Egg Substitute: Egg-cellent Options You Can Count On!

Are you looking for a way to make delicious dishes without using real eggs (or needing to go to the store to buy eggs)? The best egg substitutes change for each recipe and I have tried and tested a few, especially for cakes, brownies, waffles, cookies, meatloaf, meatballs, and fried chicken. Each option has a different texture and flavor to bring to the table so you can pick the perfect way to replace eggs to suit your taste!

Jump to:

• Eggs and Their Uses:
• Why are Eggs Substituted?
• What is the Best Alternative?
• 1. Flax Egg
• List of Egg Substitutes For Baking and Binding
• Alternatives For Baking
• Egg Substitute For Cake (Or Muffin Batter)
• 2. Silken Tofu
• 3. Agar Agar Powder
• 4. Soy Lecithin
• Egg Substitute For Brownies
• 5. Carbonated Water (Soda Water)
• 6. Condensed Milk
• 7. Chia Seeds + Water
• Egg Substitute For Cookies
• 8. Vegetable Oil + Baking Powder + Water
• 9. Vinegar + Baking Soda
• 10. Arrowroot Powder + Water
• Egg Substitute For Meatloaf
• 11. Breadcrumbs and Olive Oil
• 12. Panade
• 13. Mayonnaise
• Egg Substitute For Binding
• Egg Substitute for Pancakes
• 14. Nut Butter
• 15. Mashed Banana
• 16. Mashed Avocado
• Egg Substitute For Waffles
• 17. Applesauce
• 18. Pumpkin Puree
• 19. Greek Yogurt or Plain Yogurt
• Egg Substitute For Meatballs
• 20. Mashed Potatoes
• 21. Cornstarch and Water
• 22. Ricotta Cheese
• Egg Substitute For Fried Chicken
• 23. Buttermilk
• 24. Heavy Cream
• 25. Aquafaba and Cornstarch
• People Also Ask [FAQs]
• Wrap-up: Egg Alternatives
• Recipe

Eggs and Their Uses:

Eggs are an incredibly versatile ingredient. They play a major role in baking and cooking and can be used to leaven, tenderize, moisten, wash, emulsify, add flavor and color… the list goes on.

1. Leavening - They are essential for leavening baked goods, providing stability and structure.  The lecithin in egg yolks helps create an airy consistency for baked goods.
2. Tenderizing - Egg whites help break down gluten proteins in doughs, making them easier to digest.
3. Moisture - They add moisture and fat, acting like a sponge to absorb liquid ingredients.
4. Wash - An egg wash is typically made with one egg beaten with 1 tablespoon of water or milk then brushed over a pastry before baking it in the oven. The wash is used to give pastries their famous golden brown color when cooked.
5. Emulsifying - Egg yolks are excellent emulsifiers, usable in sauces like mayonnaise or hollandaise.
6. Add Taste and Color - Eggs impact taste and color in dishes! Think extra flavor in pies, or colorful swirls of icing and meringue, for example.

Why are Eggs Substituted?

Some of the most common reasons for needing a substitute include allergies, dietary restrictions, veganism, or reduce cholesterol [see more on this below!].

1. Vegan and Vegetarian Diets: One of the primary reasons to substitute eggs in a recipe is to accommodate a vegan or Hindu vegetarian diet. Vegans avoid consuming any animal products, including eggs, while some vegetarians also choose to exclude them from their diet due to personal preferences or religious beliefs.
2. Special Diet: Another significant reason for using egg substitutes is to manage cholesterol intake. Often they are eliminated to reduce cholesterol levels, however, studies have shown that the cholesterol in eggs doesn't have a significant impact on blood levels, as explained by Heart UK.
3. Allergies: Egg allergies are common, especially amongst children, and can be severe in some cases. Utilizing egg substitutes can ensure that you or your loved ones with such allergies can enjoy a variety of dishes without having to worry about potential reactions.

