A modified, in-depth version of this blog post was published on Medium at the following link.
We set out to find the best instant pot egg times for making soft, medium and hard-boiled eggs at home. Why? Several factors affect how eggs turn out: instant pot version, instant pot age, altitude, whether quick release was executed on the mark, whether eggs were cooled, how eggs were cooled, age of egg, egg size and more.
With so many variables at play, instant pot eggs are not the same each and every time. So be warned there is not a one size fits all formula.
Best soft, medium and hard boiled instant pot egg times
In summary, for a 6 quart instant pot at about sea level, the best times were:
- Hard boiled egg – 5 minute hi-pressure cook with 5 minutes natural release. A total of 10 minutes spent in the Instant Pot produces a hard boiled egg.
- Medium boiled egg – 3 minute hi-pressure cook with 3 minute natural release. A total of 6 minutes spent in the Instant Pot produces a medium hard boiled egg.
- Soft boiled egg – 5 minute hi-pressure cook with quick release. A total of 5 minutes spent in the Instant Pot produces a soft boiled egg.
- Soft boiled egg (more liquid center) – 4 minute hi-pressure cook with quick release. A total of 4 minutes in the IP produces a soft boiled egg with a gooey center.
There were a couple surprises along the way. For instance, an egg cooked under hi-pressure (with a quick-release) for 5 minutes yielded an undercooked egg. Thus, our exploration found that natural release plays a crucial role in solidifying the egg yolk. So unless you are aiming for a soft-boiled egg, keep the lid on after the Instant Pot beeps to prevent a messy, gooey egg!
Overall, instant pot eggs offer convenience, but yield surprisingly different egg textures than eggs boiled and prepared on the stove-top. When it comes to hard-boiled eggs, instant pot eggs tend to have firmer egg whites, whereas stove-top boiled eggs boast a softer, silkier egg white texture.
Are instant pot soft, medium and hard boiled eggs easier to peel?
Generally, there were no major disasters when peeling an egg, but no significant advantage over stove-top boiled eggs. At times, peeling an instant pot egg resulted in small nicks with pieces of egg white attached to the shell's inner membrane.
How does altitude affect my pressure cooking?
According to the “New High Altitude Cookbook” (1980) by Anderson, B.M., altitude does affect pressure cooking. You want to increase your cooking time under pressure by 5% for every 1,000 feet after 2,000 feet above sea level.
Serves: 1 to 4
Prep Time: 1 minute – Cooking Time: 10 minutes – Total Time: 11 minutes
Prep Time: 1 minute – Cooking Time: 10 minutes – Total Time: 11 minutes
Helpful equipment
- 6 quart instant pot
- Trivet to hold egg(s) or any instant pot egg accessories
- Heat-proof gloves
Ingredients
- 1 cup cold water
- 1 to 4 eggs
Instructions
Step 1
Pour 1 cup cold water into the instant pot. Insert the trivet. Gently place egg(s) on the trivet.
Step 2
Close and lock the lid.
Step 3
Set high pressure cook time. For a hard boiled egg cook 5 minutes with a 5 minute natural release; medium boiled egg cook 3 minutes with a 3 minute natural release; soft boiled egg cook 4 minutes with quick release.
Step 4
Once the instant pot beeps to signify it is done, depressurize the instant pot immediately for a quick release, or after the natural release time has passed.
Step 5
Open the lid and carefully remove egg(s) using heat-proof gloves.
Step 6
Drop egg(s) into a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process.
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