Pastry brush substitutes
Pastry brush substitutes — 5 options, ranked
Also called basting brush, baking brush, glazing brush
Use Folded paper towel
A paper towel folded into a pad holds liquid and releases it in a thin film, which is all a pastry brush does.
Fold a paper towel into a firm pad about 2 inches wide, dip one edge into the egg wash, butter or oil, and dab it on. It lays down a thin, even coat with no stray bristles. It will drag on soft, risen dough, so use clean fingertips there, and it must not go near a flame, so baste on the grill with the back of a long-handled spoon or a bundle of herbs.
- Verdict —
- Works
- The tweak —
- Fold one sheet in half three or four times into a firm pad about 2 inches wide. Dip one edge, press off the excess against the side of the bowl, and dab or wipe lightly in one direction.
- Best for —
- egg wash on pie crust and hand pies
- Pantry —
- Likely in your cupboard
Updated 8 Oct 2026 · no sponsored swaps
But first: what’s the pastry brush doing?
Pick your caseWhat are you brushing, and is it hot?
Dab it on with a folded paper towel. On soft, fully proofed dough that a towel would drag and deflate, pat it on with clean fingertips instead.
Notes on folded paper towel or clean fingertips
Keep paper and fingers away from the heat. Spoon the sauce on and spread it with the back of a long-handled spoon, or dab it on with a bundle of herbs tied to a spoon handle.
Notes on back of a spoon or herb bundle
The brush is only applying fat here, so spray it on, or wipe the pan with a paper towel dipped in oil or soft butter.
Notes on cooking spray or folded paper towel
Warm the glaze until it is loose, spoon a little on and spread it gently with the back of the spoon. On soft fruit, dab with a folded paper towel so the fruit stays in place.
Notes on back of a spoon or folded paper towel
A pastry brush spreads a small amount of liquid into a thin, even layer without disturbing what is underneath. On pastry that liquid is egg wash, milk or butter, and the evenness is what gives a uniform color. On meat it is sauce or fat, applied in layers so each one sets. On a pan it is oil or butter, pushed into the corners. A stand-in has to hold liquid, release it slowly and be safe at the temperature of the job.
Every option, one card
Ranked| # | Substitute | Instead of pastry brush | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Folded paper towelegg wash on pie crust and hand pies | See notesWorks | Works |
| 2 | Clean fingertipsegg wash on proofed rolls and soft dough | See notesWorks | Works |
| 3 | Back of a spoonbasting meat with sauce or pan juices | See notesTweak it | Tweak it |
| 4 | Cooking spraygreasing cake pans and muffin tins | See notesTweak it | Tweak it |
| 5 | Herb bundlebasting grilled meat and chicken | See notesTweak it | Tweak it |
| Not a swap | New paintbrush | not a swapNot for this | Not for this |
| Not a swap | Used paintbrush or makeup brush | not a swapNot for this | Not for this |
| Not a swap | Kitchen sponge | not a swapNot for this | Not for this |
Folded paper towel
similar taste and texture
A paper towel folded into a pad holds liquid and releases it in a thin film, which is all a pastry brush does.
- Best for
- egg wash on pie crust and hand pies, greasing pans and griddles, melted butter on phyllo and rolls
- Prep
- Fold one sheet in half three or four times into a firm pad about 2 inches wide. Dip one edge, press off the excess against the side of the bowl, and dab or wipe lightly in one direction.
- Pantry
- Likely in your cupboard
It soaks up more liquid than a brush, so mix a little extra egg wash or melt an extra tablespoon of butter. It can drag on soft, proofed dough and deflate it. Paper burns: keep it away from gas flames, grill grates and broiler elements, and use tongs to hold it when oiling a hot pan. Cheap towels can shed lint, so use a sturdy one.
Clean fingertips
similar taste and texture
Fingers spread egg wash, milk or melted butter gently and can feel how much is going on.
- Best for
- egg wash on proofed rolls and soft dough, sealing dumpling and pie edges with water, buttering a pan
- Prep
- Wash your hands, dip two fingertips, let the excess drip off, and pat the liquid on lightly instead of rubbing.
- Pantry
- Likely in your cupboard
Only for cold or room-temperature food and cooled liquids. Never use fingers on hot pans, hot butter or hot syrup. The coat is a little less even than a brush gives, and egg wash can pool in scored lines. Wash your hands again after handling raw egg.
Back of a spoon
similar taste · thicker, less even coating
Spoon the liquid on and spread it with the rounded back of the spoon. It is the safe choice for hot food.
- Best for
- basting meat with sauce or pan juices, glazing ham and roasts, spreading jam glaze on a tart
- Prep
- Drizzle a small amount over the food, then spread it with the back of the spoon in light strokes. Use a long-handled spoon over a grill.
