To boil eggs perfectly, the cooking time depends on how you like your yolks:

• 5 to 6 minutes for runny yolks with set whites (soft boiled)
• 7 to 8 minutes for softly set yolks, ideal for dishes like Scotch eggs
• 10 to 11 minutes for classic hard-boiled eggs with fully set yolks but not dry or chalky

A reliable method is to bring water to a boil first, then gently lower in fridge-cold eggs, reduce the heat slightly to maintain a gentle boil without cracking the eggs, and start timing from that point. After boiling, immediately transfer the eggs to cold water to stop cooking and make peeling easier

. For example:

Desired Doneness| Boiling Time (minutes)| Notes
---|---|---
Runny yolk| 5-6| Whites set, yolk liquid
Soft set yolk| 7-8| Slightly sticky yolk
Hard boiled| 10-11| Fully set yolk, mashable

Additional tips:

• Use large eggs (~50-55g) for these times; adjust slightly for bigger eggs
• Avoid crowding the pot so eggs cook evenly
• Peel eggs under running or cold water starting from the base for easier shell removal

This approach ensures consistent results whether you prefer dippy, soft, or hard boiled eggs.