Can You Boil Eggs in a Rice Cooker? Yes, Here Is How
Quick answer: Yes, you can boil eggs in a rice cooker. The easiest method is to steam them: put about 1 cup of water in the pot, set the eggs in a steamer basket or on a rack, close the lid and press Cook. Start with about 12 to 13 minutes for hard-boiled eggs, then cool them in ice water. Cookers differ, so adjust the time on your next batch.
Last updated: November 1, 2026
What you need
- A rice cooker with a steamer basket or rack (or a heat-safe trivet)
- About 1 cup of water
- Eggs, straight from the fridge is fine
- A bowl of ice water
How to steam eggs in a rice cooker
- Pour about 1 cup of water into the inner pot.
- Place the steamer basket or rack in the pot and arrange the eggs in a single layer.
- Close the lid and press Cook (or the steam setting if there is one).
- When the water boils and steam builds, start timing. For soft eggs with a runny yolk, about 6 to 7 minutes. For jammy yolks, about 9 minutes. For hard-boiled, about 12 to 13 minutes.
- Move the eggs to ice water for 5 minutes, then peel.
If your cooker switches to Keep Warm before the eggs are done, press Cook again. Cooking time depends on the cooker, the water amount and the egg size.
Boiling eggs directly in water
You can also cover the eggs with water in the pot and run a cook cycle. This is less predictable, because the cooker may switch to Keep Warm before the eggs reach the desired doneness, so the steaming method is more reliable.
Egg doneness guide
| Doneness | Approximate steaming time | Texture |
|---|---|---|
| Soft | 6 to 7 minutes | Set white, runny yolk |
| Jammy | 9 minutes | Set white, soft yolk |
| Hard-boiled | 12 to 13 minutes | Fully set yolk |
Tips
- Use an ice bath to stop cooking and make peeling easier.
- Do not stack eggs, so they cook evenly.
- Never run the cooker without water.
- Wash the pot afterwards. See how to clean a rice cooker inner pot.
Food safety and storage
Cool boiled eggs promptly and refrigerate them. Hard-boiled eggs in the shell keep for about a week in the fridge.
Frequently asked questions
Can you cook eggs and rice together?
Many cookers let you place eggs in a basket above the rice, but timing differs between rice and eggs, so check your manual.
Why did my cooker switch to Keep Warm early?
The water boiled off or the cooker sensed a dry pot. Add a little more water and start again.
Are steamed eggs easier to peel?
Many people find steamed eggs peel more easily, especially after an ice bath.
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