What are you most eggcited about in the morning? See what we did there! It’s an egg pun because, you know what, eggs are delicious and a staple breakfast item. You can enjoy them in many ways, fried, scrambled, sunny-side up, frittatas, boiled, etc.
Almost every American household makes eggs in the morning. It is nutritious and versatile in many meals. They are also easy and quick to make. Sometimes, when we have a big family breakfast, we make fluffy, airy scrambled eggs with 6 or 8 eggs; afterward, some go uneaten. And then, we are left with a problem on our hands!
What if you could store those uneaten scrambled eggs to reheat later? This article explains just that and presents simple instructions on how to reheat scrambled eggs.
Can You Reheat Scrambled Eggs?
Yes, you can reheat the leftover scrambled eggs. Many people think reheating already cooked or scrambled eggs is toxic, but it is not. According to USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA FSIS), it is entirely safe to reheat cooked eggs as long as they are at first cooked to reach 160 degrees Fahrenheit. Before storing, eggs shouldn’t be runny in any form because they will grow bacteria even if kept in the fridge.
Moreover, whenever you reheat cooked eggs or any food, the temperature inside should reach 165 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure no contamination. It will also prevent bacterial growth.
If you don’t have a food thermometer, you should definitely get one. It will come in handy because, on average, 50 people become sick every year due to contaminated or rotten eggs.
We would like to add that reheating your scrambled eggs won’t make them rubbery or crunchy. But usually, it all depends on the storing and the reheating techniques.
What is the Best Way to Reheat Scrambled Eggs?
Scrambled eggs make breakfast complete. As easy as it is to make, it is also easy to reheat. But you must follow the reheating methods properly to avoid having rubbery and soggy eggs.
We have picked four methods that work well for reheating scrambled eggs. These methods will make your eggs taste fresh, airy, and fluffy. Whichever way you choose to try depends on your kitchen appliance preference and your convenience of use.
But there are some things you should keep in mind. First, your eggs are already cooked, so you shouldn’t cook them again. Remember, you are just warming them up to eat. Second, your eggs shouldn’t sit out at room temperature or above 90 degrees Fahrenheit for more than an hour or two. Third and last, you must heat your leftover scrambled eggs evenly at 165 degrees Fahrenheit to destroy any germs. You don’t want to be sick from eating rotten scrambled eggs.
We won’t bore you anymore. Let’s get moving to the reheating methods.
1. Reheating Scrambled Eggs in an Air Fryer
Air fryers work great for reheating any type of food. So, you can trust it with your scrambled eggs. As there is no need for extra oil or anything else, the egg remains fluffy and airy. And, you will get reheated eggs in just a couple of minutes. How convenient!
Overcooked scrambled eggs are not good. They are crunchy and rubbery, so you won’t enjoy them. That is why make sure to keep an eye on your eggs while they are reheating because the heat of the air fryer can overcook the eggs easily.
Here are the steps for reheating scrambled eggs:
Step 1: Take your scrambled eggs out of the fridge.
Step 2: Preheat the air fryer for 10 minutes at 300 degrees Fahrenheit.
Step 3: After the air fryer preheats, place a baking sheet in the basket.
Step 4: Put your eggs in the basket and reheat for 2 minutes.
Step 5: Check to see if the scrambled eggs have been evenly cooked. If not, reheat for another minute.
Step 6: Take them out and add your favorite seasonings on top. Enjoy.
2. Reheating Scrambled Eggs in the Oven
The oven won’t ever let you down when it comes to reheating food. It works great for reheating a significant portion of scrambled eggs. It works well for small portions too, but that’s a lot of work for a single portion; don’t you think so?
If you reheat your scrambled eggs in the oven, they will heat up evenly, and the texture won’t differ from the freshly cooked ones. It will also take time to reheat, but the end result will make it worth the wait.
But, there is a possibility of your eggs drying out and even getting burnt. To avoid these mishaps, we have some instructions that will not disappoint you.
Here are the steps to heat scrambled eggs in an oven:
Step 1: Preheat your oven for 10 minutes at 300 degrees Fahrenheit.
Step 2: While the oven preheats, use butter or oil to spread on the pan.
Step 3: Place your eggs evenly on the pan or an oven-safe dish. If you can spread them into a thin layer, that will make the reheating process easier.
Step 4: Use aluminum foil to cover the pan. It will help retain moisture and prevent the eggs from drying out.
Step 5: Reheat eggs for 10 to 20 minutes.
Step 6: If your eggs are drying out or curdling, pour a bit of milk and stir occasionally.
Step 7: At this point, you can add grated cheese on top.
Step 8: Take them out and serve them hot.
3. Reheating Scrambled Eggs in the Microwave
A quick and easy way to heat up scrambled eggs is using the microwave. You can just heat your food in a few seconds if you are in a hurry. Additionally, it works excellently with smaller portions.
Microwaves are really powerful and can easily make your scrambled eggs chewy and rubbery. So, it is better to reheat them at lower heat settings and 20 seconds intervals.
Here are the steps to heat up scrambled eggs in a microwave:
Step 1: Use a microwave-safe bowl or dish and put your scrambled eggs in it.
Step 2: Cover it with a microwave-safe lid or a damp paper towel. It will help to hold onto moisture.
Step 3: Start reheating at 50% power in 20 seconds intervals.
Step 4: Occasionally, stir the eggs with a fork to prevent them from sticking to the bowl or getting burnt.
Step 5: If you notice any excess water, drain the liquid out.
