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Leave poached egg fails behind with this 60-second, foolproof method for making fluffy clouds of protein.
David Watsky Senior Editor / Home and Kitchen
David lives in Brooklyn where he’s spent more than a decade covering all things edible, including meal kit services, food subscriptions, kitchen tools and cooking tips. David earned his BA from Northeastern and has toiled in nearly every aspect of the food business, including as a line cook in Rhode Island where he once made a steak sandwich for Lamar Odom. Right now he’s likely somewhere stress-testing a blender or tinkering with a toaster. Anything with sesame is his all-time favorite food this week.
Expertise Kitchen tools | Appliances | Food science | Subscriptions | Meal kits
Wholesome, complex carbs deserve a spot in a balanced diet, but if you’re kicking off every morning with a bagel or pastry, you’re likely skipping the protein your body needs to stay fueled until lunch. Nutritionists regularly emphasize protein as the breakfast MVP — it keeps blood sugar steady, supports muscle maintenance, and keeps you fuller longer than sugar and bread ever could.
Poached eggs in the microwave make for a lightning fast and filling breakfast.
David Watsky/CNETEggs are the gold standard for a morning pop of protein, but making eggs on a busy morning isn’t always possible. For those seeking a simple approach without any cookware or stovetop cleanup, microwave-poached eggs are the hack you’ve been waiting for. This one-minute, mess-free technique elevates your protein intake without creating kitchen chaos.
I started making them a year ago, and the fluffy balls of protein have become a staple of my morning diet. They are served simply over toast with sliced avocado and hot sauce. Here’s how I make a perfect poached egg in one minute or less.
Read more: Achieve Your Daily Protein Goals With This Simple Visual Guide
How to make poached eggs in the microwave
Step 1: Fill a ramekin with a half-cup of salted, room-temperature water. It must be enough to submerge the egg.
You’ll want enough water to submerge the egg but not spill over the top of the ramekin.
David Watsky/CNETStep 2: Crack one egg and carefully drop it into the water, trying not to disturb its structural integrity.
Step 3: Place the ramekin in the microwave and cook on high for about 45 seconds, or longer if you prefer a firmer yolk.
Cook the submerged egg for 40 seconds for a runny yolk and closer to a minute for a firm one.
David Watsky/CNETStep 4: Remove the egg gently from the water with a slotted spoon or wire skimmer.
Lift your egg carefully out of the water with a slotted spoon or mesh strainer.
David Watsky/CNETStep 5: Serve over toast or a bed of greens with avocado, hot sauce, chili crisp and other accompaniments.
In one or two tries you’ll be able to fine-tune your poached egg to your perfect doneness and then nail it every time.
David Watsky/CNETNote: The base temperature for any microwave will vary and, thus, cook times may also. Try 40 to 45 seconds for your first effort, then add five-second increments for subsequent tries until you achieve the desired doneness.
Poke the egg to avoid explosions
I haven’t experienced any egg-related explosions, but a Reddit deep dive into microwave egg poachers unearthed a nugget of advice: Avoid yolk explosions by poking it through with a toothpick.
How to serve poached eggs
Stick that fluffy puff of protein on a piece of toast with some spinach, top it all with flaky salt, hot sauce or hollandaise and have a cafe-quality breakfast in less time than it takes to brew coffee. You can also use them to top a salad or serve over rice with pickled vegetables and chili crisp for a light lunch.
More time-saving cooking hacks?
Cooking bacon in the oven is the cleanest method and results in even crispier strips, with no greasy stovetop to clean afterward. A fast water boil with these two pantry ingredients lifts stubborn stains from your best cookware without all the manic scrubbing. Here are nine more cooking hacks that save time, energy, and money.
If you don’t want to cook, this is my favorite prepared meal delivery service for 2025.
FAQs
What should I pair with my poached eggs?
A small batch of bacon cooked in the air fryer can be another quick protein value add to your breakfast in the morning and it’s a perfect pairing with your microwave-poached egg.
How do I prevent my poached egg from exploding?
You can prevent your egg yolk from exploding by starting with a small increment of time in the microwave, like 45 seconds. If you need to heat the egg more, you can add increments of five seconds as needed. Poking the egg yolk with a toothpick before putting the egg in the microwave may also help prevent an explosion during or after poaching the egg.
When should I use my microwave for poaching eggs?
Using your microwave to poach eggs is a quick way to get some protein added to your breakfast or lunch, and it’s a completely safe way to cook the egg as long as you add small increments to the microwave timer.
