How To Cook Eggs In The Microwave

Poach, fry and scramble your way to instant breakfast

Egg-cooking methods and microwave use are two of the more polarizing cooking topics: Together, they are the perfect storm. Even chefs love the modern-day appliance. And we're not asking you to use a curling iron to make eggs, so we see no problem with the situation.

Whether you're at work and looking to top your sandwich with a freshly made egg or trying to make dinner with as little effort as possible, a microwave is your best bet. Here's how to poach, fry and scramble your way to one-minute eggs.

Poached
Fill a normal-sized bowl or coffee mug with water, then crack your egg into the center, making sure it's completely submerged. The water acts as a barrier to give you more overcooking leeway, which makes this our favorite of the three methods. Microwave it on high for one minute, then remove it with a fork or slotted spoon, and serve.

Fried
Crack an egg onto a plate that's lightly coated with oil, season the egg with salt and pepper, and microwave for one minute. Disclaimer: This won't be the crispiest fried egg you've ever eaten, because a plate doesn't conduct heat the same way a cast-iron pan does. But it more than does the trick, which is why this is number two in our book.

Scrambled
Beat the eggs in a coffee cup or bowl with salt, pepper and a tablespoon of milk, then microwave for one minute. Stir the eggs, microwave for another minute, and you're good to go. Stir in a touch of butter at the end for added glory. Break them up with a fork afterward to create the scrambled effect. Pro tip: If you want only the whites, proceed as normal, just separate the yolks out before microwaving.