How To Melt Chocolate in the Microwave

Not sure how to melt chocolate in the microwave? Here’s the absolute easiest way in just three simple steps!

Calling all chocolate lovers.

Isn’t it wonderful how chocolate can take on so many forms in so many different delicious desserts? Finding its way into so many of our favorite recipes. 

It dazzles its way from cookies to cakes and even perfectly compliments fruit. Yet handling it in the kitchen is not so smooth. One wrong move, and you’ve got a burnt nightmare.

Knowing how to melt chocolate properly is an essential skill for bakers.

Whether you melt vegan or dark chocolate, the methods are the same. You can melt chocolate in a double boiler, a saucepan, and even a slow cooker.

But, sometimes you want quick results without dirtying too many dishes. I’m going to share a quick-and-easy way to melt chocolate.

How to Melt Chocolate in the Microwave

1. Chop the chocolate into small pieces and put the pieces into a dry container. You can also use chocolate chips. Use a measuring cup or any other microwave-safe dish.  
2. Microwave the chocolate for an initial 30 seconds. (The initial time may vary depending on how much chocolate you melt.) Remove from the microwave and whisk/stir.
3. Continue to microwave the chocolate in 15-second bursts, whisking/stirring in between each time. Repeat until the chocolate is fully melted and smooth. Do not allow the chocolate to boil or burn.

Microwave Mistakes

When melting chocolate in the microwave, a few things can go wrong.

• Overheating can cause the chocolate to seize or separate. To avoid this, don’t skip pausing the microwave to stir.

• Monitor the chocolate closely and always stir to ensure an even melt. Sometimes you won’t know if the chocolate is melted until you give it a good stir, so don’t rely too heavily on the microwave to do all the melting. 

• Do not leave the microwave unattended while melting chocolate. It’s easy for chocolate to burn or boil if left in the microwave for too long, even just a little bit.

Tips for the Perfect Melt

Make sure the container used for microwaving is completely dry. Ensure any stirring utensils are also dry.

Water is the enemy when melting chocolate. Even a tiny amount of water in the chocolate mixture will create grainy clumps.

If you are not using chips, make sure you chop up the chocolate into small enough pieces to ensure the chocolate melts evenly. If the chocolate is in big chunks, this could result in burnt bits.

There you have it, a simple 3 step way to melt your vegan chocolate! Looking for a snazzy recipe to test out these chocolate melting tips?

Head over to my Vegan Chocolate Crinkle Cookies recipe.