The review describes the use of microwave technology to carry out 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reactions, an important tool for the construction of five-membered heterocycles. Microwave methodology can be applied to generate 1,3-dipoles (nitrones, nitrile oxides, azomethine ylides, azomethine imines, nitrile imines, azides, carbonyl ylides) and to promote the subsequent cycloaddition and usually avoids harsh reaction conditions. This nonconventional energy source is able