How to Bake in a Microwave Oven
Can you bake in a microwave? Yes, but how well depends on the type. A solo makes quick, soft mug cakes; a grill crisps pizza tops; only a convection microwave bakes like a real oven.
Updated 11 November 2026
Which microwave oven is best for baking?
For real baking you need convection: a fan and heater that move hot air. In our list this means the Haier HMW-30AF (AFR/AFS) 30 Litre Air Fryer Microwave Oven, the Kenwood MWP29.000BK 30 Litre Convection Microwave Oven, the PEL PMO-26 Kitchen Pro CAF 26 Litre Air Fryer Microwave Oven, the PEL PMO-30 Kitchen Pro ICAF 30 Litre Air Fryer Microwave Oven and the Forno MAS-444 MBS 36 Litre Built-in Microwave Oven. See Convection Microwave Oven Price in Pakistan.
Dawlance, Homage and Orient solo and grill models have no convection.
Microwave mug cake (any microwave)
- In a large microwave-safe mug, mix 4 tablespoons flour, 3 tablespoons sugar, 2 tablespoons cocoa and a pinch of baking powder.
- Add 1 egg, 3 tablespoons milk and 2 tablespoons oil. Mix well.
- Microwave on High for about 1 minute 30 seconds in a 700 to 800 W oven.
The cake is soft and spongy, not brown. This works in Homage, Dawlance and every solo model.
Cake in a convection microwave
- Press Convection, set 180 °C and preheat.
- Pour the batter into a greased metal or glass tin.
- Place the tin on the low rack.
- Bake for 25 to 35 minutes; check with a toothpick.
In convection-only mode, metal tins are fine. In combination (microwave + convection) mode, use glass or silicone only.
How to make pizza in a microwave
- Grill microwave: put the pizza on the rack and use Combi for 8 to 12 minutes. The cheese browns, but the base stays soft.
- Convection microwave: preheat to 200 °C and bake for 12 to 15 minutes for a crisp base.
- Frozen pizza: follow the pack, and use the crisper tray if your oven has one.
Chicken tikka in a grill microwave
Marinate the chicken for at least 2 hours. Place it on the grill rack with a plate below for drips. Grill for 10 minutes, turn, and grill 8 to 10 minutes more. Combi mode is faster: about 12 to 15 minutes in total.
Microwave cooking ideas
Steamed vegetables, corn on the cob (3 to 4 minutes in its husk), popcorn, scrambled eggs in a bowl, halwa, kheer and boiled potatoes all cook well in any microwave.
How to bake a cake in a grill microwave oven
A grill microwave has no fan, so it cannot bake a tall, browned sponge like a real oven. It can still make a good, soft cake in microwave mode, and the grill can lightly colour the top at the end.
- Grease a round glass or silicone dish (not metal) and line the base with butter paper.
- Pour in the batter only half full, because it rises fast.
- Cook on microwave High (not grill) for 5 to 7 minutes for a 2-egg cake, in a 800 to 900 W oven.
- Check with a toothpick; it should come out with a few moist crumbs.
- If you want colour, switch to grill for 1 to 2 minutes, watching closely.
This works in grill models like the Dawlance DW-393 G 23 Litre Grill Microwave Oven, Homage HDG-2313B 23 Litre Grill Microwave Oven and Haier HMW-20DGS 20 Litre Grill Microwave Oven.
Can we bake a cake in a solo microwave without convection?
Yes. A solo microwave bakes a soft, moist cake in a few minutes using the same steps as above, without the grill finish. The cake will not brown on top or form a crust, so it suits chocolate cake, mug cake and cakes you will frost or cover with icing.
Tips for a better solo-microwave cake:
- Use a round dish; square corners overcook.
- Put a small glass upside down in the centre to make a ring cake that cooks evenly.
- Use a slightly wetter batter than an oven recipe.
- Let it stand for 5 minutes after the beep, because it keeps cooking.
Microwave cake baking time and temperature
- Mug cake, 1 egg, any microwave: 1.5 to 2 minutes on High
- Bowl cake, 2 eggs, solo or grill: 5 to 7 minutes on High
- Sponge cake in convection mode: 180 °C, 25 to 35 minutes after preheating
- Cupcakes in convection mode: 180 °C, 15 to 18 minutes
- Brownies in convection mode: 170 to 180 °C, 20 to 25 minutes
In microwave mode there is no temperature to set; you choose power and time. You only set a temperature (such as 160, 180 or 200 °C) in convection or air fry mode, on ovens like the Kenwood MWP29.000BK 30 Litre Convection Microwave Oven or PEL PMO-26 Kitchen Pro CAF 26 Litre Air Fryer Microwave Oven.
How to preheat a microwave oven for cake and pizza
You preheat only in convection or air fry mode. Press Convection, choose the temperature, and press Start without food inside. The oven beeps when it reaches the heat, usually after 5 to 10 minutes. Then put the tin on the low rack and set the baking time.
In plain microwave mode, never run the oven empty to preheat it. Microwaves need food or water to absorb them, and running it empty can harm the magnetron. In grill mode, 2 to 3 minutes of grill heat before the food goes in is fine.
Eggless, sponge and chocolate cake ideas
- Eggless cake: replace each egg with 3 tablespoons of yoghurt plus a pinch of baking soda.
- Sponge cake: beat eggs and sugar until thick and pale, fold in flour gently, and bake in convection mode for the best rise.
- Chocolate cake: add 2 to 3 tablespoons of cocoa to the flour; it hides the pale top that microwave mode gives.
- Banana cake: mash two ripe bananas into the batter and cook 1 minute longer.
Cakes without baking powder stay dense in a microwave, so keep at least 1 teaspoon per cup of flour.
Cupcakes, brownies, cookies and bread in a microwave
Cupcakes: in microwave mode, fill silicone or paper cups half full and cook 6 at a time for about 1.5 to 2 minutes on High. In convection mode bake them in a metal tray.
Brownies: microwave a square glass dish of brownie batter for 4 to 5 minutes on medium-high; the centre should still look slightly wet.
Cookies and biscuits: these need dry heat to turn crisp, so use convection mode at 180 °C for 10 to 12 minutes. Microwave-mode cookies stay soft.
Bread, buns and naan: a proper loaf needs convection at about 190 °C for 25 to 30 minutes. A grill microwave can toast slices and warm naan, but cannot bake dough into crusty bread.
Naan, egg pudding and cake without an oven
- Naan: best in a convection microwave at about 220 °C on a preheated tray, 6 to 8 minutes. A grill microwave can brown the top, but the base stays soft.
- Egg pudding: cook the caramel in a glass bowl in short bursts, pour in the egg and milk mix, cover and cook at medium power for 6 to 8 minutes. Let it set in the fridge.
- Cake without an oven: a solo microwave makes a soft sponge in 4 to 6 minutes on high. It will not brown, so add cocoa or a topping for colour.
For a browned cake, use a Convection Microwave Oven Price in Pakistan.
