Do you love the taste of crispy, juicy fried chicken but want to avoid using eggs in your recipe? Good news – several tasty and easy-to-use egg substitutes can coat chicken before frying!
Whether you’re vegan, allergic to eggs, or simply looking for new ways to cook chicken, these egg substitutes can help you achieve that perfect crunch and flavor without using eggs. By using egg substitutes, individuals can still enjoy the taste and texture of fried chicken while accommodating their dietary needs or preferences.
There are several options available as egg substitutes when frying chicken. Some of them are milk, yogurt, or cornstarch. Milk can substitute for eggs in the batter or dredging mixture used to coat the chicken before frying. In contrast, yogurt helps to create a crispy and crunchy coating on the chicken.
These substitutes can help achieve texture and flavor like fried chicken without using eggs. Each option has advantages and disadvantages, so it is best to experiment to find the best option for individual preferences and dietary needs.
Eggs play an essential role in fried chicken. If you’re wondering what to use as a substitute for eggs in fried chicken, you’ve come to the right place. We have a few ideas in our back pocket for egg substitutes.
From buttermilk to aquafaba, we’ve covered you with exciting and delicious options to make your fried chicken stand out. So, let’s dive into the world of egg substitutes and discover some fantastic alternatives for your following fried chicken recipe!
1. Flour And Water
Flour and water can be used as a coating for fried chicken. It will create a cohesive batter or coating that will stick to the chicken pieces and produce a crispy, crunchy texture.
Eggs provide a protein-rich coating that helps the flour or breadcrumbs adhere to the chicken and create a crunchy crust. The coating may stay on and comply well with eggs or another suitable binding agent, resulting in a more desirable texture and appearance.
However, if you want to use flour and water as a substitute, here’s how you can do it:
- Mix equal flour and water in a bowl until a smooth batter forms.
- Dip the chicken pieces in the batter, ensuring they are evenly coated.
- Coat the chicken pieces with seasoned flour or breadcrumbs.
- Fry the chicken pieces in hot oil until golden brown and cooked through.
While this method may not provide the same texture and flavor as using eggs, it can be a suitable option for individuals who cannot consume eggs for dietary or ethical reasons. It’s worth experimenting with different egg substitutes to find the best one for you.
2. Milk Or Buttermilk
Milk or buttermilk can be used as a substitute for eggs when frying chicken. They can help create a crispy and crunchy coating while keeping the chicken moist and juicy.
Here’s how to use milk or buttermilk as an egg substitute:
- Pour enough milk or buttermilk into a bowl to cover the chicken pieces. Depending on the amount of chicken you are frying, you may need to add more as you go.
- Season the milk or buttermilk with salt, pepper, and other desired spices or herbs, such as garlic powder, paprika, or cayenne pepper. Mix well to distribute the seasonings evenly.
- Dip the chicken pieces in the milk or buttermilk mixture, ensuring they are coated well on all sides.
- Coat the chicken pieces with seasoned flour or breadcrumbs, pressing the coating onto the chicken to ensure it adheres well.
- Fry the chicken pieces in hot oil until golden brown and cooked through, about 10-15 minutes depending on the size of the pieces.
Milk or buttermilk can provide a similar texture and flavor to eggs, but they may not be as effective at binding the coating to the chicken as eggs are. To ensure the coating sticks well, pressing it onto the chicken firmly before frying is essential.
If you don’t have buttermilk, you can still use milk as a substitute for eggs when frying chicken. Here’s how:
- Pour enough milk into a bowl to cover the chicken pieces. Depending on the amount of chicken you are frying, you may need to add more as you go.
- Add one to two tablespoons of lemon juice or vinegar to the milk and stir well. Let the mixture sit for a few minutes, allowing the acid to curdle the milk. Alternatively, you can use plain yogurt or sour cream instead of buttermilk.
- Dip the chicken pieces in the milk mixture, ensuring they are coated well on all sides.
- Coat the chicken pieces with seasoned flour or breadcrumbs, pressing the coating onto the chicken to ensure it adheres well.
