How to Microwave Hard Boiled Eggs

Can You Boil Eggs in the Microwave? 

Can you really make hard boiled eggs in the microwave? Yes, and it’s easier than you think!

It may sound unconventional, but boiling eggs in the microwave is quick, easy, and completely safe—as long as you follow the right method.

By using the exact steps in this post, you can hard boil eggs in the microwave safely without worrying about messy explosions.

Need just one or two eggs for a snack? No problem. Want to prep a batch for meal planning? You can do that too!

In this guide, I’ll show you how to hard boil eggs in the microwave step-by-step, so you never have to deal with cracked, overheated eggs or a messy microwave disaster.

Why Hard Boil Eggs in the Microwave vs. the Stove? 

There are a few key benefits to microwave hard boiled eggs over the stovetop method:

✔ Faster Cooking Time – No need to wait for a pot of water to boil!
✔ Less Water Needed – Uses just enough to submerge the eggs, making it more efficient.
✔ Fewer Dishes to Clean – No saucepans required, just a microwave-safe bowl.

This method is also perfect for when you don’t have access to a full kitchen—whether you’re:

• In a dorm room with only a microwave available.
• Staying in a hotel and craving a quick protein boost.
• Cooking in an RV and want to minimize cleanup.
• Renovating your kitchen and need an easy workaround.

With the right technique, boiling eggs in the microwave can be a lifesaver in a pinch!

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Tools Needed

As with most microwave recipes, you’ll need very few tools to prepare hard boiled eggs in the microwave. Here’s what I recommend having on hand: 

• Microwave-Safe Bowl – Large enough to fully submerge the eggs in water.
• Large Mixing Bowl – Used for the ice bath to stop the cooking process.
• Measuring Spoons – To measure the salt (don’t skip this—it prevents eggs from exploding in the microwave!).
• Slotted Spoon – Makes it easy to safely remove the eggs from the hot water.

That’s it! With just a few simple tools, you’ll have perfectly cooked hard boiled eggs in minutes.

Ingredients for This Recipe 

The ingredients for microwave hard boiled eggs are nearly the same as the stovetop method—just a little simpler! Here’s what you’ll need:

• Water – Warm tap water works perfectly.
• Salt – Regular table salt is essential. Do NOT skip it! (It prevents eggs from exploding.)
• Eggs – Any size, color, or type will work.

For the exact measurements to make hard boiled eggs in the microwave, scroll to the bottom of this post for the FREE printable recipe card.

How Long to Boil Eggs in the Microwave 

Microwave the eggs for 8 minutes total on full power, with a 1-minute rest period at the halfway point. Then, let the eggs rest in the hot water as listed below: 

• Soft boiled eggs with a runny yolk: Let rest in the hot water for an additional 2 minutes 
• Medium boiled eggs with a soft yolk: Let rest in the hot water for an additional 6 minutes 
• Hard boiled eggs with a fully cooked yolk: Let rest in the hot water for an additional 8 minutes 

Katie’s Tip: The cook time for microwave hard boiled eggs will remain the same no matter what. However, the rest time will vary depending on how firm you like your egg yolks. 

Tips for Success

Recipe FAQs

Got questions about microwave hard boiled eggs? Here are answers to some of the most common questions! If you have any others, feel free to ask in the comments, and I’ll be happy to help.

How do you boil an egg in the microwave without it exploding?

There are two key things to remember when boiling eggs in the microwave: 

1. Cover the eggs with ½ inch of water. If they’re not fully submerged in water, they may explode. 
2. Add ½ teaspoon of salt PER EGG. The salt plays a critical role in preventing the eggs from exploding. 

If you do these two things, you will avoid the eggs bursting in their shells. 

Why does salt prevent eggs from exploding in the microwave?

Salt increases the boiling point of water and helps distribute heat more evenly, reducing the chance of sudden steam buildup inside the egg.

This prevents pressure from building up too quickly, which is what causes eggs to burst in the microwave.

Why do boiled eggs explode in the microwave?

Boiled eggs explode because steam gets trapped inside the shell. Since the microwave heats eggs quickly, pressure builds up without a way to escape—leading to an explosion.

The solution? Always cook eggs fully submerged in water with added the proper amount of salt to prevent this.

Can you make a boiled egg in the microwave without water?

No, you cannot boil eggs in the microwave without water. Without water to absorb and distribute the heat, steam will rapidly build inside the shell, causing the egg to explode (and creating a huge mess!).

Storage Instructions

When storing microwave hard boiled eggs, I recommend storing them in a sealed container or sealed zip top bag in the refrigerator.

Cooked eggs, especially already peeled eggs, can cause odors in the refrigerator. Keeping them sealed helps keep your refrigerator smelling fresh. 

• In the fridge: Store the microwave boiled eggs in the refrigerator — peeled or unpeeled — for up to 1 week. 
• In the freezer: You can freeze hard-boiled eggs that have been shelled. However, the egg whites will become tough and rubbery. The hard boiled egg will still be safe to eat, the texture just may be unpleasant. 

Katie’s Tip: If you do find yourself with some smells in your refrigerator, try these tips for deodorizing in your kitchen.

Recipes Using Hard Boiled Eggs

Enjoy your hard boiled eggs as is, or add them to one of the following recipes: 

• Buffalo Chicken Cobb Salad – A spicy twist on the classic Cobb salad with buffalo grilled chicken, blue cheese, avocado, and hard-boiled eggs for a flavorful, protein-packed meal.
• Classic Potato Salad – No summer potluck or BBQ is complete without this creamy, tangy potato salad featuring hard-boiled eggs, celery, onion, and a mayo-based dressing.
• Southwest Breakfast Bowl – A hearty, high-protein breakfast bowl loaded with roasted sweet potatoes, eggs (any style), black beans, spinach, avocado, and bacon. 
• Bean and Egg Breakfast Tacos – A quick and flavorful breakfast taco filled with eggs, avocado, black beans, salsa, and fresh cilantro inside a warm tortilla.
• Macaroni Salad – A picnic favorite! This classic macaroni salad features a creamy dressing with hard-boiled eggs, crunchy veggies, and mix-ins of your choice.

More Egg Tutorials 

Want to master more egg-cooking techniques? Check out these helpful guides. Which egg tutorial is next on your list? Let me know in the comments!

• Easy Peel Hard-Boiled Eggs – Learn the best method to make hard-boiled eggs that peel effortlessly every time.
• How to Bring Eggs to Room Temperature Quickly – Discover four easy ways to bring eggs to room temp for baking and cooking.
• How to Pasteurize Eggs at Home – Perfect for homemade eggnog, meringue, and Caesar dressing!
• How to Freeze Eggs – Learn how to preserve eggs for baking, whether raw or cooked.
• How to Cook Scrambled Eggs – Get fluffy, flavorful scrambled eggs every time—plus tips on whether to use milk or water!
• How to Separate Eggs – A must-know skill for making angel food cake, macarons, and meringues.
• How to Measure Partial Eggs – Learn how to accurately measure eggs when adjusting recipes.

Did you know that you can hard boil an egg in the microwave?