If you’re whipping up a meringue or enjoying an egg white omelette for breakfast, don’t throw away your leftover egg yolks. Egg yolks are a brilliant baking ingredient in both sweet and savoury recipes. So it’s time to cut back on food waste and get baking instead. Here are some of our favourite egg yolk recipes to make the most of your leftovers.
Egg yolks play an important role in baking. They make things sumptuously soft, rich and moist. Use them to:
•Make richer and chewier cookie dough
•Craft homemade crème brûlée
•Create tarte pastry
•Wow your guests with homemade custard (P.S. throw in some Dr. Oetker Cocoa Powder for rich chocolatey custard)
So, what to do with leftover egg yolks? Here are a few recipes to get you thinking:
Extra Dark Chocolate and Cherry Tarte: You’ll use one egg yolk to add some richness to the pastry for this delectable tarte.
Triple Chocolate Cookie Bars: One egg yolk is all you need to add to the cookie dough of these fantastic Triple Chocolate Cookie Bars. With 40 minutes cooking, you’ll be satisfying the chocolate lovers in your home in no time.
Custard Slices: To create eight delicious Custard Slices, you’ll use six leftover egg yolks. They all go into the custard to make it creamy and rich. You can use leftover puff pastry too for the perfect no-food-waste bake.
Crème Brûlée Doughnuts: Yes, you can use leftover egg yolks to knock up a stunning crème brûlée. But why not take it a step further with the ultimate leftover egg yolk recipe? These Crème Brûlée Doughnuts are filled with creamy custard for finger licking goodness – they’re always a real showstopper. You’ll need just two leftover egg yolks.
Vanilla Egg Custard Tarts: Use four eggs for this timeless classic dessert. These Vanilla Egg Custard Tarts are perfect for afternoon tea, a little treat or anytime you want to satisfy a craving.
Pastel De Nata: You don’t have to travel to Lisbon to enjoy the real taste of Portugal. With five leftover egg yolks you’ll enjoy 12 Pastel De Natas. It’s time to taste the sunshine with every bite.
You can store egg yolks in both the fridge and freezer. They’ll keep in the fridge for around two days, but they can dry out easily. Make sure you store them in small containers with little air in them or in food bags with the air squeezed out.
Egg yolks can also be frozen and will keep for up to 12 months. Simply mix with ½ tsp of sugar per egg yolk. Freeze them in an ice-cube tray with one egg yolk in each ice cube mould. Then defrost them at room temperature to use straightaway.
And if you want to avoid any potential egg yolk waste, why not use ourDr. Oetker Egg White Powderas a substitute for egg whites?
Now you know what to do with your leftover egg yolks, you’ll be cutting out food waste and baking some real delights in the kitchen. For more baking hits and tips from Dr. Oetker, check out our guides on how to ice a cakeand how to accurately measure out baking ingredients.
FAQs
Thaw the container of frozen egg yolks overnight in the refrigerator or under cold running water. Use the yolks as soon as they've thawed. Substitute 1 tablespoon thawed egg yolk for 1 large fresh egg yolk in your recipe. Use thawed frozen eggs only in dishes that are thoroughly cooked.
Is it wasteful to throw away egg yolks? ›
When you're separating eggs and end up with a surplus of yolks, don't worry about them going to waste. There are plenty of ways to use those leftover yolks in your kitchen, whether it's in a simple salad dressing, a fresh pasta, creamy custard or cured yolks.
What is the best way to dispose of egg yolks? ›
Sending it down the drain is fine. Just use enough water to make sure you don't leave traces in your sink. A bit of soap or cleanser wouldn't hurt either, to make completely sure you don't contaminate whatever goes into your sink next.
What are egg yolks good for? ›
Most nutrients in an egg are present in the yolk. The results of lab studies suggest that some compounds in egg yolk can help prevent gastrointestinal distress, boost immune function, and reduce blood pressure. However, further studies in humans are necessary to confirm these possible benefits.
Why can't you freeze egg yolks? ›
Freezing yolks is less satisfactory; it causes the yolk to become thick and syrupy so it will not flow like an unfrozen yolk or blend very well with the white or other ingredients. To freeze yolks, mix four yolks with a pinch of salt and one and half teaspoons of sugar or corn syrup.
Can you use frozen egg yolks for pasta? ›
You can later use the yolks with salt for savory dishes and save the ones with added sugar for desserts. Frozen yolks should be either thawed overnight in the fridge or under cold running water before using.
Can you freeze egg yolks for mayonnaise? ›
The secondary structure evaluation of frozen yolk showed that after 60 days freezing storage, the yolk protein became markedly more hydrophobic. Furthermore, sensory evaluation showed that mayonnaise made with frozen yolk was more acceptable than that made with fresh yolk.
Can you eat old egg yolk? ›
An old egg isn't necessarily unsafe to eat, but it might not taste as good as a fresh egg. A rotten egg is one contaminated by common bacteria; it'll give off a putrid, sulfurous smell. In most cases, consuming a rotten egg will cause mild digestive issues, at most, compounded by a few days of cramping.
What do egg yolks look like when they go bad? ›
Look for any pink or iridescent discoloration in the yolk or whites, as this may indicate bacterial growth. If you notice any signs of discoloration, throw the egg out and wash the bowl with hot, soapy water before testing a new egg. You can also check to see if the whites or yolk of the egg are runny.
Are egg yolks good for dogs? ›
Eggs are nutritious for both people and dogs. They can be tasty treats or a hearty breakfast, whether they're hard-boiled, poached, scrambled, or over easy. A cooked entire egg or yolk can be good for your dog, unless your pet has a pre-existing health condition like acute pancreatitis or diabetes.
Use extra yolks to make a frozen or chilled sweet treat like ice cream, gelato, crème brulee or your favorite kind of semifreddo. Use yolks in place of whole eggs for binding meatballs. Curds, custards, puddings, and sauces typically call for yolks only.
How to not waste egg yolk? ›
You can store egg yolks in both the fridge and freezer. They'll keep in the fridge for around two days, but they can dry out easily. Make sure you store them in small containers with little air in them or in food bags with the air squeezed out. Egg yolks can also be frozen and will keep for up to 12 months.
Should I eat egg yolk for weight loss? ›
Eggs also have the advantage of being low in calories: The yolk of a large egg contains only 55 calories, and the whites contain only 15 calories, for about 70 calories total per egg. Because of this, eggs are considered "good for weight loss," says Olendzki.
What can you do with unused eggs? ›
Old eggs or rotten eggs are acceptable in composting programs - including your home compost pile. Contact your local recycling coordinator to find out whether your local transfer station offers municipal composting. Or consider starting your own home compost bin for your organic materials!
How long can you preserve egg yolks? ›
Introduction: Delicious Cured Egg Yolks
the result are firm yolks that lose a lot of water, which concentrates fat and flavor. You can store them in a airtight container for about 4 weeks in the fridge, so it's fine to make them ahead! The process of making them is dead simple!
Can you freeze egg yolks in a carton? ›
You can freeze whole eggs, egg whites, and egg yolks. No matter what types of eggs you have, they can last a lot longer―we're talking months longer―if you freeze them. You just need to follow a few eggs-pert tips, which we've got for you right here.
