16. Microwave Oven Hacks That Will Change Your Cooking Game Forever

Amazing Microwave Oven Hacks You Must Know. Change up your cooking routine with a few microwave oven tricks that you may try at home.

Your kitchen’s tiny microwave oven saves you time when it comes to reheating and defrosting meals. Surprisingly, this simple kitchen appliance can do more than just reheat food. Using your handy microwave oven, you may save the stress of cooking and food preparation. Here are some surprising microwave oven features that will blow your head. With these 16 microwave tricks, you’ll not only save time but also transform the way you cook forever.

1. Reviving Stale Bread

Stale bread hardens and dulls, but with this microwave hack, you can bring it back to life in just a minute. Microwave Cooking Hacks You’ll Wish You Knew Sooner from us.

How it works:

The microwave uses steam to soften stale bread, restoring its fresh flavor.

Step-by-step process:

• Wrap the stale bread in a damp paper towel.
• Place it in the microwave and heat for 10-15 seconds.
• Let it sit for a few seconds, and voilà—your bread is soft and ready to eat!

2. Perfectly Steamed Vegetables

Who needs a fancy steamer when you’ve got a microwave? You can steam your favorite vegetables in minutes while locking in all their nutrients.

Quick and easy steaming:

Place your vegetables in a microwave-safe bowl with a splash of water, cover it with a microwave-safe lid or plate, and cook on high for 2–3 minutes.

Health benefits of steaming:

Microwaving vegetables keeps more vitamins intact compared to boiling, making this method both fast and healthy.

3. Peeling Garlic in Seconds

If peeling garlic is one of your least favorite kitchen tasks, this hack is going to save you some serious time.

Save time and effort:

Place a clove of garlic in the microwave for 10 seconds, and the skin will practically fall off on its own.

Step-by-step guide:

• Place the garlic clove in the microwave.
• Heat for 10 seconds on high.
• Take it out, and the skin will slip right off with no struggle.

4. Juicing Citrus Fruits Easily

Make the most of your lemons, limes, and oranges by using your microwave to get more juice out of them.

Maximize juice extraction:

Heating citrus fruits for 10–15 seconds loosens up the juices inside, making them easier to squeeze.

Process details:

• Place your citrus fruit in the microwave.
• Heat on high for 10-15 seconds.
• Cut and squeeze—the juice will flow effortlessly!

5. Reheating Leftovers Without Drying Them Out

Reheated leftovers don’t have to be dry and tasteless. This simple hack ensures they stay as delicious as the first time around.

Retain moisture and flavor:

Place a cup of water in the microwave next to your food when reheating. The steam from the water will prevent your food from drying out.

Best practices for reheating:

• Always cover your food.
• Use medium heat instead of high to gently reheat leftovers.

6. Making Crispy Bacon

Say goodbye to greasy stovetop bacon and hello to crispy, perfectly cooked bacon from your microwave!

Crispiness without the mess:

Layer bacon strips between paper towels on a microwave-safe plate. Microwave for 4–6 minutes, depending on how crispy you like it.

Detailed instructions:

• Layer bacon on a microwave-safe plate, using paper towels in between each layer.
• Microwave on high for 4–6 minutes.
• Let it cool for a minute, and enjoy!

7. Melting Chocolate Perfectly

Microwaving chocolate can be tricky, but this hack guarantees smooth, perfectly melted chocolate without burning.

No more burnt chocolate:

Microwave chocolate in short bursts of 20 seconds, stirring in between to prevent overheating.

Timing tips:

• Use a microwave-safe bowl.
• Heat in 20-second bursts, stirring between each.
• Stop as soon as the chocolate is nearly melted—the residual heat will do the rest.

8. Decrystallizing Honey

If your honey turned into a solid, gritty mess. No worries! You can restore it to its smooth, liquid state with this simple trick.

Restore honey to its liquid form:

Microwave your crystallized honey in a microwave-safe jar for 30 seconds to 1 minute.

Simple instructions:

• Remove the lid from the honey jar.
• Microwave in 20–30 second intervals, stirring between each one, until the honey returns to its liquid state.

9. Toasting Nuts and Seeds

Microwaving nuts and seeds may not sound like a traditional method, but it’s an excellent way to quickly toast them for added flavor.

Quick toasting method:

Spread your nuts or seeds on a best microwave-safe plate and microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until they’re golden and aromatic.

Enhancing flavor:

Toasting nuts brings out their natural oils, enhancing their flavor and making them crunchier.

10. Poaching Eggs in Minutes

Forget boiling water—microwave-poached eggs are fast, easy, and make for a perfect breakfast!

A healthier breakfast option:

Poached eggs are a lower-calorie alternative to fried eggs and can be made in under two minutes in the microwave.

Step-by-step guide:

• Fill a microwave-safe mug with water and crack an egg into it.
• Cover the mug with a plate and microwave for 45–60 seconds.
• Drain the water, and you’ve got a perfectly poached egg!

11. Squeeze More Lemon Juice

Maximize the amount of juice you get from lemons, limes, or oranges with this microwave hack.

