If you have an egg allergy, are vegan, or you simply ran out of eggs, look no further because here are 21 of the best vegan egg wash substitutes! These substitutes create a golden brown exterior for puff pastry, pies, bread, and more. These alternatives can work for breading, as well as binding.
I tested 21+ vegan alternatives using my homemade flaky vegan pie crust as the base. Keep on reading to find the best vegan egg wash replacement for your use case!
Need some egg alternatives for baking? I also have a complete guide that covers vegan egg substitutes for baking and binding.
How are egg washes used?
Traditional egg washes can use the whole egg, the egg whites, or just the egg yolk. There are a few main ways that they are used:
- Brushing + Browning: they’re used to create the perfect golden brown exterior on baked goods
- Gluing: egg washes can be used to help sugar, sesame seeds, and other toppings stick to the dough and to help seal edges together for frying.
- Breading: egg washes are also used to help create crispy breading. A good example of this is the Panko coating in my vegan cordon bleu recipe.
Why Use An Egg Wash Substitute?
- Egg Allergies: if you’re allergic to eggs, no worries, you can still achieve a beautiful golden brown sheen on your pastry with the following substitutes.
- Vegan or Lacto-Vegetarian: if you’re a vegan baker, whether for ethical, environmental or health reasons, then it’s handy to have a few favorite egg wash substitutes in your repertoire for a variety of applications.
- Out of Eggs: maybe you’ve just run out of eggs, and you need a quick substitution for your recipe. This guide will help you pick the best option for your use case.
Top 3 Favorite Vegan Egg Wash Substitutes
Without further ado, here are 21 vegan egg wash substitutes! Let’s start with the top 3.
I’ve ranked each egg wash substitute based on the following factors out of 10 total points.
The golden brown color has the most points since that’s the primary use of egg washes in baking. Each egg wash alternative is also ranked based on its shiny finish, how versatile it is (can it be used in both sweet and savory applications), and how accessible the ingredient is.
- Golden Brown Color: 5 total points
- Glossiness: 2 total points
- Versatility: 2 total points
- Accessibility: 1 total points
- Total Possible Points: 10
1. Just Egg + Plant Milk
Just Egg is a vegan alternative for liquid eggs. It’s made from mung beans and looks almost identical to whisked whole eggs. This egg alternative is super handy for a variety of use cases. You can learn more about how to use Just Egg in baking and cooking here.
This is the best egg wash substitute in my 10+ years of being vegan and it performs the closest to a traditional egg wash. It can be used to brown dough, seal edges for frying, and help breading adhere to your recipe.
🌟 Rating: 9.5/10 🌟
I gave it 9.5 out of 10 points, with 0.5 points subtracted since Just Egg can be expensive and relatively difficult to find.
| Attribute | Rating |
|---|---|
| Golden Brown Color | 5/5 |
| Glossiness | 2/2 |
| Versatility | 2/2 |
| Accessibility | 0.5/1 |
✏️ The Results:
- A light golden color with a glossy sheen without being sticky. When baked longer it can become a deep golden brown.
➕ Pros:
- Beautiful Golden Brown Color: can be made lighter or darker depending on how long you bake the pastry.
- Glossy Sheen: that isn’t sticky at all like other substitutes that contain a lot of sugar.
- Very Versatile: since it’s not a sweet egg wash substitute, it can be used in a savory dishes as well as sweet ones.
➖ Cons:
- Thick Texture: Just Egg is thick by itself, so for the best results it needs to be thinned with plant milk for an even application.
- Can Brown Quickly: a heat shield may be necessary if baked at a very high heat.
- Can be Difficult to Find: Just Egg isn’t the most accessible ingredient, so it may not be the best option if you are in a pinch or you’ve just run out of eggs.
🥧 When to Use:
- ✅ Browning Agent: This is a great option for sweet or savory dishes which is one of the reasons I’ve ranked it #1. I’ve used this egg wash on my Vegan Brioche Buns and other baking recipes.
- ✅ Gluing
- ✅ Breading
2. Fruit Preserves
Fruit preserves, jams, or fruit purees contain sugars that caramelize when baked in the oven. They also add a subtle fruity flavor to your baked goods. If you don’t have apricot jam, you could also try one of these substitutes.
🌟 Rating: 9/10 🌟
| Attribute | Rating |
|---|---|
| Golden Brown Color | 5/5 |
| Glossiness | 2/2 |
| Versatility | 1/2 |
| Accessibility | 1/1 |
✏️ The Results:
- A golden brown color with a very glossy sheen. When baked longer it can become a deep golden brown.
