Bhg
  • Shop
  • News
  • Food
  • DIY
  • Garden
  • Travel
  • Renovating
  • Decorating
  • Property
  • Health
  • TV
  • Podcasts
Bhg
  • Shop
  • News
  • Food
  • DIY
  • Garden
  • Travel
  • Renovating
  • Decorating
  • Property
  • Health
  • TV
  • Podcasts
Subscribe
YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR
Watch 6:32

YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR

{headline}

{headline}

These are the 6 best substitutes for vegetable oil

These are the 6 best substitutes for vegetable oil

Everything you need to know about fan forced ovens

Everything you need to know about fan forced ovens

The beautiful rolling pin every baker needs

The beautiful rolling pin every baker needs

4 Of The Best Palm Sugar Replacements

4 Of The Best Palm Sugar Replacements

{headline}

{headline}

How to make scrambled eggs in the microwave

How to make scrambled eggs in the microwave

The best basic scones

The best basic scones

How long do soft and hard-boiled eggs last?

How long do soft and hard-boiled eggs last?

{headline}

{headline}

This is the tiny Aussie town where you'll find the world's best scones

This is the tiny Aussie town where you'll find the world's best scones

Fast Ed's garden herb, almond and rose petal cake

Fast Ed's garden herb, almond and rose petal cake

Crispy eggs with charred corn and Asian chilli salad

Crispy eggs with charred corn and Asian chilli salad

Almond brown butter cake

Almond brown butter cake

Sesame chicken balls with roasted nori

Sesame chicken balls with roasted nori

Cheese and pesto whirls

Cheese and pesto whirls

Fast Ed’s Tablelands road trip recipes!

Fast Ed’s Tablelands road trip recipes!

  1. Home
  2. Food

Egg substitute: 8 best egg replacements

Replace eggs without ruining the recipe. - by Lauren Williamson
  • 07 Oct 2018
Egg substitute: 8 best egg replacements
Getty Images

Whether you have an intolerance to eggs, you’re trying to reduce your use of animal products or you just plain ran out – there are a number of reasons why you might want do some baking without eggs in your recipe. 

 

However, eggs play an important role in the flavour, structure and consistency of food, so finding a perfect substitute can be hard. When choosing a replacement, you'll need to consider the main role of the egg in the recipe.

If you're planning to do some baking without eggs, or any other type of cooking without eggs, you need to know if:

Is it a binding agent – combining the ingredients and holding them together?

Is it a moistening agent – adding moisture to the meal?

Is it a leavening agent – helping foods rise and creating a light, airy texture?

Is it used for flavour or appearance – creating a golden-brown colouring and specific taste?

Whatever its use, you'll need to pick a substitute accordingly. It's also likely that you will need to experiment with your options before you find the right one. Here are seven of the best egg replacements to try in your cooking. 

For binding:

1. Chia seeds

chia seeds
Getty Images

When chia seeds are combined with liquid they form a jelly like consistency, which makes an excellent binding agent and egg substitute. To replace one egg, mix one tablespoon of chia seeds with three tablespoons of water and let it sit for 15 minutes. 

Best used for: pancakes, waffles, muffins, breads and cookies.

2. Flaxseeds or flaxmeal

flaxseed
Getty Images

Flaxseeds also create a gel like consistency when mixed with water. Use one part ground flaxseed or flax meal to three parts water and whisk until it becomes gelatinous.

Best used for: pancakes, waffles, muffins, breads and cookies.

3. Xanthan gum

Xanthan gum
Getty Images

Xanthan gum is a substance produced by bacterial fermentation or through synthetic replication. It’s used in foods as a binding agent and thickener. With Xanthan Gum, a little goes a long way – to replace one egg, whip together 1/4 teaspoon of xanthan gum in 1/4 cup water.  

Best used for: muffins, cakes and savoury dishes. 

4. Agar-agar or gelatin

gelatin
Getty Images

Gelatin and agar-agar can be used as a binding agent instead of eggs, however they're likely to create a more solid consistency in your finished product. Gelatin is derived from animals so vegans might prefer to use agar-agar – an alternative made from a type of seaweed. Both can be bought as unflavoured powder or sheet form in most supermarkets. To replace one egg, mix one tablespoon of gelatin or agar-agar with one tablespoon of water.  

Best used for: cakes, brownies, cookies.

