How to hard boil eggs perfectly, plus 5 easy breakfast recipes (2024)

A perfectly hard boiled egg can be an elusive thing, even for those of us who cook–and cook with kids underfoot, and into everything, all the time. I’m hereto help fix that!Hard boiled eggs are a super easy, nutritious go-to foodthat Ihave on hand all of the time and, when you follow these easy directions for how to hard boil eggs perfectly, you maytoo. They’re great to have around for any meal of the day, but especially for one of thefive quick school day breakfast ideas. I’ve rounded up for you.

How to Hard Boil Eggs Perfectly

First, let’s talk about cooking perfect hard boiled eggs which can bequite simple. It just requires a little timing. Follow this method for foolproof results every time:

1. Gently arrange eggs in a single layer in the bottom of a saucepan. This is a rare case when using older ingredients is better than using fresh ones, sinceolder eggs will peel easier. Don’t worry if you only have fresh eggs, though. Read on for other ways to ensure an easy peel.

2. Cover eggs by 2 inches with cool to room temperature tap water and set on the stovetop over high heat.

3. Bring water to a boil and cook eggs for 1 minute. After the minute, take the pot off of the heat, cover and allow the eggs to sit for 10 minutes.

4. Drain the eggs. If you’re going to use them right away, roll them on the counter to crack the shells slightly and dunk them in an ice water bath for about 2 minutes. Cracking the eggs before plunging them in cold water will help them peel easily.

If you plan on storing the eggs, plunge them in the ice water bath without cracking the shells first. You can leave them in the cold water for as little as 2 minutes, but the longer you leave them in the ice water bath, the higher the likelihood that the eggs will peel easily when you’re ready for them. Once you remove the eggs from the cold water, you can store them in their shells in the fridge for up to a week.

5 Quick, School Day Breakfast Ideas Using Hard Boiled Eggs

My kids are happy to breakfast on plain hard boiled eggs alongside a bowl of yogurt most days, but changing things up is easy as these fivebreakfast ideas, so I’m happy to oblige. Plus, it’s a long school year—you can never have too many great on-the-go breakfast recipes. Of course a lot of these are challenging for kids. So perhaps if you’re popping a plain hard boiled egg on a plate for them, you take the time to whip up one of these for yourself to get the morning off to a good, protein-packed start.

How to hard boil eggs perfectly, plus 5 easy breakfast recipes (1)

Nothing beats the combo of egg and cheese, and my favorite way to enjoy itwith hard boiled eggs is by making BreakfastQuesadillas. Layer slices of a hard boiled egg and shredded cheese between two tortillas and fry in a hot, buttered pan until the tortillas are browned on each side. Just like that, you’ll have a delicious breakfast quesadilla. Top with salsa or not. Either way, it’s delicious.

How to hard boil eggs perfectly, plus 5 easy breakfast recipes (2)

These Hard Boiled Egg Breakfast Melts at Ellaphant Eats are a more traditional approach to eggs and cheese. This sandwich layers cream cheese, hard boiled eggs, tomato, avocado and shredded cheese on an English muffin. I love how Ella tops her melt with Sriracha, but you can skip the spicefor the kids.

How to hard boil eggs perfectly, plus 5 easy breakfast recipes (3)

Cheese is not necessary, of course. (Okay, so it is in my house, but that’s another story). Go simple with thisHard Boiled Eggs and Toastfrom Food Family Finds. There’s no recipe here, just slices of hard boiled egg on toast, and it’s totally delicious plain or with a schmear of mayo or Dijon.

How to hard boil eggs perfectly, plus 5 easy breakfast recipes (4)

If you’re looking to add something to your eggs and toastwithmore nutritional value than mayo or mustard, try this 3-Minute Avocado Toast with Hard Boiled Eggs from Heather’s Dish. With the proper amount of salt sprinkled on top, avocado and eggs are a heavenly combination and avocado is so so good for you.

How to hard boil eggs perfectly, plus 5 easy breakfast recipes (5)

If your family is into bagels and lox you’ll dig these Smoked Salmon and Hard Boiled Egg Bites from Seduction Meals. I know, it’s not entirely a typicalschool day breakfast which isthe farthest thing (ever) from a seduction meal. But these toasts are a deliciousbreakfast idea and truly fast and easy to make: Toast, smoked salmon, a squeeze of lemon, a crack of pepper and slice of egg. Not that every kid (or most kids that I know) will eat it, but I’d happily start any day with this in my belly.

Don’t miss other breakfast recipe ideas in our archives.

