Exactly How To Reheat Boiled Eggs

Boiled eggs make the perfect snack.

They’re quick to cook, but even saving two minutes in the morning can make a difference.

So can you prepare them in bulk and reheat them later?

The answer is yes! Warming them up is surprisingly fast, easy, and hassle-free.

In this post, I’ll show you three different ways to reheat boiled eggs. I’ll also touch on how best to store them to keep them nice and fresh.

A note on my experiment

For convenience’s sake, I often boil a whole batch of eggs in one go and keep them for later, which means I’ve become a pro at reheating them.

The methods I’ve experimented with in the past include:

• Using hot water (best method overall)
• In the microwave (risky)
• Steaming (similar to the hot water method)

The hot water method is my go-to. It’s the lowest risk and produces consistently good results.

The microwave is good if you’re in a real hurry, but it can be daunting considering the eggs-plotion potential involved.

The steamer produces similar results to the hot water method, but it’s more effort.

Reheating boiled eggs with hot water

Bring some water to just below boiling. Then, remove it from the heat and submerge your leftover boiled eggs in the water before covering the pot with a lid. Allow the eggs to warm up for 4-5 minutes. Remove them from the water, pat them dry, and serve immediately.

Leave your eggs submerged for a few minutes longer for a warmer yolk or if they’re in their shells.

How to reheat boiled eggs in hot water:

1. Boil some water on the stove or in a kettle.
2. Remove the water from the heat source and submerge your boiled eggs in it.
3. Cover the pot with a lid and allow your eggs to warm for 4-5 minutes (minimum, longer is fine too).
4. Remove the eggs from the pot, pat them dry, and serve.

You can also boil water in the microwave or even a coffee machine!

4-5 minutes is a suggested time frame. The whites will be warm, but the yolk may still be a bit cold.

There’s no harm in leaving the eggs in the water for longer than 4-5 minutes because the water will be cooling down, so there’s no risk of overcooking the eggs.

My verdict

This method is low-risk, low-fuss, and effective.

My egg whites were nice and warm, and while the yolk wasn’t particularly hot, it hadn’t cooked further.

This is a residual rather than a direct heating method, so it works well for soft-boiled eggs too.

Reheating boiled eggs in the microwave

Peel your leftover boiled eggs before splitting them in half or cutting them into slices. Lay your egg pieces out on a microwave-safe plate and cover them with a lid or a piece of paper towel. Microwave on medium heat (50% power) for 10-15 seconds. Once hot, serve immediately.

If you’d like them warmer, pop them back into the microwave in 5-10 second intervals until heated to your satisfaction.

How to reheat boiled eggs in the microwave:

1. Peel your boiled eggs and cut them into halves or slices.
2. Place on a microwave-safe plate.
3. Cover with a lid or a piece of paper towel.
4. Microwave on medium heat (50% power) for 10-15 seconds.
5. Once warm, serve immediately.

Reheating eggs in the microwave is risky because they can explode.

Slicing your eggs reduces the chances of this, but it’s still not guaranteed.

Never reheat an egg in its whole form, and always cover it with a lid or some sort of shield, like a paper towel, to contain it (if the worst happens).

It’s easy to overheat eggs and turn them rubbery in the microwave. Sticking to a low heat and short warming intervals helps prevent this.

My verdict

This method worked well in the sense that I ended up with a nice warm egg, but the risk of explosion makes me hesitant to recommend it.

There’s also a good chance of overheating your eggs and turning them rubbery, as this can happen in a matter of seconds.

I’d stick to the hot water method unless I was in a major rush.

Also, the microwave method is only suitable for hard-boiled eggs as it will cook a soft-boiled yolk.

Reheating boiled eggs by steaming

Set up your steamer and bring some water to the boil in the lower compartment. Then, place your eggs in the steamer basket and cover them with a lid. Allow them to warm up for 2-3 minutes, turning them at the halfway mark to heat evenly. Remove, peel (if needed), and serve.

This method works well for reheating multiple boiled eggs at once.

