Deviled eggs tend to conjure specific images of Easter brunch, elegant lunches and springtime family gatherings. However, with a little tweak to the method, they don’t have to be reserved for special occasions. When they’re coated in crispy, golden bread crumbs, deep-fried deviled eggs can be appropriate (and welcomed!) anytime.
If you’re nervous about making a frying mistake when making fried deviled eggs, try not to be; the process is simple and adds only a few minutes to the traditional recipe for deviled eggs. We’ll provide all the tips and tricks you need for your appetizer to succeed on the first try. Trust us when we say it: Deep-frying deviled eggs is a worthwhile (and delicious) upgrade.
Deep-Fried Deviled Eggs Ingredients
- Hard-boiled eggs: Whether you have leftovers from Easter or are boiling them just so you can deep-fry them, this recipe is the perfect excuse to use up your eggs. And if you ever struggle with peeling them, our guide to how to peel a hard-boiled egg will help you avoid shells sticking to the egg whites.
- Mayo: A little bit of mayonnaise gives the filling richness and helps to bind the yolks, giving them a scoopable (or pipable) consistency.
- Mustard: Dijon adds some lovely zip that helps cut through the luscious, creamy filling. If you’ve got a few extra minutes and want a fun project, you can try making homemade Dijon mustard.
- Seasoning: A combination of sugar, salt, pepper and chives perfectly seasons the deviled egg filling and balances all the flavors.
- Flour: Flour is the first layer of coating when you are prepping the eggs before frying. It creates a dry surface for the beaten egg to stick to, which then helps the bread crumbs adhere evenly later.
- Eggs: After you dredge the eggs in flour, the second step is dipping them in beaten egg. Unless you’ve made Scotch eggs, you probably never thought you’d be dipping a hard-boiled egg in more egg!
- Panko bread crumbs: We love the texture and flavor that panko lends these deep-fried deviled eggs. You can, of course, use regular store-bought seasoned bread crumbs or homemade bread crumbs instead.
- Oil for frying: You’ll need enough oil to completely submerge the eggs. Our guide to how to deep-fry with confidence suggests using canola oil or vegetable oil.
Directions
Step 1: Prep the eggs
Cut the hard-boiled eggs lengthwise in half. Remove the yolks, placing them in a small bowl. Arrange the whites on a waxed paper-lined sheet pan.
Step 2: Make the filling
Mash the yolks, then stir in the mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, chives, salt, pepper and sugar.
Editor’s Tip: Here’s where you can have some fun: Feel free to add herbs, spices or any other ingredients you enjoy to your filling. Pull inspiration from other deviled egg recipes.
Step 3: Fill the egg whites and freeze
Spoon or pipe the filling into the whites, leveling so the filling is flush with the top of the egg white. Cover the sheet pan and freeze the eggs for 30 minutes, or until they’re firm.
Step 4: Set up a breading station
While the eggs freeze, prepare the coating by gathering three shallow bowls. In the first bowl, beat three large eggs. Place the flour in the second bowl. In the third bowl, add the panko bread crumbs.
Step 5: Dip, dunk and coat
Pull the eggs from the freezer. Dip each in the flour, coating them on all sides and shaking off any excess. Then, dip them in the beaten egg, followed by the panko.
Editor’s Tip: Gently pat and press the bread crumbs onto the eggs to help them adhere. For more tricks, check out these breaded chicken tips—many of the same rules apply for deep-frying deviled eggs.
Step 6: Fry and serve
In an electric skillet or deep fryer, heat the oil to 350°F. Working with two or three eggs at a time, fry until the eggs are golden brown, two to three minutes. Remove promptly and transfer them to a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Garnish with fresh chives, if desired. Serve warm.
Editor’s Tip: If you’re new to deep-frying, take a peek at our deep-frying temperature chart on your journey to becoming an expert.
Deep-Fried Deviled Egg Variations
- Fill after frying: If you specifically love a cold filling, freeze, coat and fry the egg whites prior to filling them with the creamy, tangy, deviled egg filling.
- Make them better with bacon: Bring a little smokiness to the party by mixing 1/4 cup of finely chopped cooked and crumbled bacon into the filling, like our recipe for deviled eggs with bacon suggests.
- Give them some spice: Kick things up a notch by adding a few tablespoons of finely diced jalapeno (or another type of pepper) to the filling.
- Try a curried deviled egg filling: Combine the textural delight of deep-fried eggs with the warmly spiced filling from these curried deviled eggs.
- Turn them into Scotch egg deviled eggs: You can combine this deviled egg recipe with one of our all-time favorite British foods: Scotch eggs. Just top each deviled egg with a thin layer of ground pork sausage before coating the eggs in flour.
How to Store Deep-Fried Deviled Eggs
Deep-fried deviled eggs are best enjoyed right after they come out of the fryer. Therefore, while regular hard-boiled eggs last in the fridge, we don’t recommend storing leftovers of fried hard-boiled eggs.
Can you make deep-fried deviled eggs ahead of time?
We don’t recommend frying the eggs ahead, but you can do some prep work to save time later. Prepare the egg halves and filling as directed, and store them separately in airtight containers in the fridge for up to a day before you intend to fill and fry the deviled eggs.
Deep-Fried Deviled Eggs Tips
What’s the best oil for frying deviled eggs?
Any neutral-tasting oil with a high smoke point is ideal for deep-fried deviled eggs. Canola, vegetable oil and grapeseed oil are all perfect options. For more guidance, here are the best oils for frying, according to a chef.
Can you make fried deviled eggs in an air fryer?
Yes, you can make fried deviled eggs in an air fryer. Prepare the eggs as directed up until they’ve been coated in panko. Then, spray the eggs on all sides with cooking spray and arrange them in a single layer of an air fryer basket. Cook at 400° for three to five minutes, flipping halfway through cooking.
Can you make baked deviled eggs?
No, we don’t recommend baking fried deviled eggs. The breading simply will not get as golden or crispy before the egg whites become tough and rubbery. For perfect fried deviled eggs, they need a very quick cook at high heat.
What can you serve with deep-fried deviled eggs?
Deep-fried deviled eggs are the perfect party food. We especially love to eat them with a few party appetizer meatballs, a scoop of buffalo chicken dip or a few crispy potato skins for good measure. They would also pair well with any of these other easy appetizer recipes.
