From cakes and crumbles to mac 'n' cheese, you might be surprised at the range of dishes that can be cooked in a microwave. How many of these ideas have you tried?

When you want one cookie instead of a dozen, knowing how to knock one up in the microwave is handy. Mix butter, sugar, vanilla and an egg yolk, then add flour and salt to make a smooth paste. Throw in chocolate chips and microwave for 30 to 60 seconds.

Now check out more tips for perfect cookies

Meat-lovers listen up: there's a new way to cook bacon. Fold bacon slices between kitchen paper and microwave on full power for around two minutes per slice. Converts say that the kitchen paper absorbs all the fatty juices from the bacon, leaving you with minimal mess and crispy rashers.

Our favourite warming dinner, chilli doesn’t need to stew for hours. Microwave yours in a fraction of the time – try these simple tactics to make it taste great. First, blast chopped garlic and onion to soften and use less spice than if cooking on the stove. Add half a stock cube and dark chocolate (yes, really) for depth of flavour. Add some kidney beans and sieved tomatoes then blast for four minutes, stirring halfway through.

There's simply no end to the mug cake variations you can make in your microwave. Start with a classic chocolate and coffee one and experiment from there. The best bit? There are no dishes to clean up and the cake takes just minutes to make.

Get the recipe for coffee and chocolate mug cake here

Rustle up a hot sticky pudding in a matter of minutes. This indulgent treat combines nutty chocolate spread, citrusy marmalade and basic store cupboard ingredients – oil, milk, egg, sugar and flour. We highly recommend you top with more chocolate spread or sauce to serve.

Get the recipe for chocolate orange pudding here

Fancy a barista-style coffee in the comfort of your own home? For perfect froth, fill a jar halfway with milk, screw on the lid and shake. Once foamy, remove the lid and microwave on full power for 30 seconds. Your froth should double in size and provide the perfect topping for your coffee.

If you’re short on time there's no need to scramble your eggs in a pan. Add a dash of milk and seasoning to beaten eggs before a minute and a half in the microwave on high, stirring midway through. The perfect hack to avoid washing up pots and pans.

Cooking an omelette in the microwave is quick and simple. Whisk two eggs, seasoning and some grated cheese or chopped ham, pour into a greased mug and microwave on high for one minute. Stir, then cook again on high for another minute.

You can also try poaching eggs in the microwave. Simply fill a mug or small bowl with boiling water, add a little salt and vinegar, then crack in an egg. Heat for about 60 seconds on high and you should end up with a runny yolk.

These hacks will get you perfect eggs every time

This quick dessert fix only requires four ingredients, plus a little melting and mixing. To make, first melt dark chocolate. Set aside then warm yogurt in a non-metallic bowl for 10 seconds – this will ensure the chocolate doesn't seize when added. Combine the yogurt with agave nectar, and fold in the chocolate and a sprinkling of roasted hazelnuts.

Get the recipe for chocolate yogurt pots here

Crumbles don't have to bubble away in the oven for nearly an hour. This toffee apple mug crumble with pecan nuts takes just four minutes to cook – and only requires six ingredients. 

Get the recipe for toffee apple mug crumble here

Think French toast is messy and complicated to make? It's not in the microwave. Add torn bread and blueberries to a mug. Whisk egg, milk, cinnamon and vanilla, and pour over the dry ingredients. Microwave for a minute and a half, then drizzle over maple syrup.

Sticky, glutinous rice works in both savoury and sweet dishes – it's delicious with everything from steamed fish to fresh mango. And it's surprisingly easy to cook in a microwave. The trick is to let it soak in water for around an hour before microwaving on high for 10 minutes.

Find more tips for cooking rice perfectly every time here

A spoonful of sweet and sticky dulce de leche will satisfy any sweet tooth, but the caramel sauce can take up to four hours to make from scratch. If you want to skip a few steps, try making it in the microwave. Start by pouring condensed milk into a microwavable bowl and heat on medium power for two minutes at a time, whisking thoroughly afterwards. After around 10 minutes it should be a rich caramel in colour. Let it cool slightly before eating. Try it drizzled over vanilla ice cream.

