20+ Microwave Cooking Hacks You’ll Wish You Knew Sooner

The microwave oven is a staple in most kitchens, used frequently for heating up leftovers or preparing frozen meals. However, are we truly maximizing its capabilities? In many cases, the answer is likely no. That compact appliance tucked away in your kitchen can do much more than you could have imagined, all while saving you time. It can rejuvenate stale bread and even revive crystallized honey, bringing enhanced efficiency to your cooking routine. Discover 21 innovative microwave tips that will change your perception of this appliance and cut down your cooking time. Hint: You might never spend an hour making baked potatoes or risotto again.

1. Get more juice out of citrus fruits

Microwaving lemons, limes, or oranges for 20 seconds loosens up the membranes inside, making it easier to extract more juice.

2. Improve the texture of stale bread

Wrap stale bread in a damp paper towel and microwave for 20 seconds to restore its softness through steam.

3. Peel garlic cloves

Microwave garlic for 20 seconds after cutting the ends. This softens the skin, making it easier to peel.

4. Make potato chips

Thinly slice potatoes, season, and microwave them for about three minutes to create crispy homemade chips.

5. Dry out fresh herbs

Lay fresh herbs between paper towels and microwave for about a minute to dry and preserve them for later use.

6. Poach eggs easily

Microwave poaching is as easy as adding an egg to a cup of water and heating for a minute to achieve the perfect poached egg.

7. Make mug cakes

Combine flour, sugar, cocoa powder, milk, and oil in a mug, then microwave for a minute to enjoy a quick, delicious mug cake.

8. Cook rice perfectly

Microwave rice by combining it with twice as much water in a covered bowl, then cook for around 10 minutes for perfect rice every time.

9. Decrystallize honey

Crystallized honey can be returned to liquid form by microwaving the jar in 30-second intervals.

10. Rehydrate dried fruit

Add water to dried fruit and microwave for one to two minutes to quickly rehydrate them for use in recipes.

11. Make pickles

Microwave a mixture of sliced veggies with vinegar, salt, and sugar for quick homemade pickles.

12. Toast nuts

Microwave nuts for one-minute intervals to toast them evenly without burning.

13. Crisp up bacon

Microwave bacon between paper towels for about four minutes to create crispy, mess-free bacon.

14. Bake a potato quickly

Prick and microwave a potato for around seven minutes for a fast, fluffy baked potato.

15. Soften bananas

Microwave underripe bananas for 30 seconds at a time until softened for use in smoothies or banana bread.

16. Make peeling veggies easier

Microwave hard vegetables like butternut squash for a few minutes to make peeling easier.

17. Mulled cider

Mix cider with spices and microwave for two minutes to make a quick mulled cider.

18. Make a speedy risotto

Cook arborio rice with broth in the microwave for 10 minutes, stirring halfway through, for a quick risotto.

19. Make small batches of jam

Microwave sugar-soaked fruit in five-minute intervals to create small batches of homemade jam.

20. Help dough rise

Microwave dough on low power with a cup of hot water next to it for 10 minutes to accelerate the rising process.

21. Yes, you can microwave pancakes

Microwave pancake batter on baking paper for one minute to make fluffy pancakes quickly.