➕ Pros:
- Beautiful Golden Brown Color: can be made lighter or darker depending on how long you bake the pastry.
- Gorgeous Glossy Sheen
- Easy to Find: it’s a very accessible ingredient and easy to find at most grocery stores.
➖ Cons:
- Thick Texture: the preserves are thick, so they can apply unevenly, resulting in areas that are darker than others. Heating them up for a few seconds in the microwave makes them easier to apply.
- Sticky: while it is glossy in appearance, the wash is also slightly sticky to the touch.
- Can Burn: because of the high sugar content, the preserves can burn at higher temperatures, so be sure to use aluminum foil or a pie shield when baking.
🥧 When to Use:
- ✅ Browning Agent: This is my go to vegan egg wash for pie crusts, especially fruit pies. It adds fantastic sweetness and a subtle fruity flavor to the pastry. It pairs great with my Vegan Apple Pie and Peach Pie.
- ❌ Not the best for Gluing
- ❌ Not the best for Breading
3. Maple Syrup + Plant Milk
A simple 1:1 ratio of maple syrup and plant milk provides a light golden brown color to baked goods. I like using soy milk or oat milk with this option for the best color.
🌟 Rating: 8.5/10 🌟
| Attribute | Rating |
|---|---|
| Golden Brown Color | 5/5 |
| Glossiness | 1.5/2 |
| Versatility | 1/2 |
| Accessibility | 1/1 |
✏️ The Results:
- A light golden color with a slightly glossy sheen and a subtle sweetness.
➕ Pros:
- Beautiful Golden Brown Color: that can be made lighter or darker depending on how long you bake the pastry.
- Subtle Sheen
- Easy to Find: both maple syrup and plant milk are very easy to find at most grocery stores.
➖ Cons:
- Runny Consistency: this mixture is runnier, making it hard to control where you apply it.
- Sticky: while it is glossy in appearance, the wash is also slightly sticky to the touch.
- Can Burn: because of the high sugar content, the egg wash substitute can burn at higher temperatures, so be sure to use aluminum foil or a pie shield when baking.
🥧 When to Use:
- ✅ Browning Agent: The maple syrup is slightly sweet making it perfect for sweeter baked goods. However, the sweetness isn’t overpowering, so it can still be used for some savory applications.
- ✅ Gluing: can be used to help seal edges of pastry.
- ❌ Not the best for Breading
Other Egg Wash Substitutes
Below are other egg wash substitutes ranked in order of best performance.
4. Aquafaba
Aquafaba is the liquid from a can of chickpeas. Drain the liquid and store it in the fridge for when you’re ready to use it. A few tablespoons of aquafaba can make a great egg wash substitute.
🌟 Rating: 8/10 🌟
| Attribute | Rating |
|---|---|
| Golden Brown Color | 4/5 |
| Glossiness | 1/2 |
| Versatility | 2/2 |
| Accessibility | 1/1 |
✏️ The Results:
- A golden brown color with a slight glossy sheen.
➕ Pros:
- Golden Brown Color
- Easy to Find
➖ Cons:
- Runny Texture: hard to control where you are brushing it.
- Not Much Sheen
🥧 When to Use:
- ✅ Browning Agent: aquafaba is a good option if you’re already planning on using chickpeas in the next few days. It’s relatively flavorless, so it will work for sweet or savory recipes.
- ✅ Gluing: can be used to help seal edges of pastry.
- ❌ Not the best for Breading
5. Maple Syrup
Maple syrup by itself (not mixed with plant milk) will also work as a egg wash substitute.
🌟 Rating: 8/10 🌟
| Attribute | Rating |
|---|---|
| Golden Brown Color | 4/5 |
| Glossiness | 2/2 |
| Versatility | 1/2 |
| Accessibility | 1/1 |
✏️ The Results:
- A golden brown color with a very glossy sheen and a sweet flavor.
➕ Pros:
- Rich Golden Brown Color
- Easy to Find
➖ Cons:
- Runny & Sticky Texture
- Can Brown Quickly
- Very Sweet / Not Ideal for Savory Recipes
🥧 When to Use:
- ✅ Browning Agent: this is a good option if you don’t have any milk on hand to mix it with. If you do have some milk, I recommend mixing it in for a better result (see option 3 above).
- ❌ Not the best for Gluing
- ❌ Not the best for Breading
6. Agave or Vegan Honey
Agave syrup or nectar, like maple syrup, is a great option because it’s a liquid sweetener, and it’s easy to apply.
