deviled egg with chives, crab, and bacon on it

At Ajpal, I add lots of tips in all of my recipes – because I am a home cook without any formal training, and I find I am more confident making dishes when I understand why it works, and what each ingredient means to the flavor of a recipe. My goal is for even the most beginner home cook to feel empowered in the kitchen.

How to Boil Deviled Eggs

Boiling eggs is super easy – but there are a couple of ways to make it even easier to know you have perfectly boiled eggs for deviled eggs!

Place eggs in a large saucepan.

Cover them with cool water by 1 inch.

Cover pan with a lid and bring water to a rolling boil over high heat; when the water has reached a boil, set the timer for the desired time.

Boil for 6 to 7 minutes over medium-high heat for perfect hard boiled eggs.

How Long To Boil Eggs

How the middle of your egg’s yolk looks and feels is easy to control based on how long you boil your eggs for deviled eggs.

Important note: It is best to boil eggs in a pot with a very thick, heavy base, since it will retain heat better and spread the heat more evenly.

-Soft-boiled eggs: 4 minutes

-Slightly soft-boiled eggs: 5 minutes

-Custardy yet firm soft-boiled eggs: 6 minutes

-Creamy hard-boiled eggs: 7 minutes

-Firm yet still creamy hard-boiled eggs: 8 minutes

-Very firm hard boiled eggs: 9 minutes

group of deviled egg with chives, crab, and bacon on it

Easy To Peel Boiled Eggs

Once your boiled eggs are cool, crack the eggs and place in cold water for 10 minutes, then try to peel them – the shock of cold water helps the shells come off quickly.

How To Cut Deviled Eggs

Deviled eggs get their signature look from being sliced in half, the yolks scooped out and whipped with mayo and mustard, and then piped back in.

For perfectly cut deviled eggs:

-Start with boiled eggs that have cooled.

-Cut boiled, peeled eggs in half lengthwise with a smooth, single motion.

-Gently scoop yolk from middle of egg – it should pop out.

-Remove yolks and place in a small bowl.

-If making ahead of time, store egg white halves in a tightly sealed container in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

How To Pipe Deviled Eggs

You can easily use a spoon to scoop your egg yolk filling back in your eggs, but it is so easy (and so much prettier) to pipe it back in!

While a pastry bag with a star tip will give you a dramatic look, it’s easy to pipe the egg yolk filling by just using a plastic bag with the tip cut off. Don’t worry too much if it looks a little haphazard – topping the eggs with bacon, chives, and sriracha will make even the sloppiest of piping jobs look perfect!

-Add Yolk mixture to pastry bag or ziploc bag with the tip of one corner cut off.

-Gently pipe yolk mixture back into egg.

-If you like spicy food and want extra spicy deviled eggs, mix a little mayonnaise with sriracha and then top with more sriracha!

How Far Ahead Can I Make Deviled Eggs

Deviled eggs can be hard-boiled and peeled up to 1 day in advance and stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container.

The eggs can also be sliced, and yolk filling prepped, a day in advance – but save the yolk filling in a small airtight container, and save the piping for just before serving the deviled eggs.

Fill the egg white shells when ready to serve, and top with sriracha, diced chives, paprika, and bacon.