Egg Wash Substitute (2024)

Egg Wash Substitute (1)

What is an Egg Wash Substitute?

An egg wash substitute is a fluid preparation containing one or more ingredients designed to replace an egg wash for glazing bread, pies and pastry items. It can be formulated to fully or partially replace eggs depending on the type of finished application.

Examples of ingredients used in egg wash substitutes include:

  • Milk, cream or butter
  • Water
  • Vegetable or olive oil
  • Maple syrup or honey
  • Yogurt
  • Soy, rice or almond milk
  • Fruit-based glazes1,2

Similar to egg-based washes, egg wash substitutes can be topically applied to fresh, par-baked or frozen bakery products for a crunchy-glazed crust. They can be also sprayed to coat the product after baking and before the product cools down.

Why replace eggs in egg wash?

Eggs and egg-based materials present food formulators and bakers with several challenges such as:

  • Availability and fluctuating prices: Eggs are the most expensive ingredient in bakeries, and there are frequent shortages in the supply
  • Quality and short shelf life
  • Enhanced functionality: Some egg alternatives provide better functionality and sensory properties than eggs in bakery products
  • Sustainability: Many bakeries and food manufacturers are implementing self-imposed sustainability program to appeal to younger consumers
  • Safety: Salmonella outbreaks, avian flu disease.
  • Allergens: Require segregating ingredients in production and warehousing areas
  • Nutrition and health: Eggs contain significant levels of cholesterol unlike plant-based ingredients, which are cholesterol-free
  • Lifestyle: Eggs are not compatible with vegans and vegetarian diets
  • Cross-contamination: Requires special handling and storage in bakeries

Function

Eggs are an important component of bakery products surface treatment. Their unique composition, mainly the presence of the natural emulsifiers and proteins, help with stabilizing the crust texture. Also, they provide color and visual appeal.

Typically whole eggs, yolk, or egg white mixed with water or milk can be used in egg wash with the yolk providing darker finish. During baking, egg proteins unfold and cross-link which squeezes out moisture to form a smooth web surface.

Applications

The first step in choosing the right egg wash substitute is deciding on the desired functionality:1,2,3

  1. Surface browner: When used to finish the surface of a bakery product, the mixture is brushed on prior to baking, usually an item with a crust such as pies, bread rolls, breads, Cornish pasties, empanadas, etc.
  2. Binder: When used as a binder, an egg wash can help the coating of food being dredged to stick on better. pies or bread with decoratives. Salt in an egg wash helps break down the protein in the eggs, helping crumb coatings, etc, stick better to the wash. Ground spices such as cinnamon or nutmeg adds surface flavoring and a bit of coloring. Here oils, butter and other lipid-based EWR will be too slippery to keep seeds, nuts, etc. to stick.
  3. Sealer: An egg wash can also “seal” the surface of a food item against moisture from the anticipated filling.

Ingredients used in egg wash substitutes and their corresponding properties:

Egg wash substitute (EWS)Impact on baked goods
Proteins, milk, soy
  • Good crust browning
  • Lacks shine
Oil
  • Good shine, crunchy texture
  • Slippery and doesn’t allow sticking nuts, seeds, etc.
Milk or Cream
  • Recreate egg color without unwanted oil flavor
Polysaccharides (Starch, Xanthan Gum, Alginates)
  • Corn starch can add gloss to the surface of baked goods
  • It should be applied immediately after baking, rather than before baking, to prevent overbrowning.
Melted Butter
  • Light crispy texture
  • Excellent flavor
  • If used in excess may cause the dough to soak and not rise
Rice milk, almond milk, soy milk
  • Golden caramelized color
  • Suitable for vegan diets
  • nuttiness
Flaxseed (dispersed in water)
  • Compatible with vegan diets
  • Good shine
  • Good binder
Custard Powder dissolved in water
  • Smooth finish
  • Good shine
Malt Syrup, molasses
  • Caramelized appearance
  • Nutty taste
Honey or Maple Syrup
  • Deep brown color
  • Crunchy texture
  • It may burn very quickly in a hot oven. It is best used with quick recipes or applied towards the end of the baking time.
Coloring agents (caramel, lycopene, annatto, turmeric, and paprika extracts)
  • Added to impart golden or caramelized color to the surface in baked goods.

FDA regulation

All ingredients used as egg wash substitute should comply with FDA regulations.

References

  1. Julianti, E., Rusmarilin, H., Ridwansyah, H. and Yusraini, E. Effect of gluten free composite flour and egg replacer on physicochemical and sensory properties of cakes. Int. Food Res. J. 2016, 23, 6, pp: 2413-2418.
  2. Wu, J. Eggs and Egg Products Processing, In Food processing: Principles and Applications, Second edition. S. Clark, S. Jung and B. Lamsai (Eds.). 2014, J. Wiley, pp: 437-455.
  3. Kohrs, D., Herald, T.J., Aramouni, F.M. and Abughoush, M. Evaluation of egg replacers in a yellow cake system. Emir. J. Food Agric. 2010, 22, 5, pp: 340-352

7 Comments

  1. Egg Wash Substitute (2)

    CrystalFebruary 28, 2021 at 6:48 am - Reply

    This really helped me get through an egg shortage! Thanks so much for the info!
    I’m also curious: is it uncouth to combine substitutes? Maybe milk before baking followed by maple syrup near the end and corn starch afterward?