🌟 Rating: 8/10 🌟
| Attribute | Rating |
|---|---|
| Golden Brown Color | 4/5 |
| Glossiness | 2/2 |
| Versatility | 1/2 |
| Accessibility | 1/1 |
✏️ The Results:
- A golden brown color with a glossy sheen and a sweet flavor.
➕ Pros:
- Rich Golden Brown Color
- Easy to Find
➖ Cons:
- Runny & Sticky Texture
- Can Brown Quickly
- Very Sweet / Not Ideal for Savory Recipes
🥧 When to Use:
- ✅ Browning Agent: If you don’t have maple syrup and plant milk on hand, this is a good alternative for sweeter dishes.
- ❌ Not the best for Gluing
- ❌ Not the best for Breading
7. Coarse Sugar + Plant Milk
The sugar creates a nice crunchy texture and caramelizes the pastry or bread dough that you apply it to.
🌟 Rating: 8/10 🌟
| Attribute | Rating |
|---|---|
| Golden Brown Color | 4/5 |
| Glossiness | 2/2 |
| Versatility | 1/2 |
| Accessibility | 1/1 |
✏️ The Results:
- A golden brown color with a very glossy sheen, sweet flavor and crunchy texture.
➕ Pros:
- Rich Golden Brown Color
- Very Glossy
- Easy to Find
➖ Cons:
- Runny & Sticky Texture
- Can Brown Quickly
- Very Sweet / Not Ideal for Savory Recipes
🥧 When to Use:
- ✅ Browning Agent: If you don’t have maple syrup and plant milk on hand, this is a good alternative for sweeter dishes.
- ❌ Not the best for Gluing
- ❌ Not the best for Breading
8. Soy Milk or Other Plant Milks
The non-dairy milk that performs the best in my experience are soy milk, coconut milk, and oat milk. However, almond milk will also work if you’re in a pinch.
🌟 Rating: 8/10 🌟
| Attribute | Rating |
|---|---|
| Golden Brown Color | 4/5 |
| Glossiness | 1/2 |
| Versatility | 2/2 |
| Accessibility | 1/1 |
✏️ The Results:
- A surprising golden color with a slight glossy sheen and a neutral flavor.
➕ Pros:
- Even Golden Brown Color
- Very Subtle Sheen
- Easy to Find
➖ Cons:
- Runny Texture
- Not as Shiny as Other Options
🥧 When to Use:
- ✅ Browning Agent: If you don’t have maple syrup on hand, plant milk on its own is a good alternative for sweet or savory dishes.
- ✅ Gluing: can be used to help seal edges of pastry.
- ❌ Not the best for Breading
9. Malt Powder + Water
Dry malt powder provides a golden, crisp outer crust to baked goods like bread. Be sure to use a vegan friendly version, like Anthony’s Goods Dry Diastatic Malt Powder. Use with a 2:1 ratio of water to powder (so 2 tbsp water mixed with 1 tbsp powder).
🌟 Rating: 7/10 🌟
| Attribute | Rating |
|---|---|
| Golden Brown Color | 5/5 |
| Glossiness | 0/2 |
| Versatility | 2/2 |
| Accessibility | 0/1 |
✏️ The Results:
- A dark golden color with no glossy sheen and a neutral flavor.
➕ Pros:
- Darker Golden Brown Color
- Good for Sweet or Savory
➖ Cons:
- No Sheen
- Need to Order Online
🥧 When to Use:
- ✅ Browning Agent: brush the malt powder wash on pastry or breads for a brown crust.
- ❌ Not the best for Gluing
- ❌ Not the best for Breading
10. Baking Soda Wash
A baking soda wash is the method used to create the characteristic deep brown color on the exterior of pretzels. Mix 1 tsp of baking soda into 1 tbsp of water.
🌟 Rating: 7/10 🌟
| Attribute | Rating |
|---|---|
| Golden Brown Color | 4/5 |
| Glossiness | 0/2 |
| Versatility | 2/2 |
| Accessibility | 1/1 |
✏️ The Results:
- A dark golden color with no glossy sheen and a neutral flavor.
➕ Pros:
- Darker Golden Brown Color
- Good for Sweet or Savory
- Easy to Find
➖ Cons:
- No Sheen
- Can Brown Very Quickly
🥧 When to Use:
- ✅ Browning Agent: brush the baking soda wash on pastry, pretzels or breads for a brown crust.
