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You are here: Home / Recipes by Category / Breakfast/Brunch / Instant Pot Easy Poached Egg

Instant Pot Easy Poached Egg

March 14, 2019

Last modified on January 14th, 2021

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Instant Pot Easy Poached Egg on top of an English muffin

The Electric Pressure Cooker is taking the guesswork out of the prestigious poached egg.  Hands off and worry-free, this Instant Pot Poached Egg is the easiest way to poach an egg ever known!


Instant Pot Easy Poached Egg on top of an English muffin

For a girl who could happily top any dish with a warm, runny egg, this Instant Pot EASY Poached Egg recipe is pretty revolutionary.

Prior to this pressure cooker method here, I really did not like poaching eggs for the following reasons:

  • Half the time they fell apart in the poaching water (suddenly I have no credibility when I tell my kids not to swear)
  • I had to keep a close eye on them and hope I took them out at the right time (10% success rate there, twin boys and all)
  • I could only fit 3-4 in my skillet at a time so if I needed more than that, mine were cold by the time I sat down to eat (ridiculously unfair)

Since the Instant Pot solves most kitchen dilemmas I have, I turned to it for a solution.  After trying several different methods and cooking vessels, I finally figured it out!

I found my answer in these handy silicone baby food trays, otherwise known as Egg Bite Trays.  They have proven to be a good purchase time and again for recipes like Beebo Bites (AKA Oatmeal Muffins), Denver Style Egg Bites, and Honey Cornbread Muffins.

I highly recommend this particular Popfex brand.  I tried several others and settled on this tray because they are more sturdy and have deeper pockets.  You can stack 2 at a time in a 6 quart pot which comes in handy a lot!

Pressure Cooker Oatmeal Bites are the ultimate healthy fuel for your day

No longer do I stress and over plan a poached egg meal like my life depends on it.  Relaxed and cool as a cucumber is how you'll find me on Eggs Benedict night now, I want this to be you too!

WHY YOU WILL LOVE EASY POACHED EGGS IN AN ELECTRIC PRESSURE COOKER

  • You've heard all the poached egg tips: bring water to a gentle simmer, swirl a perfect vortex in the water, add vinegar, etc etc.  None of that here!  Just crack it, cook it, plate it, done – no fuss, no tears
  • Hands off – prep the rest of your meal as the Instant Pot cooks your egg – efficient mom award right here!
  • Cook one or cook seven – when was the last time you perfectly poached 7 eggs at a time on the stove top!?  NEVER!
  • Buttery, golden yolk with flaky sea salt – you can't possibly not love that

Instant Pot Easy Poached Egg on top of an English muffin

HOW TO MAKE POACHED EGGS EASY IN THE INSTANT POT

  1. Spray the tray with nonstick cooking spray and crack eggs into the holes
  2. Cook for 3-4 minutes, until white is set
  3. Use a spoon to scrape around the egg to make sure it's not stuck
  4. Gently scoop it onto a spoon
  5. Plate it, grab a fork, and ever so gently cut into the white
  6. Bam!  Perfect runny yolk, sigh

Step by step collage of how to make a poached egg in the instant pot

Here's a video of the process to make your heart melt just like this golden yolk all over that crispy hash brown waffle.  For a visual on how to remove the egg, see the video for Instant Pot No Peel Hard Boiled Eggs.

HOW TO MAKE PERFECT POACHED EGGS – TIPS AND TRICKS!

Use Fresh Eggs – Fresh Egg Test

This is a common tip for the traditional water/pan method, I found even with this Instant Pot method, the whites cooked up much more reliably with fresh eggs than with old eggs.  To test your eggs for freshness, place an egg in a bowl of water.  If the egg lays on its side, it is still fresh.  If it stands upright on its bottom, it's not as fresh and may not work well for poaching.  This has to do with how porous the eggshell is.  See this article “Are Your Eggs Fresh?” for more info.

