How to Crack an Egg with One Hand Like a Short Order Cook
Want to master cracking an egg with one hand without breaking the yolk or having to scoop out a bunch of shell?
Any chef worth their salt (Kosher, sea, or pink Himalayan) knows a few shortcuts to make prep work and cooking a breeze. Whether you're cooking a Thanksgiving feast or a quick weeknight dinner, saving time and effort is always a good thing—bonus points if you look cool while doing so.
Enter the one-handed egg-cracking technique: It cuts down on mess. It's less risky than sabering a champagne bottle. If you're really feeling fancy (or hungry), you can crack two at once. Casually, even.
Practice with Ping Pong Balls
1
To practice, you'll need a pair of ping pong balls and a coin. Grasp one ball with your thumb, index finger, and middle finger, then hold the second against your palm using your ring and pinkie fingers.
2
Lightly press the two ping pong balls together, trapping the coin between them. With your palm facing down, separate the balls to release the coin—without dropping either ball.
3
You may find it more comfortable to keep your middle finger anchoring the first ball, or that you prefer using it to press the second ball away.
4
Practice separating the ping pong balls several times before trying with an egg. (If you've ever used meditation balls, it's a similar motion. If not, think about snapping your fingers.)
Crack the Weakest Part of the Egg
When you're ready to move on to the real thing, make sure you crack the egg where it's weakest, along the equator of the shell. Don't be afraid to strike it firmly against the counter or cutting board.
Then smoothly and decisively separate the two halves of the shell, letting the white and yolk easily slide out.
Toss the shell and give yourself a hand—you’ve earned it.
