The boiling time for eggs depends on how you like the yolk and white cooked:
- For a runny yolk with set white (soft boiled), boil for about 5-6 minutes.
- For a slightly firmer, almost set yolk, boil for 7-8 minutes.
- For a classic hard-boiled egg with a fully set yolk but not dry, boil for around 10 minutes.
- For very firm, fully hard-boiled eggs, boil up to 12-14 minutes.
A common recommended method is to bring water to a boil first, then gently lower fridge-cold eggs into the boiling water, start timing, and boil for:
- 6 minutes for runny yolks,
- 8 minutes for soft boiled,
- 10 minutes for hard boiled.
After boiling, immediately place eggs in an ice-water bath to stop cooking and make peeling easier
. Cooking times can vary slightly based on egg size:
- Small eggs: 7-8 minutes for hard boiled,
- Medium eggs: about 10 minutes,
- Large eggs: 11-12 minutes,
- Extra-large eggs: 12 minutes or more
In summary:
- Soft boiled: 5-8 minutes
- Hard boiled: 10-12 minutes
Adjust timing slightly depending on your preference for yolk consistency and egg size
