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Can You Cook Eggs in a Microwave? Here's Everything You Need to Know

Whether you’re in a rush, low on pans, avoiding washing up or just curious, you might be wondering, ‘Can you cook eggs in the microwave?’. The short answer is yes! You absolutely can, and with the right technique, they can turn out fluffy, perfectly cooked and delicious.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through exactly how to cook an egg in a microwave, the best methods for scrambled, poached, and even ‘boiled’ eggs, plus handy tips to avoid the dreaded egg explosion.

Why Microwave Eggs?

Microwaving eggs isn’t just a lazy hack, it’s a genuinely efficient, low-mess cooking method. Whether you’re prepping breakfast on a busy morning or want a protein-packed snack in under two minutes, cooking eggs in a microwave is quick, easy, and doesn’t compromise on taste.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through exactly how to cook an egg in a microwave, the best methods for scrambled, poached, and even ‘boiled’ eggs, plus handy tips to avoid the dreaded egg explosion.

Let’s look at each method in more detail.
 

Four Easy Ways To Cook Eggs in the Microwave

Scrambled Eggs

Scrambled eggs in the microwave are perfect for busy mornings. Simply whisk your eggs with a splash of milk, season them with your favourite herbs and spices and microwave in short bursts, stirring in between.

The result? Fluffy, creamy eggs that rival any pan version. You can even throw in extras like cheese, chopped veg, or herbs if you’re feeling fancy.
 

Poached Eggs

Poaching an egg in the microwave is surprisingly easy and far less fiddly than using boiling water. Crack your egg into a mug of water, cover it and microwave until the white sets and the yolk stays beautifully runny.

It’s ideal for topping toast or adding to a breakfast bowl. No vinegar, no swirling water and no stress.
 

Boiled Eggs

Craving a soft- or hard-boiled egg, but don’t want to wait for water to boil? Your microwave will come to the rescue.

While you should never microwave a whole egg in its shell (trust us—it will explode), cracking an egg into water and gently cooking it can give you a similar result. It’s not exactly the same texture as a traditional boiled egg, but it does the trick when you’re short on time. .
 

Fried-Style Eggs

Frying without a frying pan? Yes, you can even replicate a sunny-side-up egg in the microwave.

With a lightly greased plate, a cracked egg, and a quick zap, you’ll have a set white and a yolk that’s still soft and golden. It’s great for topping toast, breakfast sandwiches, or just enjoying with a pinch of salt and pepper.
 

Is Microwaving Eggs Dangerous?

There’s a bit of a myth that microwaving eggs is somehow unhealthy or dangerous, but that’s simply not true.

Should you microwave eggs? If it suits your routine and you do it properly, microwaving can preserve nutrients just as well as other methods, and it uses less energy, too, which makes it a more sustainable option for eco-conscious cooks.

The biggest risk is overcooking or letting them explode, but that’s easy to avoid. Just make sure yolks are pierced before cooking, and always use a microwave-safe dish. Covering the dish with a plate or lid also helps contain steam and speed up the cooking process.

 

How Long to Microwave an Egg

So let's talk about timings. This all depends on your microwave’s wattage and the style you’re going for, but here’s a rough guide on how long to microwave your eggs:

  • Scrambled eggs: around 1 to 1½ minutes, stirring halfway through.
  • Poached eggs: about 45–60 seconds.
  • Fried-style eggs: roughly 1 minute.
  • Soft-to-hard ‘boiled:’ between 4 to 5 minutes, depending on how set you want the yolk.

Start low and slow, it’s always better to check and cook in short bursts than end up with rubbery eggs.

 

Can You Reheat Eggs?

Eggs can become dry or rubbery if reheated for too long. If you’ve got leftover scrambled eggs or a breakfast wrap, reheat them gently in 20-second bursts with a damp paper towel over the top to get the most flavour back and keep them moist.

 

Start Your Day the Easy Way

Start your day with microwave, mess-free eggs, and they become your new go-to. Whether it’s a weekday rush or a weekend lie-in, microwave eggs are quick, flexible, and surprisingly delicious.

Explore our entire range of eggs and breakfast essentials, such as bread, butter or one of our breakfast essentials, all delivered fresh to your doorstep by Milk & More.

For more kitchen tips, family breakfast ideas, and time-saving inspiration, check out the rest of our blog. Because great mornings start with good food and a little help from your microwave.