Is Egg Gluten Free?

We have created a series called “Is it gluten free?” In today’s article we look at egg.

Thankfully for those with Celiac disease or a gluten sensitivity egg is gluten free? Gluten is a protein that is only found in some plants such as wheat and barley. There is no transfer of the gluten that the chicken may have eaten into the egg. So even if a chicken has been feed wheat the answer to is egg gluten free? Remains yes, egg is gluten free.

Being Asked, Is Egg Gluten Free?

There is great confusion about what is gluten free for those that do not eat a gluten free diet or are beginning to eat gluten free. One time we were spending the weekend with some friends, we were having a great time, but they were nervous about feeding us gluten free food. In discussing the plan for the following day, I can still remember them asking in a timid almost embarrassed manner “Is egg gluten free?” The reply of, “Yes.” Was followed by a sigh and look of relief The next morning feeling like they had conquered the gluten free beast, our friends made an amazing feast! Eggs, hashbrowns, bacon, and plater of fresh fruit, all of it gluten free!

There are many gluten free sides that go with eggs for breakfast other than toast consider these sides with your eggs:

Hashbrowns (read the label if buying frozen from a store)
Bacon
Ham
Fresh fruit

Egg, Perfect for Learning to Cook

Not only are eggs super useful as a gluten free ingredient in many dishes. Eggs are a great food for learning how to cook. One of the first things that I taught Lydia to cook was scrambled eggs. Eggs were the perfect dish to teach a gluten free kid how to cook. With scrambled eggs mastered we progressed to making omelets. Soon omelets became one of her favorite things to cook. She was so proud of herself to be able to cook something that tasted so good.

The simple omelet can take on such a wide variety of flavors by merely altering the filling ingredients, ham and cheese is a classic as are mushrooms, peppers, or shrimp. Lydia loves to add shredded cheddar cheese and fresh basil for some additional flavor. Kate on the other hand likes just cheese in her omelet.

Gluten Free Eggs, Eating Out

When looking for a gluten free breakfast when eating out an omelet is a great choice. Watch out for a side of toast being sure to ask for no toast with the omelet to keep it gluten free, also stick to bacon or ham as breakfast sausages can be a hidden source of gluten depending on the brand.

Not Just for Breakfast

Eggs are one of the most universally eaten foods around the world. Eggs are so multi-functional and play a role in so many different dishes. From being eaten as a dish by themselves or as a vital ingredient in a wide variety of food from cake to fried rice and nearly everything in between.

Egg as an Ingredient

One of the fascinating things about cooking with eggs is that the white and yolk can be used together or separated to transform the cooking properties of the egg. Both the egg white and egg yolk are gluten free.

Parts of the Egg

Yolk – Egg yolk used as an emulsifier and thickener in custards
White – Egg white used in meringues and in the preparation of vaccines is gluten free
Shell – use as a supplement to add nutrients to your garden or compost.

Just as gluten is a specific protein that can be manipulated to create wonderful airy bread or perfectly chewy pasta. Egg provides different proteins that allows either custards to set or meringues to form light pillowy fluffiness.

A favorite gluten free dessert that highlights the rich smooth texture of a custard that is achieved by using just the yolk of the egg is Crème Brule. This gluten free egg-based dessert is so luxurious and rich tasting that it is often assumed that it is difficult to bake. While it does take time and planning ahead we have a recipe for Crème Brule that is surprising easy to make. It is sure to impress not only your gluten free guests but also those that are not restricted in the desserts that they eat.

Shifting focus to the other part of the egg, the egg white you can bake a fantastic gluten free dessert of meringue cookies. These light and airy cookies are a gluten free dream with a crisp exterior shell and sweet and fluffy interior. These cookies are made using the air capturing properties of the egg white to make an airy gluten free dessert which can be hard to find as gluten free desserts are often dense and heavy. Where Crème Brule is surprisingly easy to make meringues can be deceptively tricky to make, but are always a treat when they are found at a café or bakery.

For a great gluten free meal on the run premade egg cups are healthy bite that uses the entire egg. Egg bites can be made with a wide variety of fillings or additions to suit your tastes and are another great gluten free egg dish for teaching kids how to cook.

Food allergies to eggs?

While the answer to the question is egg gluten free, is yes. Unfortunately, the answer to can people have an egg allergy, is also yes.

In many ways removing egg from your diet is more difficult than beginning to eat a gluten free diet. Eggs are not just a great food by themselves but also form a key ingredient in so many different dishes. See our recipe for egg free gluten free cookies.

Egg Alternatives

For those that need a gluten free diet and have an egg allergy or choose to eat vegan, what can be used as an egg alternative in recipes that call for egg? The egg alternative to use will depend on the recipe that you are preparing some gluten free egg alternatives are:

Ground flax seed mixed with a little water
Apple sauce
Mushed banana