You are a vegan who loves baking cakes or making custards, and you are here to find the best egg substitutes. Digging your teeth into a moist, delicious cake is just one of many of our guilty pleasures. What provides that moisture and keeps the cake bound is the usage of eggs.
Eggs are essential on the ingredient list when it comes to baking or cooking. They can be used in a wide range of dishes, from sweet to savory. Basically, every component of an egg is edible, even the shell. So, why miss out on such a versatile ingredient when you’re vegan?
The fact that you have to give up on eggs altogether if you’re vegan is a shame. But I’m here to provide you with a list of substitutes you can use for eggs. Wondering which are those? Some of the best egg substitutes for vegans are flaxseeds, chia seeds, bananas, applesauce, silken tofu, and nut butter.
So, turn that long face into a smile, and let’s get all the yolky information about eggs.
Eggs In The Culinary World
Eggs are something that can be used in anything and everything. They are a great source of nutrition and are very filling. They are extremely easy and convenient to use in cooking.
From the yolk to the shell, each and every part of an egg is fit for consumption. There is a variety of eggs available in the market. These include eggs of geese, ducks, chickens, etc. The most commonly used eggs are that of chickens. Eggs of quails are used in fancy restaurants or in gourmet cooking, in general.
Eggs can be cooked and consumed in various ways. You can boil them, poach them, scramble them, fry them, make omelets out of them, etc. You can even pickle eggs in some cases. Eggs can also be consumed raw, but it isn’t usually recommended.
Uses of Eggs
Eggs yolks can be used as a thickener in most recipes. They can be used to thicken custards, soups, sauces, etc. They are often used for emulsion in most recipes. Yolks are mostly yellow or orange in color. They are oily and are perfect when it comes to binding a certain dish or ingredients.
Egg whites are incredible in making aerated dishes. They are light and provide a foamy texture to the dish. They give you a fluffy and light consistency when whipped, like in recipes for meringues, mousse, etc. They also help in strengthening doughs when used in their preparation.
Eggs On The Health Radar | Looking Through The Wellness Telescope
Eggs are super tasty, yes, but they’re also super nutritious. Eggs have negligible amounts of sugar, low carbohydrate content, and absolutely no fiber. Many people know that they are a great source of protein and vitamins. Eggs are also rich in hard-to-find minerals like selenium, riboflavin, etc. Eggshells are made of and hence are also a great source of calcium.
Why Should We Substitute Eggs?
Eggs have such versatility that they are used in a number of recipes. They are easily available at affordable rates too. But, if you are a vegan, you definitely need a bunch of best egg substitutes that can emulate the flavor and uses of eggs so that you don’t actually have to use eggs.
Also, eggs might be a cause of allergic reactions in some adults and children. If you know someone who is egg intolerant, you might have to definitely strike-off eggs from the recipe. This also necessitates the need to find the best egg substitutes.
Although eggs are an unskippable part of meals owing to their cooking, baking, and health benefits, finding the right vegan substitutes for eggs is extremely important. That is why I’ve got a curation of the best possible vegan substitutes for eggs listed below for you. Shall we talk about them right away?
Other Food Substitutes You Can Try
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- Best Egg Yolk Substitutes You Can Try
- Best Egg Substitutes To Use In A Cake Mix
- Best Whole Milk Substitutes You Can Try
- Best Milk Substitutes For Mac And Cheese
- Best Marjoram Substitutes You Can Try
- Best Crème Fraîche Substitutes You Can Try
- Best Cotija Cheese Substitutes You Can Try
- Best Yeast Substitutes You Can Try
- Best Greek Yogurt Substitutes In Baking
12 Best Egg Substitutes For Vegans
Now that you know everything you need to know about eggs let us discuss the twelve best egg substitutes for vegans.
1. Flax Seeds
Flax seeds provide almost an uncanny similarity to the texture provided by eggs if they’re used in a certain way. The coating of the flax seeds contains gum that gives a gelatinous consistency when whisked with water.
