Even if you’re not a kitchen guru or a cooking enthusiast, it’s unlikely that you’re unfamiliar with the many benefits that eggs provide. Eggs are among the most popular food sources, either as a stand-alone meal or an essential ingredient in cooking procedures. They are also packed with beneficial nutrients and provide a wide range of functions in different cooking procedures.
You could also be a health-conscious individual that worries about allergies, excess cholesterol levels, etc., that egg use might encourage. However, you might run out of eggs and can’t make a quick trip to the neighborhood grocery store or poultry farm. In such situations, it would be necessary to consider the use of an appropriate substitute.
There are perfect replacement options for eggs that can work sufficiently in many situations that call for its use. One of such options is Yogurt, and it can be used in some ways to mimic the functions that eggs typically provide in cooking procedures.
Eggs Vs. Yogurt
Bird eggs are a popular food source and one of the most adaptable cooking components. Chicken eggs, in particular, are commonly utilized in a variety of sweet and savory recipes and many baked items. Eggs are one of the most nutrient-dense foods globally, providing a small amount of practically every nutrient the human body requires.
Eggs’ typical cooking methods are scrambled, fried, poached, hard-boiled, soft-boiled, omelets, and pickled. Eggs can also be consumed raw, although cooked eggs have approximately twice the absorbable protein as raw eggs. Egg yolks are a common cooking component that serves as an emulsifier and a thickening agent, such as in custards.
On the other hand, Yogurt is a dairy product made from the fermentation of milk by bacteria known as yogurt cultures. These bacteria make lactic acid by fermenting carbohydrates in milk, which reacts with milk protein to give yogurt texture and typical tart flavor.
Yogurt is an excellent source of high-quality protein, has a variety of fats, and has a low lactose content. Many yogurt brands also contain some added sugar and flavorings.
Substituting Yogurt for Eggs in Recipes
Eggs, alongside milk, have the highest biological protein value, and they are naturally nutrient-dense. They are also very versatile in function, as they serve a variety of purposes in cooking procedures. These functions include binding, thickening, emulsifying, raising, adding flavor and color, etc.
There are many benefits to using eggs, perhaps too much to quantify. Because of this plethora of benefits and functions, it is unsurprising that they are among the most popular kitchen ingredients.
Despite these advantages, eggs may be on your list of forbidden foods due to an allergy, health condition, or a personal lifestyle choice. If this is the case, it should be pleasing to know that there are excellent substitutes that can stand in for eggs in their absence or if you are looking to try something new. One of such substitutes is Yogurt, and it can be used in a variety of ways to replace eggs in recipes.
Buttermilk
Breading is a cooking procedure that involves covering food with bread crumbs, cracker crumbs, or nuts to improve the finished product’s flavor and texture. After the food item has been breaded, it is baked, broiled, deep-fried or sautéed, to arrive at a crispy, crunchy crust. Typical food items that are cooked in this manner include chicken and fish.
In the breading process, it is usually necessary to coat the food using eggs. Yogurt can, however, serve as an excellent coating agent in place of eggs in this regard. The Yogurt imparts moistness into the breaded food and gives an ultimately pleasant taste and crunchy feel to the coating.
The food item can be coated with Yogurt in the same procedure as with eggs. The Yogurt should be stirred until it has a creamy smooth foot before dipping the food to be breaded into it.
Muffin
Eggs act as binding and leavening agents and ingredients that add moisture and texture to recipes. They are thus commonly used in baking delicacies such as bread, brownies, cakes, cookies, etc. Yogurt can, however, serve similar functions to eggs in baking and can thus be used in their absence.
Plain Yogurt works as a better substitute for eggs than other varieties. Soy yogurt can be used in place of regular Yogurt if the reason for the substitution is a vegan preference or a food allergy.
When substituting Yogurt for eggs in baking, the recommended amount is 1/4 cup for each egg required in the recipe. If the Yogurt is too thick, thin it with a bit of water. Also, combine 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder with the Yogurt because Yogurt lacks leavening properties, and the added baking powder will compensate for the lack.
Custard
In custard recipes, eggs can be a challenging ingredient to replace. This is because they impart a lot (maybe all) of the familiar thick texture that you crave in custards. Eggs are therefore prevalent in custard making as important thickening agents.
Yogurt can, however, be used as a replacement for eggs in custard. However, it is crucial to use plain Yogurt with a creamy texture that will blend into the custard’s trademark smoothness. In this regard, regular Yogurt will suffice as a substitute, and vegan Yogurt can also be used for a more vegan-friendly outcome.
For the best results, use ¼ cup of Yogurt in place of each egg that your recipe calls for.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can you substitute Greek Yogurt for eggs?
Regular or Greek Yogurt is an excellent egg substitute if dairy products can be included in the recipe, mainly due to their protein and fat content.
How do I substitute applesauce for eggs?
1/4 cup applesauce can be substituted for one egg. Add an extra 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder if you want a lighter texture, as fruit purées tend to make the finished result thicker than the traditional recipe.
Can you use Yogurt in a cake mix?
Yes, store-bought cake mixes can be prepared with Yogurt. Yogurt is delicious in chocolate or lemon cake recipes. It will transform the flavor, making it tart, sweet, and unique.
Conclusion
You might be surprised at how well Yogurt can recreate the effects and functions of eggs in various recipes. It serves as an excellent replacement, achieving the desired results in your cooking without eggs’ extra fat and cholesterol content.
Consider switching things up in the kitchen by trying out Yogurt instead of eggs in your recipes. There are vegan-friendly yogurt options for vegans that can also be used, like regular yogurts to replace eggs. You might love the taste you’ll arrive at, and you’ll indeed be eating a lot of healthier meals.