What is the Best Alternative?

1. Flax Egg

If you're looking for a healthy alternative to regular eggs, flax eggs are the way to go and can be already found in many recipes.

• Flax seeds are packed with nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids and fiber – plus they provide a great source of plant protein.
• Flax eggs can be made by combining ground flaxseed meal with water (full recipe in the recipe card at the bottom).
• Use three tablespoons of warm water to one tablespoon of flaxseed meal is equivalent to one single egg.
• They are also a great binder in baking recipes - perfect for baked goods like cakes or muffins! There are plenty of other options too, as listed below.

List of Egg Substitutes For Baking and Binding

There are plenty of egg substitutes you can use in your baking! Here’s a list of substitutes that work well for baking cakes, brownies, cookies, and meatloaf, as well as binding ingredients together in pancakes, waffles, meatballs, and fried chicken. 

Alternatives For Baking

When you’re out of eggs for baking, the best substitute is an egg replacer such as Bob's Red Mill Egg Replacer or Ener-G egg replacer.

These products contain a combination of starches and leavening agents that will help your fluffy baked goods to rise properly. Moreover, depending on the recipe you are making, you could use the following alternatives.

Egg Substitute For Cake (Or Muffin Batter)

2. Silken Tofu

Silken tofu is a great egg replacement when it comes to making cakes. It’s rich in protein and has a smooth texture that blends perfectly with other ingredients.

It also adds moisture to your batter!

When using silken tofu, use ¼ cup of silken tofu or soft tofu for each egg needed.

3. Agar Agar Powder

Agar-agar powder is derived from seaweed and is another great alternative if you’re baking without eggs. In fact, it's used often as a vegan substitute for gelatin!

To replace one egg in your cake batter, mix 1 tablespoon of agar-agar powder with 1 tablespoon of water until it forms a gel-like consistency.

4. Soy Lecithin

If you need to replace a yolk in your recipe, then soy lecithin is your best option. Soy lecithin gives your cake batter more volume and structure. And the best part? All you need is 1 tablespoon of soy lecithin plus 3 tablespoons of water for every large egg yolk called for in your cake or muffin recipe!

Egg Substitute For Brownies

5. Carbonated Water (Soda Water)

This is an effective substitute because it helps to add extra moisture and leavening to your brownies. To use it, simply replace each egg with ¼ cup of soda water.

The carbonation will help give your brownies an airy texture and the added liquid will keep them from becoming dry and dense.

6. Condensed Milk

Condensed milk is another great substitute for eggs in brownies because it adds moisture while providing structure and binding properties.

To replace one egg with condensed milk, use ⅓ cup of condensed milk per egg. Be aware that this will also add some sweetness to your recipe, so you may need to adjust the amount of sugar if your brownie mixture tastes too sweet. 

7. Chia Seeds + Water

Chia seeds are an excellent vegan-friendly alternative to eggs because they provide structure and bind well without adding extra moisture or sweetness as other substitutes might.

To use chia seeds as a replacement for eggs in brownie recipes, simply mix 1 tablespoon of chia seeds with 3 tablespoons of water and let sit for 10 minutes until thickened before adding to the batter. 

Egg Substitute For Cookies

8. Vegetable Oil + Baking Powder + Water

This is probably one of the easiest substitutions to make if you don’t have eggs on hand as it uses pantry staples! All you need is 1-½ tablespoons vegetable oil mixed with 1-½ tablespoons water and 1 teaspoon of baking powder per egg that your recipe calls.

The combination helps add moisture and structure to your cookies while also helping with leavening [baking powder] and texture. Just be aware that this substitution could slightly change the flavor of your cookie, so it is best used on recipes that don’t rely heavily on eggs as an ingredient, such as chocolate chip cookies!

These also work great for quick breads recipes, such as banana bread and cornbread.