- Fry the chicken pieces in hot oil until golden brown and cooked through, about 10-15 minutes depending on the size of the pieces.
Using milk as a substitute for buttermilk may result in a slightly different flavor and texture, but it should still provide a tasty and crispy coating for the chicken. Adding acid in the form of lemon juice or vinegar helps mimic the tangy flavor of buttermilk.
Alternatively, you can use a store-bought buttermilk powder mixed with water to substitute buttermilk.
3. Yogurt
Yogurt can be used as an egg substitute for frying chicken, providing a similar texture and flavor to eggs. Here’s how to use yogurt as an egg substitute:
- Mix plain yogurt with a small amount of water in a bowl to thin it out slightly. The amount of water you add will depend on the thickness of the yogurt you are using, but you want to achieve a similar consistency to beaten eggs.
- Season the yogurt mixture with salt, pepper, and other desired spices or herbs, such as garlic powder, paprika, or cayenne pepper. Mix well to distribute the seasonings evenly.
- Dip the chicken pieces in the yogurt mixture, ensuring they are coated well on all sides.
- Coat the chicken pieces with seasoned flour or breadcrumbs, pressing the coating onto the chicken to ensure it adheres well.
- Fry the chicken pieces in hot oil until golden brown and cooked through, about 10-15 minutes depending on the size of the pieces.
Yogurt can help create a crispy and crunchy coating while keeping the chicken moist and juicy. Plain yogurt without added flavors or sweeteners is essential to achieve the best results.
Yogurt may not be as effective at binding the coating to the chicken as eggs are, so pressing the coating onto the chicken firmly before frying is essential. You can mix yogurt with other egg substitutes, such as aquafaba or cornstarch, for a more effective binding agent.
4. Aquafaba
Aquafaba, the liquid leftover from cooked chickpeas or other legumes, can be used as an egg substitute when frying chicken. It can help create a crispy and crunchy coating while binding the coating to the chicken.
Here’s how to use aquafaba as an egg substitute:
- Drain a can of chickpeas or other legumes and reserve the liquid in a bowl. This liquid is the aquafaba.
- Season the aquafaba with salt, pepper, and other desired spices or herbs, such as garlic powder, paprika, or cayenne pepper. Mix well to distribute the seasonings evenly.
- Dip the chicken pieces in the aquafaba mixture, ensuring they are coated well on all sides.
- Coat the chicken pieces with seasoned flour or breadcrumbs, pressing the coating onto the chicken to ensure it adheres well.
- Fry the chicken pieces in hot oil until golden brown and cooked through, about 10-15 minutes depending on the size of the pieces.
Aquafaba can be a versatile egg substitute and is particularly useful for vegan and egg-free cooking. It can help mimic eggs’ binding and leavening properties in recipes such as fried chicken. Remember that the taste of the aquafaba may be noticeable, so it’s important to season it well to ensure a flavorful coating.
5. Cornstarch
Cornstarch can also be used as an egg substitute for frying chicken. It can help create a crispy coating while binding the coating to the chicken. Here’s how to use cornstarch as an egg substitute:
- In a bowl, mix cornstarch with water to form a paste. The consistency of the paste should be similar to beaten eggs.
- Season the cornstarch mixture with salt, pepper, and other desired spices or herbs, such as garlic powder, paprika, or cayenne pepper. Mix well to distribute the seasonings evenly.
- Dip the chicken pieces in the cornstarch mixture, ensuring they are coated well on all sides.
- Coat the chicken pieces with seasoned flour or breadcrumbs, pressing the coating onto the chicken to ensure it adheres well.
- Fry the chicken pieces in hot oil until golden brown and cooked through, about 10-15 minutes depending on the size of the pieces.
Cornstarch can provide a similar texture to eggs when used as a coating for fried chicken, but it may not have the same binding properties. To ensure good adhesion of the coating to the chicken, it’s essential to press the coating onto the chicken firmly before frying.
Cornstarch is also a valuable substitute for those with egg allergies or for vegan and vegetarian diets.
