Read on, and we’ll show you the best ways to microwave eggs, including how long to cook eggs in the microwave, as well as a few techniques we don’t recommend (trust us, we’ve tested them all).
How to Make Scrambled Eggs in the Microwave
Good news for fans of fluffy and bright scrambled eggs: About the only thing easier than stove top scramble eggs are microwave scrambled eggs. Once you learn these tricks (and taste the results!), you’ll wonder why you’ve waited this long to learn how to scramble eggs in the microwave: Test Kitchen Tip: Because microwave ovens vary greatly, knowing exactly how long to microwave eggs is a bit tricky. While our microwave scrambled eggs took less than a minute to cook, it’s important to check after each timing.
How to Poach an Egg in the Microwave
Whether you eat them with toast in the morning or slide them atop a burger or salad at lunch or dinner, poached eggs can add so much lusciousness to the plate. Fortunately, you don’t have to wait for water to boil on your stove top to sink your fork into this breakfast classic. Instead, learn how to poach an egg in the microwave. Note: If you find your microwave-poached eggs aren’t the same as the sublime, jiggly pillows that you’ve made on the stove top, it’s not your fault! According to the Egg Board, while microwave-poached eggs can be truly tasty, they won’t exactly deliver the same cloud-like qualities that traditional poached eggs can bring. Of course, the easiest way to learn how to poach an egg in the microwave is to get a microwave egg poacher and follow the manufacturer’s directions.
How to Make Eggs in the Microwave Using a Mason Jar
Did you know you can make a fluffy, satisfying “omelet” in the microwave? Our Mason Jar Omelet recipe, which is similar in concept to making microwave eggs in a mug, points the way. You can even mix up your omelet the night before so it’s ready to grab, microwave, and go on an extra-busy morning. So, how long do you cook an egg in the microwave using our Mason jar (12 for $11, Target) method? Two minutes ought to do it! Check out the recipe for exact details.
What About Making Hard-Boiled Eggs in a Microwave?
Wondering how to make hard-boiled eggs in the microwave? We wish we had better news. According to our Test Kitchen, you should never microwave eggs in the shell, as the eggs can explode and damage the microwave (and even harm the user). Here’s our workaround: Although making hard-cooked eggs the traditional way takes 20 minutes, most of that is hands-off standing time. And, because you can refrigerate hard-cooked eggs in their shells for up to seven days, cook up a batch on the weekend to have them ready to go throughout the week—no microwave needed. Better yet, get in on the steamed-eggs trend! Our Test Kitchen (and numerous food bloggers) find steaming eggs (instead of boiling) makes them easier to peel. Steaming eggs also saves time because you don’t have to wait for a whole pot of water to boil. Another workaround: An egg cooker ($20, Bed Bath & Beyond) isn’t as fast as a microwave, but it can hard-cook eggs more quickly than the classic stovetop method. What about making soft-boiled eggs in the microwave? Sorry—that’s a hard “no,” too. However, using our traditional method, making a luscious soft-cook egg takes only 10 minutes. The method for soft-boiling an egg is very similar to hard-boiling eggs—the main difference is time. Follow this easy method for quick soft-boiled eggs:
Bring water to a boil. Lower eggs into the water using a slotted spoon ($9, Crate & Barrel). Reduce heat to maintain a gentle boil. Cover and cook 6 minutes for soft-boiled eggs.
Why We Won’t Make a Fried Egg in the Microwave
What about a fried egg in the microwave? Let’s just say it’s not our favorite method for making microwave eggs. According to the Egg Board, before microwaving, you should always break the yolk of an unbeaten egg with the tip of a knife or a wooden toothpick. This allows steam from the yolk to escape safely. The trouble is, as anyone who loves fried eggs knows, a fried egg with a broken yolk kind of misses the point. The good news is that it only takes about 8 minutes to fry an egg on the stove top the traditional way. So, can you cook an egg in the microwave? Now you know the answer is yes, but with a few caveats. To recap, scrambled microwave eggs and our fun Mason Jar eggs turn out best, and poached microwave eggs can be delicious, too. As for the rest? Stick with the stove top or a fancy electric egg cooker for the best (and safest) results.
