The Ultimate Egg Substitute Guide For Baking

There are many egg substitutes available when a recipe calls for eggs. All these egg substitutes can be easily purchased from your grocery stores and health food stores.

Jump to:

• Flour/Powder Egg Substitute For 1 Egg
• Nuts/Seeds Egg Substitute For 1 Egg
• Fruits/Veg Egg Substitute For 1 Egg
• Dairy & Non-Dairy Egg Substitute For 1 Egg
• Other Egg Substitute For 1 Egg
• Purpose of Eggs In Baking
• Common Egg Substitutes In Baking
• Other Egg Substitutes In Baking
• Substitute for Eggs in Meatballs/Burgers
• Substitute for Egg Wash
• Substitute for Egg Whites
• Substitute for Egg Yolks
• Egg Substitute in Brownies
• Egg Substitute for Cookies
• Egg Substitute in Cakes
• Egg Substitute for Pancakes
• Note

Flour/Powder Egg Substitute For 1 Egg

The following flour/powder egg substitutes are best for Cookies, Burgers, and Meatballs.

Ingredient	Measurement
ENERG Powder	1.5 Tbs + 2 Tbs Water
Cornstarch	2 Tbs + 2 Tbs Water
Arrowroot Powder	2 Tbs + 2 Tbs Water
Soy Protein Powder	1 Tbs + 2 Tbs Water
Baking Powder	2 Tbs + 3 Tbs Water + 1 Tbs Oil
Chickpea Flour	3 Tbs + 3 Tbs Water
All-purpose Flour	3 Tbs + 3 Tbs Water
Whole Wheat Flour	3 Tbs + 3 Tbs Water

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Nuts/Seeds Egg Substitute For 1 Egg

The nuts/seeds egg substitutes listed below are best for Waffles, Pancakes, & Muffins.

Ingredient	Measurement
Flaxseed Meal	1 Tbs + 3 Tbs Water
Chiaseed (Ground)	1 Tbs + 3 Tbs Water
Peanut Butter	3 Tbs
Almond Butter	3 Tbs
Any Other Seed Butter	3 Tbs

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Fruits/Veg Egg Substitute For 1 Egg

The below fruits/veg egg substitutes are best for Quick Bread, Brownies & Muffins:

Ingredient	Measurement
Unsweetened Applesauce	¼ Cup
Mashed Banana	¼ Cup
Mashed Avocado	¼ Cup
Pureed Pumpkin	¼ Cup
Prune (Baby Food)	¼ Cup

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Dairy & Non-Dairy Egg Substitute For 1 Egg

The following dairy and non-dairy egg substitutes are best for Cakes, Cupcakes, Muffins & Bars/Brownies:

Ingredient	Measurement
Pureed Silken Tofu	¼ Cup
Dairy Milk	¼ Cup
Soy Milk	¼ Cup
Coconut Milk	¼ Cup
Yogurt	¼ Cup
Buttermilk	¼ Cup
Condensed Milk	¼ Cup
Kefir	¼ Cup

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Other Egg Substitute For 1 Egg

The following egg substitutes can be used depending upon the recipes and they are usually best for Gelatin Puddings, Macaroons, Cupcakes & Quick Breads.

Ingredient	Measurement	Suitable For
Agar Agar	1 Tbs + 1 Tbs Water
Soy Lecithin	1 Tbs	To Replace 1 Large Egg Yolk
Aquafaba	3 Tbs	To Replace 1 Egg / Egg Whites
Vinegar	1 Tbs + 1 teaspoon Baking Soda	Cupcakes / Quick Breads
Lemon Juice	2 Tbs + 1 teaspoon Baking Soda	Cupcakes / Quick Breads

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Purpose of Eggs In Baking

• Eggs as Binders: If eggs are binders in a recipe, they can be replaced with Arrowroot, Soy Lecithin, Flax-seed Mix, Pureed Fruits or Vegetables, Silken Tofu, or Unflavored Vegetarian Gelatin Powder (agar agar). The ratio is that for every egg replaced, ¼ cup of the substitute is used.
• Eggs as Leavening Agents: If eggs are leavening agents, Buttermilk, Yogurt, Baking Soda, and Commercial Egg Replacement Powder such as Ener-G can be used.
• Eggs for Moisture: If eggs are added for moisture, Fruit Juice, Milk, Water, or Pureed Fruit can be used.