The most decadent hot chocolate recipe is simply to pour hot milk over pieces of good-quality dark chocolate, whisking until they've dissolved. There's no need to do this on the stove. Heat the milk in a microwave on high for one to two minutes, carefully watching to ensure it doesn't boil over. Add marshmallows to serve or add a Mexican-inspired twist and stir in a pinch of cinnamon.

Get the recipe for Oaxacan hot chocolate here

Polenta – the coarsely ground yellow cornmeal that's a component of so many great Italian dishes – is surprisingly easy to cook in a microwave. Combine your ingredients (usually just polenta, water and salt) in a microwaveable bowl and heat on high for five minutes, stopping midway to mix. If you want to add extra richness, stir in a sprinkling of Parmesan and a teaspoon of butter just before it's finished cooking.

Microwave steamers, with their handy veg trays and vents to release steam, make the job even easier – but you don't need one to steam vegetables in the microwave. Chop vegetables uniformly to help them cook evenly, place in a bowl with a few tablespoons of water and cover with cling film, pierced in a few places to let steam escape. Cooking times vary depending on the vegetable you're cooking. For example, a small portion of broccoli takes around three minutes on full power.

Cooking root vegetables in the microwave will never rival roasting them, but it can be a handy trick if you're in a rush. Follow the same method as for green vegetables and allow for longer cooking times – around six to seven minutes for butternut squash. Once cooked, pep them up with fresh herbs or try transforming them into a buttery mash.

Check out our best-ever food hacks that'll have you cooking like a pro here

Perfect flaky salmon in the microwave is easier than you might think. The simplest method is to brush the fish with olive oil, season with salt and pepper, and cook skin-side-down on high (a single salmon fillet takes around three to four minutes). To add more flavour, try topping the salmon with minced garlic or shredded ginger, or marinate it briefly in lime or lemon juice before cooking.

Take a look at these marvellous marinade ideas here

The idea of cooking risotto in the microwave might send Italian chefs running for the hills, but there's no harm in trying it at home. Simple vegetarian versions work best. For four people, follow the same quantities as your favourite stovetop recipe. Start by heating the rice and two-thirds of the stock, covered, on high for 10 minutes, stopping to stir at least once. Then add the rest of the stock and cook for a further five minutes. Stir in any other ingredients, such as green vegetables and mushrooms, for the final three minutes of cooking. You can add butter, herbs, Parmesan, salt and pepper to taste before you serve.

Full disclosure: you won't get potatoes that are perfectly crispy on the outside and fluffy in the middle just by cooking them in a microwave. But you can use one to save time. Firstly, pierce the potatoes with a fork and microwave on high for 10 minutes. Then carefully transfer to a preheated hot oven to crisp up the skin for 10 to 20 minutes.

For more potato hacks, check out our gallery

You can try the same method for sweet potatoes, which tend to fare slightly better cooked completely in the microwave. One sweet potato will take around five minutes on full power. You can eat them straight away – slathered in butter or topped with sour cream and chives – or pop them in a hot oven for around 10 minutes to get crispy skin.

Find more terrific baked potato tips here

Opt for a no-bake cheesecake and you've already saved yourself time. Use your microwave to speed up the process (such as softening butter or melting chocolate for a drizzle) and you can have a dessert ready in a flash.

Get the recipe for lemon and pistachio cheesecake here

The classic base for chocolate truffles is a ganache: melted butter and warm cream poured over chocolate until it melts. You can easily use a microwave for this method, being careful not to boil the cream.

Get the recipe for peanut butter truffles here

Fridge cake might be a childhood treat, but there's no reason you can't make an adult version. A dash of liqueur adds a grown-up twist. Skip the bain marie (melting in a bowl sitting above simmering water) and make it in a microwave. Blast for a couple of minutes on medium power, checking regularly to ensure the chocolate isn't burning.

Get the recipe for Grand Marnier, cranberry and chocolate fridge cake here

If you love savoury apple sauce with roasted meats or sweet apple sauce with desserts, don't buy it ready-made, make your own instead. Combine diced apples with water (and sugar and cinnamon if you wish), and cook on high until the apples are tender and easily mashed.

This is the cooking advice you should never believe

Mac 'n' cheese is the ultimate indulgent supper and this rich and silky version doesn’t require an oven. It takes 10 minutes in the microwave and needs only four ingredients: macaroni, butter, yeast extract spread (like Marmite) and hard strong cheese.

Get the recipe for microwave mac 'n' cheese here