13 Vegan Egg Substitutes and Replacements
This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read my disclosure.When it comes to vegan egg substitutes there are a variety of methods you can use. In this detailed guide, I’ll give you step-by-step instructions on how to make a vegan egg using various methods including flax eggs, chia eggs, fruit purees, aquafaba, silken tofu, and products you can buy in the store.
After much research and experimentation, I have discovered the best vegan egg substitutes for baking. There are many different recommendations available, and the one to use really depends on the type of recipe you are making. Flax eggs are one of the most popular substitutes, and I use them often when baking muffins and other dessert recipes!
However, flax is not the only substitute available! And it may not always be the best one depending on your recipe.
If you’ve ever used flax in your baking recipes you will notice that if your crumb is light in color you can see the flecks of flax throughout your bake. It also has a distinct taste, so if you’re baking something with a mild flavor, you may notice the flax flavor. This isn’t necessarily a problem, just something to be aware of.
Egg substitutes for vegans vary widely. Not all are created equal. In this post, I’ll explain each vegan alternative for eggs and what type of recipe to use them in.
🥚 Why Would You Need To Use Vegan Eggs?
There are numerous reasons why you may be looking for a vegan egg substitute.
- Egg Allergy: Eggs are among the most common allergens, especially among young children. Vegan egg recipes are a great option for egg-free baking. Vegan egg alternatives happen to be gluten-free as well!
- Vegan Diet: Vegans do not consume animal products including eggs. If you follow a vegan diet for health, environmental, or ethical reasons, you will need to find a substitute for your favorite baking recipes.
👩🍳 Why Are Eggs Used In Baking?
Binding: Eggs serve to combine ingredients and hold them together. It helps keep your baked goods from crumbling and falling apart.
Leavening: When heated eggs create small pockets of air which help to leaven your baked goods and give them a light and fluffy texture.
Moisture: They add needed moisture as they are absorbed by the dry ingredients such as the flour. The end result is a moist baked crumb.
Flavor: Eggs serve to enhance other flavors in your baked goods, and also help create that golden brown finish.
🍳 13 Vegan Egg Substitutes
1. Flax Egg
1 tablespoon of ground flax seeds + 2.5 tablespoons of water = 1 whole egg
High in omega-3 fatty acids and fiber, this healthy option is a great substitute for eggs and is super easy to make! Flaxseeds have a slightly nutty taste but are pretty mild overall. They don’t add a noticeable flavor change to recipes which is why they work well in baking recipes. Flax eggs are one of my favorite vegan egg alternatives to use in baked goods where you don’t need a lot of lift. This is because flax eggs are good as a binder but don’t provide a ton of lift, so they can cause some baked goods to become dense.
What Types Of Recipes Do Flax Eggs Work Well?
- Cookies
- Pancakes (like in these vegan protein pancakes)
- Flourless Brownies
- French Toast (like this vegan French toast casserole) or waffles
- Other breakfast ideas
- Savory bakes like veggie burgers, and casseroles.
The challenge with flax eggs is that they do not provide any lift to a baking recipe. They help bind ingredients together. Use flax eggs for recipes that don’t call for a lot of lift such as cookies. You can find flaxseed meal in most grocery stores.
Expert Tips For Making A Flax Egg
- Use only ground flax. Whole flaxseeds or flax flour will not have the same effect.
- If you have whole seeds use a coffee grinder or spice blender to create ground flax.
- Be sure to allow enough time for the ground flax and water mixture to sit (at least 5 minutes). If you don’t give it enough time to sit it will not develop the same egg-like consistency.
2. Chia Egg
1 tablespoon ground chia seeds + 3 tablespoons of water = 1 egg
Similar to a flax egg, only using chia seeds, this healthy option is also a great option for baked goods, pancakes, and even veggie burger recipes. Once you combine the ground chia seeds with water and let them sit, it ends up with a consistency similar to the texture of eggs. It will give your recipe a dense consistency but will bind it together well. It will also add a faintly nutty flavor. Similar to flax eggs, chia seeds work well to bind ingredients, but do not lift baked goods. Use them in recipes like cookies, pancakes, and no-bake treats.
3. Fruit Purees
1/4 cup of apple sauce or any fruit puree = 1 egg
Unsweetened applesauce, pumpkin puree, ripe bananas, and even sweet potato puree all make for an easy vegan substitute in baking recipes. These purees add natural sweetness, and moisture, and help to bind ingredients together.
Fruit purees work well for baked goods such as brownies, cakes, donuts, and quick breads. Fruit purees provide a lot of moisture which is why they work best in baked goods that require a longer cooking time.
