Microwave Fried Egg Method (No Dirty Dishes!)

A quick method to cook a fried-style egg in the microwave using two paper plates and nonstick cooking spray to avoid dirty dishes.

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Prep Time 1

Cook Time 1

Total Time 2

Course Breakfast

Servings 1 serving

Equipment

Microwave
paper plates
nonstick cooking spray
fork or knife
towel or oven mitt

Ingredients

1 egg
2 paper plates
nonstick cooking spray

Instructions

Generously spray one paper plate with nonstick cooking spray.
Crack the egg onto the center of the sprayed plate.
Gently pierce the yolk once with a fork or the tip of a knife (this helps prevent the yolk from bursting).
Place the second paper plate on top as a cover; set it loosely so steam can escape (leave a small gap on one side).
Microwave on high for 45 seconds. Check the egg—whites should be set. If it needs more time, microwave in 5–10 second increments, checking after each increment, until the yolk reaches your preferred doneness (about 60 seconds total maximum).
Let the covered plate sit in the microwave for 15–30 seconds to finish cooking, then carefully remove the plates using a towel or oven mitt (they will be hot).
Slide the egg off the plate onto toast or eat as-is.

Notes

I tried this egg method three times! I prefer to use cooking spray vs. oil. I used vegetable oil and vegetable cooking spray.
The vegetable oil tasted fine, but the cooking spray made a prettier egg.
The egg did pop, and seem like it was about to burst in the microwave, but it was just the oil getting hot.
50 seconds gave me a hard center, and 35 seconds had more liquid yolk. You’ll have to experiment with your microwave to perfect this, as all microwave wattages are different.
I also used cheap paper plates to see if it would work, and it did. Slid right off the plate (with both methods), too!