Save Money & Animals With Egg Substitutes

Everywhere we turn, there is an article, meme, post, or comment about the rising costs of eggs. Consumers in the United States have been facing sticker shock from prices rising by fifty percent or more for a carton of eggs, with costs steadily increasing each day. In some cities, organic eggs have grown to almost $20.00 a dozen, though this is still too cheap when factoring in the true costs of cheap eggs.

Why Should You Ditch Eggs?

Animals used to produce the billions of eggs consumers use each year are forced to live a shortened life filled with agony and torment. These sentient beings also risk falling ill with diseases such as h5n1 avian flu or being killed in even more brutal ways to curb outbreaks. With the prices of eggs rising each day and the growing threat of widespread avian flu in factory farms, there are even more incentives for everyone to ditch eggs altogether. We have compiled a list of vegan-friendly egg substitutes below that won’t break the bank.

Easy Vegan Egg Substitutes From Your Pantry

Chia Seeds

Chia seeds are not only a superfood but also a great egg substitute. Mixing chia seeds and water create a dense mixture that works well in pudding recipes. Add one tablespoon of chia seeds with three tablespoons of water to replace one egg. Be sure to let this mixture set for a few minutes to create a gel-like consistency before using.

Mashed Banana

Mashed bananas work very well in bread and muffin recipes when you want that banana flavor to shine through. It yields a dense texture, but you can combine it with other egg substitutes if you want a lighter consistency. ¼ cup mashed banana equals one egg.

Ground Flaxseed

Flax seeds have a thick consistency when mixed with water, like chia seeds. Use this mixture when you want a dense, bread-like texture. One tablespoon of ground flaxseed plus three tablespoons of water replaces one egg. This mixture must also thicken for a few minutes before being used in recipes.

Tofu

Tofu is a surprisingly versatile ingredient. It is handy in many different forms and has numerous delicious dishes. While firm tofu creates an excellent vegan breakfast scramble, silken tofu is a perfect egg replacement in baked goods. ¼ cup of silken or soft tofu replaces one egg. Use it in your favorite cake, cheesecake recipe, or maybe even a custard.

Potato Starch

Bakers can substitute potato starch in baking the same way cornstarch is used. It is the main ingredient in many store-bought egg substitutes. Combine it with a leavening agent like baking soda or baking powder to create delicious pies or cakes. One teaspoon of potato starch mixed with two tablespoons of water will replace one egg.

Yogurt

Many people love eating a bowl of yogurt in the morning, but not many realize that their favorite breakfast is also a great egg replacement in plant-based, vegan-friendly baking recipes. For most recipes, a plain natural vegan yogurt is ideal, but you can substitute it for most flavors like blueberry, lime, chocolate, or strawberry to complement specific desserts. Unfortunately, yogurt only works with baked goods like cakes, muffins, or cupcakes. It is not a good vegan-friendly egg substitute for more dense pastries like cookies, as it will not harden enough to hold its shape.  

Aquafaba

Next time you open a can of chickpeas, save the liquid. Chickpea liquid or aquafaba is the perfect egg substitute for a tasty meringue or a cake. When the recipe calls for an egg white, two tablespoons of aquafaba is an ideal replacement. Use three tablespoons if a whole egg is required.

Pumpkin Purée

Pumpkin purée makes a great egg replacement for baking cakes and bread due to its high liquid content. Use paper towels or a tea towel to dry your puréed pumpkin before using it in cookie recipes to create a chewy consistency. It is also quite effective in brownie or pancake recipes. ¼ cup pumpkin purée equals one egg.

Baking Soda & Vinegar

For light and airy cakes, replace each egg with one tablespoon of vinegar and one teaspoon of baking soda. You can use white vinegar, apple cider vinegar, or even lemon juice. You can also mix non-dairy milk with one tablespoon of vinegar to create a vegan buttermilk to combine with your baking soda.

Soy Lecithin

Soy lecithin is a powder ingredient produced from soybeans. Since it is often used as an additive to stabilize food textures during manufacturing, it is an excellent choice for replacing egg yolks in a recipe. When cooking, you can use it in place of eggs to emulsify ingredients in dishes like aioli or hollandaise sauce.

Cornstarch

Cornstarch is an ingredient already in most kitchen pantries, making it an easy substitute to find and utilize. Mix one tablespoon cornstarch with two tablespoons of water to replace each egg. This cornstarch mixture is a great thickening agent for puddings, sauces, or custards. It also works well in some cookie or pie recipes.

Applesauce

It may be surprising to some, but combining unsweetened applesauce with a leavening agent like baking soda or baking powder creates a versatile whole egg substitute. Applesauce is an easy-to-find egg substitute and is perfect for most baked goods like muffins, cakes, or brownies. Substituting applesauce for eggs can change the texture of some items, like creating chewy cookies or giving brownies a cake-like consistency. Overall, applesauce is a great egg substitute to keep in the pantry. Use a fourth cup of applesauce for each egg listed in the recipe.

Vegan-Friendly Plant Based Egg Brands

Just Egg Liquid Whole Egg Substitute

Just Egg is a liquid whole egg substitute made from mung beans that is not only delicious in a breakfast scramble but is also great for cooking and baking. It is similar to whisked animal-based eggs and is perfect for creating delicious vegan dishes like custard, bread, brioche, donuts, quiche, and more. Chefs can substitute Just Egg directly in most recipes with three tablespoons for each egg listed in the recipe.

Ener-G Egg Replacer

Ener-G Egg Replacer is a store-bought mix of starches. It makes a tremendous binding or leavening agent, which makes it perfect for baking various cakes, cookies, bread, and more. One box contains enough to replace 100 eggs, which could save you hundreds of dollars in today’s market.

Yo-Egg

Yo-Egg, the self-proclaimed “future of breakfast” is a vegan-friendly company that has created a plant-based egg for those who enjoy a runny yolk. Their egg-free line includes:

• The Sunny One – a sunny-side up egg with a runny yolk
• The Poached One – An egg-free poached egg
• The Patty One – An egg-free patty perfect for people on the go looking for a quick breakfast sandwich
• Hollandaise – A stable plant-based Hollandaise Sauce
• The Boiled One – a vegan-friendly hard-boiled egg that’s coming soon

Wunder Eggs

Wunder Eggs were the first 100% vegan-friendly hard-boiled eggs to hit the market. Their hard-boiled eggs are available in black salt and deviled. The company also offers their plant-based eggs in other products such as their Eggless Salad and a variety of egg-based protein buns. You can purchase them on their website or on Instacart in limited locations.

Simply Eggless

Simply Eggless is a vegan egg company that uses Lupin Beans to create their delicious plant-based products. Their product line includes a liquid vegan egg, eggless patties, eggless bites, and an eggless omelet. They also offer pre-packaged products in collaboration with Beyond Meat including their Simply Eggless breakfast bites, breakfast sandwiches, and breakfast burritos.

Save Money on Every Meal with Plant-Based Egg Substitutes

The true cost of eggs goes far beyond the label. With price increases and the suffering behind eggs, there is no better time than the present to ditch animal-based eggs altogether. Give some of the substitutes above a try and let us know your favorites in the comments below.

*Post Updated from 2023 Version*