Instant Pot Hard-Boiled Eggs

Ingredients You’ll Need

To make Instant Pot Hard-Boiled Eggs, you will need:

• Eggs (as many as you want to cook, but make sure they fit comfortably in the Instant Pot)
• 1 cup water

Kitchen Equipment Needed

Here’s what you’ll need to make Instant Pot Hard-Boiled Eggs:

• Instant Pot – The pressure cooker for cooking the eggs.
• Trivet or Steamer Basket – To keep the eggs elevated above the water.
• Large Bowl – For an ice bath to cool the eggs.
• Tongs or Slotted Spoon – For transferring the eggs.

Step-by-Step Directions

1. Prepare the Instant Pot: Place the trivet or steamer basket inside the Instant Pot. This will keep the eggs above the water level.
2. Add Water: Pour 1 cup of water into the Instant Pot.
3. Arrange the Eggs: Carefully place the eggs on the trivet or in the steamer basket. You can stack them if necessary, but try not to overcrowd.
4. Set the Instant Pot: Close the lid and ensure the pressure valve is set to “Sealing.” Select the “Manual” or “Pressure Cook” setting and set the timer for 5 minutes on high pressure.
5. Cook the Eggs: The Instant Pot will take a few minutes to come to pressure, then the timer will start counting down. Once the cooking time is complete, perform a quick release by carefully moving the pressure valve to “Venting” to release the steam.
6. Prepare an Ice Bath: While the eggs are cooking, prepare a large bowl of ice water.
7. Cool the Eggs: Using tongs or a slotted spoon, transfer the eggs from the Instant Pot to the ice bath. Let them cool in the ice water for about 5 minutes to stop the cooking process and make peeling easier.
8. Peel and Enjoy: Once cooled, gently tap the eggs on a hard surface and peel away the shell. If you find any stubborn bits, you can peel them under running water to help remove any remaining shell pieces.

Tips and Tricks

• Adjusting Cook Time: For slightly softer yolks, you can reduce the cooking time to 4 minutes. For firmer yolks, increase the time to 6 minutes.
• Easy Peeling: Older eggs tend to peel more easily than very fresh eggs. If you’re planning ahead, you might want to use eggs that have been in your fridge for a week or more.
• Batch Cooking: The Instant Pot can handle up to a dozen eggs at once, so it’s perfect for meal prep or feeding a crowd. Just make sure there’s enough room for steam to circulate around the eggs.

How to Store Instant Pot Hard-Boiled Eggs

Store any leftover hard-boiled eggs in their shells in the refrigerator for up to one week. If you’ve already peeled the eggs, keep them in a container with a damp paper towel to prevent them from drying out, and consume within 3-4 days.

Variations on the Recipe

• Seasoned Eggs: After peeling, you can season the eggs with a sprinkle of salt, pepper, or other spices like paprika or curry powder for extra flavor.
• Deviled Eggs: Use the cooked eggs to make classic deviled eggs. Simply cut the eggs in half, remove the yolks, and mix with mayonnaise, mustard, and your favorite seasonings before refilling the egg whites.
• Pickled Eggs: For a tangy twist, try pickling the hard-boiled eggs. Place peeled eggs in a jar with a mixture of vinegar, water, and your favorite pickling spices.