It is surprising how often eggs find their way into baked goods and other meals, but we can still enjoy those same dishes made egg-free without compromising on taste. Because eggs do different things in different dishes – they can add air, help bind ingredients, give stability, add colour, and / or allow coatings to stick – there are a range of vegan options available, depending on what we need.
Is There a Vegan Substitute for Eggs?
There are lots of vegan substitutes for eggs! But what we use depends on what the eggs were doing in each particular dish. But rest assured, we can do it all egg-free.
What Is a Vegan Substitute for Eggs?
Some major supermarkets stock vegan liquid egg, which means we can make scrambled eggs and omelettes that are entirely free from the eggs laid by captive birds. And you’ll also find commercial egg replacers in health food and online shops. In many instances, we don’t need either of these, and the solution can be found in our own kitchen cupboards.
What Do Vegans Use as a Substitute for Eggs?
We use a range of common ingredients – and some that are a little less common. These are some of our top picks…
1. Applesauce
Applesauce can be found in all major supermarkets. It adds moisture to recipes and, as it is a bit sticky, it can help bind ingredients together as well. It works well in pancakes and cakes, where the sweetness of the apple flavour is a culinary bonus.
2. Aquafaba
Aquafaba is the brine inside tins of chickpeas, and it whips just like egg whites. When whisked, it turns pure white which makes it perfect for making meringues and pavlovas.
3. Black Salt (Kala Namak)
If it’s the flavour of eggs that you are after, try adding black salt to the recipe. It works particularly well in scrambled tofu and in any savoury dishes where you want that unmistakable eggy taste to shine through.
4. Ground Flaxseed (aka Linseed)
Ground flax, which is also known as ground linseed, can be mixed with a little water to create a vegan egg, known by vegans as a flegg! It also works with chia seeds to create a chegg! For each egg you wish to replace, add one tablespoon of the seeds to 3 tablespoons of water and let it sit for a few minutes. Then add it to your recipe.
5. Ripe Bananas
Mashing up a ripe banana adds texture and moisture to recipes, and also acts as a binding agent. There is no disguising the banana tang, though, so use it in cakes, brownies and pancakes where the flavour works well.
6. Silken Tofu
Silken tofu is the creamier version of regular tofu and can be found on supermarket shelves. It adds moisture and binds ingredients together, but as it is dense, it works best in brownies and muffins, rather than in lighter sponge cakes.
7. Ground Almonds
To bring ingredients together, we need a binding agent, and ground almonds can work well when we need less moisture, not more. So, they can pull together a homemade bean or nut burger, but they can also be the perfect solution for sweet and nutty recipes like cookies.
8. Turmeric
If your scrambled tofu is looking a little pale, you can create that warmer egg-yolk colour by adding a touch of turmeric to the dish. A little goes a long way, and as a bonus, turmeric has many health-boosting properties.
9. Chickpea Flour (aka Gram Flour)
To make a delicious frittata without eggs, try using chickpea flour, which is also known as gram flour. If you add a touch of black salt and a pinch of turmeric, you’ll enjoy the look and taste of your frittata just as much as if you’d made it with chickens’ eggs.
What Is The Best Vegan Egg Substitute For Baking?
There is no one best vegan egg substitute for baking. What you use will depend on what role the eggs play in the recipe, and the flavours that you prefer. For example, adding mashed banana to a cake recipe will be perfect for some people, but for those who do not like bananas, adding a mix of applesauce and ground almonds could create the perfect taste and texture.
Vegan Substitute For Eggs In Cheesecake
Here, we recommend silken tofu. It’s thick and creamy, which is perfect for a smooth, rich cheesecake. Try this amazing recipe from School NIght Vegan.
Vegan Substitute For Eggs In Meatballs
We like adding ground almonds as they help the meatballs hold their shape. You can also experiment with commercial egg replacer, and with oats as in this recipe by So Vegan.
Vegan Substitute For Eggs In Brownies
Brownies are very forgiving and can be made using a range of different egg replacements. But try this recipe for salted caramel brownies, courtesy of Tammy Fry Kelly, which uses a flaxseed egg. They’re delicious!
Vegan Substitute For Eggs In Cookies
We choose aquafaba for cookies, as they keep them light and airy. Try these chocolate, orange and walnut cookies by Oggs, using their own aquafaba. (You can also use the brine in a can of chickpeas.)
Vegan Egg Substitute For Pancakes
We love the sweetness of fruit in pancakes and so we go for either mashed bananas or applesauce. Try this recipe for size!
Conclusion
There are many reasons why removing eggs from our diet is a good idea, not least for the sake of the poor birds who are intensively farmed, and often in cages. But we still love cakes, cookies, omelettes, pancakes, and meringues, and we can still have all of those. Switching out eggs for a suitable replacement is often a simple swap that does not change the taste of the final dish. So, you lose nothing, and the birds gain everything.