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Common Egg Substitutes In Baking

#1. Commercial Egg Replacer

The egg replacer is a mix of potato and tapioca starch (no corn) and some leavening agents. Some commercially available egg replacer powders are Ener-G, Bob’s Red Mill, Organ, and others. Learn more about egg replacer here.

How do you replace eggs using an egg replacer?

Whip together in a food processor or blender 1 and a half teaspoons powder and 2 tablespoons water. Sometimes, 2-3 times as much powder in the same amount of water gives better results.

How's the result?

Flavorless, it won’t affect the taste of baked goods. It is best suitable for all baked goods, especially Cookies.

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#2. Silken Tofu

Silken tofu is made by curdling soy milk and pressing it into sliceable cakes. It is a boon for those who want to go egg-free. From scrambled eggs to frittatas and cakes to frostings, tofu has its place in many dishes. Learn more about Silken Tofu and recipes using it as a vegan egg substitute.

How to replace eggs using Silken Tofu?

Substitute ¼ cup of whipped silken tofu for each egg.

How's the result?

Baked goods won’t brown as deeply but will be very moist and dense. They are best suitable for Rich, dense & moist Cakes, breads, chocolate chip cookies, and brownies.

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#3. Flax Seed

As the name implies, flax seed is a miracle plant-based food rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, an important source of essential fat for vegetarians especially. We can make fresh flax seed meal at home by grinding or buying it ready from the store. It is a vegan egg substitute. Learn more about Flax Seed Meal here.

How to replace eggs using Flax Seeds?

Whisk/blend 1 teaspoon of flax seed powder with ¼ cup of water to replace each egg. For step-by-step instructions on how to make flax eggs, see here.

How's the result?

The baked goods are heavier and denser. Flaxseed has a nutty flavor, so it works best in grainier and nuttier foods, such as Waffles, Pancakes, Breads, Brân Muffins, and Oatmeal Cookies.

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#4. Pureed Fruits

Pureed fruits can be used as egg substitutes in various ways, including mashed bananas, unsweetened applesauce, pureed prunes, plumped raisins, and softened dates. Learn more about pureed fruits here.

How do you replace eggs using pureed fruits?

¼ cup for each egg. Increase leavening by 25-50%. Bake items slightly longer, if necessary.

How's the result?

Baked goods will not brown as deeply but will be very moist and heavy. Pureed fruit works well for Cakes, Quick Breads, and brownies.

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#5. Vinegar/Baking Soda

Vinegar...Seriously? Yes, Vinegar works very well as an egg substitute in cake, cupcake and muffin recipes, making it light and fluffy. White and apple cider vinegar is used quite often. Learn about vinegar and their types.

How to replace eggs using Vinegar?

1 teaspoon of baking soda along with 1 tablespoon of vinegar. Apple cider vinegar and white distilled vinegar can be used.

How's the result?

Baked goods will be light and airy. Suitable for cakes, cupcakes and quick breads.

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#6. Yogurt/Buttermilk

Both buttermilk and yogurt are good egg replacements, especially while baking muffins, cakes, and cupcakes. You can buy it in the Refrigerator section of grocery aisles next to the milk.

How to replace eggs using Yogurt/Buttermilk?

¼ cup of buttermilk or yogurt for each egg to be replaced.

How's the result?

The baked goods will be lighter and not as dense as the ones with pureed fruit.

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Other Egg Substitutes In Baking

#7. Condensed Milk

Sweetened condensed milk is another good egg substitute in cookies & cakes mostly.

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#8. Lemon/Lime Juice

If you don't have vinegar in hand, lemon juice is a very good substitute, yes a substitute for an egg substitute.

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#9. Chia Seeds

Chia seeds also work as an egg substitute just like flax seeds. Make chia egg just like flax egg and use it in muffin, quick bread recipes.

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#10. Arrowroot Powder

Arrowroot powder resembles cornstarch and used as a thickening agent. It's derived from the root of a South American plant. It is also used as an egg substitute which I haven't tried. I see that somewhere between 2 tablespoons of the powder mixed with 3 tablespoons of water can used to replace egg.

