To boil eggs that peel easily, follow these key steps:
- Start with bringing a pot of water to a boil, enough to cover the eggs by about an inch.
- Gently add room temperature or slightly warmed eggs into the boiling water.
- Cook the eggs for 12 to 14 minutes once the water is boiling.
- Immediately transfer the eggs to an ice water bath for 5 to 10 minutes to stop the cooking and cool them quickly.
- To peel, tap the egg on a hard surface, then gently roll it to create cracks, and peel from the bottom (air pocket side) where it’s easier to get under the membrane.
Additional tips for easy peeling:
- Starting with boiling water rather than cold water helps make the shells come off more smoothly.
- Letting the eggs sit in ice water after boiling is crucial to stop cooking and loosen the shell.
- Peeling the eggs under running water or submerged in water can make the shell come off more easily.
- Using slightly older eggs can help, but if using fresh eggs, the above method works well.
- Some recommend steaming eggs rather than boiling for easier peeling.
This method avoids rubbery whites and green yolks and ensures the best peelable texture.