--- title: "Egg allergy: what it means in cooking — Tiny Plates" description: "An egg allergy is a reaction to proteins in egg white or yolk. Eggs hide in fresh pasta, mayonnaise, glazes and baked goods, so read every label." url: "https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/egg-allergy" --- # Egg allergy An egg allergy is a reaction to proteins in egg white or yolk. Eggs hide in fresh pasta, mayonnaise, glazes and baked goods, so read every label. An egg allergy is a reaction of the immune system to proteins in egg. Both the white and the yolk contain them. It is one of the most common food allergies in young children, and it is a labeled allergen in both the EU and the US. Eggs from duck, goose and quail are similar, so they are usually avoided too. Some people with an egg allergy can eat egg that is well baked into a cake while others cannot. Only an allergist can tell you which applies to you, so do not test this at home. ## Substitutes These replace one egg in most baking: * 45 ml (3 tablespoons) [aquafaba](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/aquafaba), the liquid from a can of chickpeas. It whips like egg white for meringues. * 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons water and left for 5 minutes. Best in muffins, cookies and quick breads. * 60 g (1/4 cup) mashed banana or applesauce. It adds moisture and some flavor. For an [egg wash](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/egg-wash), brush pastry with plant milk or a little oil instead. For [mayonnaise](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/mayonnaise), use an egg-free version made with aquafaba or soy milk. Swaps work best in recipes that use one or two eggs. A dish that depends on eggs, such as a soufflé or custard, rarely works well with them. ## Common mistakes * Missing egg in fresh pasta, noodles, meatballs, breadcrumb coatings and batters. * Forgetting sauces built on egg yolk, such as [aioli](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/aioli), hollandaise and béarnaise. * Assuming "egg substitute" is egg-free. In the US many products sold that way are made from egg whites. * Assuming a shiny bread crust is just butter. It is often egg wash. ## In recipes Eggs bind, lift, set and glaze, so they are in more dishes than you might expect: cakes, cookies, pancakes, waffles, custards, ice cream, marshmallows, [meringue](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/meringue) toppings and many glazed breads. In the EU and the UK, egg must be emphasized in the ingredients list. In the US it is named as "egg" in the ingredients or a "Contains" statement. Read labels every time you buy, ask in restaurants, and talk to a doctor about what to do if you eat egg by accident. ## Recipes free from it 2787 recipes from the sites we collect. * [![](https://www.skinnytaste.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/Roasted-Red-Pepper-Hummus-12.jpg)Roasted Red Pepper Hummuswww.skinnytaste.com · 10 min](https://www.skinnytaste.com/chick-pea-and-roasted-pepper-dip/) * [![](https://www.skinnytaste.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/Blueberry-Peach-Crisp-9.jpg)Blueberry Peach Crispwww.skinnytaste.com · 55 min](https://www.skinnytaste.com/blueberry-peach-crisp/) * [![](https://www.skinnytaste.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Arugula-Salad-3.jpg)Arugula Saladwww.skinnytaste.com · 5 min](https://www.skinnytaste.com/arugula-salad/) * [![](https://www.skinnytaste.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/low-fat-tomato-vinaigrette.jpg)Red Wine Tomato Vinaigrettewww.skinnytaste.com · 5 min](https://www.skinnytaste.com/skinny-red-wine-tomato-vinaigrette/) * [![](https://www.skinnytaste.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Lemon-Viniagrette-5.jpg)Lemon Vinaigrette Recipewww.skinnytaste.com · 5 min](https://www.skinnytaste.com/lemon-vinaigrette/) * [![](https://www.skinnytaste.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Old-Bay-Sheen-Pan-Shrimp-with-Corn-and-Tomatoes-5.jpg)Old Bay Sheet Pan Shrimp with Corn and Tomatoeswww.skinnytaste.com · 30 min](https://www.skinnytaste.com/sheet-pan-shrimp-with-corn-and-tomatoes/) * [![](https://www.skinnytaste.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/Roasted-Chickpeas_09.jpg)Roasted Chickpeaswww.skinnytaste.com · 45 min](https://www.skinnytaste.com/roasted-chickpea-snack-2-pts/) * [![](https://www.skinnytaste.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Insalata-Caprese-6.jpg)Caprese Saladwww.skinnytaste.com · 5 min](https://www.skinnytaste.com/caprese-salad/) * [![](https://www.skinnytaste.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Arroz-Con-Camarones-12.jpg)Shrimp and Rice (Arroz Con Camarones)www.skinnytaste.com · 45 min](https://www.skinnytaste.com/shrimp-and-rice-arroz-con-camarones/) * [![](https://www.skinnytaste.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Vegan-Egplant-Meatballs.jpg)Vegan Eggplant Meatballswww.skinnytaste.com · 80 min](https://www.skinnytaste.com/vegan-eggplant-meatballs/) * [![](https://www.skinnytaste.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Air-Fryer-Chicken-Nuggets-1-6.jpg)Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets Recipewww.skinnytaste.com · 15 min](https://www.skinnytaste.com/air-fryer-chicken-nuggets/) * [![](https://www.skinnytaste.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/roast-beef.jpg)Roast Beef and Gravywww.skinnytaste.com · 70 min](https://www.skinnytaste.com/roast-beef-4-ww-pts/) ## Related terms * [AquafabaAquafaba is the liquid from a can of chickpeas. It whips like egg white and replaces eggs in vegan meringues, mousses, mayonnaise and baking.](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/aquafaba) * [MayonnaiseMayonnaise is a thick, cold sauce made by whisking oil into egg yolk with lemon or vinegar. It takes five minutes by hand and is the base of many dips.](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/mayonnaise) * [Egg washEgg wash is beaten egg, often thinned with water or milk, brushed on dough before baking. It gives a shiny, golden crust and glues seeds and seams.](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/egg-wash) * [VeganVegan food contains no animal products at all, so no meat, fish, dairy, eggs or honey, and none of the hidden ones such as gelatin, whey or fish sauce.](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/vegan) * [EU 14 allergensThe EU 14 allergens are the foods that EU and UK law says must be emphasized on food labels and declared by restaurants, from gluten to lupin.](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/eu-14-allergens) * [US major allergensThe US major food allergens are nine foods that must be named on US labels, from milk, eggs and peanuts to wheat, soy and, since 2023, sesame.](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/us-major-allergens) [More in diets and allergens](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/category/diets-and-allergens)[Every term from A to Z](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary)