Guide to Replace Eggs in Vegan Recipes 🌱

Are you on a quest to find how to replace eggs in your favorite recipes? Then, you’ve come to the right place! In this post, we’ll explore the world of egg substitutes and provide various options for you to try in your vegan recipes. So, get ready to transform your cooking and baking with these fantastic alternatives.

Remember, it’s essential to consider the purpose of the egg in your recipe when choosing the best substitute. Finding the perfect egg replacement for each recipe may take some experimentation and trial and error (trust me, I know!), especially in baking. Still, this list should provide a solid starting point for your vegan cooking adventures!

Another way to start experimenting is to try some of the recipes on this site and see how the recipes include some of the following options. Then, replicate a similar way to use the alternatives in some of your favorite recipes to veganize.

Before going into the options, I want to mention that I include only the alternatives I’ve tested and used in my whole food plant-based recipes. But luckily, there are many more out there. So, I will keep adding other options while experimenting with future recipes.

Purpose of eggs and reasons for a substitution

Eggs are a staple ingredient in many recipes, providing structure, moisture, color, and flavor. However, there are several reasons you might want to replace eggs:

• Veganism: This is my personal reason. Vegans avoid all animal products, including eggs, for ethical and environmental causes.
• Allergies: Some people are allergic to eggs and need alternatives for their recipes.
• Dietary preferences: Others might want to reduce cholesterol or try something new in their cooking.

How to replace eggs for Baking

Eggs serve various purposes in baking, such as binding, leavening, and adding moisture. Let’s explore some popular egg substitutes for baking:

1. Flaxseed or Chia Seed “egg”
   • My favorite egg replacer for binding and adding moisture is a flaxseed egg. You will see it in a lot of my recipes. So versatile!
   • Mix 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed (or flaxseed meal) or chia seeds with 3 tablespoons water, and let sit for 5-10 minutes.
   • Great for: bread, muffins, pancakes, and cookies.
   • Examples of recipes: Whole Wheat Bread, Carrot Oatmeal Pancakes. 
2. Applesauce
   • Another favorite! You can check out this recipe for making applesauce at home: how to make unsweetened applesauce.
   • Use 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce for 1 egg.
   • Great for: cakes, muffins, brownies, and quick bread.
   • Examples of recipes:  banana muffins, light and fluffy blueberry pancakes.
3. Banana
   • Mash 1/2 medium ripe banana to replace 1 egg (about ¼ cup puree).
   • Great for: pancakes, muffins, and quick bread.
   • Take into account that it’ll add some banana flavor.
   • Examples of recipes:  Banana and Oat slices, Banana Oatmeal Cookies.
4. Aquafaba
   • Use 3 tablespoons of aquafaba (liquid from a can of chickpeas) for 1 egg. 2 tbsp for egg white. Whisk for best results in texture.
   • Great for: cakes, pancakes, muffins, meringues, mousse, and whipped cream. Additionally, it’s a suitable replacement for recipes that call for egg whites, rising properties, or making baking goods lighter in texture. And it’s an excellent option to use as an “Egg” wash over pies, bread, and pastries to create a subtle golden hue. (Soy/almond milk can also be used as egg wash).
   • Examples of recipes:  light and fluffy blueberry pancakes.
5. Silken Tofu
   • Blend 1/4 cup silken tofu until smooth for 1 egg.
   • Depending on the consistency you are looking for, you could also use firm tofu like in this savory Veggie Muffins recipe.
   • Great for: cheesecakes, custards, and quiches. 
6. Arrowroot, potato starch, or Cornstarch
   • Mix 2 tablespoons of arrowroot or cornstarch with 3 tablespoons of water for 1 egg.
   • Great for: cookies, cakes, custards, pies, and brownies.
   • Examples of recipes: Whole Wheat Bread, Vegan vanilla pudding.
7. Pumpkin, sweet potatoes, or Squash Puree
   • Use 1/4 cup of canned pumpkin or squash puree for 1 egg.
   • Great for: quick bread, muffins, and brownies.

How to replace eggs for Cooking

Here are some egg alternatives for savory dishes and breakfast recipes, not only for adding pieces of “egg” to veganize recipes or binding veggie burgers but also for some ingredients for egg flavor and color.

You will also see some substitutes to replace eggs here that are also in the baking section since they work well in a variety of recipes.

1. Scrambled Tofu
   • Crumble firm tofu, add spices, and cook like scrambled eggs. You can check out this recipe for making it at home: Tofu scramble recipe.
   • Great for: breakfast dishes, salads, inside pies, wraps or sandwiches, and stir-fries.
2. Chickpea Flour
   • Mix chickpea flour with water, seasonings, and desired veggies.
   • Great for: omelets and frittatas.
3. Aquafaba
   • Use 3 tablespoons of aquafaba (liquid from a can of chickpeas) for 1 egg.
   • Great for: veggie burgers and mayonnaise.
   • I also use aquafaba as an oil replacement in hummus, pesto, etc. And it’s an excellent option to use as an “egg” wash for pies and empanadas to create a subtle golden hue (Soy/almond milk can also be used as egg wash).
   • Examples of recipes:  chickpeas burgers.
4. Flaxseed or chia seed “egg”
   • My favorite egg replacer for binding and adding moisture is a flaxseed egg. You will see it in a lot of my recipes. So versatile!
   • Mix 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed (or flaxseed meal) or chia seeds with 3 tablespoons water, and let sit for 5-10 minutes.
   • Great for: veggie burgers.
   • Examples of recipes: Cauliflower veggie tots, Gluten-Free Vegan Meatballs, Lentil Loaf.
5. Kala namak or Himalayan black salt
   • This salt is used in recipes to give “egg flavor.”
   • Examples of recipes:  Veggie Muffins, Tofu scramble recipe, Vegan Mayo.
6. Turmeric 
   • 1 pinch of turmeric can give “egg color” in recipes.
   • Great for custards, puddings, and vegan scrambled “eggs.”
   • Examples of recipes: Tofu scramble recipe, vegan vanilla pudding.

Customizing Your Egg Replacements

Embracing these egg substitutes not only contributes to a compassionate, cruelty-free lifestyle but also sparks a sense of culinary adventure and creativity, allowing you to explore new flavors, textures, and techniques.

Finding how to replace eggs will require some experimentation and even sometimes some combinations of the alternatives listed above. Still, with some practice in the kitchen and playing with recipes, you’ll master the task.

I hope this list of options is helpful for you!