How to Cook Eggos in the Microwave

Eggo waffles have made a quick and easy breakfast for generations of kids (and adults too). While the traditional method of reheating them — and the method encouraged by the instructions on the box — is in the toaster, it's possible to microwave your waffles as an easy alternative.

However, the finished result might be a little bit different if you use the microwave. In some cases, this may work in your favor, such as when you're using your Eggo waffle in a creative recipe.

One of the reasons you will want to stock Eggo waffles in your freezer is they can be used to create a healthy breakfast for kids. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics notes that breakfast is an important meal because it helps children perform better in school and maintain a healthy weight. Waffles can be used as a base for all kinds of healthy breakfast foods like peanut butter, low-fat yogurt, cottage cheese, fruit and nuts.

Read more: 7 Breakfast Recipes Even People Who Hate Breakfast Will Love

As listed on the Eggo website, a serving of the regular homestyle waffles have 180 calories, 5 grams of fat, 30 grams of carbohydrates, less than 1 gram of fiber, 4 grams of sugar and 4 grams of protein in 2 waffles. If you want to up the nutritional factor, opt for the version made with whole grain, which has 1 more gram of fat but 26 grams of carbohydrates, 2 grams of fiber, 2 grams of sugar and 4 grams of protein per two-waffle serving.

If you have access to a toaster, go ahead and follow the instructions on the Eggo package; however, if you prefer your Eggo on the softer side or if all you own is a microwave oven, you can still microwave your waffles. As explained by the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service, microwave ovens don't always cook food evenly, sometimes leaving cold spots. And food cooked in the microwave doesn't get brown and crispy the way it does in a toaster or conventional oven.

This is because of the way microwave ovens work. The Food and Drug Administration explains that microwave ovens heat food via electromagnetic radiation that causes the water molecules in food to vibrate, producing heat that cooks the food. It's worth noting that this is non-ionizing radiation, which does not have the same risks as ionizing radiation, such as X-rays, which could cause changes to human cells.

Read more: Disadvantages With Cooking in the Microwave

The Eggo website has several recipes that involve microwave waffles — so it's not merely possible but, in some cases, encouraged. Having a soft waffle is ideal for when you want to wrap it around a filling or soak it in batter and cook it further.

Always put your Eggo waffle on a microwave-safe plate. If you're making Apple Pie Eggo Epanadas, you can microwave waffles two at a time, uncovered, for 30 to 40 seconds or until they become warm and flexible. After that, they can be filled with an apple mixture before being put in the oven to bake.

On the other hand, the recipe for Banana-Nut French Toast suggests loosely covering them and microwaving them on high for 10 seconds, turning them over and microwaving for five more seconds. Then you can dip the waffles in a mixture of eggs, milk and vanilla before frying them on the stovetop in butter.

When you microwave your waffles, just be sure to check for any cold spots by touching them with your fingers before eating. Eggo waffles are pre-cooked, so all you're doing is reheating them — but still, a cold waffle won't taste all that great.

Frozen waffles are great when you're pressed for time, but making waffles from scratch will give you greater control over the ingredients and result in a much more nutritious meal. Try our Gluten-Free Protein-Packed Cinnamon Roll Waffles recipe for a powerhouse way to start the day, but don't feel as if you have to be restricted to eating waffles for breakfast. You can make our recipe for Waffles With Feta and Smoked Salmon as a tasty option for lunch or dinner.