Quick Answer
There are several good egg substitutes that can be used when making fried chicken:
– Flaxseed or chia seeds mixed with water – The mixture forms a gel that mimics the binding properties of eggs. Use 1 tablespoon of ground seeds mixed with 3 tablespoons of water per egg.
– Mayonnaise – The oil and emulsifiers in mayo can act similarly to eggs. Use 1/4 cup mayo per egg.
– Pureed fruits or veggies – Bananas, applesauce, mashed potatoes, or pumpkin puree work well. Use 1/4 cup puree per egg.
– Commercial egg replacer powder – Follow package directions.
– Tofu – Blend silken tofu and use 2 tablespoons per egg.
– Ground flaxseed – Use 1 tablespoon per egg. Soak in warm water to thicken.
– Cornstarch or arrowroot – Use 1 1/2 tablespoons per egg to help with binding.
What Makes Fried Chicken Crispy?
Fried chicken gets its crisp, crunchy exterior from a process called the Maillard reaction. When the chicken is coated in flour then fried at high heat, the proteins and sugars on the exterior undergo a complex chemical reaction that results in browning.
The flour coating on fried chicken serves several purposes:
– It forms a dry, porous surface on the chicken that allows the Maillard reaction to occur evenly across the meat when fried.
– It provides a crispy, crunchy texture.
– It absorbs any moisture released by the chicken as it cooks so the exterior stays crispy.
Eggs are often used in fried chicken batter because they help the flour coating adhere to the meat. The proteins in eggs coagulate and set when heated, forming a sticky binder that glues the batter to the chicken.
When frying chicken without eggs, it’s important to find an alternative binder that will hold the breading onto the meat. Ingredients like flax eggs, cornstarch, and mayonnaise can all serve as substitutes.
Egg Substitutes for Fried Chicken
Flax or Chia Seed Eggs
One of the most popular egg substitutes for cooking and baking is flax or chia seed eggs. To make a flax egg, combine:
– 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed or chia seeds
– 3 tablespoons of water
Stir or whisk the mixture vigorously until it forms a smooth, gel-like consistency. Let it sit for a few minutes to thicken.
The viscous, gloopy mixture mimics the binding effect of eggs in recipes. The water activates the gelling agents in the flax/chia seeds, causing them to swell and thicken.
To use flax/chia eggs in fried chicken:
– Make 1 flax egg for each regular egg the recipe calls for.
– Dip chicken pieces in flour, then flax egg mixture, then back into flour to coat.
– Let sit 5-10 minutes so the coating adheres, then fry as usual.
The flax or chia gel will act as the “glue” to hold the breading onto the chicken. It will also promote browning and a crisp texture when fried.
Mayonnaise
Mayonnaise is an unexpected yet effective egg replacement for fried foods. The oil and emulsifiers like lecithin allow it to mimic some of eggs’ binding and browning abilities.
To use mayo for fried chicken:
– Substitute 1/4 cup mayo for each egg.
– Dip chicken pieces in flour, mayo, then back into flour.
– May add a touch of water if the mayo is too thick on its own.
– Fry chicken as usual after letting coating set 5-10 mins.
The mayo helps the flour stick and promotes deep browning on the exterior of the chicken. Result is juicy interior and crispy, golden crust.
Pureed Fruits or Vegetables
Pureed bananas, applesauce, canned pumpkin, or mashed potatoes can substitute for eggs in fried chicken. Use:
– 1/4 cup puree per egg
– Dip chicken in flour, puree, then flour again.
– Let sit briefly before frying.
Fruits and veggies contain fiber and starch that can act as binders similar to eggs. Bananas also contain lecithin which helps things brown.
One tip is to add a touch of vinegar to the puree to help mimic eggs’ acidity. Acidity promotes browning.
Commercial Egg Replacer Powder
Specialized egg replacer powders are available that mimic the effects of eggs. Popular brands are Ener-G Egg Replacer, Bob’s Red Mill, and Orgran.
To use:
– Combine powder with water per package instructions.
– Use the resulting vegan “egg wash” to help adhere flour to the chicken.
– Let coated chicken rest before frying.
