Fios de Ovos (Portuguese Egg Threads)

Nov 3, 2026 · By VanillaGoods

Dessert Custards puddings creams Vanilla: Extract Medium

Silky threads of cooked yolk used as a garnish or filling for cakes and puddings, or eaten alone. Makes 1 cup in about 30 minutes.

Prep 20 min

Cook 10 min

Total 30 min

Servings 8

Diet Dairy free, Gluten free

Ingredients

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servings

12 (216 g)egg yolks, strained through a fine sieve
2 cups (400 g)granulated sugar
1 ½ cups (360 ml)water
2 tsp (10 ml)vanilla extract

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Instructions

Strain the yolks through a fine sieve and pour into a squeeze bottle or a piping bag with a tiny hole cut in the tip.
Boil the sugar and water in a wide shallow pan 3 minutes. Reduce to a gentle simmer and stir in the vanilla.
Squeeze the yolk into the simmering syrup in circles from about 2 inches (5 cm) above, a few strands at a time.
Cook about 1 minute, until the threads turn bright golden and set. The syrup should be about 212 F (100 C).
Lift the threads out with a slotted spoon into a sieve and rinse lightly with ice-cold water. Drain.
Separate the threads with two toothpicks and use at once as a garnish.

Tips

Keep the syrup clear by skimming foam.
Work in small batches so threads do not tangle.
Add a splash of hot water if the syrup thickens.
Egg yolk threads are cooked in simmering syrup until set; refrigerate leftovers and use within 3 days. Hot sugar syrup causes burns.

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Recipe FAQ

How long does it take to make fios de ovos (portuguese egg threads)?

Plan on 20 minutes of prep and 10 minutes of cooking. The recipe makes 1 cup (8 servings).

How should I store fios de ovos (portuguese egg threads)?

Refrigerate in an airtight container up to 3 days or freeze up to 2 weeks.

Can I make fios de ovos (portuguese egg threads) ahead?

It is at its best the day it is made; prepare it a few hours before serving.

Can I use a different form of vanilla?

Yes. This recipe uses 2 tsp vanilla extract (10 ml). Each teaspoon of pure vanilla extract can be swapped for 1 teaspoon of vanilla bean paste, the seeds of half a vanilla bean, or 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla powder. Paste and seeds add the classic dark specks.

Fios de ovos are fine golden threads of egg yolk cooked in boiling sugar syrup, a classic Portuguese convent sweet. Serve it with port wine.

Estimated · per serving

Nutrition

Per serving = 1 of 8 servings this recipe makes.

284 Calories / serving

7.3g Fat

51.1g Carbs

4.3g Protein

50.3g Sugar

Whole recipe (8 servings): ~2272 cal · 58g fat · 409g carbs · 34g protein · 402g sugar

Estimated values per serving, calculated from standard ingredient data. Not verified Nutrition Facts; actual values vary with brands, measurements, and preparation.