Tags: back to school, cooking, cooking for kids, healthy living, recipes

How to hard boil eggs perfectly, plus 5 easy breakfast recipes (6)

Written by Stacie Billis

Stacie Billis is our original Content Editor/Food for Cool Mom Eats. She's known for her focus on nutrition and organics, her salad-loving sons, her sense of humor, and her non-judgy approach to feeding kids that does not preclude Nutella. That's why she's also written some of our favorite family cookbooks.
Bio
Twitter
Instagram

  1. How to hard boil eggs perfectly, plus 5 easy breakfast recipes (7)

    Devinon September 4, 2014 at 6:37 pm

    Thanks for the tip to crack the shells and then dunk in ice water. I’ll have to try this method. I’ve always found the peeling part to be so painful as to make the entire hard boiling process not worthwhile. I’ve also heard that adding things to the water, like baking soda, can help produce an easy peel, but that hasn’t worked as well for me. Salmon recipe looks good too. My kids love fish for breakfast (seriously)…

    Reply

  2. How to hard boil eggs perfectly, plus 5 easy breakfast recipes (8)

    Pattion September 12, 2014 at 11:40 am

    We prefer and buy very fresh local eggs here on the coast and they were miserable to peel after being cooked in water any number of ways. However, I read about and tried covering and steaming to hard boil the eggs and it was wonderful….. used colander or steamer and cooked for about 20 -22 minutes. Then rinsed in cold water to halt cooking. They were cooked perfectly, no green ring around the yolk and the best part? The shell came right off – easily. Have to watch so as not to have it all evaporate.

    Reply

  3. How to hard boil eggs perfectly, plus 5 easy breakfast recipes (9)

    Oleon December 11, 2016 at 9:01 pm

    Eggs are typical harder to peel, but only because people are doing it wrong!

    Instead of covering Eggs with Water, add just a half Inch of Water (Comes to a boil faster = You save Energy, Money and Water = Win Win Win), that way, you Steam the Eggs instead of Boiling them.

    When done, add them to Cold Water for a Minute or so… Either transfer back to the Pot with a Lid, or a different Container with a Lid, and gently shake for 5 – 10 Seconds, and you’re all done 🙂

    In Asia this is actually a competitive event!

    Reply

Submit a Comment

How to hard boil eggs perfectly, plus 5 easy breakfast recipes (2024)

FAQs

Is 5 boiled eggs a good breakfast? ›

Nutritional benefits: Eggs are a rich source of high-quality protein, vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats. Consuming five eggs a day can provide you with a significant amount of these essential nutrients, supporting muscle growth, satiety, and overall health.

How do you boil eggs so they peel easily? ›

Boil eggs with little salt in water . Once they are boiled run them under cold water to make them easier to peel. Once they are cooled off , roll them off on a flat surface, pressing them little bit to make little cracks on them. Now gently peel them.

What is the best and easiest way to hard boil eggs? ›

Instructions
  1. Place your eggs in a single layer on the bottom of your pot and cover with cold water. ...
  2. Over high heat, bring your eggs to a rolling boil.
  3. Remove from heat and let stand in water for 10-12 minutes for large eggs. ...
  4. Drain water and immediately run cold water over eggs until cooled.

Is 5 eggs in the morning too much? ›

For most healthy adults, it's safe to eat 1–2 eggs a day depending on how much other cholesterol is in your diet. If you already have high cholesterol or other risk factors for heart disease, it may be best to eat no more than 4–5 eggs per week.

How many boiled eggs should you eat in the morning for breakfast? ›

Eggs are low in calories and contain only 78 calories along with the yolk. However, you can do away with the egg yolk if you want to lose some extra pounds fast. For a wholesome meal in the morning, you can include 2-4 eggs in your breakfast, which contain less than 240 calories.

What happens if I eat 2 boiled eggs everyday for breakfast? ›

Although few studies have been conducted on how many eggs are healthy to have on a daily basis, eating 1-2 eggs a day appears to be safe for healthy adults. If you have heart disease, high cholesterol, or diabetes, however, you should watch your overall cholesterol and saturated fat intake.

What can I add to hard-boiled eggs to make them taste better? ›

Fresh Herbs – diced chives, chopped dill, basil, or parsley adds bright freshness. Olive Oil– drizzled with some quality olive oil and sprinkled with a bit of salt and pepper, this classic topping is hard to beat.

Are hard-boiled eggs a healthy breakfast? ›

Hard-boiled eggs are an excellent source of lean protein. They'll fill you up without packing in too many calories, which is helpful if you want to lose weight. The protein in hard-boiled eggs also works alongside vitamin D to promote prenatal development.

What is the secret to peel hard-boiled eggs? ›

Here's her hack for how to peel hard-boiled eggs in large batches: Put five thoroughly cooled hard-boiled eggs into a small plastic container with some cold water, top with the lid and then gently rock and shake until the shells break and fall away. You'll almost always end up with perfectly peeled eggs.

Is it best to peel eggs hot or cold? ›

Cool Eggs Quickly In An Ice Bath

Shocking your recently boiled eggs by submerging them into a bowl of ice water is key. The quick cooling of the hard-boiled eggs causes the egg whites to contract, freeing them from the membrane. If you let them cool for about 15 minutes, the peeling is much easier.

