The humble microwave oven offers the easiest method of cooking available. However, microwaving your food has somewhat fallen out of favour, due to the mistaken belief that it's always unhealthy or unappetising. Luckily, there are many microwave cookbooks that prove delicious and nutritious meals can be made in just a few minutes flat!
A microwave cookbook is essential when you need quick and tasty food inspiration, and this article will show you how to choose the right one. After walking you through everything you need to consider, keep reading for our ranking of the top 10 best microwave cookbooks in the UK.
Quick List - Top Microwave Cookbooks
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Table of Contents
The microwave oven might be a simple contraption, but the vast amount of different foods you can cook in it means there's a wide variety of microwave cookbooks available. Picking the right one simply comes down to answering a few key questions, so read our buying guide to find out more!
Microwave cooking isn't only about convenience! It's also about making delicious food that you'll want to enjoy again and again. One way of guaranteeing that you'll adore a cookbook's recipes is by choosing one that's dedicated to your favourite type of cuisine.
The microwave oven is a versatile appliance, but there's no denying that the scope for cooking exotic meals is a little more limited than it might be with, say, a standard oven. That said, there are still plenty of exciting dishes that you can prepare in a microwave, some of which may come as a surprise.
There are books dedicated to a range of global cuisines, ranging from Indian to Japanese. Although a bit more difficult to find, there are even those full of recipes for vegetarian and vegan meals that you can cook in a microwave oven.
The convenience of microwave cooking means it can benefit people from all walks of life. One of the key aspects that set microwave cookbooks apart from one another is the number of people their recipes cater to.
If you live on your own, or primarily tend to cook for one, you'll find a microwave cookbook dedicated to solo eaters indispensable. These books are full of recipes that take advantage of the convenience of microwave ovens, allowing you to prepare tasty, individual meals, without having to reconfigure ingredient amounts.
If you're cooking for a family, you'll want a book that offers simple and nutritious meals that you can cook quickly, and which will appeal to both parents and children alike. Even better, these recipes can often be batch-cooked, saving you time in the long-run - something that every busy parent knows is totally worth it!
Perhaps because microwave cooking is not as popular as it once was, dedicated microwave cookbooks are getting harder to come by. These days, convenient microwaveable recipes are often nested within books that also contain other meal ideas.
These cookbooks are often dedicated to easy cooking or money-saving meal ideas, meaning that even the non-microwaveable recipes are usually cheap, easy and tasty. This is a good thing as you'll pick up plenty of extra tips, and may even be inspired to discover new and exciting modes of cooking!
In the midst of all the dedicated cookbooks, the combination, or 'combi' microwave, is often overlooked. If you have a combi microwave, it makes sense to find a cookbook that utilises its extra features, such as its ability to steam and grill, rather than relying solely on simplified recipes for standard microwaves.
They're definitely harder to find, but a cookbook dedicated to combination microwaves will allow you to take advantage of what it is that makes these gadgets so special. With one of these books, you'll be able to use advanced cooking methods at lightning fast speed!
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Sofia Rivera 365 Recipes Microwave Cookbook | ![]() | The Ultimate Collection of Simple Family Recipes | |
2 | Denise Smart Meal in a Mug | ![]() | The Ultimate Mug Meal Bible | |
3 | Rockridge Press The Absolute Best Mug Cakes Cookbook | ![]() | The Definitive Guide to Cup Cakes | |
4 | Camilla V. Saulsbury 250 Best Meals in a Mug | ![]() | An Indispensable Compendium of Speedy Meals | |
5 | Allie Allen Microwave Dessert Cookbook for Busy People | ![]() | Your Go-to for Quick and Easy Sweet Treats | |
6 | Machiko Chiba The Cook-Zen Cookbook | ![]() | Japanese Cooking Without the Fuss | |
7 | Annette Yates Microwave Recipes for One | ![]() | An Indispensable Guide to Solo Microwave Cuisine | |
8 | Pamela Ellgen The 5 Ingredient College Cookbook | ![]() | Healthy Food Made Quickly | |
9 | Carolyn Humphries Everyday Family Recipes for Your Combination Microwave | ![]() | Create Tasty Family Meals With Your Combi Microwave | |
10 | Jack Monroe Cooking on a Bootstrap | ![]() | Top Tips for Easy, Healthy Meals on a Shoestring |
Books that cater towards desserts or mug-sized recipes are great, but sometimes you need a general guide that'll cover all the bases. With a whopping 365 recipes, all of which can be made in the microwave, you'll never need struggle for inspiration again!
Every dish included is nutritious, family-friendly and easy to prepare. Even though not all the recipes are quick, for a compendium of simple, microwaveable meal ideas, you can't do much better.
