17 Egg Substitutes Every Baker Needs to Know (2024)

  • Kitchen Tips
  • All About Ingredients
  • Ingredient Substitutions

Can’t eat eggs due to allergies or special diets? Or are you simply out of eggs? Try these egg substitutes. You probably have some on hand already.

By

Noel Christmas

Noel Christmas

Noel Christmas spent 12 years as a professional cook and another 10 years as a food writer for Allrecipes.com, turning professional techniques and recipes into approachable household standards.

Updated on March 5, 2024

17 Egg Substitutes Every Baker Needs to Know (1)

Eggs are among the most common ingredients used in baking because they perform so many important functions. Yet their ability to multitask also makes it challenging to replace them. Still, if you can't eat eggs due to allergies or special diets, or if you're simply out of eggs, try these egg substitution ideas for pancakes, muffins, cakes, and more.

How Eggs Are Used in Baking

First, let's take a look at what eggs really do when you're baking:

  • Bind: The liquid viscosity of eggs helps bring the dry ingredients together. So any substitute needs a liquid consistency (or added liquid component).
  • Lift: Eggs provide a leavening to baked goods as the network of proteins expands, allowing air to enter (and remain) in the structure of the whites. So the replacement needs some protein content to act similarly.
  • Structure: This is especially true of egg whites, as (once again) the protein helps "set" the dough or batter as it finishes baking.
  • Flavor: Of course, eggs do contain fat, and fat makes baked goods taste better. So any substitute needs a little fat content.

While there's no one ingredient that can perfectly recreate all of these functions at once, you can still get satisfactory results in many cases. When in doubt, you can turn to commercially available egg substitutes such as Bob's Red Mill Gluten-Free Egg Replacer and Ener-G Egg Replacer.

Vegan Baking Ingredient Substitutions Guide

What Can I Substitute for Eggs in Baking?

The amounts shown are the suggested equivalent of 1 large egg.

Fruit

17 Egg Substitutes Every Baker Needs to Know (2)

Mashed fruit as an egg substitute works best in moist and dense recipes such as brownies, muffins, quick breads, pancakes, and waffles.

  • Banana: 1/4 to 1/2 cup mashed or pureed
  • Unsweetened applesauce: 1/4 cup
  • Avocado: 1/4 cup
  • Pumpkin puree: 1/4 cup
  • Rehydrated and pureed prunes, raisins, soaked dates: 1/4 cup

From the Editor

Bananas and pumpkin will add their distinctive flavors, while prunes, raisins, and dates will make recipes sweeter. You may want to adjust the amount of sweetness in your recipe to offset these add-ins. Fruit purees don't add lift, so if you want a lighter texture, add 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder.

Legumes and Seeds

  • Flax seed: 1 tablespoon freshly ground flax seed + 3 tablespoons warm water
  • Soak flax seed in water until it forms a thick gel, about 5 to 10 minutes, to make a "flax egg". This method gives baked goods a nutty flavor and would be best in moist and dense recipes such as brownies, muffins, quick breads, pancakes, and waffles. Use golden flax seed instead of brown if you want a lighter color in your finished product. Flax seeds, no matter how finely ground, will add a little texture. They may also brown quicker during cooking so watch your cooking time or consider adjusting the heat slightly.
  • Chia seeds: 1 tablespoon chia seeds + 3 tablespoons water
  • Use like flax seeds. White chia seeds are best for baked goods with a light color.

From the Editor

Both flax and chia seeds are high in fiber, so consider this when adding either (or both) to recipes. Too much too quickly may cause stomach discomfort if you aren't used to eating these.