How to reheat boiled eggs by steaming

1. Set up your steamer.
2. Add water to the lower compartment and bring it to the boil.
3. Place your eggs in the steamer basket and cover with a lid.
4. Warm for 2-3 minutes, turning once at the halfway mark.
5. Remove from the basket and serve.

The time it takes to warm your eggs can also depend on how cold they are to begin with.

Straight from the fridge may take a little longer than if you let them reach room temperature while waiting for the water in your steamer to heat up.

If you don’t have a steamer, you can improvise by using a regular pot, a colander, and a lid.

My verdict

While this method works well, it’s not superior to heating your eggs in a hot water bath and therefore feels like unnecessary effort.

The steamer is suitable for soft-boiled eggs too, but you may want to reduce their warming time to prevent overheating them.

How to reheat soft-boiled eggs

To reheat soft-boiled eggs, bring a small amount of water (an inch or so) to the boil in a small pot. Turn the heat off and gently place your eggs in the pot and cover them with a lid. Heat for 3 minutes, remove and serve immediately.

This is the recommended timing for leftover soft-boiled eggs that have been refrigerated. For room temperature eggs, reduce your warming time.

Is reheating boiled eggs safe?

There is no significant scientific data to suggest that reheating boiled eggs is unsafe, so long as they have been stored and refrigerated properly. At worst, reheating eggs will negatively impact their texture, potentially turning them rubbery or dry.

It’s also best to reheat them to a recommended temperature of between 110°F and 140°F (45°C to 60°C).

Why do boiled eggs explode in the microwave?

When you cook an egg, it turns from its uncooked liquid state to a solid form. However, some liquid may remain in tiny “water pockets” even after the egg is fully cooked. These water pockets can overheat to a point exceeding boiling water in the microwave, which the egg’s delicate shell cannot contain.

The result is generally a loud bang and bits of egg flying everywhere.

How to store boiled eggs

You can keep boiled eggs in the fridge for up to 7 days, and you can store them peeled or unpeeled. For unpeeled eggs, simply keep them in an airtight container. If you’ve peeled the eggs, line the container with a damp paper towel and cover the eggs with another damp paper towel to keep them moist.

You can also submerge the eggs in cold water instead of using paper towels. Change the water or the paper towels every two days.

Can you freeze boiled eggs?

Hard-boiled egg yolks freeze well and can be kept for later use in various dishes. On the other hand, egg whites cannot be frozen and will turn watery, tough, and inedible when reheated. For this reason, you’ll need to separate the yolks from your whites before freezing them.

Frozen egg yolks retain their best quality in the freezer for up to 6 months.

Psst… a handy use for leftover egg yolks if for thickening runny deviled eggs.

How to freeze boiled eggs:

1. Cool you eggs to room temperature.
2. Separate your egg yolks from the egg whites.
3. Line a baking tray with parchment paper.
4. Spread your egg yolks out on the baking tray and freeze for 1-2 hours.
5. Once hard, transfer your yolks into an airtight zip-lock bag.
6. Remove the excess air while sealing.
7. Return your yolks to the freezer and use them within 6 months.

Flash-freezing your yolks prevents them from clumping together and makes it easier to grab your desired portion for reheating.

Removing the air from your zip-lock bag will keep them fresher for longer and reduce the risk of freezer burn.

The best way to remove the air is to dunk the bag in a bowl of water while sealing it. The water will force the air out.

How to thaw boiled eggs

To thaw boiled egg yolks, leave them overnight in the fridge until they’re soft and ready to be reheated. Alternatively, run the sealed package under cold running water until they defrost.

See Also:
– How To Make Round Eggs Without Egg Ring
– Can You Reheat Hollandaise Sauce?

Exactly How To Reheat Boiled Eggs

Ingredients

• 1 portion boiled eggs

Instructions

• Boil some water on the stove or in a kettle.
• Remove the water from the heat source and submerge your boiled eggs in it.
• Cover the pot with a lid and allow your eggs to warm for 4-5 minutes (minimum, longer is fine too).
• Remove the eggs from the pot, pat them dry, and serve.