Hard-boiling eggs for dyeing couldn't be simpler. They're also easier to work with than delicate blown eggs, easier to hide (say, in a cookie jar or Easter basket), and less delicate for tiny hands to handle. With this method, you're be well down the road toward a less-troublesome Easter celebration. Follow our simple steps as a starting point for your Easter egg-dying ritual or throughout the rest of the year for plain hard-boiled eggs that are simply delicious.
Materials
- Big pot for boiling
- Water
- Strainer, spider, or slotted spoon
- Eggs
- Timer
- Large bowl
- Ice water
Instructions
Step 1: Boil Water
Fill a big pot about ⅔ full of water. Cover the pot and bring to a boil over high heat.
Step 2: Place Eggs in Water
With water boiling, gently lower your eggs into the pot, a few at a time. (A small strainer, spider, or slotted spoon is ideal for the job.) Lower eggs to the bottom of the pot and roll them gently off the strainer, so they don't crack when they hit the pot floor.
Step 3: Lower to a Simmer
Immediately set a timer for 10 minutes. Turn down the heat so the water is simmering vigorously but not boiling, which can cause the eggs to bump into one another and crack.
Step 4: Transfer to an Ice Bath
While eggs are boiling, fill a large bowl with ice and water. When the timer goes off, turn off the heat. Use your spider, strainer, or slotted spoon to lift eggs out of the water and immediately transfer them to the ice bath. Let cool until easy to handle, and then dye or decorate as you like.
Frequently Asked Questions
What color eggs should you start with?
White and brown eggs are equally appropriate for dyeing. The right choice depends on your taste and your Easter décor. The most common pick for Easter is white eggs, which provide a blank canvas that results in bright, vibrant colors when dyed. For richer, deeper colors, try boiling brown eggs, which turn out more saturated jewel tones like sage, berry, rust, teal, and ruby.
Are Easter eggs edible?
It depends. Dyed Easter eggs are only safe to eat under the following conditions:
- Eggs are dyed using traditional food-safe dye or natural dye.
- Eggs haven't been left out of the fridge for more than 2 hours (or for longer than 1 hour if the temperature is above 90°F).
When stored in the fridge, hard-boiled eggs (Easter and otherwise) last for up to one week.
How do you boil eggs without cracking?
Be sure to carefully lower eggs all the way into the bottom of the pan with a spider, slotted spoon, or strainer. Dropping an egg in is the surest way to crack it! Second, be sure the water doesn't go above a lively simmer. If it's truly boiling, the eggs are likely to jostle each other and crack.
Do you need to put vinegar in the water when boiling Easter eggs?
No. You boil eggs before you dye them, so there's no need to add vinegar to the water during this process.
How do you dye boiled eggs with food coloring?
Start with cold or room temperature eggs and dip them in a mixture of vinegar and food coloring. The longer the eggs stay in the mixture the more intense the color will be. Get step-by-step instructions.
