How are spray dryers used to make dried egg products?

Spray dryers are used to produce high-quality dried egg products that retain foaming and emulsification properties similar to those of fresh eggs.1

While the specific mechanics of egg processing mirror those used for dairy, the process generally involves atomizing liquid egg into a fine mist within a drying chamber, where it is exposed to a stream of hot air to remove moisture. This method is preferred because it minimizes heat damage to the product, ensuring the resulting solids remain functional for various food industry applications, such as cake mixes, pasta, and salad dressings.21

Depending on the intended use, manufacturers produce several types of dried egg products, including dried egg white solids, instant egg white solids, and stabilized whole egg solids where glucose has been removed. These products are often blended with ingredients like sugar or corn syrup to suit specific commercial needs and are typically packaged in containers ranging from small pouches to large drums for storage.1