39 Delicious Things You Didn't Know You Could Make in a Microwave
The microwave has been relegated to serve as a simple heater of
leftovers, but it's good for so much more. No, we don’t mean they’re
also a cancer-causing death trap— that microwave ovens
enough radiation to harm human beings. In fact, microwave ovens have been taking undeserved criticism for way too long: They’re called
ovens for a reason, and they can create meals equal to anything from a standard oven.
Skeptical?
We’ve put together a list of absolutely delicious meals—breakfast,
snacks, dinner, and dessert—that will quickly make you forget all the
disappointing, soggy pizza and rubbery leftover meat. Whip up just one
of these beauties. You won’t believe your taste buds.
Buckwheat groats might sound a bit intimidating, but they’re a terrific source of complete protein and a great substitute for plain old morning oatmeal. This gluten-free
breakfast combines oats, flax meal, and applesauce with fiber-rich
buckwheat for a delicious meal that can't be beat in healthfulness or
taste.
Here’s a hint: This method doesn’t involve paper towels. If
you really like your bacon crispy (who doesn’t?), try heating the
slices on top of an overturned bowl; the extra fat drips down the sides,
leaving you with an extraordinarily easy breakfast that no one will
believe came straight out of a microwave.
Muffins that taste more like cake aren’t exactly a healthy
breakfast choice, but this version is definitely an exception. Made with
fresh berries, almond flour, and coconut oil, there’s no need to fight
this temptation—dig in!
This versatile recipe delivers perfection time after time,
regardless of the ingredients. Instead of a pastry crust, this version
uses cauliflower (which also makes for an awesome pizza crust). This
might just be your new favorite on-the-go breakfast!
It’s not quite as crunchy as thick French toast made in a
pan, but this very viable alternative is nearly as tasty—and it only
takes two minutes to make. Torn bread and whisked eggs remain the
primary ingredients, and this breakfast is just as versatile as the
traditional version. We like ours with cinnamon and a little vanilla
extract!
Ah, poached eggs. The best way to turn a simple breakfast food into a giant pain in the ass.
The traditional method
requires boiling water, using just enough salt and vinegar, keeping
the water swirling at just the right speed, cracking the egg in just the
right way... in other words, it's just too easy to screw up. But the
trusty microwave can change all that: All you need is a microwave-safe
bowl, hot water, and a little salt and vinegar (and, of course, an egg).
A short zap later, you’ll have the perfect topper for any healthier breakfast sandwich.
This healthy breakfast imbues quinoa
with a creamy, cinnamony quality to great effect, delivering a
protein-packed, high-fiber breakfast that tastes like a pancake gone
healthy.
Crack a couple of eggs into a bowl, scramble with a fork,
and microwave in 30-second increments until cooked through, stirring at
each interval. Alakazam, scrambled eggs! Throw in some chopped veggies
and serve with a slice of toast for a complete, filling meal.
Made with just banana, almond flour, cocoa powder, and an
egg, this “cake” tastes like dessert, but might just be healthy enough
to enjoy at breakfast time. (Well, at least occasionally.)
Snacks and Extras
For a twist on your usual chips, this recipe is a great way
to use up some veggies. It comes out looking super classy—not to
mention, these chips are a great excuse to experiment with some
healthy dips!
Few people would put “crispy” and “microwave” in the same
sentence, but nuked potato chips are a thing, and they use far less oil
than your typical package of Lay’s. These are surprisingly simple; just
remember they'll continue to crisp as they cool down.
Toasting nuts releases their essential oils, which gives
them that oh-so-fragrant scent. But using the oven isn’t always
necessary. Microwaving
nuts
won’t give them the same dark color as using the oven, but this method
will give them a crunch and taste that’s nearly identical to the
traditional method.
You don’t need to spend entire dollars on store-bought microwave popcorn. It’s easy (and a lot cheaper) to DIY with some corn kernels, a paper bag, and a little tape. Movie night, here we come!
For the pickling spice, use equal parts mustard seeds,
celery seeds, and whole black peppercorns, and add a dash of turmeric
and chili. Throw everything together in a jar with some vinegar, sugar,
cucumbers, and onion, microwave for about 8 minutes, and voila!
Single-serve meals to the rescue! Even breads can be made
in a microwave without much hassle. Simply pour everything into the mug,
stir it up, microwave for a couple of minutes, and you’ve got a no-mess
afternoon snack for one.
Café-quality cappuccinos have been at our fingertips this
whole time, and we didn’t even know it. All that’s needed is a jar, a
microwave, and some milk. Shake it up, heat for a few seconds, and
you’ve got all that’s needed for some super-classy coffee.
Cinnamon optional!
Whether it’s for topping a dessert or to nosh on its own
(we won’t tell), toasting coconut has never been so easy. Simply
microwaving for 30-second bursts and stirring regularly results in
picture-perfect toasted coconut in less than 10 minutes.
Whether you’re eating gluten-free, avoiding grains, or just
love almond flour (this recipe calls it almond meal), these English
muffins are a terrific addition to a healthy breakfast. Paleo McMuffins,
anyone?