Avoid Eggs Sticking in Silicone Mold

If your eggs stick, they are likely to break as you are getting them out of the tray.  Spray the holes you will be cracking eggs into with nonstick cooking spray.  My favorite is Vegalene Nonstick Cooking Spray. It works amazingly well, is made of non-GMO oils, and after using it for 5+ years, it hasn't left any residue on any of my bakeware like Pam does.  This 6-pack on Amazon is a great price, but I've also bought single cans at a local kitchen supply store for $1-2 more.

Poached Egg Cooking Time 

The exact time can vary depending on the brand of tray you are using, how many eggs you're poaching, brand of pressure cooker, and even altitude.  For the egg bite tray, I use the Popfex brand.  This brand is my favorite because it is more sturdy and the pockets are deeper.

For me, if I'm cooking 4 eggs, I cook them for 4 minutes.  More eggs will mean more surrounding heat which requires less cooking time.  I suggest starting with 4 minutes then assess your egg.  When the white is set, it's done!  If the white is partially clear and runny, cook it for another minute.  With a couple of trial runs, you'll soon know the exact cooking time for your pressure cooker and tray.

Cooking Poached Eggs for a Crowd

As I mentioned, the more eggs you are cooking the shorter the cook time.  I can fill my tray of 7 and cook them 3 minutes for 7 perfectly poached eggs.  I've had readers report back that with their less sturdy trays, 1 – 2 minutes was the perfect time for 7 eggs.  This is great when you need to cook for a crowd!

I have not tried stacking 2 trays and making 14 at a time, but I'm assuming this would decrease the cook time by another minute.  Let me know if you try this!

Quick Release the Pressure to Avoid Over Cooking

Right when your pot beeps that it's done cooking, release the pressure.  As long as there is pressure in the pot, the eggs will continue to cook, so don't walk away the last minute of cooking.

Prevent Condensation

I found that covering the eggs with foil messed with the consistency of the cook time so I stopped doing that.  When you remove the lid, quickly tilt it to prevent the condensation in the lid from dripping onto the eggs.  If there is water in your eggs, use the corner of a paper towel to easily soak it up.  Don't confuse droplets of water with the egg white!

Transfer the Poached Eggs Gently

It's quite simple to remove the eggs from the tray, but be GENTLE!  You don't want to break that beautiful yolk before it's plated.  I use a thin, small spoon to release the egg from the sides of the tray. Once it's not sticking anywhere, it will slide easily onto the spoon.

MAKE AHEAD POACHED EGGS

Poached eggs can be made ahead of time and gently reheated when you’re ready to serve them.  Store cooked eggs in a sealed container in the fridge. Add just enough cold water to the container that the eggs are barely covered.  When ready to serve, bring a pot of water just to a simmer and reheat the eggs for 1 minute.  

 

That pretty much covers it!  You are going to be a brunch making master with this trick!  A perfectly poached egg is the best way to take a meal from “meh” to “wowza!” and this Instant Pot trick makes it that much easier.

HOW TO SERVE POACHED EGGS – PUT AN EGG ON IT!

I firmly believe just about everything tastes better with a silky poached egg running over top of it.  Here are some of my favorite ways to incorporate them:

  • Instant Pot Tamales – GLORIOUS!
  • Instant Pot Sweet Potato topped with Poached Egg and hot sauce
  • Roasted Vegetable Bowl with Green Tahini – Killer!
  • Poached Egg on a Hash Brown Waffle
  • If you have Master the Electric Pressure Cooker, make the Ham Wrapped Avocado Egg (page 15).  It's quite possibly my favorite recipe in the entire book!
  • Avocado and Egg on Toast – as pictured here

I could go on for days, but that should get you started off nicely on your road to Poached Egg True Love Forever.

Instant Pot Easy Poached Egg on top of an English muffin

Have fun with this one!  I love simple recipes like this that can be mixed and matched with so many others.  What are your favorite foods to top with a poached egg?  Am I missing something amazing?