The only downside is that using fruit purees instead of actual eggs may make it harder for your baked goods to brown as nicely, but they will still taste just as good!
4. Avocado
1/4 cup of pureed avocado = 1 egg
Mashed avocado has the same effect as fruit purees with a neutral flavor. If you’d rather avoid a banana or pumpkin flavor, using pureed avocado will work well.
5. Aquafaba
1 tablespoon of whipped aquafaba = 1 egg white
The liquid from a can of chickpeas is called aquafaba. It has a similar consistency to a raw egg white. It is the best substitute to use for desserts that call for egg whites. Use aquafaba to make meringue, or in a recipe like chocolate mousse.
6. Chickpea Flour Egg
2 tablespoons of Chickpea Flour + 2 tablespoons of water + 1 tsp of olive oil = 1 large egg
Whisk together the chickpea flour, water, and olive oil. Allow it to sit for at least 5 minutes or more until it thickens. One of the great things about chickpea flour eggs is that they can be used to make a vegan omelet!
7. Silken Tofu
1/4 cup of pureed silken tofu = 1 large egg
You may have heard of a tofu scramble, but you can also use tofu in your baking recipes! Be sure to use silken tofu, not firm tofu as a vegan alternative to eggs. This type of tofu has a soft consistency due to its high water content. It doesn’t have a distinctly strong flavor making it a good substitute for many types of baked goods.
Puree the tofu in a food processor so that it is smooth and creamy in consistency. It’s a great substitute for cheesecake recipes, puddings, pies, and baked goods that require a lot of moisture. Tofu is dense, so keep that in mind when using it as a substitute for most baking!
8. Tapioca Starch
2 tablespoons tapioca starch + 3 tablespoons of water = 1 egg
Tapioca starch works well to bind ingredients. This particular egg replacement works best for sauces like vegan mayonnaise, or as a thickening agent in puddings.
9. Nut Butter
3 tablespoons of nut butter = 1 egg
You can use peanut butter, almond butter, or cashew butter as a replacement to help bind ingredients together. However, be aware that it will add a nutty flavor to your recipe.
10. Pre-Made Vegan Egg Replacer
Vegan egg replacers usually are made with some sort of starch and baking powder/soda – so they provide both lift and binding. They can be a great alternative for the real thing in all kinds of different recipes! This is because they don’t add any unwanted flavor or sweetness. They are a great egg substitute for cookies, cakes, cupcakes, muffins, brownies or even savory recipes that use eggs! My favorite vegan egg replacers are Bob’s Red Mill Egg Replacer, and Just Eggs.
11. Plant-Based Plain Yogurt
1/4 cup of plant-based yogurt = 1 egg
Using an unsweetened, unflavored plain vegan yogurt can be a great, easy vegan egg substitute when you are trying to make baked goods that require lots of moisture — like cakes, loaf cakes, bread, etc. It works similarly to silken tofu.
12. Baking Soda + Apple Cider Vinegar
1 teaspoon of baking soda + 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar = 1 egg
Believe it or not, you can mix baking soda and apple cider vinegar and use it as a replacement for eggs in baked goods like breads, muffins, cakes, and more!
13. Kala Namak
Quantity to replace 1 egg varies (add based on taste preferences)
Kala namak, also known as black salt, is a great option for egg-free recipes where you want an egg-like flavor. I recommend using this vegan egg alternative in savory recipes like vegan scrambles, egg salads, vegan frittata, or a quiche.
✔️ How To Use Vegan Eggs
It’s so easy to use vegan egg substitutes in all of your favorite recipes! Just add it to your recipe like you would a regular egg (usually in a 1:1 replacement). Remember if the recipe calls for more than 2 eggs, look for a vegan recipe instead of a vegan egg replacement.
📋 Flax and Chia Egg – Step by Step Instructions
- Combine 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed or ground chia seeds with 2.5 tablespoons of water.
- Whisk together with a fork or small whisk.
- Allow to sit for a minimum of 5 minutes, but up to 30 minutes. The mixture will thicken as it sits and will take on the consistency of an egg.
❓Vegan Egg Substitute FAQs
Flaxseeds are highly nutritious seeds that can be consumed both whole and ground. Your body absorbs the nutrients of flax best when it’s ground. They can be added to smoothies and sprinkled on top of oatmeal, or salads. You can also use them in sweet desserts, as well as savory bakes.
Typically, yes, vegan eggs are healthy!
High in Omega-3s: Flax is high in omega-3 fatty acids. If you are a vegan or vegetarian consuming flax regularly is a great source of this important brain-boosting, heart-healthy fat. Each tablespoon of flax contains 1.8 grams of omega-3s.
