Deviled Egg Eyeballs Charcuterie Board Recipe
I love making snack boards that are both fun and a little bit spooky.
If you’re after a playful appetizer for a party or holiday, my Deviled Egg Eyeballs Charcuterie Board is honestly a great pick.
This recipe shows you how to turn deviled eggs into creepy eyeballs and surround them with other snacks, all on one board.
People always ask for this recipe—probably because it looks so cool and tastes even better.
The best thing is, these deviled egg eyeballs are easy to make, and you can get creative by adding your favorite meats, cheeses, and veggies around them.

Why I Love Them
Making Deviled Egg Eyeballs never fails to make people smile or laugh. They look a little spooky, but they’re honestly pretty simple to put together.
For parties, these eggs just work. Kids and adults both like to pick them up off the board. I always wonder who’ll be brave enough to grab one first!
Here are a few reasons I keep coming back to this recipe:
- Easy to Make: No fancy skills or tools required, thankfully.
- Great for Themed Events: They’re perfect for Halloween or any fun gathering, honestly.
- Tasty and Familiar: Even though they look wild, they taste just like classic deviled eggs.
Getting creative with toppings—like olives or peppers for the eyeballs—makes the process more fun. My friends sometimes help assemble them too, which turns it into a little group project.
I’ll switch up the filling or decorations sometimes, just to keep things interesting. Everyone seems to enjoy the surprise in every bite.
Equipment
I like to keep things as simple as possible when making my Deviled Egg Eyeballs Charcuterie Board. Here’s what I always grab before I start:
- Saucepan (holds at least 2 quarts): For boiling 12 large eggs.
- Mixing bowl (medium-sized): For prepping the yolk mixture.
- Sharp knife: For halving eggs and slicing olives.
- Cutting board: A clean, flat surface makes everything easier.
- Fork or hand mixer: I use these to mash and blend the yolks with the other stuff.
- Piping bag or zip-top bag: This helps me fill the egg whites neatly. Sometimes I just snip the corner off a plastic bag—no shame in that.
- Spoon: Good for scooping and mixing.
- Serving board or platter: For arranging everything. Mine’s about 12 x 18 inches, which is pretty roomy.
It’s a short list, and honestly, most of this stuff is already in my kitchen. This setup lets me get the board together pretty quickly.
Ingredients
When I make my Deviled Egg Eyeballs Charcuterie Board, I always get everything ready before I start cooking. Here’s what I use:
For the Deviled Egg Eyeballs:
Ingredient | Amount |
---|---|
Large eggs | 12 |
Mayonnaise | 1/4 cup |
Yellow mustard | 2 teaspoons |
White vinegar | 1 teaspoon |
Salt | 1/4 teaspoon |
Black pepper | 1/8 teaspoon |
Black olives | 6, sliced |
Red bell pepper | 2 tablespoons, finely chopped |
Paprika | for dusting |
I boil the eggs first, then peel them carefully. I slice them in half lengthwise to make a nice base for each “eyeball.”
For decoration, I use black olives for the pupils and a bit of red bell pepper for the veins. Paprika adds a little pop of color.
Charcuterie Board Add-ons:
- 4 ounces of salami slices
- 4 ounces of sliced cheddar cheese
- 1 cup of baby carrots
- 1 cup of green grapes
- 1/2 cup of mini pickles (cornichons or gherkins)
- 16 crackers
I like to use a wooden board or a big platter to set everything up. The deviled eggs go in the center, then I fill in the space around them with all the snacks.
Sometimes I mix in extra veggies, fruit, or crackers depending on who’s coming. Everything’s easy to find at any grocery store, which is a relief.
Instructions
First, I put my eggs in a large pot and add enough water to cover them by about an inch. I bring the water to a boil, cover the pot, take it off the heat, and let the eggs sit for 12 minutes.
Once the eggs are cool, I peel and slice them in half lengthwise. Then I carefully take out the yolks and pop them in a bowl.
I mash the yolks with mayonnaise, yellow mustard, salt, and pepper until smooth. Then I spoon or pipe the yolk mixture back into the egg whites.
To get the eyeball look, I gently press a green olive slice with pimento into the center of each egg. I use a toothpick dipped in a bit of red food coloring to draw thin “veins” from the olive outward. It’s a little messy, but worth it for the spooky effect.
For the board, I arrange the deviled egg eyeballs in the center. Crackers, sliced meats, and fresh veggies get tucked around the eggs. Here are a few ideas:
Item | Suggestions |
---|---|
Crackers | Round or square types |
Meats | Salami, ham, turkey |
Veggies | Carrot sticks, cucumbers |
I keep the board simple so the eyeball eggs really stand out. I try to keep everything chilled until it’s time to serve.

