Why Can't You Reheat Fried Eggs?

We've all been there: You're making breakfast, your eggs sizzling in the pan, waiting to be plated, when suddenly something comes up and you're rushed out. Now, it might seem easy enough to throw them in Tupperware to reheat later, but this isn't the case. Although fried eggs can be safely reheated, warming up already-fried eggs can cause them to become tough, rubbery, and dry.

Now, while we can't guarantee a nice texture to reheated fried eggs, there are methods to reduce the risk of rubberizing your breakfast. You can quickly reheat fried eggs in the microwave by placing them in a microwave-safe container with a lid and a damp paper towel (to help retain some of the moisture). Reheat the eggs as such in intervals of 30 seconds or less, testing after each interval for warmth and texture. 

But the best way to reheat fried eggs is on the stove. Simply add a splash of oil to a nonstick pan over medium heat, then reheat the leftover eggs under a lid. The lid helps maintain moisture and warm the tops of the eggs. It should only take a minute or two to reheat your fried eggs using this method.

Much like there are many different ways to cook eggs, there are also many unique methods for reheating them. Both poached and hard-boiled eggs are reheated the same way they're cooked: in hot water. For hard boiled eggs, you want to boil a pot of water, then remove it from heat and drop the eggs in. 10 minutes later, they will be nice and warm. (Whatever you do, don't microwave hard boiled eggs.) To reheat a big batch of poached eggs, you want to drop them back into a pot of simmering water, but only for a minute or two to avoiding overcooking the yolk.

Omelets can be reheated in the oven or on the stove, but the best way is likely the microwave.  This still requires care, so wrap it in a paper towel and reheat it on a plate for one to two minutes, flipping it about halfway through. If the center isn't warm, repeat the process in 20-second intervals. Scrambled eggs are also well-suited to being rewarmed in the microwave. Or you can just start fresh and cook a new batch of scrambled eggs in the microwave.