High in Fiber: Flax contains soluble and insoluble fiber. This contributes to improved digestion. Each tablespoon of flax contains 3 grams of fiber.
High in Plant-Protein: With 2 grams of protein per tablespoon of flax seeds, they are high in the amino acids arginine and glutamine which is connected to heart health and a strong immune system.
Use soy lecithin as a vegan egg replacer. Use 1 tablespoon (for one vegan egg yolk).
The vegan egg substitute really depends on what type of recipe you are making. Some recipes need a binder in which a flax or chia egg works best. Other recipes need more moisture, in which case a plant-based yogurt might work best. While others still need both to bind and a lift in which case you are best off using a vegan egg replacer such as Just Egg. There is no one best that fits all types of baking needs.
The answer is: it depends! While many of these vegan egg replacements are helpful if you’re trying to adapt a regular baking recipe into a vegan one, if the recipe calls for more than one egg, you may want to search for a vegan version of the recipe you are trying to adapt.
This is because in regular baking recipes, eggs serve two purposes; they give the baked goods structure and act as a leavening agent. Trying to use an egg substitute to do these important tasks in your baking recipe could end in a baking fail.
A vegan version of the same recipe will take this into account, using other ingredients to provide the structure and lift that your recipe needs to be a success. So depending on the recipe, you can either use vegan eggs as a 1:1 substitution for regular eggs, or you may want to find a vegan recipe specifically to try (which will, of course, use vegan eggs!)
Typically I recommend using a plant based milk (like unsweetened almond or soy milk) for a vegan friendly egg wash. You can also try olive oil spray or melted vegan butter.
🥧 Vegan Recipes Using Vegan Egg Substitutes
- Oat and Sprouted Wheat Pancakes
- Gluten Free Brownies
- Oatmeal Breakfast Cookies
- Vegan Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Chocolate Chip Banana Bread
If you have tried any of these vegan egg substitutes, or any other recipe on my blog, then please rate it and let me know how it turned out in the comments below! You can also FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM, and PINTEREST to see more delicious, healthy, family-friendly food!
Great info would have never known all this thanks for taking the time now to do this at home
Thanks Claudia!
I used a flax egg for my banana muffins and they were still pretty fluffy! Thanks!
Yeah! I love flax eggs in baked goods – they hold up really well!
This is absolutely helpful so thank you very much. I have to save this for future reference.
Thanks!! Glad you found this guide helpful Gail!
Such a great collection of options for vegan baking – I look forward to tryingthe chickpea flour option!
Yes!! That particular one is super versatile too!
I can say that I have never tried vegan egg options but these sound interesting.
Thanks Jessie! I can’t wait for you to try some of these options – flax eggs are probably one of the easiest to try first! If you do, you’ll have to let me know how it turns out for you!
Amazing lists! super helpful for vegans like me 🙂
Thanks so much Ada! Glad it was helpful!
I’ve been trying to eat less eggs recently for health reasons, but it’s been difficult figuring out how to bake without them. This post is so helpful and exactly what I needed! I honestly had no idea there were so many other egg substitutes I could use – thank you for putting this together!
Aw yay! I’m so happy this guide was helpful Alex! Can’t wait to hear how some of these egg substitutes work for you!
Thanks for all these wonderful tips. I have problems digesting eggs so this is right up my alley.
Thanks so much Beth! Glad this was helpful!
I have known about flax eggs though haven’t used them myself. Great to both see what it looks and have ideas of other replacements as well.
Flax eggs might be my favorite vegan egg replacement because they’re so easy to make and ground flaxseed will last forever in your fridge! I hope you try one of these options for your baking needs soon! 🙂
I have always wondered what flax eggs look like now I saw. Have you ever tried aquafaba for eggs?
Hi Sadia! I have never tried aquafaba but have heard it is also a great substitute for eggs! 🙂
This is amazing and I have never heard of this substitute. I can’t wait to try this out because there are so many baked goods that sounds great but require eggs. Thanks for this super helpful tip!
Oh great!! I’m so glad this was helpful!
I have always wanted to try doing this!! I bought flax seed to do this, but then when I got home I realized that it wasn’t ground! I’ll have to make another trip to the grocery store so that I can make this!!
Oh! If you have a spice grinder or a really powerful blender, you can just grind it yourself too!
So unique and fun. Can’t wait to try this!
Thanks Katie! It’s so easy and a great substitute!
OH I always forget how easy it actually is to make flax eggs at home. I always see flax egg in a list of ingredients and go like “Nah, don’t have that” – and I am really just minutes away from being able to make the recipe. DANG! Thanks for this one
Haha yes! It really is very easy!