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Make Sunny-Side Up or Poached Eggs in the Microwave

Make Sunny-Side Up or Poached Eggs in the Microwave
Credit: Shutterstock

At this point, you may have already mastered how to make scrambled eggs in the microwave, but might think that sunny-side up eggs and poached eggs can only be done on the stovetop. Not so. Not only does the microwave work for these egg dishes too, they’re also super easy. The folks at CHOW show you how to do it in this video.

It turns out that sunny-side up eggs are pretty simple: all you have to do is pre-heat your plate, swish a little butter around on it (both for flavor and so the egg won’t stick), and then crack an egg onto the plate. Place the yolk at the top gently so it won’t explode, and heat for 45 seconds. If it’s not done, keep cooking in 15 second increments.

For a poached egg, get a one-cup microwavable bowl and fill it with a half-cup of water. Crack an egg into the water, cover with a plate, and microwave for 60 seconds. If it’s done, scoop it out with a slotted spoon. If not, give it another 10-20 seconds until it is. It’s simple, and pretty impressive—and reminds us of Mark Bittman’s reminder that the microwave is actually a great cooking appliance if you know how to use it (and don’t fear it).

If you have access to a kitchen, you probably won’t need these tricks—after all, frying an egg sunny-side up and poaching an eggs aren’t super difficult, but if you live in a dorm room, you’re staying in a hotel room, or you’re somewhere without a kitchen to cook, these tricks may come in handy for a more complete breakfast than whatever dried up danish may be waiting for you in the lobby or in a nearby vending machine. Plus, eggs are cheap, filling protein, so the more ways you know how to cook them, the better.

This story was originally published on 10/30/13 and was updated on 9/18/19 to provide more thorough and current information.