Can hard boiled eggs be left in room temp over night?

It's not recommended to leave hard-boiled eggs at room temperature overnight. Here's why:

* Bacteria Growth: Bacteria can multiply quickly at room temperature. While the shell provides some protection, it's not enough to prevent bacteria from getting in, especially if the shell is cracked.

* Food Safety Risk: Eating hard-boiled eggs left at room temperature overnight can increase the risk of food poisoning, which can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps.

Best Practice:

* Refrigerate Promptly: After boiling, immediately cool the eggs in an ice bath and then refrigerate them within 2 hours.

* Storage Time: Hard-boiled eggs can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week.

If you're unsure about the safety of hard-boiled eggs, it's always best to err on the side of caution and discard them.