Whether you have an egg allergy or are looking for ways to eat healthier, there are plenty of substitutes to try.
Eggs are a staple in every kitchen—except for us vegans. From pies and cakes to breakfast sandwiches and French toast, and everything in between, eggs are important in many recipes. Eggs are primarily used to create structure, stabilize batters and doughs, provide texture and moisture to recipes, and serve as a thickening agent for sauces and desserts.
In a world striving to live healthier, many plant-based alternatives have already made their way into our fridges and pantries. Following are eight easy-to-find and simple-to-use options.
Why do recipes call for eggs?
Typically, eggs are used to bind, leaven and add moisture to recipes. They essentially keep ingredients together and trap air pockets, which allows dough to rise.
Although learning what type of egg replacements that work best in recipes can be tricky, its always fun experimenting with new products, ingredients, or homemade alternatives! To understand what works best, having an idea of the consistency of the recipe will help determine what type of egg replacer you’ll want to use.
- Bob’s Red Mill Egg Replacer
My favorite substitute for baking is Bob’s Red Mill Egg Replacer–yes, store-bought, folks! It does the trick, acting as the perfect alternative to eggs. Whether it’s for pancake batter, stuffing, cookies or cakes, this egg replacer gives any recipe the moisture and level of binding the egg would have provided. It’s perfect in recipes like potato latkes!
- Vinegar + baking powder
Perfect for quick breads, cakes and cupcakes, this combo will surely encourage your desserts to leaven or rise. You can use either white distilled or apple cider vinegar. I’ve noticed the apple cider vinegar tastes better, but this is entirely up to you. Check out this recipe, Easy Vegan Apple Cake, for example.
- Flax or chia seeds
These powerful little seeds are the perfect alternative for binding ingredients together or emulsifying. Simply use a coffee grinder to grind the seeds into a powder. Add water and set aside until it thickens. Use this method to bake brownies, pie crusts, bread or muffins. Keep in mind that flax seeds have a nutty flavor, so try to use that alternative in recipes where you’ll enjoy that flavor profile.
- Silken or firm tofu
Looking for an egg scramble alternative? Tofu is one of those universal ingredients that could be used for stir-fry, mousses, soups, and breakfast egg scramblers (Southwest Tofu Scramble). If you press a block of extra firm tofu, crumble it up in a pan with turmeric and other seasonings, you can mimic scrambled eggs perfectly. Another example is using soft tofu as an emulsifier in stabilizing vegan mayonnaise. It helps by giving the texture you need. A new alternative called Just Egg has hit the markets and has paved the way for vegan omelets and non-tofu scrambles.
- Bananas
This alternative is best for recipes that use egg for moisture, like banana bread. This is perfect for cakes and brownies also! Just take one ripe banana, mash it up, and voila, you have the equivalent of one egg. Check out this delicious looking Banana Tea Bread!
- Apple sauce
If bananas aren’t your thing, you can use apple sauce instead and still give your baking the moistness it needs, like in these Chocolate Cupcakes. When shopping, make sure you purchase organic and unsweetened apple sauce. This way, you can add the sugar you’d like and not make what you’re making too sweet.
- Aquafaba
Aquafaba liquid is the water in which chickpeas were cooked in. When whipped for 5-10 minutes, it can mimic egg whites in cooking or baking, including meringue, mousse, icings, vegan marshmallows, or this Oven Baked Chickpea Veggie Burger. Make sure to opt for an organic and unsalted chickpea, allowing you to remove any unnecessary salt.
- Nut butter
Almond, peanut, or cashew butter can be great alternatives when substituting eggs. This method is excellent for cookies (Vegan Peanut Butter Cookies), pancakes, or brownies and can affect the flavor overall.
For The Vegan Rhino by Ryan Shepard
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