A close up of fried chicken drumsticks in a bowl.
FOOD NEWS
For The Perfect Crispy Chicken, Substitute That Egg Wash With Mayo
By Julia Mullaney
A closeup of egg wash in a bowl.
An egg wash is crucial in getting any breading to stick to soon-to-be fried chicken, but making it can be frustrating. Instead, try using mayonnaise.
A bowl mayonnaise, oil and whole and half cracked eggs on a counter.
Mayonnaise can easily replace egg wash because it contains the three essential ingredients for creating the perfect crispy chicken: fat, protein, and sugar.
Fried chicken on a wooden board.
Fat is a great way to fry food, and sugar is perfect for caramelizing. Proteins in eggs react while cooking to give food a nice brown color.
A closeup of swirling buttermilk.
The mayonnaise coats the meat, adding to the crisp that you're also getting from the breadcrumbs or flour.
A person holding a jar of mayonnaise.
Start by soaking the chicken in a marinade, like buttermilk. Then, slather mayonnaise on each piece without dunking the knife back in the container to avoid cross-contamination.
Chicken marinating in buttermilk
You can also simply combine the buttermilk and mayonnaise to create a thicker marinade. From here, add your desired breading and fry the meat.
Chicken dipped into seasoned flour.
If you want to forego the breadcrumbs, dip the chicken into seasoned flour or cornstarch, but make sure you season the marinade well to ensure the best flavor.