Ground flaxseed has a nutty flavor with subtle hints of sweetness. Ground flaxseed mixed with water work as a great substitute for eggs in recipes that call for egg whites. Due to its flavor, flax seeds will work best as a substitute for eggs in cookies, muffins, etc. Here is the recipe for
2. Chia Seeds
Chia seeds are black or white seeds that are super healthy. They are nowadays consumed for being a good source of Omega-3 fatty acids. They have a mild flavor and render little or no flavor to recipes.
Chia seeds, just like flax seeds, contain a gel that can be used as a substitute for eggs. To use them as egg substitutes, whisk together chia seeds with water. They have a thicker consistency and can be used in recipes that call for 1-2 eggs. It works well in bread, pancakes, etc.
3. Banana
Puree of certain fruits can also be used as substitutes for eggs, bananas being the most popular among them. Bananas are quite versatile edible fruits that have a sweet taste when ripened. They also have an impressive nutritional profile.
If you use bananas in place of eggs while baking, it keeps the dish moist and dense.
The only con to using bananas as a replacement is that they add the ‘banana flavor’ to the recipe. Bananas work as the perfect egg substitutes in cookies, etc.
4. Applesauce
Slow-cooking apples until they are softened gives you a dense and flavorful applesauce. It has a delicate, chunky consistency with a concentrated flavor of apples.
Applesauce is another puree substitute for eggs. Just like bananas, they’re sure to add the flavor of apples to the recipe. They also have their own sugar content, so either uses unsweetened applesauce or add a lesser amount of sugar than required in the recipe. For each egg, add about ¼ cup of applesauce.
5. Silken Tofu
You might know what tofu is. It is a derivative of soy made by pressing curdled soy milk into thick slabs. Silken tofu, also known as Japanese tofu, is a variety of tofu. It has a creamy flavor and a soft texture.
If the recipe requires eggs only for moisture, you should go for silken tofu as the substitute. Silken tofu provides softer consistency and maintains moisture in the dish. For best results, use a pureed version of silken tofu while cooking with it. It can be substituted for eggs in brownies, cakes, etc.
6. Baking Soda And Vinegar
No, no, we are not talking about cleaning your sink using the mixture of baking soda and vinegar. It also works as the best egg substitute, people!
Baking soda, when mixed with vinegar, can substitute for eggs in recipes. The best vinegar you can use for this substitution is apple cider vinegar. When used in baking, they keep the baked items light and aerated, making this combination a good egg substitute for vegans. It works best in cupcakes, bread, etc.
7. Nut Butter
Nut butter simply refers to the ground version of any nut made into a thick, spreadable paste. It could be that of peanuts, almonds, cashews, walnuts, or avocado.
Nut butter can be a great substitute for eggs when required to bind dry ingredients together. For each egg, about three teaspoons of nut butter would do. For best results, go for smooth, creamy nut butter instead of chunky ones. It can be used in place of eggs in cookies, pancakes, etc.
8. Aquafaba
Aquafaba isn’t as complicated as it sounds. It is the leftover liquid from canned or soaked chickpeas, beans, etc. Sometimes, soybean or other mild-flavored beans are also used. It is a vegan, healthy alternative to eggs.
Aquafaba is flavorless and has a similar consistency to that of egg whites when whipped. Three tablespoons of aquafaba would suffice for each egg used. It works best in meringues and macarons.
9. Pumpkin Puree
Pumpkin is an edible, healthy fruit that has an earthy, sweet flavor. Even though it has tough skin, it has delicate, juicy flesh inside. It is a rich source of vital nutrients. Pumpkin puree can be used as a substitute for eggs due to the rich color and sweet flavor it gives to your baked products.
10. Vegan Yogurt
Vegan yogurt is a type of yogurt made using plant-based sources such as peas, soy, coconut, cashews, and almonds. It is a rich source of calcium, fiber, and protein alongside gut-friendly probiotics. Vegan yogurt can be a worthy substitute for eggs due to the fact they work as a good binding agent, simultaneously providing moisture to your food items.
