Nothing feels worse than craving a comforting breakfast, only to find that the day got away and the clock is ticking past the usual breakfast hours. Scrambled eggs can be a tricky item to revive, but they’re also too good to just throw them away.
One morning, I found myself in this exact situation—too late for my favorite McDonald’s breakfast run. I remembered yesterday’s leftovers sitting in the fridge, a small collection of fries, McNuggets, and yes, some scrambled eggs I’d saved.
With breakfast options limited, I decided to reheat each item. I already wrote about the first two and you can indeed bring nearly the same taste as you just got them in a nearby McDonald’s. But what about scrambled eggs? That was the first time for me to even consider reheating them.
I gave it a try, and now I will share how it went.
Using Nonstick Pan on The Stove is the Right Way to Do It
I put a nonstick pan on the stove and dropped in a bit of butter. When the butter melted, I added the scrambled eggs straight from the fridge. I set the heat to low, then covered the pan to warm the eggs evenly. After a minute, I lifted the lid and stirred them gently to keep them soft.
When they reached the right warmth, I took them off the heat and plated them. The eggs felt close to how they’d tasted fresh, warm, and soft without any of that rubbery texture that can happen with leftovers.
The eggs held up better than I expected. They didn’t lose their texture or turn rubbery, and I didn’t feel like I was eating leftovers. This simple method got them back to the right warmth without messing anything up.
Rating – 8/10
Other Methods to Try, or Avoid
After I figured out that reheating scrambled eggs can be done simply with a nonstick pan, it became a habit to always keep the leftovers in the fridge.
But I also wanted to try out some other methods to see if any of them could match the stovetop results. Some sounded promising, while others felt like a gamble, but I gave each one a fair shot.
Reheating Scrambled Eggs in the Microwave
The microwave is probably the quickest way to reheat scrambled eggs, but it’s also the easiest one to mess up. I placed the eggs in a microwave-safe dish and covered them with a damp paper towel to help retain moisture.
I heated them on low power in short, 15-second bursts, stirring in between to keep things as even as possible.
Honestly, the results were mixed. While the microwave definitely warmed the eggs, it was tough to keep the texture soft. Even with the low power and quick intervals, the eggs had a tendency to dry out a bit. If you’re in a rush and don’t mind sacrificing some texture, this method works.
But if you’re aiming for soft, fresh-tasting eggs, the microwave doesn’t do them any favors.
Rating – 3/10
Reheating Scrambled Eggs in the Oven
For the oven method, I spread the scrambled eggs out on a baking dish, covered them with foil, and set the oven to a low temperature. The idea was to let them warm up slowly to avoid drying out or overcooking.
The oven did a decent job, especially for a larger portion, but it takes longer than other methods. While the eggs warmed evenly, they didn’t have quite the same softness as when reheated on the stove.
If you are reheating a large batch for several people, the oven could work well, but for a single serving, it feels like too much effort.
Rating – 6/10
Reheating Scrambled Eggs in an Air Fryer
The air fryer can reheat scrambled eggs quickly, but not the way you want them. The rapid hot air circulation that works well for crisping foods will dry out delicate foods like scrambled eggs. If you still want to use the air fryer, keep the temperature low, around 300°F, and check the eggs frequently to avoid overcooking.
I tried placing the scrambled eggs in a small oven-safe dish that fit inside the air fryer. After setting it to 300°F, I reheated the eggs for about three to four minutes, checking halfway through.
The eggs warmed up, but the texture ended up a bit drier than expected, even with the low heat and short time.
The air fryer’s heat can easily turn scrambled eggs rubbery. Therefore, it is not worth a try.
Rating – 3/10
Is It Safe to Reheat Scrambled Eggs?
Reheating scrambled eggs is generally safe as long as they have been stored properly. Experts recommend that cooked eggs should be refrigerated within two hours of cooking and kept at a temperature below 40°F. This means placing them in an airtight container and storing them in the fridge.
When it’s time to reheat, eggs should reach an internal temperature of 165°F to ensure they are safe to eat.
Opinions on reheating scrambled eggs vary. Many people agree that reheating eggs can lead to a less-than-perfect texture. Some suggest that making scrambled eggs fresh is often quicker and gives a better result than reheating leftovers.
I support that claim completely. Using an Air Frier or Microwave is simply not worth a try. A much better solution is to just prepare new scrambled eggs.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, only a non-stick pan on a stove can really save your leftovers, while an oven could be at least a decent solution, while the microwave and Air Frier and microwave won’t lead to anything good.
In terms of the time needed to reheat the eggs, it is close to the time you will need to prepare them fresh, which is another reason to actually do that instead of reheating.
Still, if you have a large portion of leftovers from yesterday and you don’t want that to end in waste, reheating them on a stove can save the scrambled eggs and you can enjoy a delicious breakfast.
If you are interested in a side dish that will pair perfectly with scrambled eggs, try out my recipe for Pão de Queijo – the delicious Brazilian cheese bread.
