Classic Southern Deviled Eggs with Smoked Paprika

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Traditional deviled eggs with a creamy, tangy filling enhanced by smoked paprika for a picnic classic that’s easy to share. This southern-inspired snacks ready in about 27 minutes turns large eggs, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard into a satisfying snack for between meals, packed lunches, or game-day spreads — minimal active time and easy to scale up for a crowd. Each serving lands at about 90 calories and feeds 6, so it fits into lunchboxes, road trips, or an afternoon-energy gap without derailing the day. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 12 min Serves 6 Southern cuisine 90 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Place 6 large eggs in a single layer in a saucepan and cover with cold water by at least 1 inch. Bring to a rolling boil over high heat. Once boiling, cover the pot and remove from heat, letting eggs sit for 12 minutes.
  2. Step 2: Drain the hot water and immediately transfer eggs to a bowl of ice water. Let cool for 10 minutes, then peel the eggs and slice each in half lengthwise.
  3. Step 3: Carefully remove yolks from halves and place into a medium bowl. Mash yolks with a fork and mix in 3 tbsp mayonnaise, 1 tsp Dijon mustard, 1 tsp apple cider vinegar, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/8 tsp black pepper until smooth and creamy.
  4. Step 4: Spoon or pipe the yolk mixture back into egg whites. Sprinkle 1 tsp smoked paprika evenly over all deviled eggs and garnish with 1 tbsp finely chopped fresh chives before serving.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Classic Southern Deviled Eggs with Smoked Paprika take to make?

Total time is about 27 minutes (15 min prep + 12 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Classic Southern Deviled Eggs with Smoked Paprika?

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for crisp items, or in the fridge for anything dairy- or produce-based, for up to 3–5 days. Re-crisp baked snacks in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes if they soften.

Can I substitute ingredients in Classic Southern Deviled Eggs with Smoked Paprika?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Classic Southern Deviled Eggs with Smoked Paprika for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Classic Southern Deviled Eggs with Smoked Paprika?

Southern snacks like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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