Eggs are one of the most popular and versatile ingredients which have so many health benefits.
They are nutrient-rich, inexpensive, packed with high-quality protein, quick to make, and fantastic for binding other ingredients.
Popular egg recipes are scrambled eggs, fried eggs, boiled eggs, omelets, quiches, poached eggs, etc.
Generally, these need to be made fresh, but you might be wondering if eggs are good for meal prep, or to be more specific, can you reheat eggs safely? Can eggs go bad?
Meal prep or batch cooking has been on the rise for many years because it is incredibly convenient.
It helps you save time, save money, follow a meal plan, and help you enjoy eating tasty food.
The problem is that eggs are one of those questionable ingredients which can sadly put you off.
The good news is that most egg dishes and recipes will reheat well, but there are different methods and a few exceptions, so this complete guide will be convenient for you.
Below is a breakdown of which egg dishes you can make and reheat effectively, perfect for meal prep or batch cooking.
How To Reheat Boiled Eggs
You can reheat boiled eggs, but it is best done by using the hot water method and not with the microwave.
Boiled eggs are very healthy and tasty, and do not take long to make. The good news is they will stay fresh and keep well for 3-4 days in the refrigerator, usually consumed with a cold salad or sandwich.
Although this can be convenient and time-saving, what if you wanted to reheat a boiled egg to enjoy it at a warmer temperature?
You can reheat boiled eggs, but it has to be done by using boiled water. If you think of using a microwave, you will most likely end up with a mess because it is very likely that the egg will explode.
It is important to note: in order to prepare boiled eggs, you do not peel the shell if you are planning to reheat them.
Method | Instructions |
Saucepan or large bowl | 1) Place the eggs in a heatproof bowl. 2) Boil water (from a kettle) and pour it over the eggs. 3) Cover the egg with a paper towel 4) Allow it to stand for 8-10 minutes. 5) Remove the eggs from the bowl and peel them. |
Although this does not sound convenient, it can be done at work, and it is simply the most effective way to reheat a boiled egg.
How To Reheat Fried Eggs
Yes, there are three ways to reheat a fried egg which can be done at work or at home.
Even if you like your fried eggs sunny side up, you can still reheat them, although it is much easier with a solid yolk.
Method | Instructions |
Microwave | 1) Ensure you place the fried egg onto a microwave-safe plate or container. 2) Use a damp paper towel to cover the egg. 3) Reheat every 30 seconds until you reach your desired temperature. Simply check every 30 seconds by lifting the damp paper towel. |
Saucepan | 1) On medium heat, add your oil or butter in a skillet. You only need to use a minimal amount because this is for reheating purposes. 2) Add the fried egg and allow it to cook for 3-5 minutes on medium heat. 3) You can cover the pan for quicker results and to avoid flipping the egg – but reduce the heat to medium-low in this case. |
Oven | 1) Preheat the oven for 5 minutes at 350 / 180 degrees. 2) Line your sheet pan with parchment paper and add your preferred oil or butter to a minimal amount. 3) Place your fried eggs on the sheet pan. 4) For best results, cover the eggs with parchment paper and foil. 5) Bake at 350 for 12-15 minutes, or until your desired temperature. |
How To Reheat Scrambled Eggs
Yes, you easily reheat scrambled eggs, and it is one of the most straightforward egg dishes to reheat effectively.
When you add and combine other ingredients like cheese, ham, peppers, and onions, it will taste just as good when reheated due to the mixture of all the flavors.
Here are the three ways to reheat scrambled eggs.
Method | Duration |
Microwave | Every 30 seconds (until you reach your desired temperature). |
Saucepan | 5 minutes, on medium heat. |
Oven | 5 minutes at 180°C degrees. |
If I was to meal prep eggs and reheat them, I would choose scrambled eggs because it is the easiest and less messy method which will still taste the same.
In fact, they also freeze well, and you can batch cook a significant portion to save time in the mornings throughout the week.
How To Reheat Poached Eggs
Yes, you can reheat poached eggs that are best achieved on the stovetop instead of using the microwave.
Poached eggs can be effortless to make by following the correct instructions. Still, it can come across as being rather complicated when you want to make the perfect poached egg with a runny yolk.
Nevertheless, making poached eggs in boiled water and reheating them the same way is the easiest and most straightforward method, difficult to get wrong.
This is because poached eggs are made in boiled water which cooks the egg white and allows the yolk to stay runny on the inside (if you follow the proper instructions).
Although results will vary using the microwave, it is best advised to use a stovetop because this method hardly fails.
When it comes to reheating poached eggs, we prefer reheating them on the stovetop. This method tends to provide the best results for reheating. You can reheat them in the microwave as well, so we will cover both ways.
Method | Instructions |
Saucepan | 1) Fill your saucepan with water and bring the water to a light simmer. 2) Place the poached egg into the simmering water for 1-2 minutes. 3) Remove poached egg and enjoy. |
It is pretty much the same way you can usually make poached eggs, but the main difference is that it is much faster.
You can even use boiled water from the kettle to speed up the process. This is why meal prep poached eggs can be a fast way to prep your breakfast in advance.
How To Reheat an Omelet?
If you are wondering whether it is safe to reheat or meal prep it for the week, then the good news is that you can indeed prep and reheat an omelet, for the week or months ahead.
Method | Instructions |
Microwave | 1) Wrap it in a damp paper towel and place it on a microwavable plate. If you have a microwave food cover that will be handy to use too but do not worry if you do not have this. 2) Heat it on a low setting for 1 minute, turn it over, and heat it for another minute. If you are using a powerful microwave then ensure you reduce the time to 30-40 seconds each way. |
Saucepan | 1) Pre-heat your large frying pan and add your preferred cooking oil or butter, but only use a small amount. 2) Add your omelet to your frying pan and cook each side for 2 to 3 minutes. Serve and enjoy! |
Oven | 1) Pre-heat your oven and set it to 180c / 350 f. 2) Place on parchment paper and heat for 8 to 10 minutes. |
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