Whether you over-prepared for a large breakfast at home, or you just couldn’t finish your omelet from the Diner, you’ve ended up with a plate full of eggs you don’t want to waste. What do you do? Eat them cold? Can you toss them in the microwave? The answer, unfortunately, is not quite as easy as you may think.
The short answer is yes, you can reheat your eggs in the microwave – but that doesn’t mean you should.
The protein in eggs can be destroyed by exposing them to heat over and over, and can in fact cause the eggs to become toxic once ingested. Eggs must be reheated to 155°F, which can be hard to gauge with a microwave. Opt instead for the oven, skillet, air fryer, or just eating eggs cold.
How To Reheat Eggs
The best way to reheat eggs may vary depending on how they were originally cooked. For instance, you can NOT reheat a boiled egg in the microwave. It will explode!
Reheating Scrambled Eggs
The best way to reheat scrambled eggs is the same way you cook them – in a skillet or frying pan. As long as you have a few minutes to make sure they come up to temperature properly, this is the best option.
Step 1: Heat your skillet to medium/high heat
Step 2: Spray your skillet, or add a bit of butter/oil
Step 3: Add the cold eggs to the pan and spread them evenly in one layer
Step 4: Lower heat to low/medium, and cover the pan.
Step 5: Heat the eggs for 5-10 minutes, stirring every 1-2 minutes. Be sure to remove any excess liquid.
Step 6: Once the eggs are up to temperature, 155°F-165°F, they are ready to consume.
Reheating Fried Eggs
Unlike scrambled eggs, fried eggs and sunny-side-up eggs are in one solid piece. This makes them more difficult to heat in a pan without overcooking and causes a stiff, rubbery texture. The best way to evenly reheat these eggs is in the oven, or toaster oven.
Step 1: Preheat your oven or toaster oven to 350°F
Step 2: Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil, or spray with non-stick spray.
Step 3: Place eggs along the lined or sprayed sheet, and cover with foil.
Step 4: Once the oven is up to temperature, bake the eggs for 10-15 minutes.
Step 5: Check the center of your egg to ensure it is up to temperature before eating.
Reheating Boiled Eggs
Similar to scrambled eggs, the best way to reheat a boiled egg is the same way it was cooked.
Step 1: Grab a small pot, fill with water, and place on stove-top on medium/high
Step 2: Once the water is boiling, place your egg into the pot and lower the heat to low/medium.
Step 3: Reheat the egg in boiling water for 2-3 minutes.
You can also utilize your microwave for this process, without actually placing the egg in the microwave.
Step 1: Fill a deep bowl about ⅔ of the way with water. At least 2 or 3 cups is ideal.
Step 2: Place the bowl in the microwave for about 2 or 3 minutes until water comes to a boil.
Step 3: Once the water is boiling, remove the bowl from the microwave with oven mitts or a towel (it will be very hot) and place the egg in the bowl.
Step 4: Cover the bowl with a towel or lid and allow the egg to heat up in the water for 2 minutes.
Reheating Eggs in the Microwave
If none of the above options appeal to you, you can of course try your hand at microwaving your eggs. Different types of cooked eggs are going to yield different results, but the best thing you can do is ensure you are heating them in short intervals and draining any excess fluid as it appears.
Step 1: Place your eggs as evenly as you can on a glass plate (avoid plastic as it may melt into your food or cause a weird taste)
Step 2: Cover your plate with a microwave cover or towel to keep in the steam, and avoid rubbery eggs
Step 3: Reheat your eggs in intervals of 20-30 seconds, stirring occasionally and draining any liquid
Step 4: Once your eggs are hot, they are ready to consume. (If you think they have been overcooked, or have an unusual amount of excess liquid, it is safest to throw the eggs away!)
How to Dress Reheated Eggs
Whether you have used the microwave, oven, skillet, or are just eating your eggs cold, here are some ideas to add a little flavor and make your breakfast taste a little less left-over.
- Salt and pepper. A staple; you can never go wrong!
- Shredded cheese. This works especially well on scrambled eggs, mixed in the skillet.
- Garlic and onion powder. It might not sound very breakfast-y, but this delicious spice mix can be just what you need to add a splash of flavor to what might be a bland morning meal.
- Ketchup. Again, it may seem unusual but don’t knock it till you try it!
- Sour Cream and Salsa. Ever had a breakfast burrito? It’s like that, but without the burrito!
Closing Thoughts
Avoiding food waste is an important part of adult life- it helps save money, and improves our carbon footprint. Saving food and reheating it properly can ensure that not a drop is left for the landfills, and the better we get it the better off our planet is! So mix it up, find out what works for you… and give those eggs and ketchup a try!
