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Want to try a new way to do your Easter egg coloring this year? Dyeing Easter eggs with Kool-Aid is different, fun, and smells great – no vinegar!

kool-aid packets with dyed eggs showing colors

Dye Eggs with Kool-Aid

Decorating Easter eggs is a tradition I look forward to each year. I usually use the little dye kits you get at the grocery store to color our eggs.

But, they stink. My girls hate the smell of vinegar. So, dyeing eggs with Kool-Aid is a fun alternative that leaves you with really pretty eggs and a kitchen that smells great.

row of rainbow eggs with kool-aid packets

Supplies you’ll need

Below is a list of supplies you’ll need to make this project a success. The full instructions are below.

KOOL-AID PACKETS – Pick whichever flavors/colors you want but also note that the color of the packet does not always match the color of the mix. For example, Tropical Punch comes in a blue packet but is actually a pink color. You can view all the Kool-Aid varieties here. You can order a variety pack on Amazon.

I have noticed that the color of the Kool-Aid in the cup the Kool-Aid Man is holding on the packet matches the actual color of the Kool-Aid (regardless of the packet color).

kool-aid packets next to corresponding cups of colored water

HARD BOILED EGGS – However many eggs you want to color, just make sure they’re fully dry before you start dipping them. I have tutorials on slow cooker hard boiled eggs, stovetop hard boiled eggs, oven baked hard boiled eggs, instant pot hard boiled eggs

SMALL CONTAINERS – Large enough to hold an egg submerged in liquid. This is a great way to recycle yogurt containers – empty & clean them and they fit well.

WATER – Just tap water to mix the packets.

PAPER TOWEL – You’ll want to line a plate with paper towel or use an empty, clean egg carton to set the dyed eggs on to dry. Either way, you’ll want some paper towel around to wipe fingers – especially little ones.

SPOONS – I like to have a spoon for each color so they don’t unintentionally get mixed.

kool-aid packets, water, and eggs laid out to color eggs

Things you’ll need

  • Kool-Aid Variety Pack – I think Kool-Aid packets are about 4/$1 at my market but if you can’t find flavors/colors you want, you can order the variety pack on Amazon.
  • Small Plastic Bowls – If you don’t have yogurt cups to recycle, these bowls are a good size and it’s fun to color coordinate.
  • Plastic Spoons – They don’t have to be plastic, but I like to have a spoon for each color so they don’t get mixed.
  • Tongs – I love using tongs for everything, but they’re especially helpful to carefully dip the eggs into the colors and remove them.

How to dye Easter eggs with Kool-Aid

  1. STEP ONE: Fill each bowl with 2/3 cup water and a packet of Kool-Aid. Stir to dissolve.
collage of pouring kool-aid into cups to dye eggs
  1. STEP TWO: Dip your eggs. The longer you let them sit, the more vibrant the colors will get.
overhead shot of eggs in kool-aid to dye them
  1. STEP THREE: Carefully move the eggs from the Kool-Aid to either a clean egg carton or a paper towel to dry. That’s it!

How long to boil eggs for Easter eggs

If you want to make your hard boiled eggs on the stove, follow these directions. They’ll be perfect every time:

  1. Place eggs in a large pot and cover with water.
  2. Heat on high heat until boiling. Cover the pot with a lid, remove from the heat, and let stand for 15 minutes.
  3. Drain off the hot water, and fill the pot with ice water. Let stand until eggs are cool to the touch.

That’s it! They’ll be perfect.

You can also make hard “boiled” eggs in the air fryer or instant pot or even crockpot hard boiled eggs. I actually use all the methods, depending on my mood.

If you’re looking for an entirely hands-off way to color eggs, try my slow cooker dyed Easter eggs.

closeup of rainbow colored easter eggs

Can you eat dyed eggs?

Yes, you can eat dyed Easter eggs! Treat them like any other hard boiled egg – keep them in the fridge. As long as you don’t have them sitting out for more than 2 hours, they will be safe to eat.

Now, if you hide them for an egg hunt, or have them sitting on the table for hours, those need to be tossed. Also, toss any that have cracks.

What happens if you put an egg in Kool-Aid?

Eggs dye beautifully in Kool-Aid and unlike some other dyes I have used, the Kool-Aid didn’t leak through to the egg and there was no flavor transfer. They might smell like Kool-Aid at first (fruity), but it wears off as they dry.

Do you need vinegar to dye eggs with Kool-Aid?

Nope, Kool-Aid is already acidic so you just need to mix it with water. That’s one of the best parts about this method!

TIPS & SUGGESTIONS

  1. The longer you leave the eggs in the Kool-Aid, the more vibrant the colors. They also get a bit speckled looking, which I think is pretty.
  2. If you see a film on the eggs after dipping them, this is normal. Just set them gently onto a piece of paper to towel to dry. If you blot/rub them, the color will smear/rub off. Once dry you can handle them.
  3. Lemonade (yellow) comes out very light and grape (purple) comes out a bit purpleish-gray. Many of you on Facebook have told me it looks like an avocado lol.

Need more Easter recipes? Try these:

Easter Egg Fruit Pizza
Easter Bunny Dessert Cheese Ball
Spring Chick Dipped Wafer Cookies
Spring Chick Cupcakes
Cream Cheese Funfetti Bars
Lemon Bundt Cake
Orange Honey Glazed Ham

Click here for my entire collection of Easter recipes.

bowl of colorful hard boiled eggs with text overlay reading "kool-aid easter eggs"

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kool-aid packets with dyed eggs showing colors
4.67 from 12 votes

How To Dye Easter Eggs with Kool-Aid

Servings: 12 eggs
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Want to try a new way to do your Easter egg coloring this year? Dyeing Easter eggs with Kool-Aid is different, fun, and smells great – no vinegar!

Ingredients
 

  • Kool-Aid Packets
  • Hard boiled eggs
  • Small Containers
  • Water
  • Paper towel lined tray or empty & clean egg carton
  • Spoons

Instructions

  • Pour ⅔ cup of water into each container.
  • Add a full packet of Kool-Aid mix to each container of water. Stir well.
  • Place an egg into each cup of Kool-Aid mix.
  • If you want your eggs to be lighter and not as speckled, leave the egg in for about a minute or less, checking the egg until desired color is achieved. The longer you leave the egg in the color, the more vibrant they will be.
  • Place the egg on a paper towel lined tray or in a clean, empty egg carton.
  • Once they dry, you'll be able to handle them without the color rubbing off.

Video

Notes

 
  • If you see a film on the eggs after dipping them, this is normal. Just set them gently onto a piece of paper to towel to dry. If you blot/rub them, the color will smear/rub off. Once dry you can handle them.
  • For a speckled look, leave the egg in longer.

Nutritional information is an estimate and provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.

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9 Comments

    1. I started using koolaid and i love the colors and no they don’t taste funny…Happy Eadter

  1. Definitely going to try it this year. Cool-aide was a big part of my childhoodas well as my kids. Now my grandkids. Thanks Cool-aide Man!!