This simple method and plenty of tips will help you make perfect easy to peel hard-boiled eggs every time!

With spring officially in full swing and Easter just around the corner, there will be lots of deviled eggs happening in many of our kitchens very soon. I thought this was the right time to share some simple tips that will result in hard-boiled eggs with a creamy, bright yellow center and an easy to peel shell, making them perfect for all of your Easter recipes.

Once you try this method, there’s no going back.

There’s nothing more frustrating than boiling up a batch of eggs only to peel them and end up with something that looks like this. If you’re chopping them up to make egg salad for sandwiches, no big deal. If the plan is to use them to make deviled eggs, this just won’t cut it.

(Disclaimer: Please disregard the sad condition of my nails in the photos included in this post. I am in serious need of both a manicure and time to go get a manicure.)

Let’s get to work and boil some eggs.

How to Make Easy to Peel Hard-Boiled Eggs

• Arrange eggs in a single layer in the bottom of a large pot. Add cold water until the eggs are covered by about 2-inches
• Place the pot over high heat and bring it to a boil.
• Just as soon as it comes to a boil, remove the pot from heat and place the cover on. Let it sit, covered, for 15 minutes. Set a timer so you’ll be sure to keep them from overcooking.

Always cook 2 or 3 extra eggs over and above what you need for your recipe just in case there’s an uncooperative one in the bunch. I need a dozen eggs for the deviled eggs I’m making so I’m boiling 15 eggs.

• After 15 minutes, transfer the eggs directly from the hot water to a large bowl of ice water. Let the eggs sit in the ice water bath for 15 minutes. This is the “shocking” process and it is key to ensuring the eggs will be easy to peel. After 15 minutes, the eggs will be cool, ready to peel, and you can move on with your recipe without delay.

I recommend peeling the eggs immediately upon removing them from the ice water bath for the best result. If you are not using the eggs right away, they must be refrigerated until ready to use.

How to Peel Hard-Boiled Eggs

• Tap the egg lightly on a cutting board or kitchen counter to crack the shell on both sides.
• Roll the egg back and forth to crack it all over.
• Begin to pull at the cracked shell, heading towards one of the ends of the egg.
• Small bits may come off at first but they should get larger as you near the end of the egg where there’s a bit of space between the egg and shell.

The remaining shell should come off quite easily.

Beautiful.

Keep that bowl of mostly melted ice water nearby and give the peeled egg a dunk to make sure there are no shell fragments left behind.

FAQ’s and Valerie’s Tips

I hope these tips help you produce perfect hard-boiled eggs for all of your recipes for spring and beyond!