How to Replace Eggs When Cooking

If you prefer not to use eggs, you can still prepare a variety of meals without worrying about changing the taste or texture of the dish. Bananas and applesauce can help increase moisture and thickness in recipes. You can also use baking soda, ground flaxseeds, or agar powder as substitutes for eggs in baked goods. For savory dishes where eggs are a key ingredient, tofu can be used as a replacement.

Replace 1 egg with 1/4 cup (30g) of mashed banana to add moisture. Bananas are one of the most popular egg replacements in sweet baked goods such as muffins, bread, and cakes. Use 1/2 a banana to create 1/4 cup (30g) of mashed banana.

• Bananas will alter the flavor of baked goods, so you should enjoy banana-flavored muffins or banana bread before adding bananas to your recipe. If not, choose a milder ingredient.

Use applesauce to add moisture, thickness, and sweetness. Applesauce is ideal for recipes like brownies and chocolate cakes, as the chocolate masks the flavor of the applesauce. Use 1/3 cup (45g) of applesauce as a substitute for 1 egg.

• Applesauce and pureed fruits create a denser product; for a lighter texture, use 1/4 cup (30g) of applesauce or pureed fruit with 1 teaspoon of baking powder for a fluffier result.

Try using 1/3 cup (45g) of pumpkin puree to replace 1 egg in muffin and bread recipes. Pumpkin puree also leaves a distinct flavor in baked goods; therefore, it's best to add this ingredient to recipes that complement the taste of pumpkin. Muffins, bread, and cakes with other flavors need the moisture, thickness, and flavor that pumpkin provides.

• Make sure the pumpkin is pureed smoothly to avoid clumps in the batter.

Use baking soda and vinegar to create lift in your baked goods. Replace 1 egg with 1 tablespoon of vinegar and 1 teaspoon of baking soda mixed together. The baking soda will help the baked item turn golden brown.

• Baking soda reacts with acidic ingredients in the recipe (like vinegar, buttermilk, or cream of tartar) to create bubbles that help the batter rise.

Try using baking powder and vegetable oil to make your cakes rise. Replace 1 egg with 2 tablespoons of water, 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil, and 1 teaspoon of baking powder. Mix the ingredients thoroughly. Using baking powder helps make the result lighter and fluffier.

Replace egg whites with agar powder. Mix 1 tablespoon of agar powder with 1 tablespoon of water. Whisk the mixture and refrigerate. Before using, whisk the mixture again. This mixture is equivalent to 1 egg white, so increase the ingredients as needed to match your recipe requirements.

• Agar powder is also known as agar-agar, kanten, or Ceylon moss (Japanese isinglass).
• Agar is a vegan product and can be used as a substitute for gelatin.

Replace 3 eggs with 1 can of carbonated soda when using cake mix. This substitution isn't the healthiest, but it will make your cake rise and add a unique flavor! One can of soda (about 350ml) is equivalent to 3 eggs in your recipe. When using soda, you don't need to add oil to prevent the cake from becoming soggy.

• Choose the soda based on its flavor and how it pairs with the cake's taste. For example, you can combine vanilla cake mix with orange soda for a creamy orange cake. Fermented ginger ale pairs well with spice cake mixes. Chocolate cake mix and root beer create a fluffy root beer chocolate cake.

Use ground flaxseeds or chia seeds to add a nutty flavor. Grind both seeds in a coffee grinder or spice grinder. Mix 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseeds or chia seeds with 3 tablespoons of water to replace 1 egg. Let the mixture sit for about 30 minutes until it thickens into a jelly-like consistency.

• Flaxseeds have a mild nutty flavor, making them ideal for recipes that require a nutty taste.
• Chia seeds will darken the color of the baked goods.
• If eggs are used for binding and leavening, add 1/4 teaspoon of baking powder.

Use gelatin to thicken sweet recipes like cookies and muffins. Gelatin won't affect the flavor of cakes and cookies. Combine 1 tablespoon of gelatin with 3 tablespoons of warm water to replace 1 egg.

• Note that gelatin is not vegan. For a similar vegan alternative, you can use agar powder.

Use egg replacers available at stores for recipes that require multiple eggs. Look for egg replacers, not egg substitutes, as some egg substitutes still contain eggs. Use egg replacers in recipes that rely entirely on eggs, such as scrambled eggs.

• Ener-G egg replacer is a popular vegan option you can try. Look for it at vegan food stores.
• Follow the instructions on each product's box. Typically, you need to mix the egg replacer with water and add it to the recipe.
• Avoid products like Egg Beaters and Better’n Eggs as they are egg substitutes and still contain eggs!

Replace eggs with tofu in recipes that require multiple eggs. Tofu is an excellent egg substitute for scrambled eggs, quiche, and custard-based dishes. Blend the tofu thoroughly to avoid any lumps or texture issues. Use 1/4 cup of tofu for each egg.

• Opt for soft tofu, as firm tofu is difficult to blend smoothly.
• Ensure you're using plain tofu that hasn’t been fried or seasoned.
• Tofu may not be as fluffy as eggs, but it has a similar texture.

Use mashed potatoes to add thickness to your dishes. Mashed potatoes work wonderfully in savory recipes like meatloaf, veggie patties, or burgers. Add 1/4 cup (30g) of mashed potatoes to replace one egg.

• You can use mashed whole potatoes, though instant mashed potatoes or dried mashed potatoes also work well.

Use silken tofu as a dairy/cream substitute in vegan sauces. Tofu contains lecithin, which acts as a cream or milk substitute to add thickness and balance to vegan recipes like mayonnaise, ranch dressing, and hollandaise sauce. Be sure to use soft tofu that’s unflavored, unfirm, and not fried.

• Use 1/4 cup of blended tofu to replace 1 egg.

Use turmeric to color eggless dishes. If you're making a vegan scrambled egg dish and want to mimic the yellow color of eggs, turmeric works wonderfully. It also adds a slight bitter flavor to the dish.

• Use just a small amount of turmeric to turn tofu or your egg substitute into a golden hue.
• Make sure to stir well to evenly mix the turmeric into your dish.

• The best approach to do this is by experimenting with different egg replacer products in your favorite recipes until you find the one that works best for each specific dish. There are no fixed rules to follow.
• Do not use gelatin as an egg substitute if you're preparing a vegan dish.