6. Heavy Cream
Heavy cream is another option to use as an egg substitute when frying chicken. It can add richness and creaminess to the coating while also helping to bind it to the chicken. Here’s how to use heavy cream as an egg substitute:
- Mix heavy cream with little water to thin it out slightly. The amount of water you add will depend on the cream’s thickness, but you want a consistency similar to beaten eggs.
- Season the cream mixture with salt, pepper, and other desired spices or herbs, such as garlic powder, paprika, or cayenne pepper. Mix well to distribute the seasonings evenly.
- Dip the chicken pieces in the cream mixture, ensuring they are coated well on all sides.
- Coat the chicken pieces with seasoned flour or breadcrumbs, pressing the coating onto the chicken to ensure it adheres well.
- Fry the chicken pieces in hot oil until golden brown and cooked through, about 10-15 minutes depending on the size of the pieces.
Heavy cream can provide a similar richness and creaminess to the coating as eggs, but it may not have the same binding properties. To ensure good adhesion of the coating to the chicken, it’s essential to press the coating onto the chicken firmly before frying.
Heavy cream is also a valuable substitute for those with egg allergies or those looking to add extra richness to their fried chicken. However, heavy cream is high in fat and calories, so it must be used in moderation.
7. Melted Butter
Melted butter can be used as an egg substitute when frying chicken to add a rich, buttery flavor to the coating while also helping to bind it to the chicken. Here’s how to use melted butter as an egg substitute:
- Melt butter in a small saucepan or microwave. Let it cool slightly before using it in the recipe.
- Mix the melted butter with a small amount of water in a bowl. The amount of water you add will depend on the consistency of the melted butter, but you want to achieve a similar consistency to beaten eggs.
- Season the butter mixture with salt, pepper, and other desired spices or herbs, such as garlic powder, paprika, or cayenne pepper. Mix well to distribute the seasonings evenly.
- Dip the chicken pieces in the butter mixture, ensuring they are coated well on all sides.
- Coat the chicken pieces with seasoned flour or breadcrumbs, pressing the coating onto the chicken to ensure it adheres well.
- Fry the chicken pieces in hot oil until golden brown and cooked through, about 10-15 minutes depending on the size of the pieces.
Melted butter can provide a rich buttery flavor to the coating but may not have the same binding properties as eggs. To ensure good adhesion of the coating to the chicken, it’s essential to press the coating onto the chicken firmly before frying.
Melted butter is also high in fat and calories, so it should be used in moderation. Additionally, it may not be the best option for those with dairy allergies or lactose intolerance.
8. Flaxseeds And Water
Flaxseeds and water can be used as an egg substitute for frying chicken, particularly for those who follow a vegan or egg-free diet. Flaxseeds contain many omega-3 fatty acids and fiber, making them a healthy and nutritious egg alternative.
To use flaxseeds as an egg substitute, mix one tablespoon of ground flaxseeds with three tablespoons of water and let the mixture sit for 5-10 minutes until it thickens and becomes gelatinous. This mixture can be used as a substitute for one egg in recipes, including for frying chicken.
Remember that the coating may differ slightly from traditional egg-based coatings when using flaxseeds and water as an egg substitute for frying chicken. The flaxseed mixture may provide a different level of crispiness and result in a slightly chewier texture. However, using spices and seasonings can help to enhance the flavor and texture of the coating.
Flaxseeds and water can be excellent options for avoiding eggs in their fried chicken recipe. However, it is essential to remember that the final product may have a slightly different texture and flavor than traditional egg-based coatings.
9. Vegetable Oil
Vegetable oil cannot be used as a direct substitute for eggs when frying chicken as it does not provide the same binding properties as eggs. However, vegetable oil can be combined with other ingredients to create a crispy and flavorful coating for fried chicken.
Here’s how to use vegetable oil as an ingredient in a coating for fried chicken:
- Mix flour, cornmeal, or breadcrumbs in a bowl with desired seasonings, such as salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, or onion powder.
- Mix vegetable oil with water in a separate bowl in a 1:1 ratio—for example, 1/4 cup of vegetable oil and 1/4 cup of water.
- Dip the chicken pieces in the vegetable oil mixture, ensuring they are coated well on all sides.