- ❌ Not the best for Gluing
- ❌ Not the best for Breading
11. Melted Vegan Butter
Melted butter is a substitute that performs slightly better than plain oil. It doesn’t brown as well as other substitutes, but it can be used to help seal edges of pastry, which is why it’s ranked slightly higher on this list.
🌟 Rating: 6 /10 🌟
| Attribute | Rating |
|---|---|
| Golden Brown Color | 3/5 |
| Glossiness | 0/2 |
| Versatility | 2/2 |
| Accessibility | 1/1 |
✏️ The Results:
- A very light brown color with little to no sheen and a rich flavor.
➕ Pros:
- Very Light Color: good for longer bake times when you don’t want to use a baking shield
- Easy to Find
➖ Cons:
- No Sheen
- Doesn’t provide a very dark color
- Can add saltiness if using salted vegan butter
🥧 When to Use:
- ✅ Browning Agent: brush the melted vegan butter on pastry or breads for a brown crust.
- ✅ Gluing: can seal edges of pastry
- ❌ Not the best for Breading
12. Plain Vegan Yogurt
Plain unsweetened vegan yogurt can be brushed on pastry or baked goods.
🌟 Rating: 6 /10 🌟
| Attribute | Rating |
|---|---|
| Golden Brown Color | 3/5 |
| Glossiness | 1/2 |
| Versatility | 2/2 |
| Accessibility | 0/1 |
✏️ The Results:
- A streaky light brown color with some sheen and a neutral flavor.
➕ Pros:
- Light Brown Color
- Some Sheen
- Good Option for Breading
➖ Cons:
- Applies Streaky
- Difficult to Find & Expensive
🥧 When to Use:
- ✅ Browning Agent: brush the yogurt on pastry or breads for a brown crust.
- ✅ Gluing: can seal edges of pastry
- ✅ Breading: because of it’s thickness, it can help breading adhere to dishes
13. Oil
Olive oil performs the best at browning, especially for baked goods like pizza crusts. I don’t recommend using vegetable oil or coconut oil if you have olive oil on hand.
🌟 Rating: 6 /10 🌟
| Attribute | Rating |
|---|---|
| Golden Brown Color | 3/5 |
| Glossiness | 0/2 |
| Versatility | 2/2 |
| Accessibility | 1/1 |
✏️ The Results:
- A light golden brown color with little to no sheen and a rich flavor.
➕ Pros:
- Light Golden Color: good for longer bake times when you don’t want to use a baking shield
- Easy to Find
➖ Cons:
- No Sheen
- Not all oils provide the same result
- Can add unwanted flavor if using olive oil
🥧 When to Use:
- ✅ Browning Agent: brush the oil on breads and pizza dough for a brown crust.
- ❌ Not the best for Gluing
- ❌ Not the best for Breading
14. Vegan Mayo
Vegan mayonnaise (like Hellman’s Vegan Mayo) is a fantastic egg wash substitute to help hold on to bread crumbs.
🌟 Rating: 5.5 /10 🌟
| Attribute | Rating |
|---|---|
| Golden Brown Color | 3 /5 |
| Glossiness | 1/2 |
| Versatility | 1/2 |
| Accessibility | 0.5/1 |
✏️ The Results:
- A golden brown color with some sheen and a distinctive savory flavor.
➕ Pros:
- Subtle Shine
- Light Golden Color
- Relatively Accessible
➖ Cons:
- Can Apply Streaky
- Distinctive Flavor
🥧 When to Use:
- ❌ Not the best for browning since it applies streaky
- ✅ Gluing: to seal dough
- ✅ Breading: a good alternative to help breading stick to dough or pastry
15. Molasses
Molasses is made from pure sugar cane juices and has a dark, amber color.
🌟 Rating: 5.5 /10 🌟
| Attribute | Rating |
|---|---|
| Golden Brown Color | 2.5 /5 |
| Glossiness | 1/2 |
| Versatility | 1/2 |
| Accessibility | 1/1 |
✏️ The Results:
- A dark brown color with some sheen and a rich, caramel flavor.
➕ Pros:
- Subtle Shine
- Easy to Find
➖ Cons:
- Very Dark Color
- Distinctive Flavor
🥧 When to Use:
- ✅ Browning Agent: this is best used for sweeter, rich baked goods that have molasses or caramel undertones in the flavor already.
- ❌ Not the best for Gluing
- ❌ Not the best for Breading
16. Cornstarch Slurry
Cornstarch mixed with water to create a slurry can be used to help seal pastry edges. Mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2-3 tablespoons of water.
