For deviled eggs, the ideal method is to boil the eggs until they are fully hard-boiled but still tender enough to peel easily and have a creamy yolk texture. The common and recommended boiling times are:
- Bring water to a boil first.
- Gently lower the eggs into the boiling water.
- Boil gently for about 10 to 12 minutes. If the eggs are straight from the refrigerator, 12 minutes is recommended; if at room temperature, 10 minutes may suffice
- Alternatively, some methods suggest bringing eggs to a rolling boil, then turning off the heat, covering the pot, and letting the eggs sit in the hot water for about 12 minutes
- After boiling, immediately transfer the eggs to an ice water bath to cool completely, which stops the cooking process and makes peeling easier
This approach ensures the yolks are fully cooked but not overcooked (avoiding greenish rings or chalky texture) and that the eggs peel cleanly, which is essential for making neat deviled eggs
. In summary, boil eggs for deviled eggs for about 10 to 12 minutes, then cool them in ice water before peeling and preparing the filling
