Microwave Hard Boiled Eggs • The Simple Parent (2024)

Whether you’re getting prepared for Easter, the next cookout, or just need an easy breakfast option, Microwave Hard Boiled Eggs are one of the best ways to make hard-boiled eggs!

It’s so easy to make these eggs! They will save time if you’re planning to dye Easter eggs or make deviled eggs so they’re perfect no matter what season! These also work well for quick and easy breakfast options or making egg salad!

You can find a printable recipe card at the bottom of the post. Read on for more tips and tricks to get perfect boiled eggs!

MICROWAVE HARD BOILED EGGS

The results from using this method to boil eggs may take a bit of trial and error. Every microwave seems to cook differently. When we got a new microwave, I had to adjust the amount of time I was cooking everything including our favorites that we cook almost every day.

The method I outlined below works well in our microwave but you may find you need to cook them for less time or for longer than I do.

HOW DO YOU MICROWAVE AN EGG WITHOUT IT EXPLODING?

Adding salt to the water when you boil the eggs will help prevent them from exploding.

It’s very important to add a ½ teaspoon of salt per egg.

If you prefer, you can try poking a small hole in the shell of each egg. I always add salt to the water but know other people who have had success with the hole method.

If you don’t do one of these two things, there is a high likelihood that your eggs will explode.

HOW LONG TO BOIL EGGS IN MICROWAVE

If you’re boiling six eggs, cook them for 4 minutes. For each additional egg, add 30 seconds (1 minute per 2 eggs).

HOW LONG IS A HARD BOILED EGG

To get a hard-boiled egg, cook in the microwave for 5 minutes and then let the eggs sit in the hot water for 5-6 minutes. Then remove them and place them in an ice bath to cool.

These times will also depend on your specific model of microwave and you may want to play with the times a bit until you get your perfect egg.

The more firm you want your egg yolk, the longer you should allow it to sit in the hot water. Here are the times I recommend letting the eggs sit in the water:

• Soft boiled (runny yolks) – Microwave eggs for 4 minutes. Remove the eggs from the hot water as soon as you take them out of the microwave and place them in an bowl of ice water to stop the cooking.
• Hard boiled (completely cooked, firm yolk) – Microwave for 5-6 minutes (add additional time for more eggs). Let the eggs sit in the hot water for 5 minutes then place them in the ice bath. Leaving them in the hot water for more time allows the yolks to cook more.

WHAT DO YOU ADD TO HARD BOILED EGGS TO PEEL EASIER

When you remove the eggs from the hot water and put them in an ice water bath, it stops the egg from cooking but also makes the shell easier to remove.

Some other things you can try include:

• Using older eggs
• Add a bit of white vinegar to the water

WHAT ARE THE STEPS TO HARD BOIL EGGS?

This recipe is for 6 eggs. You can make more but may need to adjust your cooking time. You can also cook more eggs in batches.

There are two ways to boil eggs in the microwave.

QUICK BOIL MICROWAVE METHOD

Start by using a microwave-safe bowl that is large enough to accommodate all of the eggs you want to cook and water.

Put the eggs in the bottom of the bowl and cover the eggs with water. The water should be about 1/2 an inch over the top of the eggs.

For 6 eggs, you will add 1½ teaspoons of salt. This is an important step as the salt helps prevent the eggs from exploding in the microwave. (If you plan to cook more than 6 eggs at a time, add ½ teaspoon of salt for each egg. Adjust this for the number of eggs you’re making.)

Microwave the eggs for 5 minutes. (If you’re cooking a different number of eggs, cook them for 4 minutes and then an additional minute for every two eggs in the bowl.)

Allow the eggs to sit in the hot water for 5-6 minutes (the longer you leave the eggs in the hot water, the more cooked the yolk will be) then place the eggs in a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process and cool the eggs.

TRADITIONAL MICROWAVE METHOD

You can also use the microwave to boil eggs in a way that is similar to making hard-boiled eggs on the stovetop.

Fill a large microwave-safe bowl with water. Place the bowl in the microwave and heat the water to boiling, around 3 minutes.

Carefully place the eggs in the hot water and add the salt. Return the bowl to the microwave. Cover the bowl and cook for 7-8 minutes. (For soft-boiled eggs, cook for 3 minutes.)

Allow the eggs to sit in the hot water for 5-10 minutes, then transfer them to a bowl of ice water to cool.

OTHER WAYS TO BOIL EGGS

In case your microwave isn’t working or you’re using it to cook something else, there are some other ways to boil eggs.

• Stovetop – Place eggs in single layer in pot. Cover the eggs with water and bring the water to a boil. Once the water is boiling, remove the pot from the stove and cover. Allow eggs to sit, covered, in hot water for 10 minutes (less time for softer yolk and more time for harder yolk). Remove eggs from water and place in ice water.
• Instant Pot – Make perfectly cooked eggs in the pressure cooker.
• Air Fryer – Make easy to peel eggs in the air fryer.
• Oven – Preheat the oven to 325°F. Place each egg in a cup of a muffin tin. Bake eggs in the oven for 30 minutes (less time for softer eggs). When the eggs are done cooking, remove them from the muffin pan and place them in the ice water bath.

If you’re making Easter eggs, you could use all of the different methods to cook a bunch of eggs at once!

RECIPES WITH HARD BOILED EGGS

If you’ve ever wondered what to do with hard-boiled eggs besides coloring them for Easter or eating them as a snack, here are some delicious ideas:

• Deviled eggs
• Egg salad
• Add to potato salad
• Use in cobb salad or add to other green salads
• Slice and add to sandwiches