Perhaps the most popular microwave cookbook of recent years, Denise Smart bucks the trend of dated recipes that are stuck in the 90s. Instead, she presents a selection of 80 up to date microwave-only recipes that more than hold a candle to their oven-cooked counterparts.
With a selection of meals covering everything from porridges to pastas and puddings, there's not a moment of the day that you'll be stuck for a recipe that's quick, easy and delicious. Whether you're a microwave devotee, or simply someone that requires a fast way to beat the hunger pangs, this book is a must-have.
Putting the effort into making a cake is certainly rewarding, but the process can be a lengthy one, and sometimes you need a way to satisfy your cravings at a moment's notice. Luckily, this book is filled with over 100 recipes for cakes that can be made solely in the microwave.
A book full of recipes for mug cakes might seem a bit specific, but if you like the idea of quick cakes, this book is a must-buy! In fact, some of the recipes are so delicious, we think it's worth having, even if you're not exclusively a microwave user.
If convenience is your top priority when searching for recipes, you're sure to find the title of this book irresistible. After all, if a meal can be cooked in a mug, it must be pretty simple!
With over 250 recipes included, you've got plenty to work with here. Don't be fooled into thinking that it's all going to be soups and noodles either, as there are some truly intriguing additions, including aubergine parmesan and mushroom barley soup. It's the must-have compendium for microwave dining.
It's not too difficult to find a microwave cookbook, but if you're someone with a sweet tooth that often requires cake at a moment's notice, you'll love this compendium of thirty-four microwave dessert recipes.
Though small in size, many of them are luxurious enough to be served at even the most formal of evening meals. The best thing is that many of them can be made in just a few minutes flat - simply throw a few ingredients together and pop them in the microwave!
If you're looking for a way to combine the convenience of microwave cooking with your love of Japanese cuisine, look no further than this book from award-winning cooking artist, Machiko Chiba. It's full of all kinds of recipes, from rice and veg dishes, to meat and fish, and even desserts.
Not only do you get over 80 recipes for easy, Japanese meals, you'll also learn how to cook meat and vegetables while retaining their natural nutrition and colour. At times, it reads like an instructional manual, but when it comes to microwave cooking, there's nothing wrong with a no-nonsense approach to getting the job done!
Microwave cookbooks tend to cater towards families, which can be frustrating if you regularly cook for one. Thankfully, this book offers plenty of recipe ideas for those who live alone, eat at separate times to others within your household, or have different dietary requirements.
Originally published in 1987, some its terminology may seem a little bit dated, but it's still the best of its kind. There are tons of recipes for everything from breakfast, to fish dishes and desserts. There's even a handy cooking guide, which explains how to adapt family recipes to single portions!
This book consists of recipes that cater towards students, and pretty much anyone who wants to eat healthy while on a limited budget. This means several dishes can be cooked in our beloved microwaves.
Divided into sections dedicated to breakfast, lunch and dinner, this book is full of recipes from all around the world. Many of which are vegan, and most require less than 5 ingredients, taking no more than 30 minutes to cook. Although, you may be disappointed if you're looking for a microwave-only cookbook.
Combination microwaves take the convenience of a traditional microwave and turn things up a notch, by allowing you to grill, steam, bake and more. Naturally, this opens up a whole new world of potential, and that's where this book comes in.
Featuring a host of varied recipes, from lasagne to burritos and chicken pie, this book is full of tasty recipes that'll feed a hungry family. All of which, can be cooked quickly and simply in your combi microwave. However, we couldn't help but feel disappointed by the complete lack of any photographs!
While not strictly a microwave cookbook, this collection of recipes is a bible for anyone that wants to eat healthy, tasty food while ensuring that they live within their means. From money-saving tips to easy and affordable recipes, everything you need is right here.
If you're only after microwave recipes, steer clear. While there are several - including a delicious macaroni cheese for one - they're limited in number. If you're looking for a compendium of cheap, easy and healthy meals, however, this is a great pick.
The evening meal is one of the most important parts of the day, but that doesn't mean we don't sometimes wish it was a little bit quicker and easier to prepare. Luckily, there are a plethora of books to help home cooks save time, effort and money. Check out our recommendations below, for more simple and nutritious meal ideas!
Now that we've reached the end of our article, we hope that you've found a microwave cookbook that you can call upon in the hardest of times. If we've made mealtimes even a little bit easier for you, we've done our job. Happy cooking!
Author: Emily Victoria Porsch
No. 1: Sofia Rivera|365 Recipes Microwave Cookbook
No. 2: Denise Smart|Meal in a Mug
No. 3: Rockridge Press|The Absolute Best Mug Cakes Cookbook
No. 4: Camilla V. Saulsbury|250 Best Meals in a Mug
No. 5: Allie Allen|Microwave Dessert Cookbook for Busy People
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