The Seriously Versatile Egg Powder You Should Sub Into Everything
The cost of eggs keeps increasing, posing challenges for home cooks and professional chefs alike. In 2022, consumers paid almost 50% more for eggs than they did the previous year, according to CNBC. Economists can't pinpoint the exact cause, but they believe it might have something to do with avian influenza, or bird flu.
On the positive side, there are alternatives available. For example, you could use egg white powder instead of whole eggs. This versatile ingredient is healthy, convenient, and relatively cheap, offering good value for the money. "Organic egg white powder — it's a powerhouse. It's almost all protein with scant amounts of fat and carbs, which makes it perfect for morning smoothies," said chef Josh DeChellis in an interview with Vogue.
Egg whites are not necessarily healthier than whole eggs, but they contain less fat and cholesterol. Moreover, using them in powder form can free up space in your fridge and save you a good chunk of money. The powder can be stored in a cool, dry place for up to 24 months, so it's a good idea to buy several containers if you find it on sale (per Ovostar).
What you should know about powdered egg whites
As the name suggests, egg white powder is a dehydrated form of egg whites. First, the egg whites are separated from the yolks and have any impurities removed. After that, they're spray-dried in a heated room. Once these steps are completed, the dried egg whites are pasteurized to prevent bacterial growth, but this process may vary from one manufacturer to another. Some producers will pasteurize the egg whites before spray-drying them, whereas others may also grind the powder prior to packaging.
According to Ovostar, 2.2 pounds of egg white powder equals approximately 316 fresh egg whites. Once reconstituted, the egg whites can be used in any recipe without the need to cook them. However, the U.S. Department of Agriculture suggests cooking the eggs to prevent bacterial contamination, especially if you're going to use them in meals for small children, seniors, or people with impaired immunity.
This healthy, natural ingredient is rich in protein, making it ideal for those with an active lifestyle. What's more, an ounce of egg white powder boasts about 5% of the recommended daily potassium intake, 2% of the recommended daily allowance of calcium, and 2% of the recommended daily amount of phosphorus. One serving also contains 100 calories, roughly 1 gram of carbs, and no cholesterol, per MyFoodData.
How to use egg white powder in your recipes
Egg white powder can be used as a substitute for fresh egg whites in most recipes, from cakes and cookies to French macarons. "You can get a serious geek on with it in the kitchen, replacing bulky and flavor-greedy starches with it. Not to mention you can use it to make sweet or savory meringues with any flavored liquid under the sun," chef Josh DeChellis told Vogue.
First, you'll need to reconstitute it by adding water. What's Cooking America recommends mixing 2 teaspoons of powdered egg whites with 2 tablespoons of warm water to obtain the equivalent of a large egg white. If, say, a recipe calls for 5 egg whites, you'll add 15 tablespoons of warm water to 10 teaspoons of egg white powder. Sounds simple, isn't it?
If you're feeling brave, go ahead and experiment in the kitchen. Add egg white powder to smoothies or protein shakes, cheesecake bars, meringue frosting, eggnog colada, cloud bread, or royal icing. Your creativity is the only limit. Meanwhile, you could also try these egg substitutes in baked goods to give your recipes a boost.