  • Tofu, plain silken: 1/4 cup
  • Puree tofu in a blender until completely smooth. Add other wet ingredients and blend again before mixing with the dry ingredients. Baked goods will be moist and dense, without any tofu flavor. Tofu is a good egg substitute for cakes, particularly in dense cakes, cupcakes, quick breads, brownies, and some cookies. Tofu can even be used as an egg substitute in quiche.
  • Aquafaba: 3 tablespoons per egg, whipped
  • Aquafaba is the liquid you can drain off from canned chickpeas, and it makes a splendid egg substitute. This works best as an egg substitute for cookies, cakes, and quick breads; whip it as an egg white substitute for meringues.
  • Chickpea flour: 1/4 cup
  • Increase the liquid in the recipe by 1/4 cup. This method adds egg's yellow color to batters. Many say it tastes terrible before cooking but greatly improves afterward. You can even try making an egg-free omelet this way.
  • Soy Flour: 1 tablespoon flour + 2 tablespoons water

Dairy

17 Egg Substitutes Every Baker Needs to Know (4)

  • Yogurt: 1/4 cup
  • A good choice for an egg substitute in the dairy category. It's a liquid, so it binds; it's high in protein, so it lifts and sets; there's enough fat to make things taste good. Best in brownies, muffins, quick breads, pancakes, and waffles.
  • Buttermilk: 1/4 cup
  • Since this also adds liquid to recipes, you'll want to reduce water or other liquid by 1/4 cup.
  • Mayonnaise: 3 tablespoons
  • Note that mayonnaise contains eggs and oil, so it can replace oil or butter as well. This trick may not work as an egg replacement for an allergy or egg-free diet (unless it's a vegan mayo) but it works for those who don't have eggs on hand in a pinch.

Pantry Staples

17 Egg Substitutes Every Baker Needs to Know (5)

  • Baking Powder, Oil, and Water: 2 teaspoons baking powder + 1 teaspoon neutral-tasting vegetable oil + 2 tablespoons water
  • Works best as an egg substitute for cookies.
  • Baking Soda and Vinegar: 1 teaspoon baking soda dissolved in 1 tablespoon white vinegar
  • Works best in cakes, cupcakes, quick breads, muffins, pancakes, and waffles that call for one egg as the vinegar may impact the taste in larger quantities.
  • Vegetable Oil: 1/4 cup
  • Works best in recipes that call for just one egg. Otherwise, the recipe could end up being greasy.
  • Best in cakes, cupcakes, muffins, and quick breads.

For more baking tips, check out the 9 essential ingredients every baker needs.

Related:

  • Find out All About Eggs, including nutrition info, safety tips, cooking methods, egg recipes, and more.
  • Get vegan recipes, including breads, breakfasts, and desserts.

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17 Egg Substitutes Every Baker Needs to Know (2024)

FAQs

17 Egg Substitutes Every Baker Needs to Know? ›

WHAT SUBSTITUTE IS BEST TO USE INSTEAD OF EGGS IN CAKE? Substitutes like vinegar and baking soda, plain yogurt or buttermilk can help keep cake light, airy and structurally sound. Replace each egg with 1 teaspoon of baking soda combined with 1 tablespoon of vinegar, ¼ cup of plain yogurt or ¼ cup of buttermilk.

What is the best substitute for eggs in baking? ›

WHAT SUBSTITUTE IS BEST TO USE INSTEAD OF EGGS IN CAKE? Substitutes like vinegar and baking soda, plain yogurt or buttermilk can help keep cake light, airy and structurally sound. Replace each egg with 1 teaspoon of baking soda combined with 1 tablespoon of vinegar, ¼ cup of plain yogurt or ¼ cup of buttermilk.

What is an egg substitute in the baking industry? ›

What can I use to replace eggs? In the baking industry, most egg replacers are made of: Protein concentrates and isolates: milk, whey, soy, pea, lupine. Polysaccharides (gums, hydrocolloids): xanthan gum, guar gum, fibers.

What is in Bob's Red Mill egg replacer? ›

Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free Vegan Egg substitute is a vegan baking essential made with four simple and clean ingredients: potato starch, tapioca flour, baking soda, and psyllium husk fiber--no grains, soy, gluten or beans.

What is a good replacement for eggs in pancakes? ›

Applesauce.

Applesauce. Fruit purees are a well-known substitute for eggs and for oil in recipes since they add moisture and a bit of binding. Use ¼ cup applesauce to replace 1 egg in pancakes.

Can bananas replace eggs in baking? ›

Mashed banana

Whichever fruit you choose to use, you can replace each egg with half of a large banana. Baked goods made with puréed fruits may not brown as deeply, but they will be very dense and moist. This substitution works best in cakes, muffins, brownies, and quick breads.