 

MORE INSTANT POT BREAKFAST AND EGG INSPIRATION:

  • Instant Pot Breakfast Casserole
  • Instant Pot Frittata 
  • Mini Blueberry Breakfast Cakes
  • Instant Pot Pumpkin Banana Oatmeal
  • How To Make Hard Boiled Eggs in the Instant Pot 

 

OTHER RECIPES THAT ARE BETTER IN THE INSTANT POT:

  • Instant Pot Yogurt
  • Pressure Cooker Mashed Potatoes
  • Instant Pot Black Beans
  • Instant Pot Rice

 

Recommended Tools to buy and use to make Instant Pot Perfect Poached Egg

  • Instant Pot
  • Popfex Silicone Tray
Print

Instant Pot Easy Poached Egg

Instant Pot Easy Poached Egg on top of an English muffin

★★★★★

4.2 from 19 reviews

This method takes the mystery out of making poached eggs AND makes it a hands off task.  Perfect Poached Eggs anytime!

  • Author: Marci
  • Prep Time: 3 minutes
  • Cook Time: 4 minutes
  • Total Time: 10 minutes
  • Yield: 1-7 eggs
  • Category: Breakfast
  • Method: Pressure cooker
  • Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • Eggs (anywhere from 1-7 eggs at a time, depending on how many your silicone tray holds)
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Add 1 cup of water to the pressure cooker pot and place trivet inside.  
  2. Spray silicone tray with nonstick cooking spray.
  3. Crack desired number of eggs into the holes of the silicone tray.  Place tray on top of the trivet.
  4. Secure the lid and turn pressure release knob to a sealed position.  Cook at high pressure for 3-4 minutes (see notes regarding cooking time).
  5. When cooking is complete, use a quick release.  
  6. Check the eggs.  The egg white should be completely cooked and the yellow center should be slightly jiggly.  If it's not done, put the lid on the pot and let them sit for a few minutes, or if the white is really runny, pressure cook for another minute.
  7. Using a soft edge knife or spoon, carefully scrape around the egg to make sure it’s not adhering to the edges, then gently scoop it from the tray.  
  8. Serve immediately with a sprinkle of salt and pepper.  
  9. Serve with avocado toast, english muffins, tamales, salads, hashbrowns, etc

Notes

  • Cooking time will vary depending on the brand of silicone tray, brand/model of pressure cooker, number of eggs, and altitude.  The more eggs, the less time it will take.  For 4 eggs I cook mine for 4 minutes.  For more than 4 eggs I cook for 3 minutes
  • A few more tips: Use fresh eggs, spray the egg bite tray with nonstick spray, and don't season the eggs until after they are cooked.
  • If you open the pot and they are undercooked, quickly put the lid on and cook for 1 more minute with a quick release.  If they are close to being done, just put the lid on the pot and let them sit for a few minutes.

Keywords: breakfast, eggs, instant pot

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Terry says

    December 27, 2020

    I tried cooking 3 poached eggs in small mason jars (125ml). 4 min…they were perfect! Cooked whites, runny yokes. My question is – if I want to cook for a crowd, do you think I can add a second trivet and cook 2 tiers of poached eggs in mason jars? I can fit 6 mason jars in one level, so was wondering if I could do 12 with a good result.

    Reply
    • Marci says

      December 27, 2020

      Terry, yes, I think that will work great. One thing, I’ve noticed the more I have in there, the quicker it cooks. I would have to test it to know for sure, but it’s possible you could do 3 minutes if it was fully loaded. Let me know your experience!

      Reply
  2. Michelle says

    September 20, 2020

    3 eggs for 4 minutes came out hard boiled

    ★★★

    Reply
    • Marci says

      September 21, 2020

      Michelle, Dang, Sorry it didn’t work for you! There are a lot of factors on this one (pot, holders, altitude, etc) but once you find the perfect time, it’s so wonderful!

      Reply
  3. Melissa says

    August 31, 2020

    I used my silicon muffin “pan”, and they came out perfect! Could only make two at a time, but I didn’t have to buy another kitchen doodad ?

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  4. Elizabeth says

    August 30, 2020

    This is such a great recipe using the instant pot. I like this. Thank you for sharing!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  5. James says

    August 30, 2020

    I have succeeded according to your recipe! Melting egg is amazing

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  6. Lou Rech says

    August 12, 2020

    Followed directions exactly. I did 4 eggs for 4 min. I will do 4 eggs for 3 min next time and they will be perfect I am sure. Thank you for this nice little trick.. poached eggs are my fav… I also can’t wait to try your avocado toast/poached eggs… looks so good i almost ran to the store during the thunderstorm for avocado. I used farm fresh eggs, made sure they were about the same size (ours come in a variety of sizes) I used the larger ones, would the time be different if i use the smaller ones?