Lunch and Dinner
This is a dish that really nails the message that the
microwave is an oven and can make dishes so healthy, tasty, and fast
that you’ll wish you’d taken advantage sooner. The
Sriracha mayonnaise adds a lot to this meal, but we recommend swapping the mayo portion for some protein-rich
Greek yogurt.
The trick to making really simple
corn on the cob
is to leave the husks on—there’s no need for stripping, soaking,
wrapping, or even a plate! After four short minutes, the corn is
perfectly cooked, without the mess.
Polenta is a wonderful and filling base for just about any
savory meal, and it works especially well as a comfort food during cold
winter months. It turns out the cornmeal-based dish is super easy to
make in the microwave too. This recipe pairs the creamy stuff with
sautéed greens for an easy comfort meal that’s rich in flavor and
nutrients.
No more boxed macaroni with that mysterious orange “cheese”
powder! This recipe is about as wholesome as mac and cheese gets and
nearly as easy. It only requires water, macaroni, and your own favorite
blend of cheeses—but we’d suggest adding in a few broccoli florets or a
handful of spinach too.
Feel free to swap out the onion soup mix in this recipe for
any kind of seasoning mix (or your own personal blend!) and watch this
meal come to life. Just be sure to serve it with a salad—or try mixing
in some shredded carrot and spinach for an extra dose of veggies!
Super easy, super fast, and super delicious, this Mexican
staple is actually a pretty good source of vegetables. Made with a
simple mixture of onions, peppers, and chicken, it can be enjoyed on its
own or wrapped into tortillas with cheese (and maybe a dollop of Greek
yogurt).
This quick burrito bowl is a perfect "clean out your
pantry" recipe. It may not be Chipotle, but with cooked rice, black
beans, avocado, Greek yogurt, and salsa, this is the perfect meal for a
quick dinner or lunch on the go.
They’ve got more fiber than any other vegetable,
but actually preparing an artichoke has never quite seemed worth the
hassle. That is, until we found this recipe, which takes the vegetable
from raw to ready in less than 10 minutes. Don’t forget to add a little
lemon juice—it'll keep the innards from turning brown and tone down the
bitterness.
Wine, broth, cheese, and lots of mushrooms come together to
create this simple, Italian-inspired risotto that's versatile enough to
take on any extra vegetables. We’d include some sautéed spinach, but
the possibilities are endless.
Quick soups don't always have to come in a can! This easy
potato soup recipe is made completely in the microwave and has a bed of
bacon, cheese, and sour cream sprinkled on top. Just make sure you use a
large mug, since the water in the soup will bubble up as it cooks.
This garlic winds up more steamed than roasted, since the
microwave is basically steaming the garlic in its own head. The flavor
isn’t quite as mellow, but the result is so fast and delicious that the
difference is barely noticeable. Remember to keep the microwave on 50
percent power for this one.
Eggplant is delish, but roasting them takes forever, and
sautéeing can require a little too much oil. Fret no more, since it
turns out the humble microwave can prepare an eggplant for consumption
in about 15 minutes! This recipe adds in lots of yummy spices,
chickpeas, coconut, and cilantro for a Indian-inspired dish.
Part nachos, part quesadilla, all awesome. This quick,
Mexican-inspired meal is so easy that it’s likely to become a late-night
staple. Made from tortilla chips, salsa, cheese, and egg, it’s a good
thing that only one serving can be made at a time—it’s easy to wolf down
three! Add some leftover shredded chicken or beef for extra protein.
Dessert
In less than 5 minutes, you can have healthy (sub in a
different flour to make it gluten-free) cake in your belly—and with this
single-serving recipe, there’s no chance of overeating. This version
uses chocolate chips and pecans, but you can use this as your go-to mug
cake recipe and add in any of your favorite nuts or toppings.
Coconut flour is the magic ingredient in this delectable
single-serve dish. The gluten-free recipe also kicks butter and oil to
the curb, making it an even healthier 5-minute snack.
Delivering plenty of fiber and pumpkin
flavor, this gooey molten cake will be your new favorite dessert. Try
using buckwheat flour for a healthier touch and added protein boost.
Mochi
is a simple Japanese cake that’s made from a mixture of glutinous rice
flour (and is way more delicious than it sounds). This recipe adds in
cocoa powder and milk for a chocolaty twist on this traditional treat.
Cream cheese, sour cream, lemon juice, egg, and a sweetener
of your choosing all come together to make this astonishingly simple,
delicious, and low-carb dessert. Top with plenty of fresh berries, and
there might be no need for extra sweetener at all.
This bad boy is just the perfect accompaniment to an
afternoon cup of joe, and there’s no risk of downing half a loaf before
dinnertime. Plus it’s cooked in the same dish you eat it from—fewer
dishes for the win.
A healthier chocolate treat that can be made in a microwave
sounds like utter nonsense... until you put it in your mouth. This
sugar-free, butter-free concoction will certainly be appreciated by
those who like their chocolate dark.
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