9. Vinegar + Baking Soda

Another simple substitution is using 1 teaspoon of baking soda with 1 tablespoon of vinegar per egg in the recipe. This combination helps create lift and lightness in addition to adding moisture.

It also won’t alter the flavor much unless you use a strong flavored vinegar like balsamic or apple cider vinegar, which are best avoided for cookie recipes. 

I have found vinegar and baking soda successful for cakes as well, and have used it in my black forest cupcakes recipe!

10. Arrowroot Powder + Water

If you want something that mimics the binding properties of eggs, 2 tablespoons of arrowroot powder with 3 tablespoons of water will do just that!

Arrowroot powder also adds lightness and moisture without changing the taste too much, making it an ideal substitute for egg whites specifically when making meringue cookies or macarons.  

Egg Substitute For Meatloaf

11. Breadcrumbs and Olive Oil

Why not add a little more breadcrumbs to the meatloaf as they are often used as a binder? All you need is ¼ cup of breadcrumbs and 1 tablespoon of olive oil.

As long as you evenly mix these ingredients into your ground beef before baking, they should help keep your meatloaf together perfectly. What’s more, breadcrumbs add a hint of crunchiness which pairs nicely with the soft texture of the beef, and can be made at home using a food processor and some stale bread!

12. Panade

Panade is a combination of milk or cream and bread or cracker crumbs. To replace one egg in your meatloaf recipe, use ½ cup panade instead.

Not only will it act as an effective binder: but it also helps to keep the moisture locked inside your meatloaf while cooking - guaranteeing extra-juicy results!

13. Mayonnaise

Mayonnaise may seem like an unusual ingredient for meatloaf but trust me when I say it works, and what a creamy texture if offers!

Three tablespoons of mayonnaise are equal to one egg and it gives a wonderful creaminess to the finished dish. It also helps give your loaf a nice golden color after baking!

Egg Substitute For Binding

When it comes to binding ingredients together, such as in pancakes, waffles, meatballs, or fried chicken batter, eggs are often the go-to ingredient, however, here's the list of what I found are the best substitutes for eggs in these types of recipes.

Egg Substitute for Pancakes

14. Nut Butter

Nut butter is an excellent substitute for eggs because it adds moisture to pancakes just like eggs do. It also adds a nutty flavor that works really well with pancakes (especially if topping with chocolate sauce!).

The key is to use creamy or liquid nut butter (like almond or peanut butter) rather than solid nut butter. When using these butters, remember to mix them well before using, as their oil tends to separate and sit on top (you may notice that quite a bit with tahini and almond butter).

Adding 2 tablespoons of nut butter will replace one egg in the pancake batter.

15. Mashed Banana

Another excellent alternative to eggs for making pancakes is bananas.

The mashed banana not only gives the pancake batter moisture and sweetness; it also acts as a binder, keeping the pancakes fluffy and delicious. All you need is ¼ cup mashed banana as a replacement for one egg in your pancake recipe. 

This method works well for cookies and other vegan baked goods too, and I used mashed bananas in the recipe for vegan oat and coconut cookies!

16. Mashed Avocado

Believe it or not, mashed avocado makes an amazing substitute for eggs when baking pancakes! It adds natural fats and oils which help keep your pancakes moist and soft.

It also adds additional nutrition such as essential fatty acids, fiber, vitamins, and minerals - so you can feel good about indulging in a stack of delicious avocado-infused pancakes! For every egg that needs replacing, use ¼ cup mashed avocado instead. 

Egg Substitute For Waffles

17. Applesauce

Applesauce is a great substitute for eggs in waffle recipes. Not only does it add moisture, but it also adds flavor and sweetness.

When using applesauce, use ¼ cup of applesauce for every egg called for in the recipe. Be aware that applesauce can cause your waffles to become soggy or mushy if used too liberally, so be sure to measure it carefully!

As you will probably add sugar and toppings to your waffles, I'd suggest opting for unsweetened applesauce if possible, or adjusting the recipe to allow for the sweetened one.

