While I, personally, could eat eggs every day, I understand they’re not for everyone. If you’re trying to avoid eggs in your diet, it’s imperative to know whether bread contains eggs or not. The good news is, most bread does not have eggs, and it’s pretty easy to know the difference.
Hi, there! My name is Michelle, and I love bread of all kinds. I love to make a bagel in the morning and have a sandwich at lunch and don’t get me started on garlic bread for dinner. With all the bread I’ve baked and consumed, I feel confident I can answer these questions today.
Whether baking homemade or buying in the store, this article will share whether bread has eggs or not. It will also share how you can tell, so when you’re shopping in the bread aisle, you won’t have to do too much digging to find an egg-free loaf.
Let’s talk about bread!
Does Bread Have Eggs?
Since so many baked goods contain eggs, it isn’t surprising to think that bread would be made with eggs, too. But the truth is, most bread does not contain eggs. Bread is mostly a combination of flour, salt, yeast, sugar, and water. From there, different ingredients can be added.
Why Don’t Breads Contain Eggs?
Other baked recipes, such as cakes and cookies, use eggs. So what’s the deal with bread? The biggest issue with eggs in bread is that the yeast doubles, which isn’t necessary for 90% of bread recipes out there.
Bread that contains eggs also considerably raises the fat content, which isn’t needed for a day-to-day slice of bread such as white or whole wheat bread.
Most bread do not contain eggs because egg allergies are a real thing that can cause a lot of digestive disturbances. Whether eggs are intentionally left out of bread for this reason or not, it gives consumers more confidence when purchasing bread that they won’t have a breakout.
Which Breads Do Not Contain Eggs?
Whether you have a bread allergy or you simply want to stay away from consuming eggs, you can feel confident making and buying these types of bread:
- Whole Wheat Bread
- White Bread
- Italian Bread
- Sourdough Bread
- Rye Bread
- Pumpernickel Bread
- Cinnamon Raisin Bread
- Potato Bread
- Pita Bread
Which Breads Contain Eggs?
Not all bread is created equal, though. While “basic” bread does not contain eggs, seasonal, festive, and quick bread likely will. For example, these kinds of bread will likely have some eggs:
- Brioche Bread
- Challah Bread
- Banana Bread
- Easter Egg Bread
- Biscuits
- Cornbread
- Monkey Bread
Sometimes, a “basic” bread will also have an egg wash over the top. This is typical in some bread recipes to create an appealing brown exterior. So, it’s not only the dough to think about, but the presence of an egg wash, too.
How to Tell if a Bread Contains Eggs or Not
If you’re making homemade bread, the easiest thing to do is to check for the presence of eggs in the ingredients list. If the recipe contains eggs, use a different recipe altogether or consider an egg replacement for bread.
When buying from a local baker, just ask! The baker will be honest about the ingredients used for the type of bread you’re buying. Sometimes there may also be an ingredient list or a warning label saying this type of bread contains eggs, milk, nuts, etc.
If you’re simply shopping around the bread aisle, you can check the ingredients label on the packaging. Bread that contains eggs will typically be yellow and come in a red package with red dots. However, that’s not always the case, so checking the label is ideal.
FAQs
Whether you’re ditching eggs from your diet entirely or don’t want to have an allergic reaction, the good news is you likely won’t have to worry about eggs in the bread you’re buying. If you still have questions about whether or not bread has eggs, look at these common questions.
Does store-bought bread have eggs?
Typically, store-bought bread does not contain eggs. Of course, this depends entirely on the type of bread you’re buying. Simple bread like white, whole wheat or even ciabatta won’t contain eggs, while biscuits and cornbread will.
What kind of bread does not have eggs?
The bulk of bread out there will not contain eggs, considering the basic bread recipe combines yeast, water, sugar, flour, and salt. So, it likely won’t contain eggs if it is not a quick bread or a flavored bread. For example, white, whole wheat, and Italian bread are fine.
Is egg added to bun?
Eggs are not traditionally found in bun recipes, but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible. The best thing to do is check the ingredients or ask the baker. While most buns are made with a combination of flour, yeast, butter, sugar, and milk, some are enriched with an egg.
What does egg do in bread?
In certain types of bread, eggs play a vital role in the result. For example, eggs can create a richer flavor thanks to the fat content. It can also help to bind ingredients together and enhance the volume of the bread. Sometimes, it’s all about giving the bread a yellow hue.
What happens if you don’t put eggs in bread?
If your bread recipe calls for eggs, it’s best not to ditch the ingredient entirely. At least use an egg substitute. Otherwise, the bread may come out too crumbly, be undesirably dry, or not rise the way it is supposed to, leaving you with flat and oddly textured bread.
Final Words
Most bread does not contain eggs, but it all comes down to the type of bread you’re baking or buying. Most of the time, eggs are reserved for colorful, quick, or sweet bread. The best thing to do is check the ingredients on the label or ask the baker if there are eggs in their bread.
What kind of bread recipe do you use? Does it contain eggs or not? Share your favorite recipes with us below, egg or no egg.
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