Everything you need to know about these easy methods on how to melt butter quickly.
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If you’re a frequent home baker then I’m sure you’re familiar with the predicament of needing melted butter right away! Whether you need it in a hurry to use in a baking recipe or you need some dipping butter to go with that savory shrimp you just pulled off the grill, there are a few options to consider. There are actually a few different melting methods to choose from that result in having freshly melted butter in no time!
If you’re sitting there thinking that you just pop the butter in the microwave and let it do its the thing, well, you’re not wrong. That is one option, but there is a little more to take into consideration. Like, is there a melting method I can use that results in less of a clean-up? Which methods can burn the butter? Is there a way to make this easier? Well, today I am going to answer all of these questions and break it all down for you! So the next time you need melted butter, you’ll already have a good idea as to which melting method will work best for the buttery situation at hand.
Melting Method #1: Candy Melting Pot
First, I want to go over the melting pot method for quickly melting butter. This is my preferred method because the candy melt pot evenly distributes heat for even melting, without burning the butter. What’s even better is that this method also comes with minimal mess making for an easy clean-up afterward!
Equipment:
How to Quickly Melt Butter in a Melting Pot:
- First, cut the stick of butter into chunks or slices.
- Then, transfer the butter to the candy melt pot and heat for about 10 minutes while stirring with the spatula.
- The melted butter is ready to use or serve as soon as it reaches the desired consistency.
Melting Method Specs:
- How long does the melting pot method take? 10 minutes
- Level of messiness/clean-up: This method is not very messy at all and the silicone lining of the melting pot makes cleaning up super easy and quick!
- Will the butter burn using the melting pot method? Nope! The candy melt pot does not burn the butter. This also makes the melting pot perfect for melting other foods such as chocolates, candies, and frostings.
Melting Method #2: Microwave
Next, let’s cover the microwave method for melting butter. This is one of the most common methods and is best for tight time crunches, like when you need melting butter in just a minute or so. However, the microwave method usually comes with quite a mess to deal with later so make sure to keep that in mind!
Equipment:
How to Quickly Melt Butter in a Microwave:
- First, cut the butter into chunks or slices.
- Then, transfer the butter to a microwave-safe dish and cover it with a paper towel.
- Heat the butter in the microwave for 30 to 60 seconds at 10-second intervals. Stir in between each interval with the spatula.
- The melted butter is ready to use or serve as soon as it reaches the desired consistency.
Melting Method Specs:
- How long does the microwave method take? 30- 60 seconds total, using 10-second intervals.
- Level of messiness: This method does leave a mess behind, even with the bowl covered, so the clean-up can be a bit more time-consuming. If spilled butter is allowed to dry in the microwave this will make the clean-up even more difficult.
- Will the butter burn if melted in the microwave? Nope! Because the butter is checked at intervals, you don’t have to be concerned about accidentally burning the butter.
Melting Method #3: In Saucepan
Now let’s go over the saucepan method for melting butter. This is another common method because the saucepan evenly distributes heat throughout the butter, usually with minimal mess leftover. However, when using this method there is a chance that the butter can brown or even burn if you’re not keeping a close eye on it. In these cases, there can be quite a tough mess to have to deal with later on so be sure to stay close by!
Equipment:
How to Quickly Melt Butter in a Saucepan:
- First, cut the butter into chunks or slices.
- Then, transfer the butter to a small saucepan and heat over medium heat.
- Heat the butter for 5- 8 minutes while stirring constantly with the spatula.
- Once the melted butter reaches the desired consistency, immediately remove the pan from the heat.
Melting Method Specs:
- How long does the saucepan method take? 5- 8 minutes
- Level of messiness: This method is not very messy at all and the clean-up process is super easy and quick. As long as the butter doesn’t burn, that is.
- Can the butter burn if melted in a saucepan? Yes, it can. When using this butter melting method, the best way to prevent burning is to stay close and keep an eye on the saucepan until the butter is completely melted.
Melt-Worthy Serving Ideas
Any of these melting methods that I have covered here are great options for resulting in easily and quickly melted butter anytime you need it and are perfect for use in baking, dipping, and drizzling for recipes such as:
- Grilled Shrimp
- Salmon Steaks
- French Toast
- Coconut Banana Pancakes
- Caramel Banana Muffins
- S’mores Cupcakes
- Giant Brioche Buns - glaze
- Italian Easter Bread
- Italian Easter Mini Breads
Melted butter is used in all kinds of baking recipes such as:
- Cookies
- Cakes
- Muffins
- Quick bread
- Brownies
- Pancakes
- Banana bread
Looking for softened butter instead? Then head over to my simple guide on How to Soften Butter.
Food Photography & Video Tips from My Studio
Here’s a peek at the tools, gear, and camera setups I use to film my recipe videos and photograph food at home. Over the years, I’ve tested dozens of different setups, and now I’m sharing what actually works for me—whether I’m filming overhead shots for YouTube or styling still photos for my blog. If you’re curious about how I create the content you see here, these posts are a great place to start.
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