Let's say you found the perfect paleo coconut macaroons recipe, (or any other recipe that only calls for egg whites). You made it, it was a success (or not!) but now you're left with a bunch of extra egg yolks you don't know what to do with! So what should you do? I guess you can throw it out, but it breaks my heart a little to know that all this egg yolk is going to waste. Here's 10+ Things To Do With Leftover Egg Yolks!
So here's a list of ideas I've assembled on what you can do:
Scrambled Eggs
I'm going to start off easy and suggest scrambled eggs. You can scramble your egg yolks up just as like you are making normal eggs. If you want to not just have plain egg yolk scrambled, you can always add some diced mushrooms, green peppers, red peppers, in to the mix for your breakfast. Think something like a breakfast scramble, but using egg yolks only!
Omelettes
One difficulty up - Make yourself an omelette! Just like the scrambled eggs, this one is easy peasy, and you can spice it up by finding your favorite omelette recipe... here's an idea:
Eggs in Ham or Avocado Cups
Probably my favorite thing to do here: Baked Eggs in Ham Cups! Must I say more? Obviously, you can't make the one on the left with the whole egg, but you sure can make the one on the right by mixing up your egg yolks and dumping them in to ham cups and baking it! Full recipe here.
Not a fan of ham? Try it in an avocado!
Frittata
Another yummy breakfast idea - make a frittata with your egg yolks! Here's a delicious one you can try: Paleo Asparagus Mushroom Frittata!
Mayonnaise
Moving away from breakfast items, you can make some mayo! You can make mayo and use it in deviled eggs, salad dressings, egg salads, and more! Recipe here.
Hollandaise Sauce
Not a mayo fan? No worries, you can make Hollandaise sauce. If your not familiar with what Hollandaise sauce it, it is lemony and buttery and goes great on eggs (ex: eggs benedict), vegetables (ex: asparagus) and fish (ex: salmon). Hollandaise sauce only requires egg yolk (and no egg whites) so why not try it out! Here's a recipe on how to make the sauce, and here's another one on using it with an asparagus side dish.
Flan
All right, how about desserts though? No problem. Some flan recipes call for only egg yolks and no egg whites, some call for a mixture of egg yolks and whole eggs, and some call for only whole eggs, so pay attention to the ingredients list! Now, since our problem is excess egg yolks. Here are some recipes to try:
Custard
Another egg-yolky dessert you can make with those extra egg yolks is the Custard! Now, there are different kinds of 'custards' out there so you can choose between those that are more like pudding consistency to something that's more thick (almost like flan). Here's a baked custard recipe.
Crème brûlée
Mmmmm. I love Crème brûlées. They are pretty similar to those baked custards and flans, but something about that sweet topping really tops it off. I know, you're thinking, how is a load of sugar on top paleo? Well, most paleo crème brûlées are topped with honey or something more natural than pure white sugar. Here are some examples:
- Paleo Crème Brûlée with organic raw honey on top
- Coconut Crème Brûlée with coconut palm sugar
Egg Nog
When it is the season to be jolly, egg nogs are perfect for NOT wasting those extra egg yolks!
Throw It In Your Hair
You read that right. Apparently, you can make egg yolks in to a hair mask! "Umm, WHAT?!" is probably what you're thinking. But, it's true. I found several 'recipes' to whip up a good Egg Yolk Hair Mask. I may have to try this out some time when I have extra egg yolks. Interesting recipes here.
Feed it to your dog
I can't believe I didn't think of this myself, but thanks to Jean in the comments... I realized this is another brilliant thing you can do. If you have a dog and he/she likes human food (and you're okay with it...) feed your egg yolks to him/her! I'm sure they will LOVE it!
Scrambled Eggs
I’m going to start off easy and suggest scrambled eggs. You can scramble your egg yolks up just as like you are making normal eggs. If you want to not just have plain egg yolk scrambled, you can always add some diced mushrooms, green peppers, red peppers, in to the mix for your breakfast. Think something like a breakfast scramble, but using egg yolks only!
Omelet
One difficulty up – Make yourself an omelette! Just like the scrambled eggs, this one is easy peasy, and you can spice it up by finding your favorite omelette recipe… here’s some ideas… Also, omelet cups are super fun - recipe here.
Baked Eggs in Ham Cups (or Avocado)
Probably my favorite thing to do here: Baked Eggs in Ham Cups! Must I say more? Obviously, you can’t make the one on the left with the whole egg, but you sure can make the one on the right by mixing up your egg yolks and dumping them in to ham cups and baking it! Full recipe here. Not a fan of ham? Try it in an avocado!