    Reply
    • Marci says

      August 14, 2020

      Lou Rech, it is a great trick :). I’m assuming the smaller eggs might need a minute less. Let me know if you experiment!

      Reply
  7. Gabriel says

    July 20, 2020

    I used my silicon muffin “pan”, and they came out perfect! Could only make two at a time, but I didn’t have to buy another kitchen doodad ?

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  8. AJ says

    July 11, 2020

    I have a question about the freshness of the eggs. I have about a dozen eggs and I love poached eggs on top of English muffins, but these eggs have been in my fridge for a while. Using the water test they don’t lay flat, they point upward but are still at the bottom so they’re still edible. How big of a problem is this for this recipe? I don’t care too much about presentation as these are just for me as a midnight snack

    Reply
    • Marci says

      July 13, 2020

      AJ, hmm good question. To be honest, I’m not sure, but it’s worth a try! If you test it out, let me know!

      Reply
  9. Darlene says

    June 13, 2020

    I did two eggs for four minutes using the silicone egg bite mould, and they came out hard-boiled. I will try two minutes next time!

    ★★★

    Reply
    • Marci says

      June 13, 2020

      Darlene, dang, the time for eggs can be so finicky. Once you find the perfect time for your pot, silicone mold, and elevation, you’re golden 🙂

      Reply
  10. Rimmy says

    May 20, 2020

    I made poached eggs using the silicone egg molds. They turned out perfect! I put them on an English muffin with avocado! Delicious breakfast. Thank you so much.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Marci says

      May 23, 2020

      Rimmy, Yum, that is one of my favorite dinners actually 🙂

      Reply
  11. Dianne says

    May 14, 2020

    My 4 minute poached egg came out perfect.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  12. Tiffany says

    May 7, 2020

    I tried this for the first time today. In my silicone egg mold, 3 eggs for 6 minutes. They came out more set than soft boiled but less than hard boiled. I will definitely be trying this again and playing with the times to see what works for me. It’s a great way to make lots of poached eggs at once and sure beets trying to boil or use a muffin tin in the oven.

    Reply
    • Marci says

      May 8, 2020

      Tiffany, It can be quite finicky until you figure out what’s right for your pot, trays, altitude, etc. The time is actually different with my newer Instant Pots so I adjusted the recipe a little bit. I’ve found for my newest pot, 4 eggs and 4 minutes are perfect. Once you figure out your perfect time, it’s so wonderful!

      Reply
  13. Kim says

    May 7, 2020

    I appreciate the recipe, but I also had the same experience as Lacey. I used the same silicone mold as the author though and made no changes. I cooked 4 eggs at high pressure for 7 minutes and they were entirely hard-boiled. Still delicious and great on toast-not a waste! I will try again for less time.

    ★★★

    Reply
    • Marci says

      May 8, 2020

      Kim, I tweaked the recipe a little bit for my newer Instant Pot models. Try 4 minutes for 4 eggs, it’s been the perfect time for me and my pots that I’ve bought in the last year or 2.

      Reply
  14. Lacey says

    April 14, 2020

    I put 2 eggs in Ramkins and set for 6 minutes on normal pressure. I ended up w a hard boiled texture… still edible, but not at all what I wanted.

    I’ll try for only 2 or 3 minutes next time. Maybe the Ramkin cooks more quickly than the silicon

    ★★★

    Reply
    • Marci says

      April 15, 2020

      Lacey, It will definitely vary with the vessel you use! I’d say try it again, it’s amazing once you figure the perfect time!

      Reply
  15. Kristi says

    April 1, 2020

    I made myself two poached eggs for breakfast this morning using your timetable and they turned out great!! I’ve never made poached eggs, much less before work on a weekday! I’ll definitely do this again!!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Marci says

      April 2, 2020

      Kristi, Now that’s a good way to start the day :). Isn’t it an awesome trick!

      Reply
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