🌟 Rating: 5/10 🌟
| Attribute | Rating |
|---|---|
| Golden Brown Color | 2/5 |
| Glossiness | 0/2 |
| Versatility | 2/2 |
| Accessibility | 1/1 |
✏️ The Results:
- Little to no color with no sheen and a neutral flavor.
➕ Pros:
- Applies Very Evenly
- Good for Gluing or Sealing Edges
- Easy to Find
➖ Cons:
- Not a Dark Color
- No Sheen / Shine
🥧 When to Use:
- ❌ Not the best for browning
- ✅ Gluing: to seal dough
- ✅ Breading: a good alternative to help breading stick to dough or pastry
17. Flax Seed
While flax eggs are great for binding baked goods, they fall lower down on the list for egg wash substitutes. If you have no other option, they do create a slight golden brown exterior, however the other options above perform better overall. Mix 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed with 3 tablespoons of water.
🌟 Rating: 4.5/10 🌟
| Attribute | Rating |
|---|---|
| Golden Brown Color | 2/5 |
| Glossiness | 1/2 |
| Versatility | 1/2 |
| Accessibility | 0.5/1 |
✏️ The Results:
- Little to no color with subtle sheen, a speckled appearance, and a neutral flavor.
➕ Pros:
- Subtle Sheen
- Good for Gluing or Sealing Edges
- Easy to Find
➖ Cons:
- Not a Dark Color
- Visible Flecks of Flax Seed
🥧 When to Use:
- ❌ Not the best for browning
- ✅ Gluing: to seal dough
- ✅ Breading: a good alternative to help breading stick to dough or pastry
18. Chia Seed
Similar to flax eggs, chia seeds are great for binding baked goods, but they fall lower down on the list for egg wash substitutes. Mix 1 tablespoon of chia seeds with 3 tablespoons of water.
🌟 Rating: 4.5/10 🌟
| Attribute | Rating |
|---|---|
| Golden Brown Color | 2/5 |
| Glossiness | 1/2 |
| Versatility | 1/2 |
| Accessibility | 0.5/1 |
✏️ The Results:
- Little to no color with subtle sheen, a speckled appearance, and a neutral flavor.
➕ Pros:
- Subtle Sheen
- Good for Gluing or Sealing Edges
- Relatively Accessible
➖ Cons:
- Not a Dark Color
- Visible Flecks of Chia Seed
🥧 When to Use:
- ❌ Not the best for browning
- ✅ Gluing: to seal dough
- ✅ Breading: a good alternative to help breading stick to dough or pastry
19. Mustard
Ah, good ol’ mustard. It has a characteristic yellow color which shines through when baked.
🌟 Rating: 4/10 🌟
| Attribute | Rating |
|---|---|
| Golden Brown Color | 2/5 |
| Glossiness | 1/2 |
| Versatility | 0/2 |
| Accessibility | 1/1 |
✏️ The Results:
- A bright yellow brown color with subtle sheen, and a distinct mustard flavor.
➕ Pros:
- Subtle Sheen
- Good for Gluing or Sealing Edges
- Very Accessible
➖ Cons:
- Can Apply Streaky
- Very Yellow, Brown Color
- Distinctive Taste
🥧 When to Use:
- ❌ Not the best for browning since it applies streaky and because of its yellow undertones
- ✅ Gluing: to seal dough
- ✅ Breading: a good alternative to help breading stick to dough or pastry
20. Tahini
Tahini, or ground sesame paste, is high in fat and is a thick, pourable consistency.
🌟 Rating: 4/10 🌟
| Attribute | Rating |
|---|---|
| Golden Brown Color | 1/5 |
| Glossiness | 1/2 |
| Versatility | 1/2 |
| Accessibility | 1/1 |
✏️ The Results:
- A very light color with subtle sheen, and a distinct flavor.
➕ Pros:
- Subtle Sheen
- Good for Gluing or Sealing Edges
- Very Light Brown Color
➖ Cons:
- Can Apply Streaky
- Distinctive Taste
🥧 When to Use:
- ❌ Not the best for browning since it applies streaky and doesn’t brown very much
- ✅ Gluing: to seal dough
- ✅ Breading: a good alternative to help breading stick to dough or pastry
21. BBQ Sauce
Use your favorite BBQ sauce as an egg wash alternative to help hold onto breading.
