Ice Cubes & Cold Water: While the eggs cook, add cold water and ice to a bowl. The bowl should be large enough to hold the eggs. Immeadiately after the eggs are done cooking, perform a quick release and transfer the eggs to the bowl of ice water to stop the eggs from cooking any further.
Cooking Time Cheat Sheet
Before you cook the eggs, decide on your yolk preference: hard, soft, slightly jammy/slightly runny. This will determine the cook time. Use this cook time formula to make 1 egg or multiple eggs.
- 5 Minutes Cook Time & Quick Pressure Release = Perfect hard-boiled eggs with a firm and fully cooked yolk and firm egg whites. Perfect for egg salad.
- 4 Minutes Cook Time & Quick Pressure Release = Slightly soft, but firm yolk and firm egg whites. For those who don’t love a runny yolk, but also don’t love a super firm yolk.
- 3 Minutes Cook Time & Quick Release = Perfect soft-boiled eggs with a soft and runny/jammy yolk. Personally, this is my favorite kind of egg!
Pro Tips For Making The Best Eggs
- High Pressure & Quick Pressure Release: Always cook on high pressure and perform a quick release after the cooking time is up. This means as soon as the cooking time is over and the Instant Pot beeps, turn the steam valve on top of the lid from sealed to venting to release the pressure from the pot. Then, once you can open the lid, transfer to a cold water bath.
- Don’t Let the Eggs Sit: Allowing the eggs to sit in the pot, after cooking, will result in over-done eggs (chalky yolks and a green ring).
- Always Add Liquid: Always add 1 cup of water to the Instant Pot before cooking, whether you want hard or soft boiled eggs, or cook 1 or multiple eggs. The Instant Pot requires liquid to properly work and pressure cook food.
New to Instant Pot Cooking? Read my Instant Pot Starter Guide & learn how to cook the best recipes for the Instant Pot.
Video Tutorial for Making Perfect Instant Pot Eggs
Step By Step Cooking Instructions
- Step 1: Place the steam basket or trivet rack on the bottom of the Instant Pot liner.
- Step 2: Pour 1 cup of water into the Instant Pot liner.
- Step 3: Place as many eggs as desired on top of the steam basket or trivet rack. I find that 8 is the most I can fit on the trivet rack, which is why I recommended 8. You can cook as many or as few as desired. The water will not touch the eggs.
- Step 4: Secure the lid and set to Sealing. Set to Manual, High Pressure for the desired amount of time (see cooking time cheat sheet above).
- Step 5: While the eggs cook, prepare an ice bath. Fill a large bowl with cold water and add several ice cubes to the water.
- Step 6: As soon as the cooking time is over, turn the steam valve on top of the lid to venting (this will perform a quick pressure release). The steam will immeadiately release from this valve and begin releasing pressure from the pot. Once steam no longer flows from the valve, open the lid and remove the eggs from the Instant Pot and place them in the ice bath. A large spoon or measuring cup works well, or a small sieve.
- Step 7: Allow the eggs to rest in the ice water bath for at least 5 minutes before enjoying or storing for later.
Peel & Store: The easiest way to peel the eggs is to place the unpeeled eggs under running water, then peel as the water runs. Store the eggs in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.
How to Peel
Peel the eggs immeadiately if you’re eating now, or if you prefer to store the eggs peeled in the fridge for a future meal. The easiest way to peel the eggs is to run the egg(s) under water, peeling as the water runs over the egg shell. Dry the peeled egg and enjoy or store in a meal-prep container for up to 7 days.
The Best Way to Store Eggs for Meal Prep
- The best method for storing the eggs is in an airtight container.
- The eggs may be stored peeled or unpeeled. There isn’t a “right way.” Whatever you prefer; both methods work fine for storage.
- Enjoy the eggs cold or reheat.
How long can you store cooked eggs in the fridge?
- Store hard-boiled eggs (a firm yolk), peeled or unpeeled, for up to 7 days in the fridge.
- Store soft-boiled eggs (with a runny yolk), peeled or unpeeled, for up to 2-3 days in the fridge.
How to Reheat
- After storing in the fridge, cut peeled eggs in half, THEN microwave for just a few seconds (about 30 seconds).
