fold in

USAGE SUMMARY

"fold in" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in the context of cooking and baking, such as in the following example sentence: "Gently fold in the chopped nuts at the end of the mixing process."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Food Recipes

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Fold in the parsley.

The New York Times - Food

Fold in cilantro.

The New York Times - Food

Fold in white chips.

The New York Times - Food

Fold in raisins.

The New York Times

Fold in yolk mixture.

The New York Times - Food

Fold in lemon zest.

The New York Times - Food

Fold in cinnamon.

The New York Times - Food

Fold in dill.

The New York Times - Food

Fold in coconut.

The New York Times

Fold in the tarama.

The New York Times - Magazine

Fold in the chocolate.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the texture of the ingredients you are combining. "Fold in" is best used when one ingredient is significantly lighter than the other, such as whipped egg whites into a batter.

Common error

Avoid overmixing after you "fold in" ingredients. Overmixing can deflate the mixture, especially when dealing with whipped egg whites or cream, resulting in a dense final product. Stop mixing as soon as the ingredients are just combined.

Linguistic Context

"Fold in" functions as a phrasal verb, specifically indicating a method of incorporating ingredients gently. As highlighted by Ludwig, it is frequently employed in cooking contexts where maintaining the texture and volume of a mixture is crucial.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Wiki

19%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

6%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Fold in" is a phrasal verb widely used to describe a gentle mixing technique, primarily in cooking. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used. It's crucial for maintaining the texture of delicate mixtures, such as incorporating whipped egg whites into batter. While the phrase is common in news, media, and how-to contexts, overmixing after folding is a frequent error to avoid. Related phrases include "incorporate gently" and "mix carefully", each emphasizing different aspects of the same careful action.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

incorporate gently

Focuses on the manner of mixing, highlighting gentleness as a key factor.

mix carefully

Emphasizes the care taken during the mixing process to avoid overmixing.

blend softly

Highlights the blending aspect, implying a smooth and even distribution.

stir in lightly

Focuses on stirring as the action, emphasizing the light touch.

combine delicately

Highlights the delicate nature of the combining process.

gently introduce

Emphasizes the gradual introduction of an element into something else.

mix through carefully

Highlights thoroughly mixing in a careful way to distribute ingredients.

work in smoothly

Stresses the smoothness achieved when incorporating something.

integrate softly

Focuses on seamless integration of a substance, with an element of smoothness and control.

add and combine carefully

Highlights the controlled addition and the need to combine carefully.

FAQs

How do you use "fold in" in a recipe?

In recipes, "fold in" refers to a gentle mixing technique where a lighter ingredient is carefully combined with a heavier one to maintain airiness. For example, you might "fold in egg whites" into a cake batter.

What is the purpose of "folding in" ingredients?

The purpose of "folding in" ingredients is to incorporate them without deflating a light and airy mixture. This technique is crucial for recipes where maintaining volume and a delicate texture is essential.

Can I use stirring instead of "folding in"?

While stirring mixes ingredients, it's more aggressive than "folding in". Stirring can deflate delicate mixtures. Use "fold in" when you need to preserve volume and texture.

What tools are best for "folding in" ingredients?

A rubber spatula is ideal for "folding in" ingredients. Its flexible edge allows you to scrape the bottom of the bowl and lift the heavier mixture over the lighter one, ensuring even distribution without overmixing.