🌟 Rating: 4/10 🌟
| Attribute | Rating |
|---|---|
| Golden Brown Color | 2/5 |
| Glossiness | 1/2 |
| Versatility | 0/2 |
| Accessibility | 1/1 |
✏️ The Results:
- A very dark color with subtle sheen, and a distinct flavor.
➕ Pros:
- Subtle Sheen
- Good for Breading
- Easy to Find
➖ Cons:
- Can Apply Streaky
- Distinctive Taste
- Very Dark Color
🥧 When to Use:
- ❌ Not the best for browning since it applies streaky and browns very quickly
- ✅ Gluing: to seal dough
- ✅ Breading: a good alternative to help breading stick to dough or pastry
Want to save these ideas for later? Pin this image to Pinterest!
And voila! There you have it. 21 creative vegan egg wash substitutes. See the recipe card below for more details on how to make my top 3 picks!
~ Happy cooking. ~
More Vegan Resources:
- 31 Creative Just Egg Recipes
- 22 Coconut Sugar Substitutes
- 20 Delicious Vegan Biscoff Recipes
- 16 Vegan Egg Substitutes for Baking
Did you make these Vegan Egg Wash Substitutes?
I’d love to know! Leave a star rating and comment below!
The Best Vegan Egg Wash Substitute
If you have an egg allergy or are vegan, look no further because here are 21 of the best vegan egg wash substitutes! These substitutes create a golden brown exterior for puff pastry, pies, bread and more. There are also options for breading as well as binding.
I tested 21+ vegan alternatives using my homemade flaky vegan pie crust as the base. Below are my top 3 picks. Read the post above for all the alternatives.
Ingredients
Method 1:
- 1 tbsp Just Egg
- 1 tbsp Plant Milk
Method 2:
- 1 tbsp Fruit Preserves, apricot or peach work best for a golden color
Method 3:
- 1 tbsp Maple Syrup
- 1 tbsp Plant Milk
Instructions
Below are my 3 favorite vegan egg wash substitutes. For the other 18 substitutes see the post above.
METHOD 1
- Mix the Just Egg and plant milk (soy milk or oat milk work best) together in a small bowl. Use a pastry brush to apply.
- Bake according to your recipe. If browning too quickly, cover with aluminum foil or a pie shield.
METHOD 2
- Use a pastry brush to apply the fruit preserves. If they are too thick, microwave them for 5 seconds to help loosen them.
- Bake according to your recipe. If browning too quickly, cover with aluminum foil or a pie shield.
METHOD 3
- Mix the maple syrup and plant milk (soy milk or oat milk work best) together in a small bowl. Use a pastry brush to apply.
- Bake according to your recipe. If browning too quickly, cover with aluminum foil or a pie shield.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 16 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 14Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 3mgCarbohydrates: 3gFiber: 0gSugar: 3gProtein: 0g
Nutritional info is an estimate.
Summary
- Just Egg + Plant Milk: 9.5/10
- Fruit Preserves: 9/10
- Maple Syrup + Plant Milk: 8.5/10
- Aquafaba: 8/10
- Maple Syrup: 8/10
- Agave: 8/10
- Coarse Sugar + Plant Milk: 8/10
- Soy Milk or Other Non-Dairy Milk: 8/10
- Malt Powder + Water: 7/10
- Baking Soda Wash: 7/10
- Melted Vegan Butter: 6/10
- Vegan Yogurt: 6/10
- Oil: 6/10
- Molasses: 5.5/10
- Vegan Mayo: 5.5/10
- Cornstarch Slurry: 5/10
- Flaxseed: 4.5/10
- Chia Seeds: 4.5/10
- Mustard: 4/10
- Tahini: 4/10
- BBQ Sauce: 4/10
Egg Wash Alternative FAQ
Just Egg, plant milk, maple syrup and many other ingredients can be used to substitute egg wash. See the post above for all 21 options.
Yes, oil can be used instead of an egg wash. Olive oil browns better than vegetable oil. For more options see the post above.
Egg wash or one of these substitutes can be applied with a pastry brush.
Disclosure: This page contains some affiliate links. Please know that I may receive a percentage or commission from a link included on this page, at no cost to you. I will only recommend a product or service that I have used or believe has substantial value to my readers.
Wow, this was so helpful. Thank you! I’m making pan de agua, an everyday Puerto Rican bread, that for the most part is vegan, but traditionally it’s finished with an egg wash and sometimes hard to find without it I can’t wait to try the just egg/milk combo. Thank you for all the research. Saludos!