- DO NOT microwave the eggs in whole form as they will likely explode in the microwave.
- Slicing the eggs in half is the key to successful reheating.
How Many Eggs Can You Pressure Cook at One Time?
- This is up to you and how many eggs you can fit in your Instant Pot (electric pressure cooker), in a single layer, at one time.
- The cooking time and method doesn’t change, whether you cook 1 egg or 8+ eggs at one time.
How to Make Perfect Hard Boiled Eggs
- Cook as many eggs as desired and will fit in your Instant Pot.
- Pressure cook for 5 minutes
- Prepare an ice water bath (water and ice cubes in a bowl) while the eggs pressure cook.
- Once the cooking time is complete (the Instant Pot beeps), perform a quick release (turn the steam valve on top of the lid from sealed to venting), open the lid, and transfer the eggs to an ice water bath.
- Let the eggs rest in the ice bath for at least 5 minutes before peeling, enjoying, or storing.
How to Make Perfect Soft-Boiled Eggs
- Cook as many eggs as desired and will fit in your Instant Pot.
- Pressure cook for 3 minutes = jammy/runny yolk
- Pressure cook for 4 minutes = cooked yolks but still slightly softer than fully hard-boiled
- Prepare an ice water bath (water and ice cubes in a bowl) while the eggs pressure cook.
- Once the cooking time is complete (the Instant Pot beeps), perform a quick release (turn the steam valve on top of the lid from sealed to venting), open the lid, and transfer the eggs to the ice water bath.
- Let the eggs rest in the ice bath for at least 5 minutes before peeling, enjoying, or storing.
How to Use Cooked Eggs
- Make-Ahead Breakfast Protein: Enjoy the eggs as-is, with salt and pepper. On the side, add an avocado, bacon, turkey sausage patties, chocolate protein yogurt, overnight oats, peanut butter and banana toast, or baked oatmeal.
- Egg Salad: Mash up the eggs with mayo, chopped pickles, chopped fresh herbs (parsley or dill), chopped red onions, salt, pepper, and a touch of mustard. Then spoon onto bread, a tortilla, crackers, or a rice cake.
- Easter Eggs: Turn your hard-boiled eggs into classic Easter eggs. Use spices and fruits for dye.
- Deviled Eggs: Turn hard-boiled eggs into delicious deviled eggs for brunch, lunch, or a holiday gathering.
- Chopped Over Toast: Chop the cooked eggs and top on a slice of toast with mashed avocado. Trust me, it’s delicious!
Find easy and healthy breakfast ideas, from the fluffy scrambled eggs to einkorn muffins and overnight oats, in my breakfast section of the blog.
Easiest Instant Pot Soft and Hard Boiled Eggs
How to make the best soft or hard boiled eggs in the Instant Pot. This easy method takes less than 10 minutes from start to finish. The cooking time depends on your yolk preference. Cook just 1 egg or as many as will fit in your Instant Pot.
Cost: $4
Equipment
- 1 Instant Pot any size will work
- 1 trivet rack or steamer basket (This should have come with your Instant Pot. You can also purchase a rack separately on Amazon.)
- 1 large bowl to make an ice bath
Ingredients
- 1 cup water
- 8 eggs See note below
Ice Bath (Used After Pressure Cooking):
- ice for an ice bath
- cold water for an ice bath
Instructions
- Place the steam basket or trivet rack on the bottom of the Instant Pot liner.
- Pour 1 cup of water into the Instant Pot liner.
- Place as many eggs as desired on top of the trivet rack (or steamer basket). Cook as many or as few eggs as desired (see note below). The water will not touch the eggs.
- Secure the lid on the Instant Pot and set the steam valve on top of the lid to Sealing.
- Before you cook the eggs, decide on your yolk preference: hard, soft, slightly jammy/slightly runny. This will determine the cook time. Always have the Instant Pot set to high pressure with any of these times. Set the Instant Pot to your desired cook time…5 Minutes Pressure Cook = Perfect hard-boiled eggs with a firm and fully cooked yolk and firm egg whites. Perfect for egg salad. 4 Minutes Pressure Cook = Slightly soft, but firm yolk and firm egg whites. For those who don't love a runny yolk, but also don't love a super firm yolk.3 Minutes Pressure Cook = Perfect soft-boiled eggs with a soft and runny/jammy yolk. Personally, this is my favorite kind of egg!
