Effortlessly Peel Hard-Boiled Eggs With The Rolling Technique

Hard-boiled eggs are delicious and nutritious. They're full of protein and vitamins, and they're pretty filling. They're also easy to make: All you need to do is boil the eggs. They're pretty versatile, too. Eat them plain, add them to a salad, or chop them up to make your favorite egg salad recipe.

However, hard-boiled eggs can be tricky to peel. All too often, the shell breaks into countless tiny pieces, making it time-consuming and frustrating to get every last bit off. Other times, the egg itself breaks while you're trying to remove the shell, and this can ruin dishes like deviled eggs or classic pickled eggs. There are plenty of different tips and tricks for making it easier to peel hard-boiled eggs. There's an easy rolling technique that doesn't require any special ingredients or products, and it's a simple way to get the shell off without squishing the egg. It's also a technique Ina Garten uses to peel her eggs, so you know it's good.

The reason it can be so difficult to peel hard-boiled eggs is that the egg whites tend to bond with the inner membrane of the shell as they cook. To successfully peel your eggs, you need to break that membrane. The rolling method helps to break it up so it's easier to separate the shell.

Here's how it works: Once your eggs are done cooking and are cooled off (an ice water bath is a good way to accomplish this), tap the top and bottom of the egg on a hard surface. A plate, cutting board, or even a clean countertop will do the trick. Then, gently roll the egg against the hard surface or between your hands to crack the shell. This gentle movement helps to break the shell and loosen both the shell and membrane away from the egg. Make sure you're not doing it with too much force. If you press too hard, you might squish the egg. From there, it should be easy to peel the shell right off.

If you're still having trouble or if you're squishing or ripping the egg as you try to get the shell off, you can try using water to your advantage, too. Hold the egg under cold running water or in a bowl of water as you roll it and peel the shell off. When the water gets between the egg and the membrane, it can help separate the egg from the shell.