How to make hard-boiled eggs in an Instant Pot

• Using an Instant Pot is quicker and provides more consistent results than the stove-top method.
• For perfectly cooked hard-boiled Instant Pot eggs, use a simple "five-five-release" formula.
• Pressure cook your eggs for five minutes, then let the pressure release for five minutes.

It's not difficult to cook hard-boiled eggs when you use an Instant Pot. In fact, an Instant Pot makes preparing the perennial picnic favorite nearly effortless!

"The Instant Pot gives you eggs that cook and peel beautifully," says Daniel Shumski, the author of four cookbooks, including "How to Instant Pot."

You might want to use your Instant Pot for hard-boiled eggs for a number of reasons.

• It's a much quicker way to get hard-boiled eggs lunchbox or picnic ready, typically only taking 10 minutes to prepare.
• You don't need to monitor your eggs throughout the cooking process - just set your timer and you can walk away with any fear of the pan boiling over.
• Your hard-boiled eggs will peel better. Pressure cooking creates a moisture barrier between the egg white and the shell, which makes peeling it easier.
• Your Instant Pot will cook your eggs more uniformly and consistently.

Quick tip: If you're in the market for a new Instant Pot or multicooker, the Insider Reviews team tested 10 models to find the best ones you can buy.

How to use your Instant Pot to make hard-boiled eggs

The Instant Pot's amazing versatility means you can use the multi-function appliance to steam, pressure cook, or slow cook your favorite foods and recipes. For hard-boiled eggs, the "pressure cook" function is the setting you'll be using. Some Instant Pots even have a built-in "egg" pressure cook setting.

An Instant Pot is an easy way to make hard-boiled eggs by following Shumski's simple "five-five-release" cooking formula. "Essentially, you cook them for five minutes, let them sit for five minutes, and then release the pressure," he says.

1. Fill the Instant Pot with water. Use one cup of water for six eggs. Place the steaming rack in the inner pot.
2. Place the eggs directly on a steaming rack. Space them evenly or use a silicone insert. Close and lock the lid and set the valve to "Sealing."
3. Set your Instant Pot. Choose the "Pressure Cook" option, select "High Pressure," and set the timer to five minutes. Press start.
4. Let the eggs rest. After cooking has completed, wait five minutes. This will allow the pressure to come down naturally, which will prevent your eggs from overcooking.
5. Release the pressure. Use a wooden spoon to turn the pressure release valve to "Venting." This will release the pressure. The round steam exhaust safety valve is positioned on the Instant Pot's lid. Some valves have a "handle," which aid in positioning.
6. Remove your eggs. Press "Cancel" and remove the Instant Pot lid.
7. Chill your eggs. Transfer your eggs to a bowl filled with cold water and ice. Allow eggs to cool in the ice water bath for five minutes to stop the cooking process, then remove.

Quick tip: For easy removal of the finished eggs, Shumski suggests using a silicone or collapsible metal steamer basket inside the bowl of your Instant Pot.

Tips and tricks for the perfect hard-boiled eggs

• Age matters - old eggs are easier to peel. Select eggs that are a week or more old for hard-boiling.
• To peel hard-boiled eggs, try this trick from the American Egg Board: First, drain hard-boiled eggs under cold, running water to help the shell ease off. Next, gently tap the large end of the egg onto a hard surface until the shell is slightly cracked. Peel the egg, starting from the cracked end.
• A green ring around the yolk means your egg was cooked too long or at too high of a temperature. This is harmless, but can be prevented by setting your Instant Pot pressure to "low" before increasing to "high" and reducing the cooking time by one minute.

How to store hard-boiled eggs

Hard-boiled eggs should be stored in the refrigerator, at a temperature of 40 degrees Fahrenheit or less. Unpeeled, they'll keep for up to one week. According to the American Egg Board, peeled hard-boiled eggs should be used the same day.

Insider's takeaway

When you want to make hard-boiled eggs quickly, an Instant Pot is the answer. An Instant Pot creates uniformly cooked eggs that peel beautifully and, unlike the traditional stovetop method, you don't have to constantly monitor the cooking process when you use an Instant Pot. Set your Instant Pot timer to cook while you get dressed and pack some outdoor games, and both you and your eggs will be picnic-ready in no time.

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