Quick Answers
Some tasty and healthy toppings to try on hard-boiled eggs other than just salt include:
- Fresh herbs like chives, dill, parsley
- Spices like paprika, cayenne, black pepper
- Cheese like feta, Parmesan, cheddar
- Sauces and condiments like mayo, mustard, hot sauce
- Veggies like avocado, tomatoes, spinach
- Spreads like hummus, tapenade, pesto
- Meats like bacon bits, sausage, ham
Get creative and mix and match flavors! Almost anything can taste great on an egg when paired thoughtfully. The options are endless for easy and delicious toppings to liven up plain hard-boiled eggs.
Herbs and Spices
One of the simplest options for topping hard-boiled eggs is fresh or dried herbs and spices. These ingredients add lots of flavor without many calories or complicated prep.
Popular fresh herb choices include:
- Chives – Offer a mild oniony bite and fresh green color.
- Dill – Provides a taste of licorice and goes well with smoked salmon.
- Parsley – Brightens up eggs with its fresh, green flavor.
- Cilantro – Adds a citrusy, aromatic taste and pairs well with spicy seasonings.
- Basil – Provides a sweet yet peppery flavor that complements eggs nicely.
You can use these fresh herbs whole or chopped. Try mixing them into an egg salad, sprinkling them on top of deviled eggs, or garnishing boiled eggs for extra freshness.
Popular dried herb and spice choices include:
- Paprika – Adds a mild spicy and smoky taste and bright red-orange color.
- Cayenne pepper – Brings some heat and zip to boiled eggs.
- Red pepper flakes – Another hot and spicy option with a fiery kick.
- Black pepper – A simple way to add some peppery punch to plain eggs.
- Garlic powder – Provides a savory garlic flavor without the mess and prep of fresh garlic.
- Onion powder – Similarly brings an oniony zing without having to use fresh onions.
These dried herbs and spices make it easy to add lots of flavor. They come in handy shakers so you can quickly dash them on boiled eggs anytime.
Cheese
Melting cheese onto hard-boiled eggs is an easy way to make them more intriguing and luxurious. The creaminess and savoriness of cheese pairs wonderfully with hard-boiled eggs.
Some great cheese choices include:
- Feta – Crumbles nicely over eggs with its salty, tangy flavor.
- Goat cheese – Spreads smoothly and adds a luscious tartness.
- Cheddar – A classic melting cheese that becomes deliciously rich and creamy when heated.
- Parmesan – Offers a sharp, nutty flavor and becomes beautifully golden brown when baked or broiled.
- Mozzarella – Melts perfectly into stretchy deliciousness.
- Gruyere – Melts exquisitely with its nutty, salty tones.
- Blue cheese – Crumbles nicely over eggs with its punchy, pungent flavor.
To add cheese, you can simply top halved hard-boiled eggs with crumbled bits. For warm melted cheese, top the eggs with shredded cheese and melt under the broiler for 1-2 minutes until bubbly. Mixing diced cheese into egg salad is another tasty option.
Sauces and Condiments
Drizzling eggs with sauces and condiments is an effortless way to wake up their flavor. Options like mayo, mustard and hot sauce can all do the trick.
- Mayonnaise – Slather on its creamy, eggy richness or blend into egg salad.
- Mustard – Yellow, Dijon or whole grain mustards all provide a tangy flavor pop.
- Ketchup – The classic condiment pairs perfectly with hard-boiled eggs.
- Hot sauce – Dash on sriracha, Tabasco or other hot sauces for instant heat.
- Horseradish – Mix in or top eggs with this spicy condiment.
- Worchestershire sauce – Features a bold umami taste.
- Steak sauce – Another savory, umami-rich option.
These sauces can be drizzled onto boiled egg halves, blended into egg salad fillings, or served alongside for dipping. They add moisture and strong flavors that complement eggs exceptionally.
Veggies
Adding fresh, colorful veggies is a healthy way to top hard-boiled eggs. Options like tomatoes, avocados and leafy greens give eggs extra nutrition and crunch.
Some great veggie choices include:
- Tomatoes – Cherry or grape tomatoes cut in half make a juicy, vibrant topping.
- Avocado – Mash or slice avocado onto egg halves for creaminess.
- Spinach – Fresh spinach adds texture and a nutrient boost.
- Arugula – Has a pleasant peppery bite.
- Bell peppers – Diced red, yellow or orange peppers look beautiful on eggs.
- Radishes – Offer a crisp, refreshing crunch.
- Scallions – Provide flavorful oniony notes.
You can also use cooked veggies like roasted red peppers, grilled zucchini or sautéed mushrooms. Steam or blanch greens like kale or broccoli to soften them up. Veggie toppings give eggs extra fiber, vitamins and minerals.
Spreads
Nutrient-dense spreads like hummus, tapenade and pesto make excellent hard-boiled egg toppings too. They add richness and plant-based protein.
- Hummus – Creamy chickpea hummus provides filling fiber and protein.
- Baba ghanoush – Made from smoky grilled eggplants.
- Olive tapenade – Made from olives, capers, anchovies and olive oil.
- Pesto – Bright basil and garlicky pesto is always a crowd-pleaser.
