Peeling eggs is probably one of the most-hated kitchen chores. I tried lots of tricks and hacks to get easy peel eggs before I got an Instant Pot, and sometimes they worked, sometimes they definitely did not. There was never consistency.
5-5-5 Hard Boiled Eggs Method
Ever since learning of the 5-5-5 method of hard boiling eggs, it’s been a no-fail method, even with the super fresh eggs from our chickens. Very fresh eggs are notoriously hard to peel. I have found that to be very true, with the exception of the method shown here.
The 5-5-5 Instant Pot method is simple to do, and easy to remember.
- Simply set the Instant Pot for 5 minutes
- Let it NPR for 5 minutes (natural pressure release)
- Then an ice bath to stop the cooking for 5 minutes.
Although I will admit that I often get sidetracked and wind up following a 5-5-20ish or more method more times than not.
Pinch & Pull Hard Boiled Egg Peeling
To describe the process:
- Have a bowl of water next to your eggs. Keep your hands wet, it makes the process so much easier.
- Take an egg and crack it on the side of your sink, rolling the egg on all sides to crack the entire shell.
- Holding the egg in both hands, with your left fingers cupping the left side and right fingers cupping the right side, gently pinch with your thumbs and forefingers along the center of the shell, trying to break that inner membrane.
- Once the membrane is broken, pull the left side to the left and right side to the right, letting the egg slide out of the shell.
- Give the freshly peeled egg a dip in the water to rinse of any possible tiny bits of shell.
Ta-dah! You’ve perfectly peeled your eggs. And it was easy too. Looking for some ideas to eat those freshly peeled hard-boiled eggs?
Air frying them and making deviled eggs out of them is another favorite. Or make a simple egg salad.
Easy Peel Hard Boiled Eggs (Instant Pot Method)
Ingredients
- 12 Eggs
- 1 cup Water
Instructions
- Add water to the inner pot of the Instant Pot. Place a folding steamer basket in the pot as well.
- Add eggs in the steamer basket. Place lid on Instant Pot, twist to lock in place, and turn the knob to "seal".
- Press the "Manual" button and adjust the time to 5 minutes. Once the 5 minute cycle is conplete, let it NPR (natural pressure release) for another 5 minutes.
- Have a bowl of ice water ready to go in the sink. Once the 5 minute NPR is done, turn the knob on the lid to release the remaining pressure. Remove the lid and carefully place the hard boiled eggs in the ice water bath in the sink. Let them sit there for at least an additional 5 minutes (I sometimes let mine sit for up to 20 minutes).
- They are now ready to peel. Roll an egg along the side of the sink, cracking the entire outside of the shell. Gently "pinch and pull" along the center to break the inner mebrane and pull the shell away from the egg (to the left and right). The shell should slide right off of the egg.
Notes
- Keep a bowl of water nearby to keep your hands wet (easier to work with wet hands) and to rinse the eggs after peeling to ensure there are no little pieces of shells stuck on them.