Plant-Based Papa

Plant-Based Egg Yolk (Spherification Recipe)

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This recipe is where things get really exciting. If you've already made our Plant-Based Egg Sauce, you are literally one ingredient away from turning it into stunning burstible egg yolks that look and behave almost identically to a real egg yolk. One teaspoon of Calcium Lactate added to the sauce, a Sodium Alginate bath, and a little patience is all that stands between you and the most impressive plant-based recipe you've ever put on a plate.

The science behind it is called spherification — a molecular gastronomy technique that forms a thin gel membrane around a liquid, creating a sphere that holds its shape until the moment it's pierced. The result is a golden, glossy, perfectly round yolk that sits beautifully on toast, nestles into a plant-based fried egg, or makes any breakfast plate look like it came straight out of a high end restaurant kitchen. And the best part? It's made entirely from our plant-based egg yolk sauce with zero cholesterol and all of the flavor.

Now we'll be honest with you — working with a Sodium Alginate bath does take a little practice. Getting the drop size right, the timing of the bath, and the rinsing process are all things that get easier the more you do it. Your first batch might not be picture perfect and that is completely okay. Stick with it because once it clicks, it really clicks — and the results are absolutely worth every practice run.

Here's the game changer though — these egg yolk spheres freeze beautifully. Once they've set and been rinsed, lay them out on a parchment lined tray, freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer safe bag or container. When you're ready to use them, simply thaw and they're good to go. Making a big batch and keeping them in the freezer means you're never more than a few minutes away from a plant-based fried egg that looks like it took hours to make. For busy families and meal preppers, this is the move.

Whether you're making these to top a rice bowl, complete a full plant-based fried egg, or just to genuinely impress everyone at your next brunch — this recipe is one of those moments that reminds you just how far plant-based cooking has come. Start with our Plant-Based Egg Yolk Sauce, add one teaspoon of Calcium Lactate, and let's make some magic.

Plant-Based Egg Yolk (Spherification Recipe)

Learn how to turn our plant-based egg yolk sauce into stunning burstible vegan egg yolks using Calcium Lactate and a Sodium Alginate bath. Freezer friendly and worth every minute.

Prep
30 min
Cook
4 min
Cool
1 min
Total
35 min
Servings
10
Difficulty
Easy

Ingredients

Alginate Bath

Instructions

  1. Add 2 tsp Sodium Alginate and 2 cups Distilled Water to a blender. Blend on medium/high until mixture is fully dissolved.

    Pour into a storage container and transfer to the fridge for 30+ minutes (until all air bubbles have dissipated).

  2. While the Alginate Bath is resting, add 1 tsp Calcium Lactate to a pot, then follow the steps to make 1 batch Plant-Based Egg Sauce. Don't forget the Calcium Lactate because it's an essential ingredient for spherification!

  3. Once all bubbles have fully dissipated, remove the alginate bath from the refrigerator. Scoop a Tablespoon of the egg sauce, hold your tablespoon as close to the surface of the Sodium Alginate bath as possible and slowly pour the egg yolk sauce in one smooth motion — the closer to the surface, the rounder your sphere will be.

    Using a regular spoon, gently spoon the alginate solution up and over the top of the yolk to encourage an even membrane to form across the entire surface.

    Let it sit undisturbed for 15 to 30 seconds until a thin gel membrane has set around the outside, then carefully lift it out with a slotted spoon and transfer immediately to a clean water bath to rinse off any residual alginate solution.

  4. You can use the egg yolks immediately, store in the fridge for up to 5 days or place on parchment paper, freeze, then transfer to a bag for storage.

Nutrition (per serving)

Calories
29 kcal
Protein
0.3 g
Carbs
0.5 g
Fat
2.8 g
Fiber
0 g
Sugar
0 g
Sodium
43.5 mg

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Reviews (1)

★★★★★5.0out of 5
  • Claire

    ★★★★★

    Super good!

    This was super good! It was a bit time-consuming but I froze a bunch of yolks and plan on using them with the egg white in the future!