18. Pumpkin Puree

Pumpkin puree is another great substitute for eggs while baking vegan waffles. It adds moisture and flavor without changing the texture of the batter too much.

When using pumpkin puree in your waffle recipe, use ¼ cup of pumpkin puree per egg. As with applesauce, be careful not to use too much since this can cause your waffles to become soggy or mushy, and adjust your sugar usage too.

19. Greek Yogurt or Plain Yogurt

Greek yogurt is one of my favorite ingredients when making vegan waffles because it adds richness and flavor without overpowering the other flavors in the batter.

To use Greek yogurt in your waffle recipe, use ¼ cup per egg called for in the recipe.

Egg Substitute For Meatballs

20. Mashed Potatoes

Mashed potatoes make a great egg substitute in meatballs because they have similar binding properties, plus they’re flavorful and moist.

To replace one egg with mashed potatoes, use ¼ cup of mashed potatoes for every egg. This will help your meatballs hold together but won’t overpower their natural taste.

Ensure you salt your potatoes when they are boiling!

21. Cornstarch and Water

Cornstarch is a simple ingredient that works perfectly as an egg replacement because it is gluten-free and also helps bind the ingredients together without compromising texture or flavor. It is in fact often used to thicken sauces!

To replace one egg with cornstarch/water mix, whisk together 1 tablespoon of cornstarch (potato starch and tapioca starch work as egg replacements too) with 3 tablespoons of warm water until completely combined. This combination will help bind your ingredients together without altering the overall texture or taste of the dish.

22. Ricotta Cheese

Ricotta cheese is another fantastic alternative for those looking to avoid eggs in their recipes. It has similar binding properties as eggs plus it adds some much-needed moisture to help prevent dryness in your finished product.

To replace one egg with ricotta cheese, use ¼ cup per egg which will create a nice balance between moisture and flavor in your finished product! 

Egg Substitute For Fried Chicken

23. Buttermilk

Buttermilk has long been used as an egg substitute in fried chicken recipes, and it works great! Use ¼ cup (60 grams) of buttermilk per egg when making fried chicken.

Not only will this replacement bring out a delicious flavor, but it also helps make the coating extra crispy. Be sure to adjust the seasoning accordingly when using this substitution. 

24. Heavy Cream

Heavy cream is a great choice if you want to give your dish a richer flavor. Use 1 tablespoon of heavy cream per ¼ cup of egg to ensure a crispy coating.

This substitution will give your fried chicken an extra creamy taste while still providing the structure and texture you need to make a perfect, crunchy coating. Note that this will add calories and fat to your dish, so use it sparingly!

25. Aquafaba and Cornstarch

For replacing just the egg whites, aquafaba (the liquid from canned chickpeas) and cornstarch are the preferred alternatives.

Use 4 tablespoons of aquafaba plus ½ tablespoon of cornstarch per 1 large egg white. This combination helps create an amazing texture and crunchy coating that will make your fried chicken irresistible!

If you like cooking beans at home from scratch, the chickpea cooking liquid is considered Aquafaba as well, so keep the leftover liquid aside if you think you may need it in the next couple of days!

People Also Ask [FAQs]

Wrap-up: Egg Alternatives

• As you can see, there are many viable egg substitutes for recipes such as waffles and meatballs.
• Whether it’s Greek yogurt or mashed potatoes, each option has its own unique flavor profile that will help you achieve the desired result.
• And when it comes to fried chicken recipes, buttermilk and heavy cream work great as an egg substitute while aquafaba and cornstarch provide a perfect texture without compromising on taste.
• Ultimately, whichever substitution method you choose should be based on your personal preferences as well as dietary requirements.
• The most common egg substitutes tend to be flax seeds and water for baking and binding, and vinegar and baking soda as a combined leavening agent, with the second particularly used as they are staple ingredients in most kitchens.

Recipe