How to Make Hard Boiled Eggs

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 our deviled eggs, healthy egg salad, and avocado egg salad. Of course, we make them every Easter, too. 

That said, learning how to make hard boiled eggs with bright whites and vibrant yellow yolks can be 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 a perfect hard boiled egg every single time. By the time you’re done, your eggs will look like they came out of the page of a magazine! 

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

1. Place large eggs in a medium pot, and submerge them in cold water with an inch over the top. 
2. Bring the water to a rolling boil on the stove over high heat. 
3. Cover the eggs with a lid, and turn off the heat. 
4. Cook the eggs to your desired doneness, letting the eggs sit in the boiling water. (See the cooking chart below.) 
5. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the eggs to a large bowl of ice water. This stops the cooking process and cools the eggs.
6. Cool completely before peeling.

How to Make Hard Boiled Eggs in an Air Fryer

1. Preheat your air fryer to 250F.
2. Arrange your eggs in a single layer in the air fryer basket. 
3. Cook to your desired doneness. (See the cooking chart below.) 
4. Remove the eggs from the basket, and transfer them to a bowl of ice water to cool completely. 

How to Hard Boil an Egg in the Microwave 

1. Pierce the larger end of a cold egg. (Use something small like a sewing needle or tack.) Make sure you pierce the yolk! 
2. Place the egg in a glass measuring cup, and cover it with cold water by an inch. 
3. Microwave on 50% power for 4 minutes. 
4. Rest in the hot water for 2 minutes. 
5. Microwave again on 50% power for 2 minutes. 
6. Transfer the egg to a bowl of ice water to cool completely. 

Egg Cooking Chart

Set a timer to achieve your perfect doneness! 

• 4 Minutes = Soft Boiled Eggs (Runny Yolks)
• 6 Minutes = Soft Boiled Eggs (Soft, Creamy Yolks)
• 8 Minutes = Hard Boiled (Semi-Solid Yolks)
• 12 Minutes = Hard Boiled (Solid Egg Yolks)
• 15 Minutes = Super Hard Boiled (Solid, Firm Yolks)

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 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! 

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 and membrane should begin to slip off. However, if it doesn’t, carefully peel the shell with your fingers. 

How to Store 

You can store hard boiled eggs in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. We find that unpeeled hard boiled eggs stay fresher for longer! Just peel it off when you’re ready to eat and enjoy your hard boiled eggs cold. 

Or, freeze hard boiled egg yolks for up to 3 months. 

Ways to Use

As mentioned, we often enjoy our eggs cold straight from the fridge. Add a sprinkle of everything but the bagel seasoning or burger seasoning, and you’re good to go! 

We also love to add them to salads like our pizza salad, spinach & roasted eggplant salad, and grilled chicken Greek salad. Or, we include them in rice bowls or serve them over ramen.