Deviled eggs might just be the perfect party food. They’re easy to make, they can be tailored to fit nearly any dietary restriction, and they always seem to disappear quickly.
But for all their popularity, deviled eggs can be a bit of a pain to serve. Egg plates are bulky and tough to find, and balancing a tray of eggs on your lap is never fun.
What’s a deviled egg lover to do? Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to serve food like deviled eggs without an egg plate. Read on for some of our favorite ideas.
Alternative Ways To Serve Deviled Eggs
Egg plates are not the end-all and be-all of deviled egg serving options. While they are certainly made for easy egg transport, there are some other more creative ways you can keep your delicate eggs safe and in good shape until they are ready to be devoured. Let’s begin!
Muffin Tin
A muffin tin is a perfect size for deviled eggs and keeps them separate from one another. Just place a deviled egg in each muffin cup and you’re good to go. Wrap the top with some aluminum foil to serve as a lid and prevent any slippery eggs from falling out on the way.
To create a single-serve option that’s mess-free, slide some muffin or cupcake wrappers into the tins first, and each guest can grab a cup and enjoy their egg with no mess and no sticky hands!
Get Creative With Cups
Deviled eggs are the perfect size for all sorts of small cups and bowls. Shot glasses, ramekins, and small mason jars make great deviled egg serving vessels. Use hollowed-out mini pumpkins or grapefruits as unique containers for your eggs if you want to get fancy. The gourd idea is perfect for a Fall get-together, Halloween, or Thanksgiving meal.
Of course, if you want to keep things simple, plastic cups are always an option. Using clear cups? Consider lining the bottom with some colorful shredded paper or fabric to make a pretty base for your eggs.
Tiered Serving Tray
If you have a tiered serving food tray, you can use it to display your deviled eggs in all their glory.
Tiered trays are a great way to show off different flavors or toppings, and it also helps guests identify which eggs they want to try first.
If you don’t have a tiered serving food tray, you can always make your own by stacking different-sized plates on top of each other or even using upside-down bowls of different sizes.
Just be sure to use plates or bowls that are similar in shape, otherwise, your eggs might roll right off!
Egg Cartons
Egg cartons might seem a little strange, but hear us out. Egg cartons are the perfect size for deviled eggs, and they keep them nicely separated so they don’t get smushed together.
Place a deviled egg in each little egg cavity, and you’re good to go. You can even decorate the outside of the carton to fit your party’s theme or color scheme.
Ice Cube Trays
Ice cube trays are another great option for deviled egg transport. They’re small and lightweight, so they’re easy to carry, and they keep your eggs nicely separated. Plus, they’re affordable and easy to find.
Don’t have an ice cube tray? Find one at your local dollar store. You can even find themed or shaped ice trays to add an extra flair to your deviled egg presentation.
Aluminum Foil
If you’re looking for a quick and easy way to transport deviled eggs, aluminum foil is always a good option. Place a few sheets of aluminum foil in the base of a disposable aluminum baking sheet. Bend and squish the aluminum to create small divots large enough to hold the eggs.
Once you’ve made all of your pockets for eggs, you can gently place them in and cover them with one final sheet of aluminum for safe travel. The aluminum method is great for potlucks or picnics because it’s easy to transport.
Plastic Wrap
Using plastic wrap is always a simple option. Place your deviled eggs on a plate or in a serving dish and cover tightly with plastic wrap to keep them fresh and prevent them from drying out.
You can also use plastic wrap to create individual servings. Just place a deviled egg on a small piece of plastic wrap, and twist the ends to seal. Using plastic wrap is a great choice if you’re taking deviled eggs to go or serving food at an outdoor event.
Just realize that there are extremely high chances of making a mess. If you’re okay with losing a little bit of filling to the plastic wrap for the sake of ease, have at it!
Carry Separately, Assemble On-Site
Assembling once you get to your final destination is a great option if you’re traveling with deviled eggs and you want to make sure they arrive in one piece. Just carry the egg whites and yolk mixture separately and assemble them when you arrive at your destination.
Choosing this method will prevent the yolks from drying out or getting smashed, and it also makes transportation a lot easier.
Here’s what to do: place your boiled and sliced egg whites on a serving platter and wrap them with plastic or aluminum to secure. Then, mix your egg yolk-mayonnaise filling and spoon it into a plastic bag, keeping it all to one corner and keeping air out of the bag.
Once you arrive where you’ll be serving food, simply trim the corner off of the bag and pipe the filling into the eggs for a stunning presentation.
Using Filling as Adhesive
Use your filling to your advantage and make a little extra to serve as your adhesive! Just pipe the egg yolk-mayonnaise filling directly onto the bottom of the egg white halves, and place them gently into an airtight container.
The filling will act as an adhesive and keep the eggs in place during transport.
You can either fill the cavities of the eggs with the remaining filling or wait to do it until you’re about to serve.
Adding Roughage to the Plate
If you’re looking for a decorative way to keep your deviled eggs in place, add some greenery or other roughage to the plate. Adding greens not only adds a pop of color but also helps keep the eggs from sliding around.
You can use lettuce, spinach, cabbage, herbs, or flower petals (think higher-fiber greens with more texture to them). Make sure whatever you use is food-safe and won’t wilt or discolor. Veggies that are slick, like cucumbers or tomatoes, aren’t good options since they won’t grip the plate.
Different Ways to Enhance the Presentation of Your Deviled Eggs
Now that you know how to transport your deviled eggs without an egg plate, let’s talk about how to enhance their presentation. Here are a few ideas to get you started.
Top With Caviar or Smoked Salmon
If you want to give your deviled eggs a luxurious makeover, top them with caviar or smoked salmon, which will add an elegant touch and impress your guests. Just be sure to use high-quality ingredients for the best flavor.
Use Creative Toppings
Get creative with your toppings! In addition to the caviar and smoked salmon, there are endless other options. You can top your deviled eggs with bacon, diced veggies, cheese, crumbled-up chips or crackers, herbs, nuts, or anything else that comes to mind. Just use your imagination and have fun with it.
Get Fancy With the Garnish
Think outside the box when it comes to garnishing your deviled eggs. Instead of the traditional paprika, try using other spices like chili powder, smoked paprika, or even cayenne pepper. You can also use fresh herbs, diced veggies, or crumbled bacon bits. Let your cravings guide you.
Turn Them Into Pastry Bites
To make things a little easier (and less messy) for your guests, turn your deviled eggs into bite-size pieces. Pipe the filling, plus finely diced egg white, into mini tart shells or phyllo cups and top with whatever garnish you like.
These delicious pastries are an excellent option when serving food to a large crowd or if finger foods are more your style. This recipe is essentially a deviled egg salad pastry cup, but it’s always a crowd-pleaser!
Recipe Variations To Try
Now that you know how to serve deviled eggs without an egg plate, get creative with the recipes. Here are a few variations to get you started.
- Bacon Cheddar Deviled Eggs
- Pickled Deviled Eggs
- Buffalo Chicken Deviled Eggs
- Crispy Shallots and Chilies Deviled Eggs
- Curry Deviled Eggs
- Smoked Deviled Eggs
- Chipotle Lime Deviled Eggs
There are endless possibilities for recipes. Don’t be afraid to experiment. Just have fun and enjoy the process.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re looking for a decorative way to display your deviled eggs or a less messy option for your guests, there’s a method that will work for you. You might have to get a little creative in the kitchen, but resourcefulness goes a long way in serving food like deviled eggs without an egg plate!
And once you take that first bite of your first deviled egg…it’s all worth it.