For moistening:

5.  Unsweetened applesauce

applesauce
Getty Images

Applesauce is a popular substitute in recipes where eggs are need for moisture. Replace an egg with ¼ of a cup of applesauce, which can be bought or made at home. 

Best used for: muffins, cakes, pancakes.

6. Silken tofu

silken tofu
Getty Images

Silken tofu – the softer, moister variety of soy bean curd – can used as an egg replacement in denser recipes. Substitute one egg with a ¼ of a cup of puréed tofu. 

Best used for: brownies, cakes, slices, eggless scrambles.

For raising:

7. Chickpea water or aquafaba

aqua faba
Getty Images

When using cans of chickpeas, most of us drain away the liquid. But this liquid – also known as aquafaba – can actually be used as an egg substitute. It has a similar consistency to raw egg whites and it can be whipped into a foamy, meringue like texture. Three tablespoons of aquafaba is equivalent to about one whole egg, while two tablespoons of aquafaba is equivalent to about one egg white. To be used as an egg replacement, it should be whipped before added. 

Best used for: meringue, marshmallows, macaroons or nougat.

8. Baking soda and vinegar

baking soda
Getty Images

To replace one egg use one teaspoon of baking soda mixed with one tablespoon of white vinegar. It will help create a light, fluffy texture. 

What to use instead of eggs for...

The best egg white substitute is Aquafaba, the liquid left over from cooking beans or legumes or the liquid in canned chickpeas or beans.

The best egg yolk substitute is two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar, or white vinegar, mixed with half a teaspoon of baking powder.

The best egg wash substitute can actually be a variety of things, such as dairy milk, almond milk, butter, oil, honey, maple syrup, mayonnaise, soy milk, rice milk or yoghurt. 

Trying to make cupcakes without eggs? Cupcakes can be made without eggs simply by substituting eggs for mashed banana, applesauce, or flax seeds. 

  • Food
  • Hacks
Lauren Williamson
Lauren Williamson
Lauren Williamson is a digital writer, editor and social media fiend who's a huge fan of tackling new wellness trends, eating her way through foreign countries and getting worked up over politics.

Get your mag delivered!-Save 29% off the cover price!

Subscribe for $4.95 per issue

Subscribe Now
Get your mag delivered!

Get your mag delivered!-Save 29% off the cover price!

Subscribe for $4.95 per issue

Subscribe Now
Get your mag delivered!

Recommended to you

YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR
Watch 6:32

YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR

{headline}

{headline}

These are the 6 best substitutes for vegetable oil

These are the 6 best substitutes for vegetable oil

Everything you need to know about fan forced ovens

Everything you need to know about fan forced ovens

The beautiful rolling pin every baker needs

The beautiful rolling pin every baker needs

4 Of The Best Palm Sugar Replacements

4 Of The Best Palm Sugar Replacements

{headline}

{headline}

How to make scrambled eggs in the microwave

How to make scrambled eggs in the microwave

The best basic scones

The best basic scones

How long do soft and hard-boiled eggs last?

How long do soft and hard-boiled eggs last?

{headline}

{headline}

This is the tiny Aussie town where you'll find the world's best scones

This is the tiny Aussie town where you'll find the world's best scones

Fast Ed's garden herb, almond and rose petal cake

Fast Ed's garden herb, almond and rose petal cake

Crispy eggs with charred corn and Asian chilli salad

Crispy eggs with charred corn and Asian chilli salad

Almond brown butter cake

Almond brown butter cake

Sesame chicken balls with roasted nori

Sesame chicken balls with roasted nori

Cheese and pesto whirls

Cheese and pesto whirls

Fast Ed’s Tablelands road trip recipes!

Fast Ed’s Tablelands road trip recipes!

Bhg
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
Bhg Magazine Subscribe
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy

Brands

  • All Recipes
  • BHG Shop
  • Girlfriend
  • Home Beautiful
  • New Idea
  • New Idea Food
  • Practical Parenting

Our Network

  • marie claire
  • Instyle
  • Beauty Crew
  • Who
  • Women's Weekly Food
  • Bounty Parents
  • That’s Life
  • Perth Now
  • The West Australian
  • 7Plus
  • Airtasker
  • 7NEWS
  • SocietyOne
  • Health Engine
  • Starts at 60
© 2021 Are Media PTY LTD
Get more from Better Homes and Gardens

Magazine Subscription Offer

Get your mag delivered!-Save 29% off the cover price!

Shop This Offer
Get your mag delivered!