Eggs are a staple ingredient in many fried chicken recipes, but what do you substitute for eggs if you don’t have them on hand or have an egg allergy? The good news is that there are plenty of alternatives to using eggs when making fried chicken.
From vegetables and dairy products to traditional pantry staples these egg substitutes can help make your favorite fried chicken recipe even tastier. In this blog post, we willl explore some of the best substitute options for egg when making fried chicken. We’ll cover how to use each substitute and discuss their flavor profiles so you can find the perfect substitute for your dish. So let’s get started!
Substitute for Eggs in Fried Chicken
Why are eggs usually an ingredient in fried chicken anyway? Egg is usually used as a binding agent which helps to hold the coating together. But there are plenty of alternatives that can be just as effective in giving your fried chicken an amazing crunchy texture.
Fried chicken comes in many forms, from whole pieces of chicken to chicken cutlets. There are also many ways to coat the chicken. Some people simply used seasoned flour as a coating before frying, while others prefer breadcrumbs.
Whatever the case, any of these replacements work great for the egg when you are making fried chicken.
Flour And Water
Flour and water make a great substitute for egg when making fried chicken. Simply mix equal parts of flour and water until you get a thick paste. Then dip your chicken pieces into the mixture before coating them with your favorite crunchy topping. The resulting fried chicken will have an amazing crunchy texture due to the flour and water combination.
Cornstarch And Water
Cornstarch and water are a great substitute for egg when making fried chicken. Simply mix equal parts of cornstarch and water until you get a thick paste. Then, dip your chicken pieces into the mixture before coating them with your favorite dry ingredients. The resulting fried chicken will have an amazing crunchy texture due to the corn starch.
Apple Sauce And Flour
Applesauce and flour is another substitute for egg when making fried chicken. The applesauce helps to bind the coating together while adding a subtle sweet flavor. Mix equal parts of applesauce and flour until it forms a thick paste, then use as you would an egg wash. Your fried chicken will come out with a crunchy, golden-brown coating and a delightful sweet flavor.
Aquafaba And Cornstarch
Aquafaba, or the liquid from a can of chickpeas, is an excellent substitute for egg when making fried chicken. It’s high in protein and acts as a binder to hold the coating together. Simply mix equal parts aquafaba with cornstarch until you get a thick paste. Then, dip your chicken pieces into the mixture before coating them with your favorite crunchy topping. You’ll get a deliciously crunchy fried chicken that’s full of flavor and texture.Milk
Yogurt
Yogurt is an excellent substitute for egg in fried chicken recipes. It works especially well when you’re looking to achieve a crispy texture on the outside of the chicken or to bind ingredients together. All you need is plain, unsweetened yogurt; it should have no added sugar or flavoring and shouldn’t be too thin or runny either. Simply coat your chicken in yogurt, then use your favorite coating as usual.
Heavy Cream
Heavy cream can be used as a substitute for egg when making fried chicken. The high fat content in the cream will help to create a crunchy, golden crust on the outside of your chicken. Simply mix heavy cream with your favorite seasonings then coat your chicken before frying. You might find that you need to use slightly more heavy cream than you would with egg, but it should still work well.
Buttermilk Or Milk
Using buttermilk or milk as a substitute for egg in fried chicken is a great way to add moisture and flavor. Soak your chicken pieces in the liquid before coating them with your favorite breading for delicious, juicy fried chicken.
Non dairy milk or plant based milk also works well if you are looking for a vegan substitute.
Hot Sauce
Hot sauce is another great substitute for egg when it comes to making fried chicken. Hot sauce adds a bit of extra flavor, and it helps to bind the coating ingredients together. Simply mix some hot sauce with your favorite seasonings, then coat the chicken in it before breading it.
Vegetable Oils
Vegetable oils are another great substitute for egg when making fried chicken. Most vegetable oils have a neutral flavor, so you won’t be able to taste them in the finished product. Simply choose your oil of choice, then substitute it for the egg in your recipe. Some good options include olive oil, vegetable oil, and canola oil.
This egg substitute works especially well if you plan on using an air fryer to cook your fried chicken.
Melted Butter
Melted butter can be used in place of egg when making fried chicken. It will help to create a crispy texture on the outside of your chicken and also provides some added flavor. Simply substitute melted butter for the egg in your recipe, then coat your chicken as usual. You should find that the butter works just as well as the egg would have. This is another option that is very good if you plan on cooking your chicken with an air fryer.
How to Make Fried Chicken Without Egg
Here are some more helpful tips when making fried chicken without egg.
- Take your time the first time you use an egg substitute, and pay special attention to the texture of it. You want your egg alternative to be sticky and slightly thick so it sticks to your chicken.
- Then coat your chicken in breadcrumbs or seasoned flour based on whatever type of fried chicken you are making. Take special care to really pat the coating into the fried chicken to make sure it sticks well.
- Fry as usual.
- Some prefer to do a double breading method. Any of these alternatives to egg for breading chicken will work well.
Here are some of the most common questions when it comes to making fried chicken without egg.
Can I use oil instead of eggs for fried chicken?
Yes, you can substitute oil for eggs in fried chicken. Oils like vegetable or olive will work best when making fried chicken without egg. You can even add some seasonings to the oil to enhance your fried chicken if you wish.
This is one of my favorite methods for making fried chicken without egg, and works especially well with using an air fryer.
Will flour stick to chicken without egg?
Yes, flour will stick to chicken without egg. You just need to be sure to coat your chicken with oil or melted butter before adding the flour. This will help to create a barrier so that the flour sticks to the chicken and you can get that crunchy texture on the outside of your fried chicken.
Can you use olive oil instead of egg for chicken?
Yes, you can substitute olive oil for egg when making fried chicken. It works especially well if you want to achieve a crispy texture on the outside of your chicken. Be sure to coat your chicken with the oil before adding any other ingredients like flour or spices.
Can I use milk instead of egg wash for chicken?
Yes, you can substitute milk for egg wash when making fried chicken. The milk will help to create a golden crust on the outside of your chicken and also provide some added flavor.
Be sure not to use too much milk or it could make the coating soggy.
Overall, there are plenty of substitute options for egg when making fried chicken. Whether you’re looking for something to bind ingredients together or achieve a crunchy texture on the outside. Some of the simplest alternatives to egg for breading chicken are yogurt, heavy cream, vegetable oils or melted butter.