Frittata
Another yummy breakfast idea – make a frittata with your egg yolks! Here’s a delicious one you can try: Paleo Asparagus Mushroom Frittata! And, if you're looking for a keto or low carb options - cehck out this Sausage Broccoli and Cheddar Frittata (Keto, Gluten Free) recipe here!
Mayonnaise
Moving away from breakfast items, you can make some mayo! You can make mayo and use it in deviled eggs, salad dressings, egg salads, and more!
Hollandaise Sauce
Not a mayo fan? No worries, you can make Hollandaise sauce. If your not familiar with what Hollandaise sauce it, it is lemony and buttery and goes great on eggs (ex: eggs benedict), vegetables (ex: asparagus) and fish (ex: salmon). Hollandaise sauce only requires egg yolk (and no egg whites) so why not try it out! Here’s a recipe on how to make the sauce, and here’s another one on using it with an asparagus side dish.
Flan
All right, how about desserts though? No problem. Some flan recipes call for only egg yolks and no egg whites, some call for a mixture of egg yolks and whole eggs, and some call for only whole eggs, so pay attention to the ingredients list! Now, since our problem is excess egg yolks.
Custard
Another egg-yolky dessert you can make with those extra egg yolks is the Custard! Now, there are different kinds of ‘custards’ out there so you can choose between those that are more like pudding consistency to something that’s more thick (almost like flan).
Creme Brulee
Mmmmm. I love Crème brûlées. They are pretty similar to those baked custards and flans, but something about that sweet topping really tops it off. I know, you’re thinking, how is a load of sugar on top paleo? Well, most paleo crème brûlées are topped with honey or something more natural than pure white sugar.
Throw it on your hair!
You read that right. Apparently, you can make egg yolks in to a hair mask! “Umm, WHAT?!” is probably what you’re thinking. But, it’s true. I found several ‘recipes’ to whip up a good Egg Yolk Hair Mask. I may have to try this out some time when I have extra egg yolks.
Feed it to your dogs!
I can’t believe I didn’t think of this myself, but thanks to Jean in the comments… I realized this is another brilliant thing you can do. If you have a dog and he/she likes human food (and you’re okay with it…) feed your egg yolks to him/her! I’m sure they will LOVE it! Just make sure it's cooked - as raw eggs might not be as great...
Kelly @ A Girl Worth Saving says
Girl I am counting down until I can start drinking homemade egg nog by the pint 🙂
Cristina Curp says
I usually have left over whites! haha I use a lot of yolks in my cooking. Love all these ideas <3
Darryl says
This is great and a really useful list - especially based on the amount of eggs I consume! Thanks!
Holley @ ThePrimalDesire.com says
The egg yolk is my favorite part! They never go to waste in my house.
Katja says
Yes, homemade mayo is the best ever. Thanks for all of the great ideas!
Emily @ Recipes to Nourish says
So many great ideas! We love using them in egg cups and homemade custard too.
ChihYu says
What a great idea on how to use egg yolks !! I learn a lot. Thanks!!
Jean says
I love these ideas! I usually just give them to my dogs haha.
Tina T says
OMG I have to add this to my list! Thanks for the idea!
Seetha says
Hi Tina, Jean,
I usually give the yolks to dogs after cooking them in little oil. But I want to boil them rather than fry so that it'll be healthier for them. Is this possible with egg yolk only?
Tina T says
Do you mean to boil the egg yolk? Well, it is possible but you'd have to use something to drain the water so you can remove the egg yolk from the water when it's cooked like a Skimmer Spoon/Strainer Ladle.
Kelly says
Wow! I love all of these tasty options! I'm always saving yolks for making pastry cream, but this gives me lots more great ideas! Thank you!
Kari - Get Inspired Everyday! says
What a great list of ideas, I usually have the other problem with leftover egg whites, but these can work either way!
Irena says
Ha, I wish I read this yesterday. I was making friands with egg whites and had a few egg yolks leftover. I sometimes just throw them in the next omelette, but these ideas would have been handy.
Renee says
Such great ideas! Thank you! I'm pinning this for a resource!
Tamara says
Great list! I also found this primal egg coffee on Mark's Daily Apple. http://www.marksdailyapple.com/primal-egg-coffee/#axzz39s9neHOC
Just made myself a cup with the two leftover yolks from my coconut macaroons (yes, guilty as charged) and it's not bad at all!