35+ Delicious And Creative Leftover Egg Yolks Recipes

These leftover egg yolks recipes are like a knight in shining armor. Baking is my passion, and as you know, some desserts don’t call for a whole egg but only the egg white. As a result, the yolks end up in my fridge for days, and I hate to see them sitting like that.

Additionally, adding an extra egg yolk does wonders to your dishes. One typical example is using it in sauces and soups as a thickening agent. The yolk also functions as a binding agent for minced meat patties and a leavening agent for baked goods.

36 Wonderful Recipes To Take Advantage Of Leftover Yolks

Egg yolk has a vast application in gastronomy, but the following recipes are sure to take you aback. Keep reading to find out how to repurpose your egg yolks in the most straightforward manner.

Savories With Leftover Egg Yolks

1. Eggs benedict
2. Primavera carbonara
3. Gyeran bbang (Korean egg bread)
4. Mashed potato croquettes
5. Breakfast calzones
6. Kimchi udon with scallions
7. Roasted asparagus carbonara
8. Garlic parmesan duchess potatoes
9. Mac and cheese 

Desserts With Leftover Egg Yolks

Baking Desserts With Leftover Egg Yolks

1. Chewy chocolate chunk cookies
2. Hot cross buns
3. Key lime pie
4. Pastéis de nata (Portuguese custard tarts)
5. Banana bread
6. Quindim (Brazilian coconut egg custards)
7. 12-yolk pound cake
8. Italian Easter bread
9. Iranian rice cookies
10. Challah

No-Bake Desserts With Leftover Egg Yolks

1. Vanilla pudding
2. Chocolate mousse 
3. French buttercream
4. Tiramisu
5. Flan
6. Creme brulee cheesecake
7. Nilla wafer banana pudding
8. Zabaglione (Italian liquid custard)
9. Tin roof ice cream

Other Recipes With Leftover Egg Yolks

1. Grand aioli
2. Caesar salad
3. Homemade mayonnaise
4. Salt-cured egg yolks
5. Hollandaise sauce
6. Shortcrust pastry
7. Classic lemon curd
8. Crème anglaise

Well, thaw those frozen yolks, and let’s head to the kitchen now!

Savories With Leftover Egg Yolks That Build Your Appetite

There are days when you don’t feel like eating anything. I’ve been there, and I know exactly how you feel. Luckily, you remember those leftover egg yolks from your last bake, and suddenly, those protein balls make you feel hungry again. 

1. Eggs Benedict

The breakfast and brunch staple was invented by Delmonico and named after its two loyal customers, Mr. and Mrs. LeGrand Benedict. The dish consists of four components: toasted English muffin, crispy bacon, perfectly poached egg, and a creamy hollandaise sauce that requires some finesse.

2. Primavera Carbonara

Quick, easy, and tons of yum, this pasta dish has everything you look for in a midweek dinner. Of course, when talking about carbonara, you have to mention egg yolk. It is an amazing emulsifier that helps create a silky texture without any separation.

3. Gyeran Bbang (Korean Egg Bread)

Thanks to the Paris Baguette bakery chain, Korean bread has successfully entered the dessert mainstream market. Gyeran bbang, or egg bread, is one of those that stands out with its delectable flavor and topping choices.

4. Mashed Potato Croquettes

Here’s a brand new take on your regular mashed potatoes. Whisk leftover egg yolks, flour, parmesan, chives, and mashed potatoes and roll into bite-sized balls. Coat them in breadcrumbs and fry until crisp and golden. They taste great even after reheating!

5. Breakfast Calzones

Half sandwich, half pizza, calzone is truly a unique breakfast, and it’s an excellent idea to add a bit of variety to your dinner table. There are many various options for the filling, such as pepperoni, the regular pizza topping, to unconventional one like lasagna.

6. Kimchi Udon With Scallions

Whenever someone mentions fermented food, kimchi springs to my mind. I love how wild its taste is: sour, spicy, and pungent enough to clear the room. And I love it even more when I have it with udon and scallions. For a final touch, I add a leftover egg yolk on top and serve.

7. Roasted Asparagus Carbonara

The classic carbonara with bacon is ubiquitous nowadays; thus, I decided to work on it a little bit for the sake of change. Since I’m on a budget, my pick is roasted asparagus, which imparts a refreshing crunchiness to the plate. You’ll love the color contrast, too.

8. Garlic Parmesan Duchess Potatoes

Hard work pays off, and these duchess potatoes are concrete proof. Simply put, they are like mashed potatoes but come with extra flavors from garlic and parmesan and are baked until golden. Egg yolks help them keep their shapes and add an extra depth of creaminess.

