How to Hard Boil Eggs

Nothing beats a perfectly boiled egg, but short of sacrificing an egg and cracking it open, it can be difficult to know when that egg is perfectly cooked. Rest assured, we have a few tricks to get you that perfectly soft- or hard-boiled texture you're after. And once you've mastered your hard boiled egg, you're well on you way to egg salad, cobb salad, and perfect deviled eggs worthy of your Easter brunch table!

1. Start with old eggs

It might sound weird, but old eggs peel more easily, so you won't risk tearing up the whites. Using old eggs is #1 BEST way to ensure your eggs are easily peel-able. 

2. Bring it to a boil

No matter the doneness you are after, this step is the same: Place your eggs in a large pot and fill with water. Bring the water to a vigorous boil over medium heat, then turn off the heat and cover with a lid.

3. Set your timer

This is the most important step! If you are looking for soft-boiled eggs, set your timer for 7 minutes exactly. If you want hard-boiled eggs, set for 11 minutes. (We're serious when we say every second counts, so don't neglect your eggs for another minute of Stranger Things.) While the timer is going, get a large bowl of ice water ready. (Trust us, do it now.)

4. Shock 'em

As soon as your timer goes off, transfer your eggs to the ice water. Shocking the eggs helps halt the cooking process; they only need to hang out in there for a minute or two.

5. Peel away

Since you used older eggs (remember, step 1, guys?!), peeling your eggs will be a breeze. If you're struggling with a sticky shell, run the egg under cool water while you peel; the water will help separate the shell from the egg.

6. Gadget Geek? Try using your air fryer!

The air fryer can actually create phenomenal hard boiled eggs without even needing to bring a pot of water to the boil. Simply preheat your fryer to 275 and cook for 8 to 15 minutes depending on how done you want your eggs. Shock and peel like the instructions below. It's that simple!

Mistakes to avoid 

The biggest mistake is usually made in the cook time. Not setting a timer or just guessing that the eggs are done usually result in overcooked eggs and a gray ring around the yolk. Be sure to only boil your eggs for 11 minutes, no longer! If you like a softer boiled egg you can reduce the time to about 7 minutes and you'll have a softer, but still set yolk. 

Don't forget the ice bath either. Carry over cooking is real and if you just drain the eggs (or even worse, leave them in the hot water) your eggs will keep cooking. As soon as the 11 minutes are up, transfer the eggs to ice cold water and let them sit in there until completely cold. Wet eggs also peel better, so peel them straight from the bath.  

How to store hard boiled eggs 

Once eggs are hard boiled they are best stored in their shells, in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to one week. The eggs can be peeled as well, but typically stay fresher longer if kept in the shell. 

Use this technique to boil your eggs? Let us know how it went in the comment section below!