How to Melt Chocolate Chips (3 Easy Methods)

If you don’t know how to melt chocolate chips the right way, you’ll likely end up with a lumpy mess.

So let’s cover my top three methods:

1. How to Melt Chocolate Chips in The Microwave
2. How to Melt Chocolate Chips on The Stove
3. How to Melt Chocolate Chips in A Slow Cooker

Any baker or pastry chef will tell you – chocolate is extremely temperamental.

A little water in the bowl can seize a whole batch. And 3 seconds too long in the microwave can turn the bowl into a burned, grainy mess.

I know Amaury Guichon makes it look easy. But he uses professional equipment to melt chocolate for his tasty chocolate desserts!

So if you want to learn how to melt chocolate chips, keep reading! Because I’ve got three easy methods below.

Three Ways to Melt Chocolate Chips

1. How to Melt Chocolate Chips in The Microwave

Ah… the microwave. The frenemy of chocolate chips. 

There are plenty of great reasons to melt chocolate chips in the microwave. But mostly, it’s because it’s fast.

Also, this is the best way to melt small quantities of chocolate. (1 cup or less) 

BUT…

The microwave is also the easiest way to end up with chalky, scorched chocolate.

And once the chocolate has seized (turns gritty and paste-like), you really can’t bring it back. 

Luckily, with a few strategies, you can minimize your chances of creating unusable chocolate.

Here’s how to melt chocolate chips in the microwave:

1. Place the chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl. 

2. Heat in the microwave for 30 seconds.

3. Remove the bowl from the microwave and stir. 

4. Repeat in 20-second intervals until the chocolate is melted.

Note: chocolate will continue to melt from the residual heat in the bowl. So, stir it well between intervals and stop microwaving when just a few lumps are left.

Melting times vary depending on the type of chocolate and the strength of your microwave. 

• Dark, milk, and semi-sweet chocolate: 1/2 cup of chocolate takes approximately 1 minute to melt on high heat. 

• White chocolate: 1/2 chocolate takes approximately 45 seconds to melt on high heat. Heat in 15-second intervals instead of 20. 

2. How to Melt Chocolate Chips on The Stove

The stove is my preferred method for melting chocolate chips. It’s slow but results in beautifully glossy chocolate.

For this method, you need a double boiler or a tall pot and a heatproof bowl:

• Double Boiler – Also known as a bain-marie, this consists of 2 pieces sold in a set: one large pot and one shorter pot that sits on the rim of the larger pot.
• Pot and Bowl – This makeshift double boiler calls for a tall pot and a wide, heatproof bowl. The bowl should sit on the rim of the pot and cover the entire opening.

The idea is to add a couple of inches of water to the pot on the stove, bring it to a low simmer, and then add the smaller pot or bowl over the top.

The pot or bowl must not touch the water. Instead, you’ll melt the chocolate using steam.

Here’s how to melt chocolate chips on the stove:

1. Add 1-2 inches of water to a double boiler or tall pot.

2. Bring the water to a boil, then reduce the heat so it’s simmering.

3. Add the chocolate chips to the top part of the double boiler or a heatproof bowl.

4. Place this over the simmering water – the bottom should not touch the water.

5. Hold the top pot or bowl with an oven mitt, and stir gently with a spatula. Keep stirring until the chocolate is melted and shiny.

Melting times vary depending on the type of chocolate. 

• Dark, milk, and semi-sweet chocolate: 1/2 cup of chocolate takes approximately 4 minutes to melt.

• White chocolate: 1/2 cup of chocolate takes approximately 3 minutes to melt.

3. How to Melt Chocolate Chips in A Slow Cooker

The slow cooker also takes a bit of time. But it’s a fabulous way to melt chocolate chips – especially in bulk!

You can melt a lot of chocolate on the stovetop. But unless your double boiler or bowl is huge, you might have to do it in batches.

So, use the slow cooker instead.

Some methods suggest adding the chocolate right into the pot. But I find the chocolate scorches around the edges this way.

Here’s how to melt chocolate chips in a slow cooker:

1. Divide the chocolate chips into heatproof glass jars or tall heatproof containers.

2. Pour 1-2 inches of hot water into the slow cooker pot.

3. Gently place the glass jars into the water, being very careful to not get water in the jar.

4. Turn the heat to low and let it warm up with the lid off.

5. Let the chocolate melt for 20-30 minutes, stir it, then melt for longer as needed. Turn the heat setting to “warm” to keep the chocolate melted.

If you’re in a rush, you can turn the heat to high, but I prefer the low and slow method.

And it kind of depends on the containers you’re using as to how quickly the chocolate will melt.

For example, thick glass jars will take longer.

How to Melt White Chocolate Chips

White chocolate is even more difficult to work with than dark or milk because doesn’t contain any cocoa solids.

In fact, some people even suggest it’s not real chocolate without the cocoa solids.

But you can read all about that in my article: what is white chocolate?

As for melting, just know this: it burns very easily!

In order to be considered top-quality, white chocolate should contain a high amount of cocoa butter. If it doesn’t, it’s more likely to burn.

So, if you ask me how to melt white chocolate chips, I’ll always recommend the double boiler method.

Unlike the microwave, you can watch it the whole time and take it off the heat if you see it’s almost ready.

Tips for Melting Chocolate Chips

• Make sure the chocolate chips are all the same size. If you mix mini chips with big chunks, they won’t melt at the same rate. And while that’s fine in a double boiler, you’ll likely see it burn in the microwave.

• Use the same methods for chocolate bars. I don’t mean Mars or Snickers – I mean solid bars of chocolate. Just be sure to chop them into equal-sized pieces.

• Do not add water to the chocolate. It will ruin the texture and make it lumpy, or turn it into a paste. 
  • This is why you need a bowl that’ll cover the pot’s opening entirely for the double boiler method. That way, the steam can’t get in.

• Go low and slow. Melting chocolate takes some patience. But it’s worth every extra minute. 

• Use a rubber or silicone spatula to stir the chocolate. It will help scrape the sides of your bowl much easier and encourage the chocolate to melt evenly.

• Add butter or coconut oil if the chocolate is too thick. It’ll give it a nice glossy finish too.

• Use good quality chocolate. Cheaper chocolate doesn’t melt as well.

Chocolate Recipes We Can’t Get Enough Of

Chocolate Chip Cheesecake
White Chocolate Cheesecake
White Chocolate Fudge
Chocolate-Dipped Shortbread Cookies