Treat your family and friends with these fantastic duchess potatoes. Let’s see this video:

9. Mac And Cheese

Mac and cheese is the ultimate comfort food that never gets old. It’s deceptively simple, but the result is always beyond my expectations with that gooey-cheesy goodness. You can add some leftover egg yolks or use many types of cheese to enhance the creaminess.

Made-In-Heaven Desserts With Leftover Egg Yolks

Egg yolks are one of the essential components to make a dessert. They are everywhere, from hearty cakes to diminutive treats, and it’s amazing how they can up the flavor game to such a great degree. 

Baking Desserts With Leftover Yolks That Are Surprisingly Easy

Desserts that are difficult and take hours to make? They are definitely not something I would recommend. These baking delicacies are, however, extremely straightforward to pull off, and they are the perfect opportunity to use up your leftover egg yolks.

10. Chewy Chocolate Chunk Cookies

You cannot go wrong with cookies, especially if they are made with chunky chocolate chips. With their rich flavors and chewy texture, these baked treats have the power to entertain any crowd. An extra (leftover) egg yolk is the key to an irresistible tenderness. 

11. Hot Cross Buns

There are countless myths and traditions surrounding these hot cross buns, but only two remain true: they are lip-smacking and can stay fresh for a whole year. The buns are ready in about twenty minutes, so get the icing ready and pipe the cross. Fingers crossed!

12. Key Lime Pie

Key lime pie is always a sheer delight on the table. Unlike the Persian variant, which is sold almost everywhere, key lime is rarer and tastes miles better with its signature sharpness. The flavor is well-balanced with a dollop of whipped cream on top.

13. Pastéis De Nata (Portuguese Custard Tarts)

These adorable tarts are native to Portugal, but variations soon emerge in many other parts of the world, such as Hong Kong. The original pastries comprise a cinnamon flavored custard nestled in a flaky crust done to a turn. Rest assured, you will have more than one.

14. Banana Bread

This banana bread requires three yolks, and yes, leftover ones count. The point of using egg yolks in quick bread recipes is to add more flavors to the result. Try a slice if you doubt my words. Can you feel the lovely sweetness bursting in your mouth?

15. Quindim (Brazilian Coconut Egg Custards)

Quindim is another Portugal dessert that allows you to take advantage of your leftover egg yolks. I was drawn to these teeny treats by the vibrant yellow color, but that was nothing compared to the taste, which is unreal. It tastes wonderfully rich with an unforgettable creamy mouthfeel.

16. 12-Yolk Pound Cake

I love making macarons, but the leftover yolks taking up the fridge bug me every time. Well, not anymore until I came across a yummy solution – this golden pound cake, which calls for twelve yolks! It is subtly sweet, perfect with a drizzling of caramel sauce or a scoop of ice cream.

17. Italian Easter Bread

You don’t have to wait until Easter to make this bread. You can make it anytime you crave something sweet or when you have some leftover yolks that sit in the fridge for days. The festive bread is sweet and incredibly moist, and it’s visually appealing with sprinkles and colorful dyed eggs.

18. Iranian Rice Cookies

These rice cookies are about to give your favorite ones a serious competition. Also known as nan-e berenji, the crumbly rice-flour treats taste like nothing else owing to rose water, which lends a soothing aroma to the taste, and of course, cardamoms, the unsung hero.

19. Challah

Challah used to be a simple, plain loaf of bread, but things have changed drastically now. The traditional Jewish bread is now more flavorful with sweet options like s’mores, rum raisin cinnamon, or even savory choices like pesto. Either way, they are all tasty.

Unmissable No-Bake Desserts Made With Leftover Egg Yolks

It would be a crying shame if you did not try these no-bake desserts made with leftover yolks. From simple pudding and pie to global dishes with exceptional flavors like quindim and flan, you’ll love to see them all on the table!  

20. Vanilla Pudding

This simple and elegant recipe calls for only a few pantry ingredients, but it doesn’t fail to impress your sweet palette. It’s sweet, creamy, and fluffy, almost like a cloud, and you have to thank egg yolk for that. It acts as a natural thickener and also makes your pudding taste richer.

21. Chocolate Mousse 

Straightforward, decadent, and extremely satisfying, chocolate has taken the United States by storm since the 1930s. The soft dessert will lure you with its silky texture, leaving you to stay until the last spoonful with sweet and rich flavors of chocolate.

Chocoholics will fight for this sleek chocolate mousse:

22. French Buttercream

Here’s a dessert idea for a birthday party, a date night, or simply a treat-yourself day. French buttercream is made using egg yolks, butter, and sugar; if the yolks are too thick, add some brandy or bourbon to loosen them. The liquor improves the final taste as well.

23. Tiramisu

From local restaurants to downtown cafés, tiramisu is always on the menu. Making the Italian coffee dessert is not too tricky; instead, the success relies on the quality of its ingredients. The killer dessert tastes even better with a splash of strong liquor like rum instead of Marsala wine.

