The Easiest Way to Boil Eggs Is in an Electric Kettle
Can you boil eggs in a kettle?
Absolutely! Boiling eggs in a kettle isn’t only possible—it’s the easiest method.
Here’s why it works so well:
Convenience: It’s quicker and simpler than boiling on the stove.
No burner needed: Ideal for hotel rooms, dorms, or anywhere without a full kitchen.
Portable: As long as you’ve got an outlet, you can make boiled eggs just about anywhere.
If you're shopping for a kettle that works well for this, check out my article on the Best Electric Kettles for Cooking.
Now, let’s dive into how to boil eggs in a kettle step-by-step!
How to Boil Eggs in an Electric Kettle
Step 1: Place eggs in a kettle and cover with water
Use a kettle without an exposed element to prevent cracking. Add eggs and fill with cold water up to the max line.
For even cooking, fill the kettle only halfway with eggs, adjusting based on capacity. The kettle shown below can hold up to 12 eggs and 1.7 liters of water.
Step 2: Add salt or vinegar to the kettle for easy peeling
Add 1 tablespoon of salt or vinegar to help the shells peel more easily. I typically use salt, but either works!
Step 3: Begin boiling eggs in the kettle
Turn the kettle on and wait for it to automatically shut off when the water comes to a boil.
Immediately after it shuts off, set a timer for 10 minutes for hard yolks, 7 minutes for medium, or 5 minutes for soft.
Step 4: Cool eggs quickly
When the timer is up, carefully remove the eggs from the electric kettle by pouring out the hot water first with the lid closed.
Then open the lid and either grab them with tongs or run them under cold water until they are safe to handle, then place them in a prepared ice bath to cool.
Alternatively, run under cold water for a few minutes if you don’t have any ice.
💡Pro Tip: If you’re staying in a hotel, get a bucket of ice and use that for your ice bath.
Step 5: Chill boiled eggs before peeling
Allow at least 15 minutes to cool, peel, and enjoy!
Check out my egg salad recipe if you want to make something out of your perfectly boiled eggs. Or for a fun afternoon snack try putting my easy bean dip on top of halved hard-boiled eggs.
FAQs About Boiling Eggs in a Kettle
How many minutes to boil eggs in an electric kettle?
For hard-boiled eggs: 10 minutes after the auto shut-off
For medium-boiled eggs: 7 minutes after the auto shut-off
For soft-boiled eggs: 5 minutes after the auto shut-off
What’s the best way to boil eggs for easy peeling?
Add a tablespoon of salt or vinegar to the water before boiling the eggs and chill in an ice bath after cooking.
How to boil eggs in kettle without breaking?
To boil eggs in a kettle without breaking, place them gently in the kettle first and avoid aggressively moving the kettle once the eggs are in. Do not use a kettle with an exposed heating element, as the high heat from the coil can crack any eggs touching it.
How to clean an electric kettle after boiling eggs?
Simply rinse the kettle with warm water. If there’s any residue, use a mixture of vinegar and water to clean the inside.
Recipe Ideas for Boiled Eggs
Now that you’ve got your electric kettle-boiled eggs, you have a versatile ingredient to incorporate into your favorite dishes.
But if you need a little inspiration, here’s a list of ideas on how to use them:
High-protein snack - top with bean dip, guacamole, or pico de gallo salsa for a quick snack.
Egg salad - use hard-boiled eggs to make a healthy egg salad.
Nicoise salad - the classic combination of boiled eggs, tuna, potatoes, green beans, and olives makes for a hearty lunch.
Camping power salad – toss crisp kale, chickpeas, crunchy veggies, and pickled onions in creamy tahini dressing for an easy make-ahead power salad for camping, then top with hard-boiled eggs and toasted sesame seeds.
Egg and avocado toast - mash avocados and spread on toasted bread, top with sliced hard-boiled eggs or runny soft-boiled eggs and pickled red onions.
Sabih sandwich - stuff pita pockets with hard-boiled eggs, fried eggplant, hummus, zough sauce, chopped Middle Eastern salad, fresh parsley, and pickles.
Asparagus and soft-boiled egg - saute or roast asparagus, then top with grated parmesan, a soft-boiled egg, and my easy immersion blender hollandaise sauce.
That’s it—enjoy your perfectly boiled eggs!
Boiling eggs doesn’t have to be complicated. Using an electric kettle makes the process super easy, whether you’re at home or traveling.
I ended up discovering this method when we were staying in a Bali villa that was not well equipped, but like most households in Asia, there was an electric kettle. It’s so easy that I’ve been boiling my eggs this way ever since!
Give this method a try, and let me know how it goes in the comments below. What else do you like to cook in your electric kettle? I’d love to hear your ideas!
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