Shake ‘n Bake is a popular seasoned coating mix used to bread and flavor foods like chicken, pork chops, and fish before baking. It comes in a box or bag and contains a powdered mixture of spices, salt, monosodium glutamate (MSG), flour, and other ingredients. There has been some confusion around whether you’re supposed to add egg or water when using Shake ‘n Bake to coat foods before baking. Here is a quick overview of how to use Shake ‘n Bake and whether egg or water is required.
Quick Answer
The quick answer is that standard Shake ‘n Bake does not require egg or water. The coating mix contains flour and other binders that help it stick to foods without adding egg. However, some recipes may call for adding egg or water to help the coating better adhere.
Instructions on Shake ‘n Bake Box
The Shake ‘n Bake box itself does not list egg or water as an ingredient to add when coating foods. The basic instructions say to place the food in a plastic bag, add the Shake ‘n Bake mix, and shake to coat. So if you follow the standard packaging instructions, there is no egg or water added.
Why Adding Egg or Water Can Help
Even though it’s not required, some cooks recommend adding egg and/or water to Shake ‘n Bake to get an extra crunchy coating that sticks really well to the food. Here’s why it can help:
- Egg acts as a binder or “glue” – the protein in egg helps the coating tightly adhere to the meat or fish.
- Water slightly moistens the coating so it sticks better, especially to drier foods like pork chops or chicken breasts.
So while not an official ingredient, egg or water are useful additions recommended by some cooks and recipes.
How Much Egg or Water to Add
Most recipes call for adding:
- 1 egg beaten with 2 tablespoons water per 1 cup of Shake ‘n Bake
- Or 2-3 tablespoons water per 1 cup of coating mix
The egg/water mixture should be added slowly and mixed well to evenly moisten the Shake ‘n Bake coating. Too much liquid can make the coating clump up and be messy to work with.
Tips for Coating with Shake ‘n Bake
Here are some useful tips for getting the best results when coating foods with Shake ‘n Bake:
- Use a resealable plastic bag to shake foods in the coating – this evenly distributes the coating and prevents mess.
- Make sure foods are dry before coating – pat off any excess moisture with paper towels.
- Add any egg/water mix a little at a time and shake to distribute evenly.
- Really press the coating into the food to help it stick.
- Discard any leftover coating rather than reusing to avoid bacteria.
- Chill coated foods in the fridge for 15-30 minutes before baking to help coating set.
- Bake in the oven at 400°F until cooked through and coating is crispy.
Shake ‘n Bake Flavors
The original Shake ‘n Bake flavor is a blend of spices, herbs, salt, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and MSG. But there are other coating flavors too:
| Flavor | Description |
|---|---|
| Original | A savory blend of spices, herbs and umami flavors. |
| Crispy Chicken | Features crackers, spices, and amped-up chicken flavor. |
| Lemon Pepper | Tangy, peppery lemon flavor great on fish and chicken. |
| Pork | Robust seasoning tailored for pork chops and roasts. |
Nutrition Info
The nutrition facts for a 1⁄4 cup (28g) serving of original Shake ‘n Bake are:
| Calories | Fat | Sodium | Carbs | Protein |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 110 | 0.5g | 690mg | 22g | 2g |
As you can see, it’s relatively high in sodium, providing 29% of the daily value per serving. The carbs and calories come mostly from the flour in the coating.
Gluten-Free Shake ‘n Bake
The regular Shake ‘n Bake contains wheat flour, so it is not gluten-free. However, there are some gluten-free options made with alternate flours like:
- Gluten-free Pantry Shake & Bake
- Bob’s Red Mill GF Bread Crumbs/Coating Mix
Check labels carefully if you need a gluten-free breading mix. Some contain wheat flour or shared equipment with wheat.
Make Your Own Shake and Bake
You can also make a homemade Shake ‘n Bake seasoning blend using gluten-free ingredients if needed. Here is a recipe to try:
Ingredients
- 1 cup gluten-free breadcrumbs or flour
- 2 tbsp paprika
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp onion powder
- 1 tbsp dried parsley
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp mustard powder
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a mixing bowl and stir to blend well.
- Store in an airtight container until ready to use.
- To coat foods: place in a plastic bag with 1⁄2 cup coating mix and shake to distribute.
- Optional: For added crispiness, add 1 egg + 2 tbsp water per 1 cup coating mix.
- Chill coated food 15-30 minutes before baking until crispy, about 20 minutes at 400°F.
Conclusion
In summary, the basic Shake ‘n Bake recipe does not require added egg or water to coat and flavor foods like chicken, pork, and fish before baking. However, adding a bit of egg and/or water helps the coating stick very well and achieve an extra crispy texture. Be sure to mix in any added liquid slowly to maintain a good baking crust. Store-bought Shake ‘n Bake comes in several flavor varieties. But you can also make a homemade gluten-free version to suit your dietary needs.