- While the eggs cook, prepare an ice bath. Fill a large bowl with cold water and add several ice cubes to the water.
- As soon as the cooking time is over, turn the steam valve on top of the lid to venting (this will perform a quick pressure release). The steam will immeadiately release from this valve and begin releasing pressure from the pot. Once steam no longer flows from the valve, open the lid and remove the eggs from the Instant Pot and place them in the ice bath. A large spoon or measuring cup works well, or a small sieve.
- Allow the eggs to rest in the ice water bath for at least 5 minutes before enjoying or storing for later. Store the eggs in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week (for hard boiled eggs) or up to 2-3 days (for soft boiled eggs).
How to Peel Eggs:
- The easiest way to peel the eggs is to place the unpeeled eggs under running water, then peel as the water runs.
Video
Notes
Egg Amount: Use this method and the cooking times to make just 1 egg or as many eggs as will fit in your Instant Pot. I can generally fit about 8 eggs, in a single layer, in my 6-quart Instant Pot. This is why I suggest “8 eggs” in the recipe. The number of eggs is up to you.
Eggs Cracking Troubleshooting: If your eggs crack or “explode” in the Instant Pot, it’s because they’re too cold. This usually occurs because the eggs are coming straight from the fridge. To fix this issue, place the eggs in a bowl of warm water for a few minutes before placing the eggs in the Instant Pot. Or, take your eggs out and allow them to sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes before cooking in the Instant Pot.
Want more easy egg recipes? Read: 15 Different Ways to Make Eggs (Easy & Healthy)
Nutrition
Calories: 62kcalProtein: 5gFat: 4gSaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 163mgSodium: 64mgPotassium: 60mgVitamin A: 240IUCalcium: 25mgIron: 0.8mg
Tried this recipe?Let me know how it was!
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I am curious why your instructions include the ice bath. Does it have to do with the peeling process? I always have my batch slow release for 5 minutes. The shells peel off effortlessly. I will never go back to boiling.
Hey Susan, It has to do with not allowing the eggs to continue cooking. Without an ice bath, the eggs will remain warm and continue to cook. The ice bath stops the cooking by immeadiately cooling the eggs, which gives you the perfect non-chalky (not overcooked) yolk.
I am excited to try this! Do you feel like the fresh eggs peel easier? I love boiled eggs but never make them because I can never peel them and just waste the egg 🙁
Hey Kayla, I’ve used fresh and “older” eggs with this method. Unlike the stove-top, the IP is awesome for both.
After the ice bath, I realized my eggs weren’t cooked enough for us. Can I put them back into the instantpot?
You could, I would just do a minute or two in the Instant Pot.
LS Team
It never crossed my mind that it is possible to cook our usual eggs in such a variety of ways until I found your blog. Like a lot of people, I often have a problem with the consistency of finished eggs. That is, they do not always turn out the way I intended them … In addition, they are difficult to peel. I prepared them as you say and, lo and behold! , everything turned out quickly, easily and tasty. Thank you!
This is sooooo easy!! Coming from a person who has messed up boiled eggs a thousand times. My favorite time is 2 mins, slightly runny but solid at the same time.
Wow! I literally just made these. This has to be, hands down, the easiest batch of hard boiled eggs I have ever made! I love hard boiled eggs, but rarely make them, because they never really turn out right, and inevitably one cracks on me. But this time, the eggs came out perfectly. I’m in love. As if I needed one more reason to love my Instant Pot! Thanks for the awesome recipe, Kristin. And thanks for making real food so much fun and so attainable.
That’s awesome, Emily! I’m so glad you’re loving the eggs and your Instant Pot.
Easy, delicious and quick!
Thanks, Linda! Glad you enjoyed the eggs.
I’m going to have to give this method a try! I like my stovetop method, but it can be pretty difficult to peel the eggs.
Oh yes, Erica Lea! The Instant Pot is just amazing for eggs. Once you try it, it’s hard to ever go back to the stove-top.