If you need a great vegan egg wash substitute for baking, the answer is simple, aquafaba! This is the liquid from a can of chickpeas or white beans. This thick gelatinous liquid mixed with a little corn syrup can be brushed onto your bread or pastries before baking to give an egg wash shine.
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What can I use as an egg substitute on breading?
This simple aquafaba egg wash is the perfect egg wash substitute for most recipes including rolls, breading, and pastries!
Why use an egg wash
Substituting eggs is not as simple a just swapping out one thing. You have to figure out the purpose of the egg and what the egg substitute needs to achieve. Since you use an egg wash to give moisture and shine to your baking, seal pieces of pastry together, or help things like seeds or sprinkles stick to your baked goos. Aquafaba mixed with a little corn syrup or agave is all you need to achieve these when baking.
Does it taste sweet?
The corn syrup gives your baked goods a little more shine than aquafaba alone, but you can't really taste it. If you are sensitive to sugar, you may taste a slight sweetness.
Other ways to replace an egg
If you want to replace eggs for other purposes like baking or frying, see my guide to vegan egg substitutions for full lists and details.
How to use it
Brush the vegan egg wash onto the following for a beautiful shine.
- Vegan Sausage Rolls
- Vegan Spanakopita
- Tofu Wellington
- Hot Water Pie Crust
- Vegan Apple Pie
- Vegan Pumpkin Pie
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To use in place of eggs on pastries for an egg wash.
- 1/2 cup aquababa
- 1 teaspoon corn syrup (or agave nectar)
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Mix the liquid from 1 can of chickpeas or white beans with 1 teaspoon corn syrup.
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Brush onto pastries and use as you would an egg wash in any recipe.
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Can you use maple syrup instead of corn syrup? Feel better with kidney stones. Been there, done that....I know the pain. DRINK more liquids.
Yes, you can use maple syrup instead. It doesn't make it quite as shiny though. Thanks!
Brillant! I just brushed this onto my rolls before baking and they have a beautiful shine now.
I'm glad that it worked well for you, Amy!
Wondering if the water from cooking chick peas is equivalent to aquafaba from tinned chickpeas?
It is, however, if you are using your own reserved liquid, it may not be a thick as the aquafaba from tinned beans. If your liquid is thinner, simmer it on the stovetop until the liquid reduces down and becomes thicker. (You want the liquid to be a similar consistency to egg whites.)