- Romesco – A Spanish sauce made with roasted peppers, garlic and almonds.
- Muhammara – A Middle Eastern red pepper and walnut spread.
- Sun-dried tomato pesto – Packs a flavorful antioxidant punch.
These spreads pack big flavors into plant-based nutrition. They can be dolloped onto egg halves, used as dips, or blended into egg salads. Nutritious and delicious!
Meats
For a heartier topping, try diced-up meats like bacon, sausage and ham. The saltiness and savoriness of cured and cooked meats complements boiled eggs wonderfully.
- Bacon – Crispy cooked bacon crumbled on eggs is always a winner.
- Prosciutto – wafer-thin, salt-cured Italian ham.
- Pancetta – Italian bacon, adds a meaty crunch.
- Sausage – Try crumbled breakfast sausage or spicy chorizo.
- Deli meats – Like ham, salami or turkey.
- Lox – Smoky sliced salmon is perfect with dill.
- Anchovies – Add intense umami flavor when minced.
Sauté meats first before topping eggs so they get nicely browned and crispy. Their rich flavors and textures take boiled eggs to the next level.
Combination Ideas
Half the fun of topping hard-boiled eggs is mixing and matching complementary flavors. Get creative with these delicious combo ideas:
- Chives, bacon and cheddar
- Pesto, mozzarella and sun-dried tomatoes
- Egg salad with dill, mayo and mustard
- Tapenade, arugula and Parmesan
- Sriracha, lime zest and cilantro
- Hummus, za’atar spice and olive oil
- Smoked salmon, capers and red onion
The possibilities are endless! Try out new flavor combinations until you discover your perfect toppings for hard-boiled egg heaven.
Tips for Topping Hard-Boiled Eggs
Follow these tips when topping hard-boiled eggs for best results:
- Cook the eggs properly so they peel easily. Boil gently for 8-12 minutes until set.
- Cool eggs thoroughly before peeling, about 15 minutes in an ice bath.
- Peel eggs carefully under cool running water to remove shells.
- Slice peeled eggs in half lengthwise so they sit flat and stable.
- Season eggs with a pinch of salt and pepper before topping.
- Use room temperature ingredients for easier spreading onto eggs.
- Toast bread or rolls if using eggs for sandwiches or rolls.
- Refrigerate topped eggs within 2 hours for food safety.
With these simple tips, your hard-boiled eggs will be the perfect base for all kinds of delicious toppings!
Topping Ideas from Reddit
Here are some of the most popular and creative ideas for egg toppings shared on Reddit:
/r/food
- “Try everything bagel seasoning! So good on eggs.”
- “Add some hot honey on top! Sweet and spicy.”
- “Avocado is my go-to. A little salt and pepper and you’re set.”
- “For deviled eggs, add bacon and use the bacon grease instead of mayo.”
/r/eatcheapandhealthy
- “Trader Joe’s green goddess dressing is amazing on hard boiled eggs.”
- “I like just some good hot sauce on mine.”
- “Tajin seasoning is my new favorite egg topper.”
- “I do everything bagel seasoning and Trader Joe’s EVERYTHING but the Bagel Sesame Seasoning Blend.”
/r/keto
- “I fill them with homemade egg salad using Primal Kitchen mayo.”
- “Tapenade and pecorino cheese is perfect.”
- “Try topping with some smoked salmon and capers.”
/r/cooking
- “Za’atar spice mixture is delicious on eggs.”
- “Add some pepper jelly for a sweet and spicy kick.”
- “Mix pesto into the eggs for bright flavor.”
- “Smear with hummus and sprinkle with sumac.”
As you can see, the Reddit community has endless creativity when it comes to egg toppings!
Most Popular Egg Topping Recipes
Here are the top-rated and most popular hard-boiled egg topping recipes from food blogs and sites.
| Recipe | Key Toppings |
|---|---|
| Chipotle Deviled Eggs by Cookie and Kate | Chipotle chiles, cilantro, lime juice |
| Everything Bagel Deviled Eggs by Half Baked Harvest | Everything bagel seasoning, chives |
| Curry Deviled Eggs by The Cookie Rookie | Curry powder, turmeric, raisins |
| Loaded Broccoli Cheddar Deviled Eggs by Cafe Delites | Broccoli, cheddar, bacon |
| Jalapeno Popper Deviled Eggs by Family Food on the Table | Jalapenos, cream cheese, cheddar |
| Pesto Deviled Eggs by Broma Bakery | Pesto, sun-dried tomatoes, pine nuts |
These recipes showcase inventive ways to incorporate flavors like spices, herbs, veggies and cheese into deviled eggs. The unique combinations take hard-boiled eggs to the next level.
Conclusion
Hard-boiled eggs are the perfect simple protein to dress up with all kinds of delicious toppings. Get creative with herbs, spices, cheeses, sauces, veggies, spreads and more to make your eggs pop with flavor. Reddit has endless ideas for egg topping combinations, from the classic to the daring and adventurous. With a little experimenting in your kitchen, you can discover amazing ways to transform ordinary hard-boiled eggs into extraordinary taste sensations.