- Coat the chicken pieces with the seasoned flour, cornmeal, or breadcrumbs, pressing the coating onto the chicken to ensure it adheres well.
- Fry the chicken pieces in hot oil until golden brown and cooked through, about 10-15 minutes depending on the size of the pieces.
Vegetable oil can add a rich and slightly nutty flavor to the coating but does not provide the same binding properties as eggs. A combination of vegetable oil and water can help create a more cohesive coating that adheres well to the chicken.
However, the coating may be less thick or sturdy than an egg-based coating, and it may have a different richness or depth of flavor. Additionally, vegetable oil is high in fat and calories, so it should be used in moderation.
10. Mayonnaise
Mayonnaise is a popular egg substitute for frying chicken that can create a crispy and flavorful coating. Here’s how to use mayonnaise as an egg substitute:
- Mix mayonnaise and desired seasonings in a bowl, such as salt, pepper, garlic powder, or paprika.
- Dip the chicken pieces in the mayonnaise mixture, ensuring they are coated well on all sides.
- Coat the chicken pieces with seasoned flour or breadcrumbs, pressing the coating onto the chicken to ensure it adheres well.
- Fry the chicken pieces in hot oil until golden brown and cooked through, about 10-15 minutes depending on the size of the pieces.
Mayonnaise can create a thick and flavorful coating for fried chicken, providing the binding properties necessary to help the coating adhere to the chicken. It can also add a rich and creamy flavor to the chicken. However, mayonnaise is high in fat and calories, so it should be used in moderation.
It’s important to note that mayonnaise can also have a distinct flavor that may not be desirable for some people. If you’re using mayonnaise as an egg substitute, it’s best to use plain, light, or vegan mayonnaise to avoid overwhelming the flavor of the chicken or the coating.
Short Recap Of Egg Substitutes For Frying Chicken
You can use several substitutes in place of eggs when frying foods. These categories are made so that it would be easy for you to choose the best for the purpose they can fulfill.
Best Vegan Egg Substitutes For Frying Chicken
- Flour And Water
- Flaxseeds And Water
- Aquafaba
- Vegetable Oil
- Cornstarch
Best Non-Vegetarian Egg Substitutes For Frying Chicken
- Milk Or Buttermilk
- Melted Butter
- Heavy Cream
- Yogurt
- Mayonnaise
How To Use Egg Substitutes For Frying Chicken
10 Best Egg Substitutes For Frying Chicken
Ingredients
- Yogurt
- Milk Or Buttermilk
- Heavy Cream
- Melted Butter
- Aquafaba
- Mayonnaise
- Vegetable Oil
- Flour And Water
- Cornstarch And Water
- Flaxseeds And Water
Instructions
- Go through the substitutes and see which one seems fit for the recipe.
- Collect your ingredients and use your preferred substitute.
- Use the substitute in the required amount and make the dish according to the recipe.
Conclusion
The egg is essential for fried chicken as it acts as a binding agent that helps the breading adhere to it, resulting in a juicy and flavorful end product. However, many egg-free alternatives can also be used for coating chicken for frying.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is it okay to fry chicken without an egg?
Yes, it is okay to fry chicken without an egg. While eggs can be used as a binding agent for breading or as a marinade, many egg-free alternatives, such as buttermilk, yogurt, mayonnaise, aquafaba, tofu, and other egg substitutes, can be used instead. It is also possible to bread chicken without using any binding agent, although the breading may not adhere as well to the chicken.
How to coat chicken for frying without eggs?
To coat chicken for frying without eggs, you can use a variety of egg-free alternatives such as buttermilk, yogurt, mayonnaise, or a mixture of flour and water.
How do I use buttermilk as an egg substitute for frying chicken?
Marinate your chicken in buttermilk before coating it in flour and frying. The acid in the buttermilk helps tenderize the chicken while also providing a tangy flavor.
Are there any other egg substitutes I can use for frying chicken?
You can try many other egg substitutes, including mashed avocado, banana, vegetable purees, or commercial egg replacers like Ener-G.
