How to Dye Easter Eggs

In previous years we’ve grabbed a box of Easter Egg dye at the grocery store and called it a day. In 2020, there will be loads of us wondering how to dye Easter Eggs with food coloring.

pastel dyed easter eggs in a basket


 

How to dye Easter eggs with food coloring was never easier. Homemade Easter egg coloring in a jiffy!

Some of my fondest memories of the holiday were smelling vinegar and watching those little tablets sizzle. Turns out those little tabs were nothing but super condensed food coloring and it is just as easy to homemade easter egg dye as it is to buy the box.

You can even use a few household tools to MacGyver those little custom egg tools like the cardboard drying rack or metal dipping wand.

How to Make Homemade Easter Egg Dye

Here is what you’ll need:

  • Food coloring (gel works best)
  • White vinegar
  • Boiling water
  • Hard boiled eggs
  • Several bowls (one for each color)
  • Paper towels or hand towels for clean up
  • Spoons
ingredients for dying easter eggs with food coloring

ONE. Hard Boiled Eggs

You’ll need to start with hard boiled eggs. You can boil eggs on the stovetop or make eggs in the Instant Pot. They work best when they are cold, so cook them the night before and let them sit for a few hours to cool.

Boiled eggs in a blue bowl

TWO. Prepare Your Colors

Choose the colors you would like to use. In general, a thick gel food color works better than the liquid kind. The more you use, the deeper the color.

Place a small amount of each desired color in a separate bowls.

using food coloring to make homemade easter egg dye

THREE. Add Vinegar

Add 1 tablespoon of white vinegar to each bowl. Whisk or stir to try and dissolve as much food coloring as possible in the vinegar.

Any large pieces or flecks will produce a speckled effect on your eggs, which is fine, bay may not be the desired effect.

mixing food coloring with vinegar

FOUR. Add Hot Water

The hotter the water, the better the food coloring (if gel) will dissolve. The best way to do it is to add boiling water, but I skipped that step and just microwaved it.

add hot water to food coloring

I heated 5 cups of water (1 cup per bowl) for 5 minutes in a glass microwave safe bowl. Be careful removing it and use an oven glove, it will be hot!

Pour 1 or more cups of water into each bowl. Stir or whisk again.

FIVE. Dye the Eggs

Place one or two eggs in each bowl, turning with a spoon to evenly dye each egg. The longer they sit, the more intense the color.

dying easter eggs

SIX. Let Dry

Remove using a spoon or tongs. If you really want the whole coloring experience, you can use a piece of metal from a hanger and fashion it into the little dipper contraption that comes with the dying kits.

Dyed eggs can dry on a paper towel lined plate or baking sheet, a cooling rack (like for cookies) or if you used the Instant Pot, the trivet that comes with it.

Allow eggs to dry fully before handling.

Easter eggs drying

How to Make Designs on Easter Eggs

Crayon/Wax: If you are an artist, draw pictures, colors or names on the egg with a crayon or wax pencil. White works best because you don’t have to worry about removing the wax. After drawing, place egg in the dye and allow to dry, you should see your design shine through.

Stripes and lines: Use small rubber bands, placing around the eggs in desired patterns before placing them in the dye. Allow to dry fully before removing rubber bands.

Stickers: Place desired stickers on eggs before dying. You can keep the stickers on after they are dyed and dried or remove to leave a silhouette look.

Two toned eggs: Dye your egg in the desired color and allow to dry fully. Add rubber bands, stickers or wax and then dye again in the same color or a different color.

Check out our ideas for more ways to make unique Easter eggs like glitter, galaxy eggs or shaving cream eggs!

How to dye easter eggs with food coloring for Pinterest

Recipes to use Easter Eggs:

A close up of deviled eggs dusted with paprika

Classic Deviled Eggs Recipe

4.46 from 11 votes
This is southern Classic Deviled Egg recipe. An easy, make ahead appetizer using hard boiled eggs and just a handful ingredients. 
See The Recipe!
close up of egg salad with bacon in a serving bowl

Perfect Egg Salad with Bacon

4.41 from 20 votes
This is the freshest, best Egg Salad ever! Boiled Eggs mixed lightly with mayonnaise with sweet onion, red bell pepper, bacon and lemon juice! 
See The Recipe!
Close up of tomato jam deviled eggs on a slate