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#11. Aquafaba

• Aquafaba is the liquid from cooking legumes, like the liquid from a can of chickpeas, or liquid from beans cooked at home. Since that liquid has a very similar consistency to that of raw egg white, it works as an excellent substitute in recipes which uses egg whites like macaroons, meringues, marshmallow, nougat, cakes, etc.
• 3 tablespoons of aquafaba can be used to replace one egg/egg white.
• The only thing to note is that the consistency should be right. It can't be too thick or too watery. Aquafaba can be used straight from the can, by draining the chickpeas or any legume. Chickpeas, white beans are preferable because the aquafaba will be clear and transparent. You may choose to use the liquid from red kidney beans and black beans in chocolate cakes or brownie recipes.
• If the liquid is thin, heat it up until it reduces and gets a bit thicker. If it gets too thick, heat it up with some water to make it thin. Either way, cool it to room temperature before use.

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Substitute for Eggs in Meatballs/Burgers

In dishes like meatballs, burgers or nuggets the purpose of adding egg is to act as a binder to hold the stuff together so that you can shape it without breaking. Whole wheat flour, cornstarch, coarsely powdered oats, or even mashed potatoes will work fine as an egg substitute in such recipes. You will have to start adding one of these ingredients in little increments like about a tablespoon or so until you can shape it into balls, patties, etc.

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Substitute for Egg Wash

Simply use oil, dairy/nondairy milk, or dairy/nondairy butter. ¼ cup of light corn syrup thinned with very hot water can also be used for glazing.

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Substitute for Egg Whites

Aquafaba is one of the best substitutes available for egg whites. 3 tablespoons of aquafaba can be used to replace one egg, or actually egg whites more specifically. Just make sure that it is of the right consistency. It has to look slimy like egg white, not too thin or not too thick.

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Substitute for Egg Yolks

Apparently, soy lecithin is a good substitute for egg yolk, which I am yet to try. It mimics the emulsifying property of eggs. It's a by-product of soy oil so making it vegetarian. I read that 1 tablespoon of soy lecithin is a substitute for 1 large egg yolk.

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Egg Substitute in Brownies

• Eggs are mostly used in brownies as a binding agent.
• Some of the best substitutes for eggs in brownies will be ¼th of a cup of pureed fruit (applesauce recipe, mashed bananas, pureed prune), pureed silken tofu, yogurt/buttermilk and flax egg.
• Check here for a list of eggless brownie recipes.

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Egg Substitute for Cookies

• The best substitutes for eggs in cookies are Ener-G egg replacer (or any other brand of commercial egg replacer powder), flax egg, sweetened condensed milk.
• In rare cases, vinegar too works as an egg substitute in cookies.
• Unsweetened applesauce will make the cookies very soft.
• My favorite egg substitute for cookies is Ener-G. Follow the directions given in the pack. For each egg to be replaced, you will have to use about a teaspoon of the egg replacer powder whisked with 3 tablespoons of preferably warm water. You can replace up to 4 eggs using this ratio.
• Sometimes I even use about 1.5 to 2 teaspoons of Ener-G as the pack reaches the expiry date.
• Find the list of the best eggless cookies here.

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Egg Substitute in Cakes

• The most commonly used egg alternatives for cakes will be silken tofu, yogurt, pureed fruit, vinegar-baking soda (in specific recipes, strictly not for recipes which uses more than 1 egg).
• Personally, I found a winning combination to substitute for eggs in cakes, which is a mix of yogurt and pureed silken tofu. It works out beautifully, especially in plain vanilla sponge cakes.
• Find a huge collection of eggless cake recipes here.

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Egg Substitute for Pancakes

• Baking powder is a good egg substitute for pancakes, but it might not work if a recipe calls for more than one egg. I have got the best eggless pancake recipe already on the blog. Do try it.
• If you are looking at a pancake recipe which has eggs and you want to make the pancake without eggs then most probably flax egg, ¼ cup of mashed banana or unsweetened applesauce for each egg to be replaced should work fine.
• Also, you might have to tweak the baking powder/baking soda measurement depending upon the recipe and depending upon the egg substitute that you are planning to use.
• Check here for more eggless pancake and waffle recipes here.

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