How many times have you had unused egg whites left in the fridge after baking or cooking? Do you sometimes not know what to do with them so you don’t have to throw them away after a few days? Unlike egg yolks, egg whites contain very little fat and no cholesterol, but they are full of quality protein andbioactive peptides that can have health benefits. So it would be a shame not to consume them. This is especially true around Christmas, when they can be the basis for many sweets.

Baking is a hobby for many people, but there’s generally more of it around Christmas. And many people make more use of egg yolks when making Christmas cookies and other sweet treats, while putting the egg whites away in the fridge. Then we throw them away after a few days because we haven’t found a good use for them. But there are many creative possibilities.

Why are egg whites worth using?

The first reason not to leave egg whites forgotten in the fridge is their nutritional value. According to WebMD, one egg white contains approximately 4 grams of protein and very few calories. Plus, these egg parts are cholesterol-free, making them an attractive option for those watching their cholesterol levels or trying to eat a healthier diet.

Another interesting health benefit lies in the peptide components of the protein. Research shows that some peptides from egg whites can potentially lower blood pressure. In the past, this has been shown not only in rat studies, but also in human trials.

What to bake and prepare from excess egg whites

There are many uses for egg whites in the kitchen. You can use them to make:

  • Sweet dishes, such as meringues or macaroons. These baked sweets are easy to make with egg white snow, even after the egg whites have been frozen for a few weeks, for example.
  • Savoury dishes can also be topped up with egg whites very easily. In many Asian recipes, for example, egg whites serve as the base for various sauces and dressings.
Snow white is the basis for a variety of sweets. ━━ Snow white is the basis for a variety of sweets. ( Source: Gingagi /  iStockphoto )

How not to waste leftover eggs

Sometimes people put their egg whites in the fridge with the intention of returning to them later. But it’s easy to forget about them, or there simply isn’t time to process them. How then to prevent these parts of broken eggs from going bad?

If you know you won’t use the whites right away, it’s good to know how to preserve them. According to an article by Nagi Maehashi, egg whites will keep in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and can also be safely frozen. Ideally, do this in an ice cube tray so you can easily batch the egg whites afterwards.

Also learn to plan meals that use egg whites. This can greatly reduce wastage of this ingredient. You can find many recipes online where eggs can be used, for example the BBC Good Food website offers a list of more than ten tips for using surplus eggs, from baking to sauces to all sorts of fillings.