How To Peel Hard Boiled Eggs Without Destroying Them?

Now that we’ve found our favorite method for hard boiling eggs, we need to do at least one more thing to make them edible: we have to peel them without destroying them. After we peel them, we can eat them or slice them or use them in other recipes.

Let’s look at different ways how to peel hard-boiled eggs.

You could just boil your eggs and then peel them, but the shell rarely comes off cleanly without damaging the egg.

I’ve read about many methods of removing the shell. I’ve watched a lot of videos of eggs being peeled. I’ve tried these different methods myself and will let you benefit from my experience.

You don’t have to experiment, because I’ve done it for you!

There are several methods for peeling, but all of them start with eggs that have been allowed to cool in cold water. I’ve found this to be absolutely necessary to not damage the eggs during the peeling process.

 

#1 Hand Rolling Method

This is the least complicated method of peeling an egg and requires no special equipment or additional steps.

1. Gently tap the egg on a hard surface to make the initial crack.
2. With the flat of your hand, roll the egg across the surface. Keep the pressure constant so the shell will continue to crack as it rolls.
3. The egg should peel easily.

#2 Shaking the egg in a glass of water

For this method, you will need an egg, a glass or jar, and water.

1. Place the egg in a glass or jar and cover it with water.
2. Place your hand over the top of the jar and vigorously shake the jar for a few seconds.
3. Remove the egg from the jar. The peel should fall off. Note: the egg can get damaged using this method.

Related reading: Hot To Make Hard Boiled Eggs – 13 Ways Of Making The Perfect Boiled Eggs

#3 Spoon technique

For this method, you will need an egg and a spoon.

1. Tap the egg on a hard surface and make cracks all over the egg.
2. Find the biggest crack and gently insert a spoon between the shell and the egg.
3. Rotate the spoon around the egg, loosening the shell.
4. The shell should come off easily without damaging the egg.

This may require a little practice to feel where to move the spoon, but it does work nicely.

#4 Peeling the egg under cold water

For this method, you will need an egg and a bowl of water. You could also hold the egg under running water.

1. Tap the egg on a hard surface and make cracks all over the egg.
2. Place the egg in the water bowl or hold it under running water.
3. Peel the egg. The shell should come off easily without damaging the egg.

#5 Crack and Blow

This method of peeling starts before boiling the egg. Add a dash of baking soda to the water. Allow to cool completely after boiling.

1. Crack the top and bottom of the shell, then remove them. Make sure the bottom of the egg is completely clear of the shell.
2. Place your mouth on the top of the egg and BLOW. The egg will pop out the bottom of the shell.

This was fun and took a couple of tries to perfect. I don’t recommend using this method on any eggs that you are serving to other people.

#6 Peel from the air sack

This method doesn’t require any special equipment, only that you pay special attention to.

1. Tap the egg on a hard surface, cracking the entire shell.
2. Gently press on the shell to locate the air sack.
3. Peel from the air sack. The shell some come off without damaging the egg.

This takes a little practice since the air sack isn’t always in the same place.

Related reading: How To Slice Hard Boiled Eggs?

#7 Add vinegar to the water

This method also starts before the eggs are cooked. Add a little vinegar to the water before boiling the eggs.

1. After boiling the egg in water with vinegar, allow cooling in cold water.
2. Gently crack the egg on a hard surface, making cracks all over the egg.
3. Peel the egg. The shell should come off without damaging the egg.

In spite of the odor, this was the only method that made the egg shell feel different. When I took the egg from the cooling bath, it felt slippery. When I cracked it on a hard surface, the shell felt more brittle and cracked more easily than any other egg I had cooked.

#8 Cracking the egg prior to cooling

This method starts immediately after the eggs are removed from the boiling water.

1. Being careful not to burn yourself. Make cracks all over the surface of the eggs.
2. Place the eggs in cold water to cool for about 10 minutes.
3. Remove the eggs from the water bath and peel them.

This method worked very well. The shells peeled off easily and didn’t damage the eggs.

Related reading: Can You Put Crock Pot in Fridge?

Conclusion

There are various ways to peel hard boiled eggs, including the traditional method of tapping and rolling, the ice water bath method, and the crack and blow method. Each method has its own set of pros and cons, but overall, it’s important to use fresh eggs for the best results.

Whether you tap, roll, slice, or shock them with cold water, with some practice, any method can create beautiful, peeled eggs that are perfect for salads, sandwiches, or any other dish.

With a little practice and patience, you can find the perfect technique for you.

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