Hello Jan,
There are several wonderful egg-free alternatives that will give your pastries a beautiful golden color and a crisp top layer in the air fryer. Since an air fryer uses rapid air circulation, applying a wash that contains fat, protein, or natural sugars will give you the best balance of browning and crispness without drying out the surface of the dough.
Heavy Cream or Whole Milk
Brushing heavy cream directly onto your dough is one of the top substitutes for an egg wash. The milk fat combined with lactose and milk proteins promotes the Maillard reaction, giving you a rich, slightly glossy golden-brown finish. Whole milk or evaporated milk also works very well, though heavy cream produces a slightly deeper sheen due to its higher fat content.
Melted Butter
Brushing melted butter onto the dough prior to baking provides excellent flavor and encourages a wonderfully crisp outer layer. The milk solids in butter brown nicely under heat. For even better browning, you can mix equal parts melted butter and whole milk together before brushing.
Milk with Honey or Maple Syrup
For sweet pastries, whisk one tablespoon of milk with half a teaspoon of honey, maple syrup, or simple syrup. The added sugar caramelizes under the direct heat of the air fryer, delivering a rich color and a delicate crispy crust. Keep a close eye on the pastries during the last few minutes of baking, as sugars brown quickly in an air fryer.
Vegetable Oil or Aquafaba
If you need a vegan or dairy-free alternative, brushing a light layer of vegetable oil or chickpea liquid (aquafaba) works nicely. Oil helps conduct heat to crisp the dough, while aquafaba mimics egg white and browning properties quite effectively.
When baking in an air fryer, apply your wash gently and lightly right before baking. If the top appears to dry out quickly during the process, you can brush a second light coat halfway through.
I hope your pastries turn out crispy, golden, and delicious!