Step 6: When it starts steaming, take the eggs out.
Step 7: Add some seasonings on top and enjoy.
4. Reheating Scrambled Eggs on the Stovetop
You are going to be reheating the scrambled eggs where you made them first, in a non-stick pan. It is a time-consuming reheating method, but it works great for getting fluffy and warm eggs.
Although you have to work hard to get some delicious scrambled eggs, if you don’t keep stirring the eggs, they will clump and may even burn. Moreover, you don’t want cold eggs, so keep stirring!
We love the stovetop method, but we feel like it is better to make a fresh batch of scrambled eggs if you are going to reheat it using the stove.
Still, here are the instructions to heat up scrambled eggs using a skillet:
Step 1: Add butter to your skillet.
Step 2: Preheat it on medium-high heat until it warms up.
Step 3: Transfer the eggs to the skillet.
Step 4: Lower the heat to medium-low. Then, cover it with a lid.
Step 5: Let the eggs reheat for 5 minutes.
Step 6: Uncover the top and mix the eggs with a fork. Dump out any excess water.
Step 7: Cook the eggs until they reach 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
Step 8: Take them out and eat them hot.
A tip for all methods : Pour a little milk while heating; it will keep the eggs moist and won’t let them dry out. You can also add cheese on top to elevate the flavor.
How to Keep Scrambled Eggs Warm After Reheating?
If your scrambled eggs are not warm enough, they may grow bacteria and attract germs. After reheating your eggs, it is better to eat them immediately. In this way, you will enjoy a hot delicious meal and refrain from getting sick.
But, still, if you want to keep your reheated scrambled eggs warm, here are a few tips.
Tip 1: Use aluminum foil to cover the scrambled eggs adequately. It will help keep the eggs warm for 30 to 40 minutes. You can also use plastic wrap instead of aluminum foil.
Tip 2: Turn on your microwave for a few minutes. When it gets warm, turn it off and put your scrambled eggs inside the microwave. Use plastic wrap to cover it.
Tip 3: Use a heating station to keep your eggs warm. The temperature should be 140 degrees Fahrenheit, and you shouldn’t let it sit out for more than 2 hours.
How to Store Scrambled Eggs Leftovers?
You can store leftover scrambled eggs in the refrigerator or the freezer. But the storing processes are pretty different. If you plan to store scrambled eggs in the fridge, they will last for 2 to 3 days. However, the freezer is your best option if you want to keep them for a long time.
We have briefly explained the two storage options.
3 to 4 Days of Storage
If you have leftover scrambled eggs, you can easily store them in the fridge. If the egg is still hot, let it cool and later put it inside an airtight container. You must not add any sort of liquid to it; otherwise, it may develop bacteria.
Keep the container at the back of the fridge so that it remains chilled even if you open the door frequently, just like us.
Over 2 Months of Storage
You can freeze scrambled eggs in the freezer in two ways; both are pretty simple. Get a ziplock freezer bag and pour your cooked scrambled eggs into the bag. Seal it tight and make sure there is no air inside; otherwise, there will be condensation. Then, tada! Bacterial growth.
The other way is not to cook your scrambled eggs beforehand, which is called “make-ahead scrambled eggs.” Just prepare the scrambled egg mixture and freeze it in ice trays. Later you can just pop 3 or 4 cubes out and make yourself a fresh batch of scrambled eggs.
What is Make-Ahead Scrambled Egg?
Make-ahead scrambled eggs are mainly egg mixtures with other ingredients, which are kept in the freezer to cook later. It is actually a genius idea because you can have scrambled eggs anytime and in a few minutes.
But, to store make-ahead scrambled eggs, you have to maintain some things to avoid the mixture going bad.
- When you freeze make-ahead scrambled eggs, the moisture will slowly dry out. So to hold onto that moisture, add sour cream, cream, or milk to the mixture.
- You should keep the ice cube tray with the mixture in the back of the freezer so that the temperature remains stable at all times.
- Do not add any veggies or meat at this stage. It can cause bacterial growth and make the mixture watery.
Egg FAQ
Can you reheat the fried eggs?
Yes, you can warm up your fried eggs anytime on the stovetop. That’s what we found works best.
Can you reheat eggs in the microwave?
As you have already read, we do have a method for reheating eggs in the microwave. So yes, you can, but avoid heating boiled eggs in there. Because it will explode and injure you. Moreover, don’t cook raw eggs in it either.
How long can cooked eggs sit out?
If the temperature is 90℉, it is not ideal for keeping cooked eggs out for more than an hour.
How long can scrambled eggs sit out?
Our answer is the same as for the previous question. If it is 90℉ outside, put your scrambled eggs in the fridge for an hour. However, if the temperature is cooler, you can let it sit out for 2 hours. But, we don’t recommend it.
An Eggcellent Summary
Eggs are delicious, and you can’t deny it. They go so well with both sweet and spicy food. Many families definitely adore such a versatile food item. And, we guess, your family loves them too, so sometimes, you have leftovers.
Leftover scrambled eggs shouldn’t worry you anymore. If you have gone through our article, you now know how to store and reheat it correctly. Just try any of our reheating methods and choose the best one that suits you.
If you want more amazing reheating methods, explore our website.
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Lorena Davalos joined our team during the Lockdown of worldwide pandemic. She is a nutrition expert and has a degree in this subject. Lorena surely knows her onion! She was looking for a platform where she could blend her expertise with commonly asked questions.