Want to make cookies, cakes, meringues, or soufflé? Then you know you’ve got to whip some egg whites. There are quite a number of ways to get this done. From using the traditional hand whisking technique to using a hand mixer, there is no shortage of options. With the many different options available, one might be tempted to ask, can you whip egg whites in a blender? This article discusses all this and more.
Can You Whip Egg Whites in a Blender?
Technically, yes. But we don’t recommend it. This is because blender speeds are just too fast for whipping eggs. This increased speed ends up pushing out all the air from the whipped egg, leaving your egg whites overbeaten. These overbeaten egg whites are much less fluffy than those whipped by hand or with an electric whisk.
As stated earlier though, it is still possible to whip egg whites in a blender, and with proper technique, you can still end up with fluffier whipped egg whites.
How to Whip Fluffier Egg Whites with a Blender
So how do you use a blender to whip egg whites and ensure that the result is as fluffy as you want? It all starts with determining what texture you need your whipped eggs at. There are four main stages of whipping egg whites which include;
- Foamy to Clarity
- Stiff Foam or Soft Peak
- Stiff Peak
- Overbeaten
Depending on what you will be making, the texture required would be different. If, for example, you are making desserts like cakes, the most desirable result is a stiff peak. If you are looking to prepare an egg omelet or egg custard, however, overbeaten egg whites would be a better choice.
Once you know what texture you need, getting the desired result with your blender becomes a matter of blender speed. This can be done in two simple steps.
Step 1: Prepare your Egg White
The first and most obvious step is to prepare your egg white by separating it from the yolk. Getting yolk in a recipe with egg whites would ruin it, plus your egg white wouldn’t reach the desired texture. So separate the egg white from the yolk and toss it into the blender.
Step 2: Turn on Your Blender
Once you have poured the egg whites into the blender, turn on the blender and leave it at the LOWEST speed. This reduced speed means less air escapes during blending, and as such, your egg whites don’t get overbeating as quickly.
Depending on the kind of blender you are using and the blender’s peak wattage, how long it would take to reach each stage would vary. If your blender seems to be taking some time to reach your desired texture, do NOT increase the blending speed. It is better if the whipping process takes a little longer than for your whipped eggs to get ruined faster. If you are looking to make overbeaten egg whites, however, then you might not need to worry about all of this and simply crank up your blender.
You might also find this article useful: How To Use A Blender To Juice
Once the blender starts working, you’ll want to monitor the process until it reaches your required texture.
What Alternatives are There Other Than Blenders?
While it is possible to make use of a blender to whip egg whites (without always ending up with overbeaten egg whites), it is still not the best option. Below are some better alternatives for beating egg whites.
Egg Whisk/Beater
This is essentially the best bet for making any sort of beaten eggs. As the name suggests, it is used to beat eggs and can give you the perfect texture you desire. They usually come with two removal whisks and a crack that can be used to turn them.
It is a great alternative to hand mixers as well and traps air much better than blenders. The only downside to it is that it cannot be used for large amounts of ingredients as it wouldn’t give you the desired egg white texture. But it’s fine when using it with a moderate amount of ingredients.
Fork
You can also use a fork to whisk your egg white. They work just like the balloon whisk. All you need to do is beat the egg in a consistent circular motion. Although it isn’t the most convenient of methods, it will give you the desired texture for your recipe. All you need is a little bit of endurance and you’re good to go.
Stand Mixers
These work just like balloon whisks, but just like hand mixers, they are electrically powered, so you don’t have to stress by using your hand consistently for five minutes straight.
They are incredibly powerful tools and can be used for more than just egg whites. They are also used for mixing other things such as cream, batter, and dough.
Stand mixers are perhaps the most convenient kitchen appliances to use for mixing your egg white; however, just as with the blender, you need to take caution so that you don’t end up overbeating your egg white.
Food Processor
Food processors are also great alternatives to blenders for whipping egg white. Many food processors like the KitchenAid KSM2FPA Food Processor come with special attachments made specifically for whipping eggs.
Conclusion
Blenders are perhaps the most versatile tools in the kitchen. Using them for whipping egg whites is very much possible, but special care needs to be taken to make sure the egg whites don’t get overbeaten. A handheld blender like the Vitamix Immersion Blender is a much better option than blenders with higher wattage. Regardless of the wattage of your blender though, you should still remember to blend at low speeds. For the best results though, a hand whisk is still the best option.