11. Agar-Agar Powder
Agar-agar powder is made of carbohydrates extracted from red algae. It is a vegan’s cup of choice to replace gelatin in their diet. Agar-agar can be obtained as flakes, powder, bars, or strands. Agar-agar in powdered and sheet forms works as a good egg substitute due to its thickening properties. A tablespoon of agar-agar powder mixed with water will suffice to replace an egg in your recipes.
12. Cornstarch
Cornstarch is the starchiest part made using the endosperm of corn kernels. It is a flavorless thickening agent with a smooth, soft texture used to thicken soups, sauces, marinades, and gravies.
Being a thickening agent, cornstarch, when mixed with water, gives you a thick, viscous substance that works as a good egg substitute for vegans. Two tablespoons of cornstarch with three tablespoons of liquid can smoothly replace an egg in your recipe.
Short Recap
That must have been an exhaustive read on the best plum sauce substitutes, right? Let me make it easy for you to remember the details with the help of some points.
For Binding: The best egg substitutes for binding purposes are chia seeds, flaxseeds, agar-agar, and cornstarch.
For Moisture: Applesauce and silken tofu are the best egg substitutes for rendering moisture.
For Raising: Aquafaba and baking soda with vinegar are the best egg substitutes for raising.
Using Them Rightly
While I have listed out the substitutes, you must have cursed me for not mentioning the measurements of all. Bursting the bubble, let me indulge you in the measurements of the best egg substitutes which have to be replaced for an egg.
| The Substitute | Required Amount (to replace an egg) |
| Flaxseeds | 1 tablespoon of flaxseed + 3 tablespoons of water |
| Chia Seeds | 1 tablespoon |
| Banana | 1 mashed banana |
| Applesauce | ¼ cup |
| Silken Tofu | ¼ cup |
| Baking Soda and Vinegar | 1 tablespoon of baking soda + 1 tablespoon of vinegar |
| Nut Butter | 3 tablespoons |
| Aquafaba | 3 tablespoons |
| Pumpkin Puree | ¼ cup |
| Vegan Yogurt | ¼ cup |
| Agar-Agar | 1 tablespoon of agar-agar powder + 1 tablespoon of water |
| Cornstarch | 2 tablespoons of cornstarch + 3 tablespoons of water |
Final Musings
We know that eggs are an important ingredient in many recipes and food items. Due to diet restrictions, some people are forced to go about a recipe without them. To not deny vegan people of these essential ingredients, the above-provided list has ingredients that can be used as substitutes for eggs.
Tell me in the comments below which substitute is the perfect replacement for eggs. I’ll see you next time. Until then, happy cooking!
How To Use Egg Substitutes For Vegans In A Recipe
Egg Substitutes For Vegans
Ingredients
- Flax Seeds
- Chia Seeds
- Banana
- Applesauce
- Silken Tofu
- Baking Soda And Vinegar
- Nut Butter
- Aquafaba
- Pumpkin Puree
- Vegan Yogurt
- Agar-Agar Powder
- Cornstarch
Instructions
- Go through the substitutes and see which one seems fit for the recipe.
- Collect your ingredients and use your preferred substitute.
- Use the substitute in the required amount and proceed to make the dish according to the recipe.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are vegan egg substitutes for cookies?
Chia seeds, flaxseeds, bananas, unsweetened applesauce, and silken tofu are the vegan egg substitutes for cookies.
What are the vegan egg substitutes for baking brownies?
Ground flaxseed, mashed bananas, applesauce, silken tofu, vegan yogurt and buttermilk are the vegan egg substitutes for baking brownies.
How much aquafaba replaces an egg?
Three tablespoons of aquafaba replaces one whole egg for binding purposes.
What do vegans use instead of eggs for frying?
Egg replacers, chickpea flour, soy protein powder, chia seeds, flaxseeds, and tofu are the substitutes used by vegans instead of eggs for frying.
