How To Boil Eggs

Boiling eggs doesn't get any easier than this. What is listed below is all that one needs to make the perfect boiled eggs:

• Eggs
• Water
• Ice Bath

The following method for boiling eggs is our favorite for a number of reasons. But what really puts it over the top is that the eggs are also ridiculously easy to peel afterward. 

Let's get boiling: 

1. Boil the water

Take a saucepan and fill it with enough water to cover the eggs by an inch. Bring the water to a boil. By boiling the water first it doesn't matter what type of pot you use as all the eggs hit the water at its boiling temperature.

Boiling the water before adding the eggs also helps you monitor the cooking time.

2. Add the eggs

As the water is boiling fully, turn the heat down. Gently place the eggs in the water using the simmer to guide the placing of the eggs. This is done to prevent the eggs from cracking.

In case you are using refrigerated eggs, it is crucial to have them sit for some time so they reach room temperature. Throwing cold eggs into scalding water is one of the main reasons why eggs crack while boiling.

When you have set your eggs, turn the heat to high to ensure that your eggs boil at the right time.

3. Set the timer

Once your eggs get in the water, set a timer.

How Long To Boil Eggs

The time at which your eggs are cooked depends on whether you are looking to achieve hard-boiled eggs or soft-boiled eggs. The following is a guideline regarding the time it requires to boil eggs:

• 5 minutes: This is ideal for a runny yolk and soft white. This is the best consistency if you're looking to serve the egg in an egg cup.
• 6 minutes: This will give you a jammy egg yolk and a soft but firm white. Perfect soft-boiled egg to serve with toast or in salads. 
• 8 minutes: For a medium cook on the eggs so that the yolk is soft and will still be able to hold its own while the white is set.
• 12 minutes: This will yield a hard-boiled egg that has a yolk that remains slightly soft. This is how I like my hard-boiled eggs, especially when I am going to be snacking on them.
• 14 minutes: This is your classic hard-boiled egg. The yolk is firm but fluffy, and the whites are set properly. If you are making deviled eggs, this is the consistency you are looking for.

4. Shock the eggs in an ice bath

Remove the pan from heat and immediately transfer the eggs from the pan into an ice bath for 2-3 minutes. That way, you will not overcook your cooks, and it comes with the right texture.

Lack of an ice bath? You can always substitute this by just putting the eggs under cold running water.

5. Peel the Eggs

Find the heavier end of the egg, which contains an air pocket. Crack the shell and start peeling from there. You'll find a white membrane inside to help with the peeling process.

If you're still having trouble, peel the eggs under the faucet because cold water helps slide the shells off.

Another good tip is not to peel the eggs you aren't gonna use immediately- they'll last longer! You can actually store unpeeled boiled eggs in an air-tight container in the fridge for almost a week.

Your eggs should not crack when you're boiling them by this method. But if they do, there are certain tips that you can use to prevent it:

• Fill the pot, but not too full: Depending on the size of your pan, add eggs such that there is still some space left for them to move around while boiling. Boiling eggs move around and at times might touch one another, which could lead to cracking. A full pot can also affect how long it takes your eggs to cook.
• Warm up the eggs: As described earlier, always remove your eggs from the refrigerator to warm them. These cold eggs entering the boiling water react with shock causing them to crack.
• Lower the heat: It is an important step. While you are putting your eggs into the water, bubbling or boiling should not take place at all. This will cause the egg to move around and create cracks.

How To Avoid Crater Eggs?

Why do some eggs peel nice and some come out looking catered like the moon? Well, there is no definite answer to that. As far as this goes, the old ones are typically a little easier to peel as compared to new eggs.

This is because in the case of a new egg, this layer between the eggs and the shell is hard but in the case of older eggs, the membrane degrades with time. Learn more about the freshness of the egg.

Hard-boiled eggs last up to a week in the fridge. Soft-boiled eggs, however, only last for 2-3 days. This also depends on how you store the eggs. 

If it is unpeeled, it remains fresh for longer, whereas peeled eggs last for a shorter time.

Cool the hard-boiled eggs and then put them into an airtight container to keep them as fresh as possible. They should be in the fridge within the first two hours after cooking.

How To Store Eggs

The best way to store boiled eggs is to let the eggs cool down to room temperature. Place them in an airtight container in your fridge.

Don't store your cooked eggs in the refrigerator door, as they will be exposed to frequent temperature changes.

Even though you can freeze raw eggs, we recommend that you don't freeze your boiled eggs, as it changes the consistency of your egg yolk.

Steaming

Steaming is an alternative technique that a lot of people like because of its consistency and ease of peeling. Here's how you do it:

Steamer setup: Place a steamer basket in a pot and add water below the level of the basket.

Heat the water: Bring the water to a boil.

Add eggs: Put your eggs in the steamer basket, cover, and steam for the following time:

• Soft-boiled: 6-7 minutes
• Medium-boiled: 9-11 minutes
• Hard-boiled: 12-14 minutes

In an Air Fryer

Air fryer eggs are a great hack to 'boil' eggs. Here is how you do it:

Preheat the air fryer: Put the temperature in your air fryer at 270°F.

Add eggs: Set the eggs in the basket, leaving gaps between the eggs.

Cook: Close the air fryer and power it on. The following are the cook times for various types of boiled eggs from the air fryer:

• Soft Boiled Eggs: 9-10 minutes
• Jammy Eggs: 11-13 minutes
• Hard Boiled Eggs: 14-15 minutes

Instant Pot Method

This is a great way to meal prep using an Instant Pot and save some time, as you can cook many of them at once in less than 10 minutes. Here's how you boil eggs in an Instant Pot: 

Add water: Pour some water into your Instant Pot. This will eventually create steam inside the pot, cooking the eggs.

Add the eggs: Place a metal plate inside over the water and set the eggs on top of that.

Close the lid and Cook: Close the lid and set the Instant Pot to Manual. Cook the eggs for 5 minutes under high pressure.

Now the fun part! Boiled eggs are pretty versatile and can be used in different recipes, all thanks to their cooks.

What to Eat with Hard-boiled Eggs

• Salt and Pepper: The classic! Cut your hard-boiled eggs middle to expose the yolk. Sprinkle it with some salt and pepper and snack away. It is simple, effective, and works every time.
• Egg Salad: Hard-boiled eggs are perfect for egg salad since they retain a firm structure. You can serve them with some crispy lettuce, crispy bits of bacon, and some hot sauce.
• Deviled Eggs: These are great for an elaborate brunch. They look as though they need much time and effort when they actually are very easy to make.

What To Have with Soft-Boiled Eggs

• Avocado Toast: Give soft-boiled eggs on top of an avocado toast. The softness of the avocado goes perfectly with the softness of the yolk.
• Dipping Sauce: Just your soft-boiled eggs with hot sauce or a dipping sauce to snatch them.