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Is It Safe To Microwave Cup Noodles?

Maria Foster
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by Maria Foster

Have you ever wondered if you could stick your Cup Noodles in the microwave to save yourself some time? If you’ve never tried it yourself, you may be wondering if this is a genius idea, or even a safe one.

Is it Safe to Microwave Cup Noodles?

In this guide, we will look into the pros and cons of microwaving Cup Noodles, as well as looking into alternative methods.

So, let’s get into it.

Are Cup Noodles Safe To Heat In A Microwave?

The short answer is, unfortunately, no. Cup Noodles are not meant to be heated in the microwave for a number of reasons, and it should be avoided at all costs.

One of the main reasons that Cup Noodles shouldn’t be cooked in a microwave is because the packaging is simply not microwave safe.

From the styrofoam packaging to the lids made from foil, everything about cooking Cup Noodles in a microwave equals to a disaster.

When zapped inside a microwave, styrofoam – which is what most Cup Noodles’ packaging are made from – will release a bunch of chemicals, which will soak into the noodles themselves. Consuming these chemicals can make a person really ill over time.

And, for obvious reasons, you should never put any kind of metal foil inside a running microwave.

Finally, cup noodle packaging is simply not designed to be zapped inside a microwave. If heated too quickly and too much, the packaging will split, melt, and leak everywhere. Boiling hot water will seriously injure a person, and can even damage your microwave.

So, no, Cup Noodles are not safe to heat in a microwave, and you shouldn’t even think about attempting it.

Can I Heat Cup Noodles In A Microwave?

If you are absolutely insistent that you want to heat your Cup Noodles in a microwave, there is a safer way to do so.

However, you should be warned that this method involves a lot more steps than simply adding boiling water into the cup (like you’re supposed to), so this method may not be worth your time and effort.

Here is how to do it if you want to do it anyway.

  1. You are going to need a microwave safe bowl, a plate/lid, water, and some Cup Noodles.
  2. Empty the contents of the Cup Noodles into the bowl, and add enough water that the noodles have been completely covered. Be careful not to add too much water, though; just enough that the noodles are covered.
  3. Use the plate or the lid to cover the bowl, and place it in the microwave. Leave it to cook for 1 minute to start, and then continue with 30 second intervals until the noodles have softened.
  4. Once the noodles are soft, remove the bowl from the microwave. Allow the noodles to completely cool before eating.

The Best Ways To Cook Cup Noodles

Is it Safe to Microwave Cup Noodles

If you are wondering which other ways you can cook Cup Noodles, look no further. Below, we have listed two of the safest and easiest ways to boil your noodles at home.

Using A Kettle

The best way to cook Cup Noodles is, in fact, the method that is recommended by the brands themselves: using a kettle. This method is so simple that we don’t understand why anyone would want to use another method!

Everything about the Cup Noodles packaging is designed for this method.

The boiling water from the kettle is hot enough to cook the noodles, but not quite hot enough to melt the styrofoam. Therefore, no chemicals will leak into the food, and the noodles will still cook perfectly.

Additionally, the foil lid is designed to easily mold around the top of the cup, trapping the steam from the boiling water inside the cup as the noodles cook. Keeping the steam and heat trapped inside the cup helps the noodles to cook faster.

The only reason that you shouldn’t be using a kettle to cook your Cup Noodles is if you do not own a kettle. If you have one, there is no excuse!

Using The Stovetop

If you don’t have a kettle at home, it will be a little more difficult to cook your Cup Noodles. However, this doesn’t mean that you have to resort to using the microwave to cook up some chemical-infused pasta.

Instead, all you have to do is boil some water in a saucepan atop the stop. Once the water has boiled, pour it into the cup as you would with a kettle. Then, use the lid to trap the heat in, and wait three minutes for your noodles to cook.

This method is just as successful as using a kettle, although it may take a little longer to boil. All in all, though, this method is way safer than using a microwave.

Final Thoughts

You should never place a Cup Noodles container in a microwave, no matter the circumstances.

You could empty the contents into a microwave safe bowl to cook them in instead, but this would require a lot more effort than simply boiling some water, and cooking the noodles in the way that you are meant to. It’s your decision.

We hope you found this guide helpful.

About Maria Foster
Maria Foster
Maria Foster is a mother of 3 and she and her husband of 23 years share their home with 2 faithful dogs. Besides being CEO of the household and active in her community, Maria is the lead contributor to Food Champs and loves to try new food ideas and kitchen accessories to make easier and more delicious meals.
Maria Foster
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