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Egg yolk substitute

Eggs · Checked against 3 sources · Updated November 4, 2026

Quick answer

Mix 2 tablespoons of dried egg yolk powder with 2 teaspoons of water for each yolk, or use 4 teaspoons of thawed frozen yolk. These suit custards, curds and doughs. For an egg-free recipe, see the egg substitute page, as nothing replaces a yolk in a custard.

How much do you need?

egg yolk

Fractions work: 1 1/2, ¾, 0.5. The amounts below update as you type.

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What to use

  1. Dried egg yolk powder and water

    • Gluten-free
    • Nut-free
    • Dairy-free
    • 2 tbsp 30 ml sifted dried egg yolk powder
    • 2 tsp 10 ml water
    Best for
    Cookies, doughs, baked custards.
    What changes
    Close to fresh when baked.
    Skip it when
    Raw or lightly cooked uses.

  2. Thawed frozen egg yolk

    • Gluten-free
    • Nut-free
    • Dairy-free
    • ≈ 1 ½ tbsp 20 ml thawed frozen egg yolk
    Best for
    Everything fresh yolks do.
    What changes
    Same.

Diet labels describe the ingredients as normally made. Check packages for gluten and allergens. Some refined sugar is filtered with bone char, which matters if you eat vegan.

Which swap for which job

UsePickWhy
Custards and curdsFrozen or powdered yolksCook to a safe temperature.

Do not substitute here

  • Hollandaise and raw sauces. Powder without pasteurizing. Use pasteurized yolks.

Questions

What if I have extra egg whites?

Use them in meringue, or freeze them for later.

Sources

Ratios come from these sources, in our words. Where they disagree, we say so or pick the amount that matches tested results. Ratios are a starting point. Taste and adjust.