Name: Microwave poached eggs
Prep time: 2 min
Cook time: 2 min
Yield: 1
Ingredients: 1 large British Lion egg – I think one egg should be enough for one person, but feel free to use more if you’re hungry.; 3 tablespoons of water – To mimic the environment of a stove.; 1 bagel, halved - I use a bagel because I think it pairs the best with the ingredients I use, but feel free to use whatever type of bread you’d like.; 2 fillets of smoked salmon – The rich, salty flavour of the smoked salmon pairs well with the creamy flavour of the poached eggs.; Pepper – I like to keep seasoning simple. Just a bit of cracked pepper makes the dish come together perfectly.

In a rush? Don’t have time to fuss over the stove or a big clean-up? And maybe a little nervous about poaching eggs the old-fashioned way? No worries, this recipe’s got you covered!

I’m sharing my favourite way to make perfectly cooked poached eggs using just your microwave. It’s quick, simple, and takes less than five minutes from start to finish. Perfect for busy mornings or anytime you want a fuss-free, tasty treat.

Serves: 1
Prep: 2 mins
Cook: 2 mins

Video: How to make poached eggs in the microwave

Anna Stanford shows us how to make a poached egg recipe that’s perfect for breakfast or brunch. Delicious, filling, and seriously easy to whip up.

Ingredients

1 large British Lion egg – I think one egg should be enough for one person, but feel free to use more if you’re hungry.
3 tablespoons of water – To mimic the environment of a stove.
1 bagel, halved - I use a bagel because I think it pairs the best with the ingredients I use, but feel free to use whatever type of bread you’d like.
2 fillets of smoked salmon – The rich, salty flavour of the smoked salmon pairs well with the creamy flavour of the poached eggs.
Pepper – I like to keep seasoning simple. Just a bit of cracked pepper makes the dish come together perfectly.

Method - How to make microwave poached eggs

I like to start by filling a teacup with 3 tablespoons of water and microwaving it on HIGH for 45 seconds. It’s a simple trick that allows the water to more closely resemble the environment the egg is in in traditional stovetop poaching.

Crack the egg into the teacup filled with water and pierce the yolk and egg white in a few places. It may sound weird and unnecessary, but it helps keep the egg from exploding in the microwave. I’ve skipped this before, and unfortunately learned the hard way.

Cover the teacup with a small plate and microwave on high for 90 seconds. When finished, I usually let it sit for 30 seconds to finish cooking gently in the steam.

Covered egg being placed in the microwave

The whites should be firm and the yolk should have a soft, runny centre.

Using a slotted spoon, I carefully lift the egg out and serve it on top of toast and a layer of smoked salmon. I finish by sprinkling a little bit of black pepper on top, and that’s it! It feels fancy, takes less than five minutes, and always hits the spot.

Rate this recipe

Meal occasions

When to eat microwave poached eggs.

Quick breakfast

When mornings are busy, this is one of my absolute go-tos. It’s fast, easy, and yet still feels like a proper breakfast.

Weekend brunch

On weekends, I like to slow things down a bit but I don’t always want to spend long cooking so this is perfect. I usually take my time eating it with a cup of tea and some music playing in the background. It just feels like a nice little moment to myself.

Common pitfalls

Rubbery egg - Usually caused by overcooking the egg. Instead, start by cooking for a shorter time (eg. 30 seconds) and cooking it in 5-10 second intervals afterwards until the desired texture is reached
Undercooked egg - Make sure the water is preheated before you add the egg. You want your eggs to be cooking in a gentle poaching environment, not cold tap water!
Unevenly cooked egg - If your microwave is set to a high setting, it could cause the egg to cook unevenly. You should use a medium setting to poach your eggs.

Equipment tips

Teacup – Choose a wide, microwave-safe teacup. Something too narrow may cause the egg to get stuck or cook unevenly.
Slotted spoon - I prefer using a slotted spoon as it lifts the egg out cleanly every time.
Microwave safe plate - Used to cover the teacup when microwaved. It helps trap steam and cooks the egg more evenly.

About the recipe author

Anna Stanford is a home cook, mum of three, and the creator of Anna’s Family Kitchen, as well as supporting recipe development and content creation for British Lion eggs.