Substitutes for Egg Wash: 15 Best Alternatives +FAQs!

An egg wash gives baked food like a croissant or pie its color. Consider a freshly cooked croissant with a crispy top and a golden color straight from the oven. However, some people are allergic to eggs or are uncomfortable with them. In that situation, you’ll require a variety of egg wash options. We’ve compiled a list of egg wash replacements that you can use on your dishes. Continue reading to learn more!

Substitutes for egg wash

It may not be easy to find an egg wash replacement. However, based on our study, we’ve identified the top 15 alternatives.

No. 1 Cream and milk

It is the most basic egg wash substitute.

Milk not only gives the dish a similar hue when baking, but it also keeps it moist. If you wish to place sesame seeds or poppy seeds over a baked dish, milk or cream will help stabilize them as well. Use a pastry brush to apply the milk and cream mixture to the dish. It will give the dish the same hue as an egg wash.

No. 2 Olive oil or vegetable oil

Vegetable oil has no flavor, and when used on bread or baked goods, it adds a sheen and a crispy golden texture. Focaccia is made with olive oil and has a puffy interior with a glossy golden brown coating. Oil is an excellent substitute for egg wash because it has the same texture and sheen.

No. 3 Seeds of flax

If you’re a vegan, flax seeds are an absolute essential.

Due to the inclusion of eggs, many people cannot ingest baked foods. When flax seeds are mixed with water, they form a mushy mixture, which you can use in your meals.

Don’t be put off by the term “flax egg,” as it just refers to a mixture of water and flax seeds. Combine one tablespoon of flax seeds with three tablespoons of warm water and set it aside for ten minutes to thicken. This gooey texture resembles eggs, and it, too, gives baked items a lustrous sheen.

No. 4 Real butter

Because butter melts and becomes golden in color when heated, it is one of the most fantastic egg wash alternatives. Similarly, heat causes the egg to turn golden, making it ideal for pastries and bread.

Once the butter has soaked in, the flavor is light and buttery, with a gleam on the outside. You may also combine butter and soy milk for a beautiful flavor combination and brown the dish.

No. 5 Milk from plants

Soy and almond milk are excellent alternatives for vegans who refuse to drink milk. This milk can be used in the same way as regular milk to add a golden tint to the meal. However, the top will not be shiny because this milk lacks shine, despite the golden tone.

If you don’t have any soy or almond milk on hand, you may make your own by combining soy powder with water and applying it with a pastry brush. Soy and almond milk are excellent vegan egg alternatives since they give the dish a similar color and crispiness.

No. 6 Maple syrup or honey

For any baked food, you can substitute honey or maple syrup.

However, be cautious because this mixture can burn when exposed to high temperatures. As a result, you should use honey or maple syrup almost as soon as the baking is finished.

Both contribute to the dish’s caramelized and nutty flavor.

They also produce a deep brown color. If you don’t want the color, dilute it with water before applying it to the bread, croissant, or pie.

No. 7 Powdered custard

Custard powder may appear unusual, but it gives a puff pastry a nice caramelized color. In addition, its sweet flavor pairs well with sweet foods.

It is an excellent egg wash alternative because it has a comparable color and sheen. One teaspoon custard powder + 1 tablespoon water and then apply it on puff pastry or sweetbreads.

No. 8 Aquafaba

Another vegan alternative on our list is aquafaba. It may appear to be a lofty term, but it refers to the liquid obtained from chickpeas.

You might assume it’ll taste horrible, but the chickpea flavor vanishes when the pastries are heated, leaving a golden, gleaming surface. Dip your pastry brush into the container and generously apply it to the dough.

No. 9 Combine flour and water

I’ve always assumed that flour and water in a baked dish would create a gluggy mess. I did, however, come upon tiger bread. When you apply this mixture to the bread and cook it, it forms a crackle on the top that looks like tiger stripes. You can also use this mixture for frying. Use flour and water instead of an egg as a binder, then dip your chicken or anything vegan in it and fry it.

No. 10 Malt syrup with molasses

Natural sweeteners include molasses and malt syrup.

They’re thick, so they’re great for glazing meat. You may use it on baked items as well, but you’ll need to dilute it with water to achieve a thin, water-like consistency.

You can use molasses in fruit-based cookery and ham and salmon. These are excellent egg wash alternatives since they glaze beautifully and give meals a lustrous sheen. These two provide the best shine and caramelization of all the replacements. It goes well with sweet meals such as scones.

No. 11 Mayonnaise

Mayonnaise is an excellent substitute for egg wash. Mayonnaise is traditionally produced with eggs. If you don’t have any eggs on hand, you may always coat the chicken in mayonnaise before frying it.

Apply a thin layer of mayonnaise to the chicken before coating it in flour.

You can dilute mayonnaise with water or cream if it’s too thick. Mayonnaise loses its sour flavor when it is fried.

No. 12 Yogurt

You can also use yogurt as a binding agent instead of an egg wash.

Yogurt can be used to dip any product in the same way that mayonnaise can be. After that, you can either fry it or bake it in the oven after coating it with flour or breadcrumbs.

No. 13 Breadcrumbs

Our preferred frying ingredient is breadcrumbs. They give the product a nice crunch and help to keep it together. They also help to keep the moist ingredients contained. Furthermore, they are a good egg wash alternative because of their binding agent. Cover it in flour to make your chicken crunchy, then dip it in milk and breadcrumbs. You will not be disappointed if you try this technique on vegetables.

No. 14 Chia seeds

Chia seeds have a similar consistency to flax seeds. It will resemble a beaten egg in texture. If you soak these seeds in water for a few minutes, the mixture will become gluggy and gooey, acting as a binder.

Allow a teaspoon of chia seeds to soak in 3 tablespoons of water before using. When applied to a meal, this vegan option also has a beautiful and golden texture.

No. 15 Agave

Agave nectar is a natural sweetener that you can use in baked goods. However, because it is delightful, use caution when using it. You can use agave directly in your recipe or combine it with soy milk and vegan butter for a better result. It will leave a beautiful golden color and a shine on your dish.

Egg wash substitutes comparison chart

Here is a table of egg wash substitutes for different dishes.

FAQs

Is it possible to use butter instead of egg wash?

Yes, butter is the most acceptable egg wash alternative. When heated, it browns and takes on a nutty flavor. It also gives the croissant or pie a beautiful sheen and crispy texture.

On puff pastry, can I use milk instead of egg wash?

On puff pastry, you can use milk instead of egg wash. It has the same hue, gloss, and crispiness as an egg wash.

Is it possible to omit the egg wash entirely?

No, you cannot skip the egg wash since the dish will appear bland, dull, and dry without it. The egg wash not only gives your meal a bright, golden, crispy texture but also hydrates it. As a result, if you leave it out, the dish will be less attractive. If you don’t have any egg wash on hand, use one of the alternatives listed in this article.