24. Flan

Flan is a delicate dessert with a winding history. Some prefer to change it up with an extra fruity or vegetal touch, while many others and I like to play it safe. The taste is intensely rich thanks to the caramel sauce, and with that glossy finish, it’s not easy to say no to flan.  

Your mouth can’t stop watering when you see this gorgeous flan, let’s see this video:

25. Creme Brulee Cheesecake

The only thing I don’t like about creme brulee is that it is usually served in small portions, so I came up with this recipe that can feed a crowd. Make sure to do a little testing with the ratio of egg yolks to heavy cream, the two elements that decide the dessert’s outcome.

26. Nilla Wafer Banana Pudding

Are you ready to tuck into this indulgent banana pudding? With layers of Nilla wafers, everyone’s childhood favorite, and creamy pudding, the chances are that your guests will skip the main course. I can’t blame them, though – those banana slices look appetizing!

27. Zabaglione (Italian Liquid Custard)

Zabaglione is an ethereal beauty, and it looks as if it belongs on the menu of a five-star restaurant. Surprisingly, it takes you only fifteen minutes to whip up. It is flavored with musky, sweet Marsala wine, and it can be served either hot or cool, alone or with fresh fruits on top.

Zabaglione is ideal for a romantic dinner for two, you can see this video to know how to make zabaglione:

28. Tin Roof Ice Cream

Have you ever felt like a cat on a hot tin roof? Chill out with this toothsome tin roof ice cream that takes only half an hour to finish. The taste is divine, with comforting notes of vanilla and mesmerizing swirls of chocolate-covered peanuts calling your attention.

Other Recipes With Leftover Yolks You Did Not Expect

Below are the recipes with leftover egg yolks for the secondary ingredients in some popular dishes. You know what they say: the devil is in the details. Therefore, if you want your dish to be a genuine crowd-pleaser, start with the basics first. 

29. Grand Aioli

Your dunking goodies need a friend, and it has to be an easy-going guy. What’s your pick? If you can’t find one, let me introduce you to grand aioli, made with egg yolks, Dijon mustard, garlic cloves, and a squeeze of lemon juice. A delectable friendship has just blossomed.

30. Caesar Salad

Healthy and refreshing, caesar salad never seems to lose its ground in the healthy food department. Tweak it to your preferences with some protein like chicken or elevate the taste with a sea-kissed flavor from bottarga. Don’t forget the lush dressing.

31. Homemade Mayonnaise

If you asked me what to do with a jar of mayo, I would draw up a really long list. You can slather it on grilled cheese, sandwiches or stuff it in deviled eggs. How about swapping butter with mayo when you bake a cake? And finally, the stylish way: use it to dress your salad.

32. Salt-Cured Egg Yolks

Technically, this is not a recipe but more like a how-to. Leftover yolks are buried in salt and left until dried and hardened. Its taste is reminiscent of some first-rate cheese, and it is the impeccable accompaniment to congee, soups, salads, or pasta. Anything, really.

33. Hollandaise Sauce

The world-famous hollandaise sauce is a must when you enjoy eggs benedict. However, it can be a little bit technical, especially concerning the temperature and the timing to achieve the desired consistency. Don’t worry – this foolproof recipe is only one click away.  

Don’t sweat – this hollandaise sauce is a walk in the park. Check out this video:

34. Shortcrust Pastry

Every master chef has to start from somewhere, and this is one of those recipes that they have to master before moving on to the more complicated ones. Keep these three tips in your pocket for a no-fail crust: don’t overwork the dough, don’t stretch, and watch its color.

35. Classic Lemon Curd

With leftover egg yolks, you can quickly rustle up a jar of lemon curd to fill your cake. You can spread it on your toast for a speedy breakfast, too, and guarantee that its tangy relish will keep you awake throughout the day. Plus, this one’s better than any store-bought kind.

36. Crème Anglaise

Crème anglaise, which translates to “English cream,” is a custard-like sauce that accompanies many desserts, for instance, luscious fruits, puddings, and tarts. The essence of making it on point lies in the cooking time. When done just right, the texture should be smooth and silky.

A Few Tips With Leftover Egg Yolks

I bet that these leftover egg yolks recipes know the way to your heart, but how about the opposite? Have you learned everything about leftover egg yolks? If the answer is a big no, here are some helpful tips to get to know them better.

• They should be kept in an airtight container and stored in the fridge.
• The yolks can dry out, so cover them with cold water.
• They should last for about three days if stored properly.

I hope this post has eased your mind from not knowing what to do with leftover yolks. As usual, I’d love to see your comments bragging about your success! Of course, any question is welcome. I’ll see you.