Equipment
- 1 spoon
Ingredients
For the Deviled Egg Eyeballs:
- 12 large eggs
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 2 teaspoons yellow mustard
- 1 teaspoon white vinegar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
- 6 black olives sliced into rings (for pupils)
- 2 tablespoons red bell pepper finely chopped (for veins)
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika for dusting
Charcuterie Board Add-ons:
- 4 ounces salami slices
- 4 ounces sliced cheddar cheese
- 1 cup baby carrots
- 1 cup green grapes
- 1/2 cup mini pickles cornichons or gherkins
- 16 crackers
Instructions
Boil the Eggs:
- Place eggs in a saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, cover, remove from heat, and let sit for 12 minutes. Transfer to an ice bath to cool.
Peel and Prepare:
- Peel the cooled eggs and slice each in half lengthwise. Remove yolks and place them in a mixing bowl.
Make the Filling:
- Mash yolks with mayonnaise, mustard, vinegar, salt, and pepper until smooth.
Fill the Eggs:
- Spoon or pipe the yolk mixture into the egg whites.
Decorate the Eyeballs:
- Place a slice of black olive in the center of each egg to form a “pupil.” Add tiny pieces of red bell pepper to resemble veins. Dust lightly with paprika for effect.
Assemble the Board:
- Arrange the deviled egg eyeballs in the center of your platter or board.
Add Snacks Around:
- Surround the eggs with salami, cheese slices, baby carrots, green grapes, mini pickles, and crackers. Keep snacks neatly spaced for easy grabbing.
Serve and Enjoy:
- Keep chilled until ready to serve. Optionally, place a damp paper towel under the eggs to prevent sliding.
Substitute
Sometimes I run out of certain ingredients or need to make this recipe work for everyone. Here are a few easy swaps I like to use:
Instead of mayonnaise, I’ll use Greek yogurt for a lighter filling. It’s still creamy, just less rich.
If someone isn’t into mustard, I add a little lemon juice or even a drop of hot sauce instead. Both add a nice zip to the filling.
For folks who can’t eat eggs, I’ve made a vegan version using small potatoes. I cut them in half, scoop them out, and fill them the same way as eggs. Not exactly the same, but it works!
Here’s a quick substitution table I follow:
Original Ingredient | Substitute |
---|---|
Mayonnaise | Greek yogurt |
Dijon mustard | Lemon juice or hot sauce |
Paprika | Smoked paprika or chili powder |
Black olives | Sliced green olives or capers |
Hard-boiled eggs | Small potatoes (vegan) |
Sometimes I’ll add mashed avocado instead of mayo for a twist that’s creamy and kind of fun. When I don’t have olives, I use tiny pieces of black beans or capers to make the “eyeballs.” It’s just as cute, honestly.
Trying these swaps lets me make the board fit what my friends and family need. And honestly, it keeps things interesting for me, too.
What Can Go Wrong?
Sometimes my deviled eggs just refuse to peel nicely. If I use super fresh eggs, the shells stick and the whites end up looking kind of rough.
I always try to grab eggs that have been sitting around for at least a week. It’s made a big difference for me, honestly.
If I get distracted and overcook the eggs, the yolks sometimes turn a weird greenish shade. It doesn’t actually taste bad, but let’s be real—it’s not the prettiest.
I set a timer and dunk them in an ice bath right after boiling. That seems to help most of the time.
Every once in a while, the filling ends up too runny. Usually it’s because I got a little heavy-handed with the mayo or mustard.
When that happens, I’ll mix in more yolk, or even a bit of mashed cooked potato. Not traditional, but it works in a pinch.
Getting those little “eyeball” decorations to stay put can be a pain. Olives or peppers just want to slide right off sometimes.
I’ve found that patting the eggs dry first helps the toppings stick better. It’s a tiny step, but worth it.
On my board, things have a habit of sliding around. I put a damp paper towel underneath the eggs to keep them from drifting.
Also, I try not to cram too many eggs on there. Overcrowding just makes everything messier than it needs to be.
Here’s a quick table of what’s gone wrong for me:
Problem | Why It Happens | Quick Fix |
---|---|---|
Shells stick | Very fresh eggs | Use older eggs |
Green yolks | Overcooked eggs | Boil for 10-12 min, ice bath |
Filling too runny | Too much mayo/mustard | Add more yolk |
Decorations slide off | Wet egg surfaces | Pat eggs dry first |
Messy presentation | Overcrowded board | Space eggs out |