Microwaving M&M's can be a bit tricky, as chocolate tends to melt quickly when exposed to heat. However, if you want to soften them slightly without melting them completely, you can follow these steps:
Place a small microwave-safe dish or cup in the microwave.
Add the M&M's to the dish or cup, spreading them out in a single layer. Avoid stacking them on top of each other.
Microwave the M&M's on the lowest power setting (usually 10% power) for very short intervals. Start with just 5-10 seconds. Microwaving at a lower power setting will help reduce the chances of melting the chocolate.
After each short interval, take the dish out of the microwave and check the M&M's. If they haven't softened to your desired level, you can continue microwaving them in short bursts, checking after each interval.
Be cautious not to overdo it, as even at low power, there's still a risk of melting. It's better to take your time and be patient with the process.
Once the M&M's are softened to your liking, remove them from the microwave and let them cool down before eating or using them in recipes.
Keep in mind that microwaving chocolate is not the ideal method for softening M&M's, as it's challenging to control the heat precisely. If you want a more consistent result, you may want to try alternative methods like placing the M&M's in a sealed plastic bag and immersing them in warm (not hot) water or simply letting them sit at room temperature for a while to soften.