How do chefs hard boil eggs? ›

Kenji López-Alt's James Beard Award–winning The Food Lab suggests (after many, many rounds of tests) lowering eggs into boiling water for 30 seconds, then adding ice cubes, reducing to a sub-simmer, and cooking for 11 more minutes.

What is the proper time to hard boil an egg? ›

How long to boil an egg:
  1. 3 minutes for really soft boiled yolk and set white.
  2. 4 minutes for slightly set yolk and set white.
  3. 5 minutes for a medium cooked firmer yolk and white.
  4. 6 minutes for hard boiled with lightly soft yolk.
  5. 8 minutes for firmly hard boiled.

Do you hard boil eggs before or after the water boils? ›

You might have heard that you should drop your eggs into room temperature or cold water and then bring the water to a boil. This is a myth. In our tests, bringing the water to a boil first and then lowering the eggs into the bath made for easy peeling and more accurate timing.

Can I eat 5 eggs for weight loss? ›

Eating eggs may support weight loss, especially if a person incorporates them into a calorie-controlled diet. Research suggests that eggs boost metabolic activity and increase feelings of fullness. Eating an egg-based breakfast may stop a person from consuming extra calories throughout the day.

How many boiled eggs should I eat for breakfast to lose weight? ›

The most popular approach includes three meals per day, at least two of which include hard-boiled eggs, but no other snacks between meals. Eat two eggs every morning for breakfast with vegetables or fruit. Lunch should include one egg or another source of lean protein, plus more vegetables.

Is it OK to eat 10 eggs a day? ›

Eggs are very high in protein, which is a nutrient that can impair kidney function and increased the risk for kidney stones if overly consumed. Eating 10 or more eggs per day is also not recommended because a healthy diet should be varied and diverse.

Is it OK to eat 4 eggs in the morning? ›

Can I eat 4 eggs at once? Absolutely. Four eggs for breakfast or lunch provide you with a healthy source of fat and protein.

References

Top Articles
The Best Slow Cooker Recipe from Every U.S. State
70+ Scandinavian Holiday Recipes
No Hard Feelings (2023) Tickets & Showtimes
Nco Leadership Center Of Excellence
Unitedhealthcare Hwp
Jefferey Dahmer Autopsy Photos
Truist Drive Through Hours
Autozone Locations Near Me
Red Heeler Dog Breed Info, Pictures, Facts, Puppy Price & FAQs
What Was D-Day Weegy
Pro Groom Prices – The Pet Centre
ExploreLearning on LinkedIn: This month's featured product is our ExploreLearning Gizmos Pen Pack, the…
Leeks — A Dirty Little Secret (Ingredient)
Justified Official Series Trailer
Craiglist Tulsa Ok
E22 Ultipro Desktop Version
Transactions (zipForm Edition) | Lone Wolf | Real Estate Forms Software
Woodmont Place At Palmer Resident Portal
Okc Body Rub
Bethel Eportal
Rapv Springfield Ma
Deshuesadero El Pulpo
Suspiciouswetspot
Geico Car Insurance Review 2024
Feathers
2015 Kia Soul Serpentine Belt Diagram
Enduring Word John 15
Criglist Miami
How Do Netspend Cards Work?
Ultra Clear Epoxy Instructions
Shnvme Com
Save on Games, Flamingo, Toys Games & Novelties
Despacito Justin Bieber Lyrics
Muma Eric Rice San Mateo
Hermann Memorial Urgent Care Near Me
Shoreone Insurance A.m. Best Rating
Boggle BrainBusters: Find 7 States | BOOMER Magazine
Cbs Fantasy Mlb
The Transformation Of Vanessa Ray From Childhood To Blue Bloods - Looper
Sc Pick 4 Evening Archives
Oxford House Peoria Il
Search All of Craigslist: A Comprehensive Guide - First Republic Craigslist
Craigslist Tulsa Ok Farm And Garden
Kerry Cassidy Portal
Joey Gentile Lpsg
Join MileSplit to get access to the latest news, films, and events!
Coroner Photos Timothy Treadwell
Santa Clara County prepares for possible ‘tripledemic,’ with mask mandates for health care settings next month
Canvas Elms Umd
Stoughton Commuter Rail Schedule
Minute Clinic Mooresville Nc
Epower Raley's
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Frankie Dare

Last Updated:

Views: 6105

Rating: 4.2 / 5 (73 voted)

Reviews: 88% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Frankie Dare

Birthday: 2000-01-27

Address: Suite 313 45115 Caridad Freeway, Port Barabaraville, MS 66713

Phone: +3769542039359

Job: Sales Manager

Hobby: Baton twirling, Stand-up comedy, Leather crafting, Rugby, tabletop games, Jigsaw puzzles, Air sports

Introduction: My name is Frankie Dare, I am a funny, beautiful, proud, fair, pleasant, cheerful, enthusiastic person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.