Pro Tips: How To Microwave Eggs


how to microwave eggs

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It’s no secret that everyone is busy these days and looking for ways to squeeze the most out of every day. We’ve all heard the old saying about breakfast being the most important meal of the day and one that you should never skip. But when you’re running around, barely fully awake, getting ready to face traffic and the day, do you really have time to stop and make breakfast?

The answer is yes, especially if you have a microwave. While you’re sleeping, your body has burned through nutrients in your system, including protein, vitamins, and minerals. Eating breakfast:

  • Reduces your chances of being overweight.
  • Replenishes the nutrients you lost overnight.
  • Tends to prevent you from overeating during the day.
  • Can help maintain even cholesterol and blood sugar levels.

Although it might be tempting just to grab your coffee to go or something pre-packaged that you can just eat while you’re on your way, in a few minutes, you can pop some eggs in the microwave and set them to cook while you’re multitasking on something else.

Eggs typically have about 70 calories each and can be a good protein source for building muscles, have 13 essential minerals and vitamins, and can really help tackle that morning hunger. Preparing eggs in the microwave means not having to wait for the burner to heat up or cleaning a dirty pan and stove afterward.

You can cook eggs in the microwave in a variety of ways, so it’s up to you to decide how you like your eggs. Poached, scrambled, ranchero? There’s a whole spectrum of possibilities for how to microwave eggs.

Scrambled Eggs

scramble egg

image source: pixabay

If you’ve never cooked eggs in the microwave before and want to make sure you get it your first time before you try anything fancy, you can’t go wrong with basic scrambled eggs.

Whisk two eggs, two tablespoons of milk, salt, and pepper in a microwave-safe dish until combined. Pop the mixture into the microwave and cook on high for about 45 seconds. Stir the eggs and then set them for another 30 to 45 seconds. Enjoy.

In less than five minutes, you can have a hot breakfast, and if you have a microwave-safe bowl or mug, then you can cook and eat all in one dish to save yourself some additional time.

Hard-Boiled Egg

hard boiled egg

image source: pixabay

With hard-boiled eggs, the entire egg is boiled so that when you peel the shell off the egg, you find that the egg whites are firm, and the yolk is not runny but has a creamy consistency.

If you enjoy hard-boiled eggs, it is possible to cook them in the microwave and typically, in less time than it would take on the stovetop.

Fill a microwave-safe bowl with enough water to cover the egg and cook in the microwave for about three minutes to heat the water. To prevent the egg from blowing up in the microwave, use a safety pin to make a small hole in the bottom of the egg. Submerge the egg in the hot water, top with a plate, and cook in the microwave for four minutes at half power.

For those who like a hard-boiled egg with a runnier yolk, four minutes should cover it, but if you prefer a firmer center, let the egg sit in the water for an additional two minutes after it has cooked for the four.   

Coffee Cup Scramble

If plain scrambled eggs are not your thing and you want to take it up a notch, you can easily combine ingredients with your eggs in a microwave-safe coffee mug for a tasty breakfast.

Mix two eggs, two tablespoons of milk, two tablespoons of cheddar cheese, one tablespoon of chopped tomato, and one teaspoon of minced pickled jalapeño peppers (or salsa) in a greased 12-ounce microwave-safe mug. Cook in the microwave for 30 seconds on high before stirring. Microwave for another 70 to 80 seconds until eggs appear set.

Poached Eggs

Poached Eggs

image source: wikimedia

If you prefer your eggs poached, you can still do that in the microwave. Crack an egg into your microwave-safe container of choice, then add half a teaspoon of vinegar, and a third cup of water. Set a plate over the top of the container and cook the egg in the microwave on half power. Check to see if the yolk is set and if it isn’t, keep cooking it for 15 seconds at a time until the yolk sets.

Before you know it, you’ll have firm egg whites and a runny yolk so that you can enjoy your poached eggs.

Egg Sausage Tomato Breakfast Bowl

If you want to add additional protein to your breakfast, or you like having meat with your eggs, you can still cook both in the microwave.

Use cooking spray to grease the inside of a 2-cup microwave safe cereal bowl before cracking in two eggs and adding two tablespoons of milk. Whisk together until the eggs and milk are combined and add two tablespoons of fully-cooked breakfast sausage crumbles or chop up one fully-cooked breakfast sausage link or patty.

Cook the mixture in the microwave on high for 45 seconds before pushing the cooked edges in towards the middle. Microwave for another 45 to 60 seconds to set the eggs. Top with a tablespoon of shredded Cheddar cheese, two tablespoons of chopped tomatoes, and two thinly sliced basil leaves.

Sunny Side Up

sunny side up

image source: wikimedia

If you like your eggs sunny side up, you can make them that way in the microwave. Use butter to grease a microwave-safe plate or spray with some nonstick cooking spray. After you break an egg onto the plate, use the tip of a knife to pierce the egg’s yolk. Cook on high in the microwave for about 45 seconds.

Microwave Breakfast Flatbread Pizza

Want to combine eggs and bread so that you can enjoy your main and side dish at the same time? Then why not try topping a flatbread with your eggs to mimic a pizza?

Whisk an egg with a tablespoon of milk in a 2-cup cereal bowl until thoroughly combined. Chop up a fully-cooked breakfast sausage patty or link and add it to the egg mixture. Cook in the microwave on high for about 30 seconds. Push the cooked edges towards the middle before cooking for an additional 15 to 45 seconds until the egg is set.

Slice the egg mixture in about four or five pieces and place on flatbread. Cover with about two tablespoons of shredded cheese. Cook in the microwave for an added 10 to 15 seconds or until the cheese melts.

Huevos Rancheros

If you’re really ready to take your microwaved eggs to the next level, why not go all out and whip up some Huevos Rancheros?

Add one tablespoon of olive oil, half a cup of diced tomato, a quarter teaspoon of cumin, and half a chopped scallion in your preferred microwave-safe container. Cook in the microwave for about a minute or until the tomato appears soft and the scallions look see-through.

Add a quarter cup of grated cheese, half a diced avocado, two tablespoons of salsa, one tablespoon of chopped cilantro, and stir together. Crack an egg over the ingredients and add a few tortilla chips. Cook in the microwave for one to two minutes until the eggs look set. Enjoy with a dash of hot sauce and a bit of sour cream.

Is It Okay to Eat Eggs?

cracked egg

image source: pixabay

Eggs can be a great breakfast option because they cook so quickly and a great option if you’re someone who’s looking to avoid or cut back on carbohydrate and sugar consumption since eggs don’t contain either.

Although there used to be warnings to avoid eggs or concerns that they could lead to high cholesterol, in 2015, the United States Department of Agriculture and the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion changed its recommendations for dietary consumption noting that cholesterol in the blood was affected more by fatty meats than eggs.

Now, eggs are considered part of a healthy diet when consumed in moderation for healthy people who don’t suffer from heart disease. In fact, eggs contain nutrients that are important in eye health, protect against some cancers and stroke. They also have minerals that boost your immune system and vitamin D that supports bone and dental health.

Research has found that eating an egg a day does not increase your risk of heart disease and stroke.  

Learning how to microwave eggs is one of the best things you can do to ensure that you don’t have any excuses for why you don’t have time to eat breakfast. In a matter of a few minutes, you can easily enjoy a hot protein-filled meal that can help you power through your morning and set the tone for adulting for the rest of your day.

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