  2. Egg Wash Substitute (4)

    VijayOctober 9, 2021 at 8:18 pm - Reply

    Thanks for this info. Very helpful indeed. Once in a crisis(had no eggs) I used a mix of milk and sugar on croissant and it worked nicely to give a golden hue.

    • Egg Wash Substitute (5)

      MaeJanuary 11, 2022 at 11:31 pm - Reply

      Can I ask? Do you mix the sugar with milk or just sprinkle the sugar on top of the milk-washed-croissant?

  3. Egg Wash Substitute (7)

    MahmoudNovember 8, 2021 at 4:30 am - Reply

    Hello everyone,

    Thank you for the rich information.

    please let us know the application of custard and xanthan gum, how to use them as egg wash replacement.

Title

Egg Wash Substitute (2024)

FAQs

Egg Wash Substitute? ›

Other plant-based substitutes for egg wash include maple syrup, flaxseed, nondairy milks like rice milk and almond milk, molasses, aquafaba and various blends with olive oil or vegetable oil. But do yourself a favor this holiday season and brush that pie with some JUST Egg.

What can be used instead of egg wash? ›

Examples of ingredients used in egg wash substitutes include:
  • Milk, cream or butter.
  • Water.
  • Vegetable or olive oil.
  • Maple syrup or honey.
  • Yogurt.
  • Soy, rice or almond milk.
  • Fruit-based glazes. 1,2

Can you brush with butter instead of egg wash? ›

Butter gives baked goods the same golden, crispy finish as egg wash, with the added benefit of tasting like, well, butter. To proceed, first melt the butter over low heat—being careful not to brown it—and then use a pastry brush to sparingly apply an even layer to the soon-to-be-baked item.

Does milk work instead of egg wash? ›

If you don't have any eggs, or you can't be bothered making an egg wash, brushing your baking with milk or cream before it goes into the oven works great too. This technique is often used in scone recipes.

Can I skip egg wash? ›

It gives a shiny, golden finish to the baked goods. If you don't use an egg wash when baking, the baked goods may not have the same attractive golden brown color. Additionally, an egg wash can also help seal edges and add some moisture to the surface of the baked goods, resulting in a slightly softer texture.

Can you use mayo instead of egg wash? ›

Mayonnaise is just one of several substitutes you can use in place of an egg wash. Milk and heavy cream work very well, with heavy cream being arguably superior because the extra fat gives a bit more shine to the pastry. For a vegan approach, try almond milk or even coconut oil.

Is it better to wash with egg or butter? ›

Is it better to use an egg wash or butter on your pie crust? We are Team Egg Wash (or Cream Wash). While melted butter adds more flavor than the washes, it is less effective in look; it gives a speckled appearance to pastry.

Does egg wash matter? ›

In baking, many recipes call for an egg wash to be brushed on the baked goods before it goes into the oven. The purpose of this is to give the final product a golden brown color that is slightly shiny. Egg washes can make the final product look more professional, a bit crispier, or act as a binder."

Can you use maple syrup instead of egg wash? ›

Like honey, maple syrup is a convenient option to use for egg wash, especially when sweeter baked goods are on the menu. Since maple syrup is a combination of reduced sugar and water, keeping a watchful eye on your oven during the cooking process is extra crucial.

Is it better to brush pastry with egg or milk? ›

An egg white mixed with water is best used for baked goods that would benefit from a nice gloss and just some light golden color. An egg yolk mixed with water will yield a deep golden color (much like a whole beaten egg without any liquid). Using milk or cream will further enhance the color and gloss.

Is it better to brush with milk or egg? ›

EGG: Using beaten whole eggs will give color and sheen to a bread. Egg yolk provides rich color, browning easily in the oven. Egg white provides a nice sheen. MILK: Brushing with milk will help to color the crust, the sugars in the milk helping to brown it.

Can I use honey instead of egg wash? ›

A honey replacement for egg wash is great for providing a glossy finish on pastries or breads with a touch of sweetness, like in the case of apple butter challah. If you don't have honey on hand, though, other liquid sweeteners like maple syrup can also be used.

What can I use for egg wash instead of milk? ›

You can substitute with whatever milk you keep on hand, including alt milks, or an equal amount of heavy cream, half-and-half, or water—or skip it entirely and just use a whole egg. Note that the varying levels of sugar and fat in these product will yield slightly different results. Wash it whichever way you want.

What can I use instead of pastry brush for egg wash? ›

A Spoon + Paper Towel

Simply use a spoon to drizzle your given brushing liquid over the pastry surface, and quickly follow up with a loosely wadded paper towel to blot and spread.

What can I use if I dont have a pastry brush? ›

Unused paintbrush, toothbrush, or coffee filters, are all can be Substitute for Pastry Brush. Additional Substitutes for pasty brush you can read this article.

Is egg wash necessary? ›

In baking, many recipes call for an egg wash to be brushed on the baked goods before it goes into the oven. The purpose of this is to give the final product a golden brown color that is slightly shiny. Egg washes can make the final product look more professional, a bit crispier, or act as a binder."

How to make egg wash for frying without eggs? ›

Flour and Water Slurry

To make this egg substitute for frying, combine 1 tablespoon of flour with 2 tablespoons of water until the mixture is lump free. Mix in 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder and 1/8 teaspoon of salt if desired. Use this mixture as you would regular eggs when frying foods.

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