These powders contain starch, leavening agents, and emulsifiers that provide binding power similar to eggs. They promote adhesion and texture.
Tofu
Blended tofu can substitute for eggs in fried chicken recipes. Use:
– 2 tablespoons blended silken tofu per egg
– Dip chicken in flour, tofu, then back into flour.
– Let rest then fry as usual.
Silken tofu has a smooth, thick texture similar to egg yolks when blended. The proteins help bind the flour to the chicken.
For even more binding power, combine the tofu with a tablespoon of cornstarch or arrowroot powder before using as egg wash.
Ground Flaxseed
Dry ground flaxseed can also be used on its own as an egg replacement for fried chicken. Simply use:
– 1 tablespoon ground flax per egg
– Dip chicken in flour, then flaxseed, then flour again.
– Let rest for 10-15 minutes before frying.
The flaxseed will absorb moisture from the chicken and form a sticky, gel-like coating to adhere the breading.
Soaking the flaxseed in warm water first helps boost its gelling power. But is not required when coating chicken.
Cornstarch Slurry or Arrowroot
A slurry made from cornstarch or arrowroot powder can mimic eggs’ binding qualities.
To make the slurry:
– Combine 1 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch or arrowroot with 2 tablespoons cool water.
– Whisk vigorously until smooth and slightly thickened.
Use the slurry as you would egg wash when breading fried chicken. Dip chicken pieces in flour, slurry, then back in flour.
Let rest briefly before frying. The starch will help adhere the crust and promote browning.
Tips for Crispy Fried Chicken Without Eggs
- Let the breaded chicken rest for 5-10 minutes before frying. This helps the coating adhere better.
- Try double dredging – coat chicken in flour, egg substitute, then flour again. The extra layer of flour helps seal in moisture.
- Use finer grain flour like rice flour or cornstarch for ultra crispy results.
- Fry chicken in small batches so the oil stays hot. Hotter oil = crisper crust.
- Fry chicken for longer at lower heat for perfectly cooked interior and golden brown exterior.
- Blot chicken pieces with paper towels before serving to drain excess grease.
- Let fried chicken rest on a wire rack after frying so the crust stays crisp as it cools.
Getting crispy fried chicken is all about proper technique – keeping the oil hot, browning the crust evenly, and fully cooking the interior. Follow these tips for the best results when frying without eggs.
Nutrition of Egg-Free Fried Chicken
Fried chicken made without eggs is lower in cholesterol and rich in nutrients from the coatings:
| Coating | Benefits |
|---|---|
| Flax or Chia Seeds | High in alpha-linolenic acid (ALA omega-3 fatty acid), lignans, fiber |
| Mayonnaise | Provides monounsaturated fat from oil; safflower or olive oil mayo is healthiest |
| Banana or Pumpkin | Rich in potassium, magnesium, and antioxidants like vitamin A |
| Potato | Contains B vitamins, potassium, magnesium, iron |
Going egg-free eliminates cholesterol found naturally only in animal products like eggs or meat. Each egg yolk contains around 185mg cholesterol.
Egg substitutes add some healthy fats, minerals, fiber and antioxidants to fried chicken. So you still get crunch and flavor, without the cholesterol.
The Bottom Line
A variety of common ingredients can substitute for eggs when making fried chicken, including:
– Flax or chia seed eggs
– Mayonnaise
– Pureed fruits/veggies
– Commercial egg replacers
– Tofu
– Ground flaxseed
– Cornstarch/arrowroot slurry
These all supply binding power to help the coating crisp up and adhere. Allowing fried chicken to rest before frying also helps the crust stick.
Going eggless eliminates cholesterol, but still leaves you with crispy, crunchy fried chicken to enjoy. Follow proper frying techniques for optimal texture.
References
Jackson, C. (2021). How to Make Crispy Fried Chicken Without Eggs. https://www.thespruceeats.com/crispy-fried-chicken-without-eggs-4801580
Bell, B. (2021). What’s the Best Substitute for Eggs? https://www.thespruceeats.com/egg-substitutes-3376857
Goldbeck, N. (2018). The Science Behind Crispy Fried Chicken. https://www.seriouseats.com/2016/07/the-food-lab-how-to-make-crispy-fried-chicken.html