CAN YOU MICROWAVE AN EGG?

The convenience a microwave can add to a kitchen is undeniable. For this reason, almost every home makes sure there is room for a new microwave oven. Whether some foods need to be reheated quickly or cooked from scratch, microwaves offer a wide range of uses depending upon the brand and the model. However, there are some advantages and disadvantages associated with microwave cooking. One of the most common questions microwave users have been asking me is whether they can microwave an egg.

In general, I will never recommend microwaving a whole egg with shell as it can explode inside the appliance. However, you can microwave an egg by cracking it and piercing the yolk and white several times with the help of a fork or a toothpick. Or, you can whisk the egg well before putting it inside the oven.

Can you microwave an egg?

Microwaving an egg is possible when you want to make poached eggs, scrambled eggs or an omelet. There are some guidelines that you need to follow while cooking these recipes in the oven. You cannot boil a whole egg with shell inside a microwave as that could be dangerous. (Recommended article: ‘Why Can’t You Put Metal in the Microwave?‘)

Microwaving a whole egg even without the shell is only recommended when you prick or break the egg yolk and white well before putting it inside the oven. This is because, during cooking, steam starts to build up very fast and it leads to an explosion of the egg. By pricking the egg, you need to allow the steam to escape.

How can you microwave an egg without making it explode?

Though cooking eggs in a microwave is not a good idea as there are chances of an explosion, you can still do it and save the egg from an explosion by pricking or whisking it before cooking. For recipes such as pudding, omelet, and scrambled eggs that require the eggs to be beaten up with the other ingredients, this problem will hardly occur. Microwaving an egg is possible when you want to make poached eggs, scrambled eggs or an omelet. There are some guidelines that you need to follow while cooking these recipes in the oven. You cannot boil a whole egg with shell inside a microwave as that could be dangerous. (Recommended article: ‘Is Microwave Unhealthy?‘)

Recipes such as poached eggs for which you need to put a whole egg inside the microwave are a bit risky and hence, you need to take a little precaution. Boiling whole eggs with shells inside a microwave is a strict no as you cannot take any precautions to save them from exploding.

There are multiple ways of microwaving an egg safely. It depends upon the recipe you would want to try.

For poached eggs, you need to pierce the egg yolk and white with the help of a sharp knife tip or a fork.
For scrambled eggs, you need to whisk them well with a pinch of salt and pepper.
For omelets, cakes, and puddings, you need to whisk the egg with other ingredients and then cook it in the microwave.

How long can you microwave an egg?

You can microwave an egg for 30 seconds or more depending upon the “doneness” you want. After microwaving for 30 seconds, you can check the doneness of the egg with your finger or a spoon. Usually, 30 seconds are enough when you want your egg super tender. If you prefer a little harder egg, you can put it again in the microwave and cook it for 10 more seconds. You can keep on continuing this until the egg reaches your desired doneness. Microwaving an egg is possible when you want to make poached eggs, scrambled eggs or an omelet. There are some guidelines that you need to follow while cooking these recipes in the oven. You cannot boil a whole egg with shell inside a microwave as that could be dangerous. (Recommended article: ‘Is it Safe to Boil Water in a Microwave?‘)

Microwaves work very fast in heating eggs and hence you should never cook it for 1 or 2 minutes. It will overcook the egg, making it very hard and rubbery.

Why did the poached egg explode in the microwave?

Your poached egg exploded in the microwave because there was a lack of preparation. You might have forgotten to prick the egg well before putting it in the microwave. Or, the reason could be due to the microwave’s high wattage settings.

How can you poach an egg in the microwave using a poacher?

Here is how you can poach an egg in the microwave with a poacher:

To start with, place the egg cup in a microwave-safe tray.
Then crack the egg safely inside the egg cup.
Using a fork or a knife, prick the yolk and white multiple times.
Add a pinch of salt, pepper, and other seasonings.
Next, fill the cup with boiling water so that it covers the egg.
Cover the egg poacher very gently.
Put the tray inside the microwave oven safely.
Now, microwave the egg for 30-40 seconds or more depending upon the hardness you want.
Give the egg a resting time of about 30 seconds without removing it from the cup.
Take the egg out of the cup and enjoy.

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