Sear Your Hard-Boiled Egg for a Healthy Snack
Looking for a snack that fills you up and fuels you well? The humble hard-boiled egg is a small powerhouse of nutrition, but easily overlooked. We’re upgrading the boiled egg in 10 sexy, spicy, flavor-jammed ways for better snacking.
Sometimes the very best way to upgrade a hard-boiled egg doesn’t involve extra ingredients, but a second round of cooking. It doesn’t matter if you’ve just cooked it, or it was made three days ago — treat your egg to a few minutes in a sizzling hot skillet. You’ll be rewarded with a wholesome snack that boasts a delicate crisp texture on one side, balanced by creamy innards.
First, Make Your Hard-Boiled Eggs
Before you can transform your basic hard-boiled egg into a satisfying snack or quick meal, you’ve got to cook it. There are a couple methods — choose the one that’s best for you.
1. On the stovetop: This is the classic cooking method for making hard-boiled eggs, and the one we lean on when cooking just a few eggs at a time. Once the pot of eggs comes to a boil, remove it from the heat and set a timer to get the eggs cooked just the way you like them.
- For firm yet still creamy hard-boiled eggs: 7 minutes
- For very firm hard-boiled eggs: 9 minutes
2. In an electric pressure cooker: Cooking a big batch of hard-boiled eggs? The electric pressure cooker (or Instant Pot) is our favorite tool for the job.
- For firm yet still creamy hard-boiled eggs: 7 to 8 minutes
- For very firm hard-boiled eggs: 9 to 10 minutes
How to Sear a Hard-Boiled Egg
Heat about 1/2 tablespoon of olive oil in a small skillet over medium heat. When the oil is hot and shimmering, add a peeled and halved hard-boiled egg, cut-side down into the pan. Sear for about 2 minutes, until the bottom is crisped. Remove from the pan, sprinkle with flaky salt, and eat immediately.
Upgrade a Hard-Boiled Egg
All it takes is a little inspiration to transform a hard-boiled egg from a basic peel-and-eat snack to one that’s supremely satisfying — even meal-worthy! This series will open your eyes to all the ways to upgrade the beloved hard-boiled egg with the help of no more than three basic pantry ingredients.