How to Make a Hard Boiled Egg (That Peels Easily)
Learn how to make a hard boiled egg on the stovetop, in the microwave, or in the air fryer! With this step-by-step guide, you’ll create the perfect, easy-to-peel eggs every time.
We love hard boiled eggs and make a batch nearly every week. They’re the perfect quick, high-protein snack and are great to use in a variety of recipes like egg salad and deviled eggs.
That said, learning how to make hard boiled eggs with bright whites and vibrant yellow yolks come with a bit of a learning curve. We’ve definitely gone through plenty of batches of eggs that lose half their white when peeled and turn out slightly green. Yikes.
The good news is that there are a few tips and tricks you can use to ensure the perfect hard boiled eggs with ease. By the time you’re done, your eggs will look like they came out of the page of a magazine. Getcha some of that!
How to Make a Hard Boiled Egg (3 Ways)
Please be sure to scroll down to the recipe card below for the complete details!
Stovetop Option
How to Make Hard Boiled Eggs in an Air Fryer
- Preheat your air fryer to 250F.
- Arrange your eggs in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
- Cook to your desired doneness. (See the cooking chart below.)
- Remove the eggs from the bakest, and transfer them to a bowl of ice water to cool completely.
How to Hard Boil an Egg in the Microwave
- Pierce the larger end of a cold egg. (Use something small like a sewing needle or tack.) Make sure you pierce the yolk!
- Place the egg in a glass measuring cup, and cover it with cold water by an inch.
- Microwave on 50% power for 4 minutes.
- Rest in the hot water for 2 minutes.
- Microwave again on 50% power for 2 minutes.
- Transfer the egg to a bowl of ice water to cool completely.
Tips for Success
- Use older eggs. Trust us! Fresh eggs are best when cooking them sunny side up or using them in a baked recipe. However, when it comes to hard boiling, they turn out best when they’re a day or two old.
- Store upside down. Flip your eggs over the carton, and let them sit before boiling. This allows the yolk to sink to the center and prevents the whites from peeling or from getting a green-tinted ring.
- Cool completely! It’s crucial to transfer your eggs to an ice bath immediately after cooking. Otherwise, they’ll continue to cook and will turn out overdone.
- Use filtered water. This can help prevent the green ring around the edge, especially if you have hard water in your kitchen.
- Use enough water. If boiling up to six eggs, make sure to submerge them by at least an inch. However, if you’re cooking somewhere between seven and twelve eggs, submerge them by two inches.
- Add vinegar. Add a teaspoon of vinegar to the water to prevent the egg whites from spilling out if an egg happens to crack. Some people also find salt can help with this!
How to Easily Peel Hard Boiled Eggs
Make sure to allow your eggs to cool completely. Then, gently crack the shells on the counter, and roll.
Once the shell is crackly, roll the eggs between your palms. At this point, the shell should begin to slip off. However, if it doesn’t, carefully peel the shell off with your fingers.
Common Questions
Yes, you can store boiled eggs in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. We find that unpeeled hard boiled eggs stay fresher for longer! Just peel the shell off when you’re ready to eat and enjoy your eggs cold.
Absolutely! Freeze leftover peeled hard boiled egg yolks for up to 3 months.
We often enjoy our eggs cold straight from the fridge. Add a sprinkle of everything but the bagel seasoning or Sinful Food’s all-purpose seasoning, and you’re good to go!
However, they’re also great to add to salads, rice bowls, or even serve over ramen. Or, use them to make egg salad, avocado salad, tuna salad, deviled eggs, or even avocado toast.
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How to Make Hard Boiled Eggs
Equipment
- 1 Medium Pot
- 1 Large Bowl
- 1 air fryer
- 1 Glass Measuring Cup
Ingredients
- 1 large egg
Instructions
Stovetop Option:
- Place the eggs in a medium pot, and submerge them in cold water by 1 inch.1 large egg
- Bring to a boil. Then, cover the pot, and turn off the heat.
- Cook, covered for 9-12 minutes, depending on the desired doneness.
- Transfer the eggs to a bowl of ice water, and cool completely.
- Peel, and enjoy!
Air Fryer Option:
- Preheat the air fryer to 250F (121 C).
- Arrange the eggs in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
- Cook for 12-15 minutes, depending on the desired doneness. (Time may vary slightly, depending on the air fryer.)
- Transfer the eggs to a bowl of ice water, and cool completely.
- Peel, and enjoy!
Microwave Option:
- Pierce the wide end of an egg with a small tool like a sewing needle or tack. Pierce the yolk.
- Place the egg in a glass measuring cup, and submerge it with an inch of water.
- Microwave at 50% power for 4 minutes.
- Rest the egg in the hot water for 2 minutes.
- Microwave again at 50% power for another 2 minutes.
- Transfer the egg to a bowl of ice water, and cool completely.
- Peel, and enjoy!
Notes
- Use older eggs. Trust us! Fresh eggs are best when cooking them sunny side up or using them in a baked recipe. However, when it comes to hard boiling, they turn out best when they’re a day or two old.
- Store upside down. Flip your eggs over the carton, and let them sit before billing. This allows the yolk to sink to the center and prevents the whites from peeling or from getting a green-tinted ring.
- Cool completely! It’s crucial to transfer your eggs to an ice bath immediately after cooking. Otherwise, they’ll continue to cook and will turn out overdone.
- Use filtered water. This can help prevent the green ring around the edge, especially if you have hard water in your kitchen.
- Use enough water. If boiling up to six eggs, make sure to submerge them by at least an inch. However, if you’re cooking somewhere between seven and twelve eggs, submerge them by two inches.
- Add vinegar. Add a teaspoon of vinegar to the water to prevent the egg whites from spilling out if an egg happens to crack. Some people also find salt can help with this!
- serving size = 1 egg
- Carbohydrates = 0.4 grams
- Fat = 4.8 grams
- Protein = 6.3 grams
