Vegan Egg Substitutes: A Complete Guide

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Eggs are a staple ingredient in many recipes, but they're not always suitable for everyone. Whether it's due to ethical, health, or dietary reasons, the demand for vegan egg substitutes has risen in recent years. Here are some of the most popular and versatile options to replace eggs in your favorite recipes.

Unfortunately, eggs seem to work their way into everything, due mostly to their versatility in the ability to bind, leaven, and add moisture to all sorts of tasty things. So how do we keep our tasty things intact without the help of the egg? Fortunately, we have so many options for substitutions it can make it difficult to know when to use what. The following are some of the most popular and widely used vegan egg substitutes.

Vinegar and Baking Soda Mix

Best for recipes that require some lift: breads, cakes, muffins. Usually about one teaspoon of baking powder to one tablespoon of vinegar. Often you’ll find it’s best to add the vinegar to the non-dairy milk first and set it aside for a few minutes so it has a chance to curdle.

Check out this recipe for Wacky Cake that uses the vinegar and baking soda egg substitute.

Flaxseed

Flax seeds are another popular egg substitute that is high in fiber, antioxidants, and essential fatty acids. Like chia seeds, flax seeds form a gel-like substance when mixed with water, making them a great option for binding ingredients together in recipes. To use, mix 1 tablespoon of ground flax seeds with 3 tablespoons of water and let it sit for 5 minutes. This mixture can replace one egg in a recipe.

Flax seeds are also a good source of plant-based omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential for heart health, brain function, and joint health. They are also a good source of lignans, which have been shown to have anti-cancer properties.

Check out this recipe for Vegan Blueberry Pie Baked Oatmeal that uses the flaxseed egg substitute.

Banana

Also good for binding in the same circumstances as flaxseed. Just be sure to consider whatever you’re adding it to will taste like a banana. But you probably could have guessed that. About half a banana or ¼ cup mashed banana equals one egg.

Check out this recipe for Banana Wheatgerm Muffins that use bananas as an egg substitute.

Applesauce

Applesauce is a simple and versatile substitute for eggs in baking recipes. It can be used to add moisture and help bind ingredients together. Use ¼ cup of applesauce for each egg in a recipe.

This recipe for Apple Cider Bundt Cake uses a combination of bananas and applesauce as an egg substitute.

Tofu

Silken tofu: Good for making pie fillings, pudding, mousses, quiche or as a binding agent for things like vegan meatloaf. Just blend ¼ cup silken tofu in a food processor or blender until smooth for each egg you would like to replace.

Firm Tofu: Great for scrambles, when the egg substitute is center stage.
Check out this recipe for Scrambled Tofu with Greens that uses firm tofu as an egg substitute.

Chia Seeds

Chia seeds are an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids and fiber. When mixed with water, they form a gel-like substance that can be used as an egg replacer. To use, mix 1 tablespoon of chia seeds with 3 tablespoons of water and let it sit for 5 minutes. This mixture can replace one egg.

Commercial Egg Replacer

These are great for a variety of purposes: leavening, binding, or replacing egg whites in a recipe, and they keep forever in your pantry. For more specific instructions, just consult the directions on the box. I usually wait until a recipe specifically suggests using one of these products, as I have had disastrous results using them willy-nilly. For instance, they do not work well for pancake mixes. My dog Tess was the happy benefactor of that failed attempt.

Bob's Red Mill Egg Replacer

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Ener-G Egg Replacer

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Aquafaba

This is the liquid from a can of chickpeas and is a great substitute for egg whites. It can be whipped into a foam and used in recipes like meringues, macarons, and whipped cream. Simply drain a can of chickpeas and use the liquid as a 1:1 replacement for egg whites.

Vegan egg substitutes provide a suitable alternative for those who cannot or choose not to consume eggs. Whether for ethical, health, or environmental reasons, there are many vegan egg substitutes available, each with its own unique properties and flavor. From chia seeds and flaxseeds, to silken tofu and aquafaba, there are many options available for those who are looking for a vegan egg substitute. By incorporating these substitutes into your recipes, you can enjoy your favorite dishes