How to whip egg whites to soft, firm or stiff peaks

Whipped egg whites are the secret to deliciously moist cake, perfectly puffed soufflés, decadent billowy mousse and sweet fluffy meringue. Whipping egg whites with precision to a lighter, delicate texture will add dimension and lightness to your favorite recipes. A KitchenAid^® stand mixer can help you achieve whipped peaks faster than a competitor.^* This guide will show you step by step how to whip egg whites to form the proper peak consistency for your culinary endeavor.

_{*Compared to SMEG^® SMF02PKUS. Based on 4 large egg whites at room temp.}

What are whipped egg whites?

Whipping egg whites incorporates air to increase the volume of your ingredients, creating a light and fluffy texture. An egg white consists of 10% protein and 90% water. When you agitate egg whites by whisking them, the air stretches the protein as water molecules form bubbles increasing the volume.

When do you use whipped egg whites?

From sweet to savory, use whipped egg whites to add volume and a delicate texture to a variety of recipes that satisfy the palate. Send your taste buds to new heights with tempting recipes such as asparagus souffléd omelet, lemon buttermilk pancakes, mocha mousse and lavender honey macarons.

How to whip egg whites

With the versatile KitchenAid^® stand mixer, whipping egg whites to your desired consistency is quick and easy. It helps you achieve the precise texture needed for your recipe and streamlines mealtime prep work.

There are various methods you can use for beating egg whites. A hand mixer or hand blender is also effective at aeration to create the light and airy fluffiness ideal for your preferred peak stiffness. Another option is to do it by hand with a wire whisk, but a stand mixer can eliminate that manual effort. 

Yields

• Minimum 2 egg whites 

• Maximum 20 egg whites

Ingredients

While fresh, room temperature egg whites will whip up more easily, separating the egg white from the yolk can be less complicated when your eggs are cold. For better results, separate the eggs when you remove them from your fridge and allow the egg whites to warm up to room temperature for approximately 30 minutes.

Double check that no yolk is in the egg whites or you may not be able to reach stiff peaks. Add an optional stabilizer like salt or cream of tartar to help with volume and sugar for dessert recipes.

Tools

• KitchenAid^® stand mixer

• KitchenAid^® wire whip accessory

Total Time

• Small batches will take 1 to 2 minutes

• Larger batches will take 13 to 15 minute

SHop kitchenaid^® stand mixers

Discover a wide assortment of stand mixers and attachments and accessories from KitchenAid brand. Explore this stand mixer guide to find the right fit for your epicurean adventures.

Why is my egg white not whipping?

If your eggs are small, or you're only whipping two eggs, use a flat beater on speed 10 on your stand mixer until frothy. Then switch to the wire whip to finish. Room temp egg whites will whip up faster than cold ones. Check that the mixing bowl is clean of any residue and no yolk is in your egg whites. 

An acid, such as cream of tartar, can also help create form and texture and act as a stabilizer. As a general guideline, add 1/8 teaspoon per egg white or one teaspoon per cup of egg whites. For meringues, use 1/8 teaspoon for every two egg whites. Vinegar or lemon juice can also be used as a stabilizer.

Why are stiff peaks not forming?

For egg white peaks that refuse to stiffen, check that no yolk has slipped into the mixture. Clean the mixing bowl and beaters thoroughly, leaving no trace of residual grease, like butter or oil. Do not use a plastic mixing bowl. A pinch of salt or cream of tartar will accelerate the stiffening.

Can you over whisk egg whites?

Over-beaten egg whites appear dry and clumpy, instead of soft and moist. If in doubt, test a sample of the mixture by gently folding them into the other ingredients. Dry, over-whipped egg whites won’t blend smoothly. Add an extra egg white into the foam and whisk for a few seconds to remoisten.

Can you whisk egg whites with a hand blender?

Some hand or immersion blenders come with a whisk accessory to help with tasks that require aerating ingredients. You can use the whisk to quickly whip egg whites to your desired peak consistency. A KitchenAid^® hand mixer  is also a versatile kitchen tool that can easily whip egg whites to fluffy peaks.

Whipped Egg White Recipes

Whipping proper peaks to create a light and airy texture can add a new twist to old favorites and expand your culinary adventures.

Explore KitchenAid^® Baking Essentials

Add dimension to everyday meals–including an easy way to whip egg whites to perfect peaks. KitchenAid brand has versatile kitchen appliances, like stand mixers, hand mixers and hand blenders that streamline meal prep for a variety of recipes.