A Houseful of Love

I’m not a picky eater, but I can be very picky when it comes to deviled eggs. Crazy as it may sound, I’m generally not a fan of mayonnaise and mustard. With those being the primary additives to most deviled eggs, I’m often left unimpressed.

However, I’ve learned that if I swap the mayo for Greek yogurt and add some fun spices to kick it up a notch, I can’t get enough!

Now that I know how good deviled eggs can be, I completely agree that no holiday spread is complete without this delicious appetizer. And with some extra protein and probiotics from the Greek yogurt (plus the fat and protein in the egg itself), it even helps to reduce the blood sugar spike and crash if you indulge a bit too much at the dessert table later on!

How did deviled eggs get their name?

Deviled eggs get their name from the 19th century culinary term “devilled,” meaning that a food was made hot with mustard, pepper, and other spices. While many deviled eggs today are not particularly spicy, I like a little heat in mine to hearken back to the original meaning of this term!

Can I make these healthy deviled eggs less (or more) spicy?

Yes, you can make them as hot or mild as you like! Most of the heat comes from the hot sauce, so if you want a milder deviled egg, opt for a milder hot sauce, reduce the amount, or leave it out. The dried spices contribute very little heat, but if you’re sensitive, omit the cayenne.

With this recipe, I find that the Greek yogurt and yolk bring down the heat a good bit, especially if the deviled eggs sit for a while. If you sample the filling and it’s too hot, just add a bit more Greek yogurt. Because capsaicin is fat-soluble, it’s neutralized when it binds to the fat in the yogurt and yolk. Same great flavor, but with less burning!

If you’re like my husband (who likes his food as spicy as he can get it), use the hottest hot sauce you can stand. I’ve made this recipe with a milder hot sauce from the store and with one that I made from the spiciest peppers from our garden. That homemade hot sauce is so hot I can usually only add a small drop or two to a whole meal. The deviled eggs I made with that sauce were perfect for my husband, but was almost too hot for me. The eggs with the store-bought hot sauce barely had a kick. This recipe can really run the gamut!

If you find it difficult to procure a hot enough hot sauce, you can also add more hot sauce or add more cayenne!

How do I make sure that only people with enough spice tolerance eat these healthy deviled eggs at a party?

If you make these deviled eggs hot, you might worry about someone eating one who is unaware of just how hot they are – I certainly do! My strategy is to top the deviled eggs with a pickled hot pepper. This is usually enough of a warning that heat-sensitive people ask before they pop one in their mouth. However, if you’re really concerned, a well-placed sign that says “spicy!” should do the trick.

Another strategy is to put the hot sauce into the egg white cavity instead of mixing it into the yolk. If I use this method, I deliberately get a little messy and drip some hot sauce on the visible white. Or pour it on top of the finished deviled eggs for a very obvious hint! The advantage of this method is that you can make some mild and some spicy without additional effort by simply leaving the hot sauce out of some of the eggs.

When and how should I serve these healthy deviled eggs?

I like to serve deviled eggs as an appetizer at any party or family gathering. They’re also great for potlucks or for just an everyday snack.

Keep them refrigerated until you’re ready to serve. Then place them on a plate, platter, or special deviled eggs dish, garnished however you like. Here are some fun ideas:

• For Christmas, arrange them in the shape of a Christmas tree. Bonus points for artistry if you use pickled green peppers for the majority of the tree, with some red peppers sprinkled throughout as “ornaments”! You can do this for other holidays with other holiday icons as well.
• For Easter, use eggs that you dyed. Often the dye seeps through the shell and colors the egg white, making them a fun and Easter-y rainbow that kids will take pride in.

Ingredients

• 6 hard boiled eggs, cooled and peeled
• 1/4 cup whole milk Greek yogurt – add a bit more if you’re sensitive to spice (and be sure to use whole milk yogurt). It will cut the heat.
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• 1 tbsp hot sauce – this determines the heat level of the eggs, though the fat in the egg yolk and yogurt bring it down a couple of notches. If you use a really spicy hot sauce, the eggs will be hot. If you use a mild hot sauce, it will provide just a hint of heat.
• 1 tbsp chili powder
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1/4 tsp cayenne powder – omit if you’re sensitive to heat or increase if you like your food extra spicy.
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 black pepper
• Optional garnishes: Pickled hot peppers, chives, more hot sauce, or more chili powder are all good options, but you can top with whatever you desire!

Directions

Step 1: Combine the Greek yogurt, Dijon mustard, hot sauce, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne powder, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl.

Step 2: Cut hard boiled eggs in half. Add the yolks to the bowl.

Step 3: Whisk vigorously to combine. An electric whisk or stand mixer will make it easier to get it smooth, but it can also be done by hand.

Step 4: Transfer the spiced egg yolk into a piping bag with tip and pipe it into the egg whites. Alternatively, just spoon it in!

Step 5: Garnish with whatever toppings you desire – pickled hot peppers, chives, hot sauce, and chili powder are all great options. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

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Nutrition Facts

Amount Per Serving
Calories: 79 kcal
Fat: 5g
Total Carbohydrates: 2g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 7g

The nutrition data provided here is for informational only and is only an estimate based on an online nutrition calculator. It cannot be verified or guaranteed, and should not be used in the treatment of medical conditions. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice This data should be interpreted and used at your own risk.