Can I use Greek yogurt instead of eggs? ›

Yogurt. For this egg substitute, use 1/4 cup per egg. If you need to avoid dairy, you can use thick Greek-style plant-based yogurts. Most other non-dairy yogurts might be too thin to substitute for eggs in baking, so keep this in mind.

What is a scientific egg substitute? ›

Aquafaba or flaxseed versus eggs

The proteins in egg white include albumins, and aquafaba also contains albumins. This is why it is possible to make meringue from egg whites, or from aquafaba if you're after a vegan version. The proteins act as a foam stabiliser – they hold the light, airy texture in the product.

What is a substitute for eggs in the shortage? ›

Use one banana to substitute one egg. One to two ounces of tofu are equivalent to one egg, but be sure that the recipe can take on the nutty flavor of tofu. If a recipe calls for one or two eggs, applesauce is also a good substitution. About half a cup of applesauce is equivalent to one egg.

Can you bake with Just Egg substitute? ›

Yes, with some exceptions. Their website says “Just Egg works in a wide variety of baking applications, with a few exceptions, such as light, airy cakes and meringues.” It also says their product can be used as a 1:1 substitution for regular egg in a recipe—so about 3 tablespoons of Just Egg is equal to one large egg.

What is a pegg egg substitute? ›

Peggs. Eggs are made by chickpeas, not chicks. When combined with water, Peggs can be used for cooking or baking, just like real eggs. Use Peggs to whip up vegan omelets, french toast, baked goods, and more!

What is the primary ingredient in an egg substitute? ›

Egg replacement powders contain binding ingredients such as potato starch or soy powder. These replacers can be mixed with water and react the same way as an egg would when used as a binder or leavening agent, though it is designed for use in baked goods.

Is xanthan gum an egg replacer? ›

Xanthan gum can replace eggs in some recipes, especially gluten-free ones, as it helps to prevent them from falling apart or becoming crumbly. However, xanthan gum cannot replace the leavening or moisture that eggs provide, so you may need to use other ingredients to compensate for that.

What is a substitute for eggs in Krusteaz? ›

In place of 1 large egg, use 3 tablespoons of aquafaba, ¼ cup of mashed banana, 1 tablespoon of either chia or flax seeds mixed with 3 tablespoons of water, ¼ cup of puréed tofu, 2 tablespoons of arrowroot mixed with 3 tablespoons of water, ¼ cup of yogurt, ¼ cup of sparkling water, ¼ cup of applesauce, or 3 ...

Which egg substitutes are best for different recipes? ›

For recipes that use eggs as a binder or for moisture, substitutes like applesauce or oil can do the trick. If the eggs act as a leavening agent, try a combination of vinegar and baking powder. It's worth noting that the finished product won't be exactly the same as when you use real eggs.

What is a good egg substitute for brownies? ›

Bananas are a fantastic egg stand-in for brownies. They add moisture and act as a binding agent, similar to eggs. Plus, they bring a subtle sweetness that complements chocolate perfectly. To use bananas as an egg substitute, mash a ripe banana until smooth.

Can I use oil instead of eggs? ›

For recipes which use eggs primarily as a leavening agent you can try a commercial egg replacement product (see above) or the following mixture: 1-1/2 tablespoons vegetable oil mixed with 1-1/2 tablespoons water and 1 teaspoon baking powder per egg.

What happens if you don't use enough eggs in baking? ›

If there isn't enough egg, your batter or dough may not be able to hold its structure or could end up overly dry or dense. On the other hand, if there is too much egg, your baked goods could lose their shape due to excess liquid, or have a rubbery (or even overly cakey) texture depending on the recipe.

What is Just Egg substitute in baking? ›

For most recipes simply substitute 3 tablespoons of Just Egg for each large egg. For each extra-large or jumbo egg called for substitute 4 tablespoons of Just Egg. In recipes that need either a more eggy flavor or a stronger structure, use 4 tablespoons of Just Egg per egg.

What is a good egg substitute for pound cake? ›

When eggs are not desirable due to cost, availability, or allergen issues, whey protein can be used successfully to partially or completely replace eggs. This formula comparison demonstrates how whey protein concentrate can fully substitute for eggs and maintain a desirable texture in pound cake.

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