Hard Boiled Eggs in the Microwave
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Making hard boiled eggs in the microwave is easier than you might think and they come out perfectly! Learn exactly how to hard boil an egg in the microwave and get the results you want every time.
Making hard boiled eggs on the stovetop is fairly failproof, but there are times you may want to use the microwave instead. Maybe you’re in a dorm room, your stovetop is full with other dishes, or you’re feeling adventurous.
Whatever the reason, these hard boiled eggs are great as a quick, protein-packed snack or a healthy breakfast! You can add them to salads and ramen or make deviled eggs for brunch or hors d’oeuvres.
Can You Hard Boil an Egg in the Microwave?
It’s 100% possible to make hard boiled eggs in the microwave. They’re just as tasty as stovetop hard boiled eggs, but quicker and easier to make. Just follow the instructions to ensure they get cooked all the way through and do not overheat, which can lead to an explosion.
How Do You Boil an Egg in the Microwave Without it Exploding?
Perhaps the only drawback to making hard boiled eggs in the microwave is the possibility of them exploding, leaving a big mess. Here are three ways top avoid an egg-splosion:
- Poke a hole in the egg: a hole in the egg allows air to escape so pressure can’t build up as easily.
- Add salt to the water: Salt water heats up more gradually, reducing the risk of overheating.
- Microwave in intervals: You can start with a 5 to 6 minutes stretch initially to help the water to come to a boil. After that, heat in intervals on and off to slow down the cooking speed.
- Let them cool off: After cooking, let the eggs rest for a few minutes ideally in cold water before peeling.
Following these steps will reduce the risk of a mishap significantly. You’ll get comfortable with the process once you’ve done it a few times too.
How Long Does It Take to Hard Boil an Egg in the Microwave?
Since there’s a lot of variation from one microwave oven to the next, there isn’t a definitive cooking time. However, on average it takes 10 minutes to hard boil eggs in the microwave. That allows sufficient time for the water to reach a boil and the egg yolks to become solid.
Tips for the Best Microwave Hard Boiled Eggs
- Use a microwave safe dish: Use glass or ceramic vessels only and avoid any dishes containing metal or soft plastic.
- Cook in intervals: The secret to preventing an egg from overheating is to cook in intervals for the final minutes. That means 30 seconds on and 30 seconds off, or alternatively cooking at 50% power.
- Let the eggs rest: Before removing from the microwave, let the eggs rest for several minutes so heat can dissipate, eliminating the risk of explosion.
- Each microwave is different: Reduce time accordingly for a powerful microwave, and add more time for a small tabletop microwave
- Use oven mitts: The bowl will be hot after cooking and you don’t want to burn your hands.
- Put the eggs in ice water: For easy peeling, transfer the eggs to a bowl of ice water for 1 to 2 minutes after cooking.
FAQ
Storing hard boiled eggs is easy. Keep them in the shell for freshness and let them cool completely. Then store in the fridge either exposed or in an airtight container. To warm them up before serving, peel them and microwave them for one minute.
When you tire of hard boiled eggs, try making scrambled instead. Use a microwave-safe bowl, mug or ramekin. Crack the eggs and whisk them together with salt, pepper and flavorings like cheese or veggies. Cover with plastic wrap and puncture with a small hole to allow steam to escape. Microwave for 90 seconds before checking the eggs. If they’re not to your liking, cook in 20 second intervals until ready.
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How to Hard Boil an Egg in the Microwave
Ingredients
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon salt, or ½ teaspoon per egg
- cold water
Instructions
- Pierce each egg at the narrow end in inserting a cake tester or toothpick about ¼-inch.
- Gently place the eggs in a medium microwave-safe bowl. Add ½ teaspoon of salt per egg followed by enough water to cover by ½ to ¾ inch.
- Place the bowl in the microwave. Then microwave on full power for 4 minutes (or 5 minutes for a smaller tabletop microwave).
- At the end of the cycle, microwave on 50% power for 6 minutes (see note). During this time, set aside another medium bowl of cold ice water.
- Using oven mitts to prevent burns, carefully transfer the bowl from the microwave to a work surface.
- For soft boiled eggs, transfer the eggs to the ice water using a slotted spoon. For hard boiled eggs, wait 4 minutes before transferring.
- Let the eggs rest in ice water for 1 to 2 minutes. Then remove, peel and serve.
Notes
- 50% power means the microwave will be heating in intervals, i.e. on for 30 seconds, off for 30 seconds, thus preventing overheating.
- Microwave Egg Cooker instructions: Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for making hard boiled eggs.
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