The Unexpected Egg Wash Alternative You Probably Have In Your Fridge

Egg washes are used to give pastries, breads, pies, and other baked goods a golden brown, shiny appearance and crispy texture. The process typically involves combining a beaten egg with water and brushing the mixture on top of the bread or dough before baking. Without an egg wash, pastry can end up losing moisture and looking dull and dry. 

Besides adding shine, color, and crunch, an egg wash can also be used to seal the edges of a pastry, or as an adhesive for toppings, like sugar, poppy seeds, or sesame seeds. "Historically, egg whites were used as an adhesive, added to recipes to bind ingredients together," baker KC Hysmith told Food & Wine, adding "You can even layer an egg wash before applying sugars or other things you want to stick together."

There are several baking scenarios where an egg wash may be useful, and there are also several alternatives that help you achieve the same effect. With recent increases in egg prices, many households may be looking to cut back on their egg use. And if you are looking for an egg wash alternative, you might already have one surprising substitute in your fridge: yogurt.

Yogurt makes a great egg wash substitute since it can be used to add color and shine, and it can also be used for an adhesive effect. Simply use a small amount of yogurt and brush it onto the pastry as you would an egg wash. Both Greek yogurt and normal yogurt will work, but if the yogurt is especially dense, you can thin it with water. 

When using yogurt as an egg wash substitute, know that you may be adding some extra flavor to your bread or pastry since yogurt is naturally tangy. In some situations, the tang may be welcome, for example, when brushed over a pie crust. In savory breads or baked goods, though, you likely want to stick to plain, unsweetened yogurt to avoid adding any unwelcome flavor or sweetness to your bake.

Yogurt also makes a great substitute for egg when used to make baked chicken or other items coated in flour or breadcrumbs. Though not necessarily an "egg wash," many recipes call for dipping chicken or other meats and vegetables into beaten egg as an adhesive for breadcrumbs or flour. Swap out the egg for plain, unsweetened yogurt, and you may be impressed with how moist and flavorful your final baked or fried food turns out.

Yogurt is just one among many foods that work well as a substitute for egg wash. These replacements can come in handy in a number of situations, whether you are cooking for someone with an egg allergy, dietary restriction, or health restriction; you want to save money on eggs; or you simply don't have an extra egg on hand.

For recipes that use an egg wash to add color and shine to bread or a pastry, milk and cream are often the preferred substitute, since they will help the baked goods retain moisture and achieve a similar color and texture as an egg wash would. When substituting an egg wash used as an adhesive for sugar or another topping, try honey or maple syrup. Just be careful to watch your pastry as it bakes or add the wash toward the end of baking, since these substitutes can quickly burn. For vegan egg wash alternatives, try vegetable oil, ground chia or flaxseed mixed with water, or plant-based milk.