- Pantry
- Likely in your cupboard
It lays down a thicker, less even coat than a brush. It works for sauces and glazes, not for a thin film of egg wash on delicate pastry, where it tears the surface and leaves puddles.
Cooking spray
less buttery where it replaces melted butter · similar texture
Where the brush was only there to apply fat, a spray of oil does the same job faster.
- Best for
- greasing cake pans and muffin tins, oiling phyllo layers, oiling vegetables before roasting
- Prep
- Hold the can 6 to 8 inches away and spray a light, even coat. For phyllo, spray each sheet lightly in place of brushing with butter.
- Pantry
- Likely in your cupboard
It replaces only oil and butter, not egg wash, glaze or sauce. Phyllo sprayed with oil is crisp but lacks the flavor of butter. Do not spray near an open flame or onto a hot burner.
Herb bundle
adds herb flavor · similar texture
A bunch of sturdy herbs tied together works as a basting mop and flavors the sauce as it goes.
- Best for
- basting grilled meat and chicken, basting a roast with butter or pan juices, oiling a grill grate
- Prep
- Tie a small bunch of rosemary, thyme or sage sprigs to the handle of a wooden spoon with cotton kitchen twine, dip the leafy end in the sauce or oil, and dab it over the meat.
It adds herb flavor, so use it only where that is welcome. It is too coarse for pastry and it cannot apply a thin, even film.
New paintbrush
not for food
A brand-new paintbrush from a hardware or craft store looks like a bristle pastry brush and is often suggested as one.
- Best for
- nothing on food
Paintbrushes are not made or sold for contact with food. The bristles, the glue that holds them and the metal ferrule are not food-grade, and inexpensive brushes shed bristles into the food. Synthetic bristles can also melt on a hot pan or grill. Use a folded paper towel, or a brush sold as a pastry or basting brush.
Used paintbrush or makeup brush
not for food
Any brush that has already been used for paint, stain, glue or cosmetics.
- Best for
- nothing in the kitchen
- Pantry
- Likely in your cupboard
Paint, solvent and cosmetic residue stays in the bristles and the ferrule after washing and transfers to food. Use a folded paper towel instead.
Kitchen sponge
not for food
A dish sponge looks like it should dab liquid the way a paper towel does.
- Best for
- nothing on food
- Pantry
- Likely in your cupboard
A used sponge carries bacteria and soap residue, and a new one is not made for contact with food and tears off in crumbs on rough surfaces. Synthetic sponges also melt on a hot pan.
Don’t swap it here
1 case- SafetyWashing sugar crystals down the side of a pot of boiling caramel or candy syrup.Put a lid on the pot for 2 to 3 minutes once the syrup boils. The trapped steam washes the crystals down. Then remove the lid and continue.
Questions
5 questionsWhat can I use if I don't have a pastry brush?
A paper towel folded into a pad about 2 inches wide. Dip one edge into the egg wash, butter or oil, press off the excess and dab it on. For soft, risen dough use clean fingertips. For hot food use the back of a spoon.
What can I use instead of a basting brush on the grill?
Spoon the sauce over the meat and spread it with the back of a long-handled spoon, or tie a bunch of rosemary or thyme to a wooden spoon handle and use it as a mop. Do not use a paper towel in your hand or a brush with plastic bristles over a live fire. Paper burns and plastic melts.
Can I apply egg wash without a brush?
Yes. Dab it on with a folded paper towel or pat it on with clean fingertips. Use less than you think you need, and keep it off the cut edges of puff pastry and biscuits, where it seals the layers shut.
Can I use a paintbrush as a pastry brush?
It is not recommended, even brand new. A paintbrush is not made for contact with food: the bristles, glue and metal ferrule are not food-grade, and inexpensive brushes shed bristles. A brush that has ever held paint, stain or solvent must never touch food. A folded paper towel does the same job.
How do I butter phyllo dough without a brush?
Spray each sheet lightly with cooking spray or an oil mister, or dab melted butter on with a folded paper towel. Spray gives crisp layers with less butter flavor. Work quickly and keep the unused sheets covered, because phyllo dries out in minutes.
Tips for substituting pastry brush
5 tips- A standard egg wash is 1 egg beaten with 1 tablespoon of water or milk. Strain it or beat it until no thick strands remain, so it spreads thinly without a brush.
- Press the excess liquid off the towel or your fingers before touching the dough. Egg wash that runs down the sides of puff pastry glues the layers together and stops them rising.
- To oil a hot grill grate, hold a folded paper towel in long tongs, dip it in oil, and wipe quickly. Do not use a dripping towel, because oil that falls on the coals flares up.
- Apply sugary sauces such as barbecue sauce in the last 10 to 15 minutes of cooking. Sugar burns well before the meat is done.
- For a fruit tart glaze, warm ¼ cup of apricot preserves with 1 tablespoon of water until loose and strain out the fruit pieces. A thin glaze spreads without a brush. A thick one pulls the fruit off.