• Heat the Lemon: Place the citrus fruit in the microwave and heat for 10–15 seconds.
• Roll the Fruit: After microwaving, roll the fruit on a flat surface using the palm of your hand before cutting it open to squeeze.

This will soften the inside of the lemon, making it easier to get every last drop of juice.

12. Make Soggy Chips Crispy Again

Soggy chips are no fun, but instead of tossing them, you can quickly bring them back to life using your microwave. This simple trick restores their crunchiness without needing an oven or fryer.

How it works:

The microwave can evaporate the moisture trapped in the chips, making them crispy once again.

Step-by-step process:

• Lay your soggy chips in a single layer on a microwave-safe plate.
• Cover them with a dry paper towel to absorb the moisture.
• Microwave on high for 30–60 seconds.
• Let them cool for a minute, and your chips should be crispy again!

This method works like a charm and is perfect when you need a quick snack fix without wasting food.

13. Your Mug Cakes

If you’re craving a quick dessert, look no further than your microwave. Mug cakes are the ultimate fast and easy treat, and they come together in just a few minutes with ingredients you probably already have in your pantry.

How it works:

The microwave quickly cooks the batter in your mug, giving you a cake that’s soft and moist in under 2 minutes.

Step-by-step guide:

• In a microwave-safe mug, mix 4 tablespoons of flour, 2 tablespoons of sugar, 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder (for chocolate cakes), and a pinch of baking powder.
• Add 3 tablespoons of milk, 2 tablespoons of oil, and a splash of vanilla extract. Stir until smooth.
• Microwave on high for 1–1.5 minutes, watching closely to avoid overcooking.
• Let it cool for a minute, and enjoy your perfectly cooked mug cake!

You can get creative with toppings like whipped cream, chocolate chips, or fruit to make your mug cake even more delicious!

Here’s how you can use your microwave to defrost food, melt various ingredients, squeeze lemons more effectively, and even stop onions from making you cry with a few easy hacks.

14. Defrost Your Favorite Food

Microwaves are a lifesaver when it comes to defrosting frozen foods quickly. Whether it’s meat, vegetables, or baked goods, here’s how you can get the best defrost results:

• Use the Defrost Setting: Most microwaves come with a defrost button, which uses lower heat to slowly thaw your food without cooking it.
• Turn and Flip the Food: For even defrosting, flip or turn your food every few minutes to avoid hot spots or partial cooking.

Tip: Place the food on a microwave-safe dish and cover it loosely with a lid or microwave-safe wrap to retain moisture during the defrosting process.

15. Stop Onions From Making You Cry

Onions have a sneaky way of making you tear up while chopping them. But guess what? The microwave can help reduce those tears!

• Microwave the Onion: Cut off the ends of the onion and microwave it on high for 30 seconds.

This helps reduce the compounds that cause eye irritation, so you can chop onions tear-free!

16. Melt Anything with Ease

Whether you’re melting butter for baking, cheese for nachos, or chocolate for dessert, the microwave can do the job in seconds without a mess.

• Butter: Cut it into smaller pieces and microwave in 10-second intervals, stirring in between, to ensure it melts evenly.
• Cheese: Shred the cheese first and use short bursts of 20 seconds to avoid burning.
• Chocolate: Melt chocolate in 20-second intervals, stirring after each round to prevent it from overheating and burning.

Tip: Always use a microwave-safe bowl to avoid any accidents or damage to your microwave.

These microwave oven hacks make cooking more efficient, hassle-free, and fun. Whether you’re defrosting dinner, melting ingredients for baking, squeezing lemons for fresh juice, or cutting onions without crying, your microwave is the kitchen tool that can do it all!

Frequently Asked Questions

How long should I microwave stale bread to revive it?

Around 10–15 seconds should do the trick.

Can I steam all types of vegetables in the microwave?

Yes! Just make sure to adjust the time depending on the vegetable’s hardness.

Will peeling garlic in the microwave affect its flavor?

Not at all—peeling it this way won’t alter its taste.

How long should I microwave chocolate to melt?

In 20-second bursts, stirring each time, until it’s smooth.

Is it safe to toast nuts in the microwave?

Yes, as long as you watch them closely and stir them every 30 seconds to avoid burning.

How can a microwave oven improve the cooking process?

It cooks faster and more evenly by employing electromagnetic waves.

What change in the cooking process can the microwave not achieve?

It cannot brown or crisp food in the same way that an oven or stovetop can.

What can increase cooking time in the microwave?

Dense, thick, or large portions of food can increase cooking time in the microwave.

What is microwave hacks cleaning?

Simple tactics like heating water and vinegar can help release waste and make cleaning the microwave interior easier.

Conclusion

With these hacks, you can make all chips crispy, bake a cake in minutes, disinfect the kitchen tools, and even cook quick meals that taste and feel like they are made on a stovetop. These hacks are definitely going to enhance your kitchen skills and make each meal quicker without affecting their taste or efficiency. We have numerous good solutions for your kitchen needs, including solo units, grill versions, and built-in microwave ovens. Try out these tricks and watch your kitchen game level up in no time!