The ideal boiling time for eggs depends on the desired level of doneness:
- For runny yolks, boil eggs for about 6 minutes.
- For soft-boiled eggs with a slightly set yolk, boil for 8 minutes.
- For classic hard-boiled eggs with fully set yolks, boil for 10 minutes.
- Boiling for 15 minutes or longer results in rubbery whites and dry yolks, which is generally not recommended
The recommended method is to bring water to a boil first, then gently lower fridge-cold eggs into the boiling water, reduce the heat to maintain a gentle boil, and start timing. After boiling, transfer the eggs to cold water to stop cooking and make peeling easier
. Additional timing notes from other sources:
- Some suggest 5 minutes for set whites with runny yolks, 7 minutes for almost set yolks, and 10 minutes for hard-boiled eggs
- Another method involves boiling eggs for 10 minutes, then cooling in ice water for 5 minutes
- For perfect hard-boiled eggs, cooking at a bare simmer for about 11 minutes is also recommended
In summary, 6 minutes for runny yolks, 8 minutes for soft-boiled, and 10 minutes for hard-boiled eggs is a reliable guideline when starting with boiling water and fridge-cold eggs