Horseradish Deviled Eggs with Tomato Jam

4.80 from 5 votes
Tomato Jam Deviled Eggs use sweet tomato jam with tangy horseradish in a devilishly creamy deviled egg filling. Top with chives and serve! 
See The Recipe!
overhead of deviled egg pasta salad with chives and paprika

Deviled Egg Macaroni Salad

4.68 from 25 votes
Deviled Egg Macaroni Salad is a cold macaroni salad using deviled egg filling, pasta and finely minced vegetables. The perfect make ahead side dish for parties and potlucks! 
See The Recipe!
Deviled Egg Chicks take a classic deviled egg recipe and make them into Easter deviled eggs! Perfect as an Easter brunch recipe or appetizer. #deviledeggchicks #easterdeviledeggs www.savoryexperiments.com

Deviled Egg Chicks

4.24 from 39 votes
Deviled Egg Chicks take a classic deviled egg recipe and make them into Easter deviled eggs! Perfect as an Easter brunch recipe or appetizer.
See The Recipe!

How do I get food coloring off my hands?

Use warm water and scrub your hands with white vinegar and baking soda. You might even need a nail brush.

The good news is that food coloring safe and non-toxic, so having it on your hands and allowing it to naturally wash off is perfectly fine too.

Can I eat dyed Easter Eggs?

Yes! You can eat them as basic hard boiled eggs or make them into one of the recipes above. Food coloring safe to eat.

If you do use markers, glitter or other adornments to decorate your eggs, please be mindful that these substances may not be safe to eat. Check the labels.

How long can Easter eggs stay out?

The CDC recommends that cooked eggs be left at room temperature no longer than 2 hours.

So the Easter bunny should hide them right before the hunt and then get them back to the fridge just to be safe.

easter eggs in a basket

How to Dye Easter Eggs

5 from 2 votes
How to dye Easter eggs with food coloring was never easier. Homemade Easter egg coloring in a jiffy!
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Drying Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 12

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Choose the colors you would like to use. In general, a thick gel food color works better than the liquid kind. The more you use, the deeper the color.
  • Place 1/4 – 1/2 teaspoon of each desired color in 6 separate bowls.
  • Add 1 tablespoon of white vinegar to each bowl. Whisk or stir to try and dissolve as much food coloring as possible in the vinegar.
  • Add 1 cup hot water to each bowl. Either boil water on the stove or microwave 6 cups for 5 minutes in a microwave safe measuring cup. Be careful removing it and use an oven glove, it will be hot!
  • Stir or whisk again to remove clumps.
  • Place one or two eggs in each bowl, turning with a spoon to evenly dye each egg. The longer they sit, the more intense the color.
  • Remove using a spoon or tongs. If you really want the whole coloring experience, you can use a piece of metal from a hanger and fashion it into the little dipper contraption that comes with the dying kits.
  • Dyed eggs can dry on a paper towel lined plate or baking sheet, a cooling rack (like for cookies) or if you used the Instant Pot, the trivet that comes with it.
  • Allow eggs to dry fully before handling.
  • If you’ve tried this technique, come back and let us know how it went!

Nutrition

Calories: 79 kcal, Carbohydrates: 1 g, Protein: 6 g, Fat: 5 g, Saturated Fat: 2 g, Cholesterol: 187 mg, Sodium: 62 mg, Potassium: 63 mg, Sugar: 1 g, Vitamin A: 260 IU, Calcium: 25 mg, Iron: 1 mg
Author: Jessica Formicola
Calories: 79
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: American
Keyword: homemade easter egg dye, how to dye easter eggs
Did you make this recipe?I’d love to see your recipes – snap a picture and mention @savoryexperiments or tag #savoryexperiments!
dyed easter eggs in a basket for pinterest
Jessica Formicola in her ktichen

About the Author

Jessica Formicola

Jessica the mom, wife and food lover behind Savory Experiments. She is obsessed with butter, salt and bacon and spends all her time in the kitchen and behind a camera. Jessica is a contributor to PopKitchen by Parade, Better Homes & Gardens, The Daily Meal Food + Travel and more!

Read More About Jessica

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Questions and Reviews

  1. 5 stars
    Thanks so much for sharing all of your tips! I especially love the recipes at the end because I’m always overflowing with boiled eggs at Easter!