Eggs? Not for This Chick.

Eggs often play a structural role in cooking and baking. They act as a leavening agent, are used to add volume, and are added to help bind ingredients together. Accordingly, the type of dish that you're preparing will often determine what type of egg substitute (if any) is appropriate to use.

As such, working with egg-substitutes sometimes seems like an even bigger challenge than replacing the dairy products in one's diet. However, with a little creativity and some practice, you'll quickly find that it's easy to enjoy healthy and delicious egg-free baking and cooking!

Note: Most of these products can be found at your local grocery store. They can also be found at stores like Trader Joe's and Whole Foods, and might even be sitting in your kitchen right now!

Egg-Free Baking:

Not surprisingly, most people instinctively associate eggs with baked goods. And since those of us who like baking typically love to share the fruits of our labor, it's common for egg-laden foods to take center-stage at holidays and other celebrations.

(For example, eggs often pop up in birthday/wedding cakes, holiday cupcakes, bake-sale cookies, and Thanksgiving rolls.)

This means that baking without eggs often presents a great opportunity to expose others to delicious vegan (or simply egg-free) goods. Since people are generally willing to try all types of desserts, those who might not give other vegan dishes a chance are likely to taste (and find that they enjoy!) vegan sweets.

Substitutions for Baking with Eggs:

• The following substitutions will replace one whole egg -

• Mix 1 1/2 tsp of Ener-G Egg Replacer with 2 Tbs of warm water; use as a direct substitute in baking. Ener-G works for all types of baked goods. It is powdery in texture, and white in color.
• Tip: An easy way to prepare Ener-G is to place the egg substitute in a small dish, add the water, and then whisk both ingredients with a fork until they become frothy.  

• 2 Tbsp of cornstarch beaten with 2 Tbsp of water
• This mixture is similar to Ener-G, and is equally as versatile.

• 1 Tbsp ground flaxseeds, whipped with 1/4 cup of water
• Again, this works similarly to Ener-G (and the cornstarch mixture), it also gives a healthy boost of Omega 3s to whatever you're making!

• 1 tsp baking powder, 1/2 tsp baking soda, 2 Tbsp flour, and 3 Tbsp water, whisked together
• This mixture is convenient to use because it consists of things that people probably already have in their cupboards.

• 1 Tbsp plain soy protein powder and 2 Tbsp water, mixed together

• 1/4 cup of applesauce or pureed prunes
• 1/2 tsp of baking powder may also be added to maintain the "lightness" of your finished recipe

• Applesauce and prunes work well in cakes, brownies, and muffins.
• Note: fruit-based substitutions might add a bit of flavor to your recipe, so don't forget to consider that when using them.

• 1/2 of a small, ripe, mashed banana
• Bananas work well in cookies, muffins, pancakes, and quick breads. They are also good for "browning" purposes.

• 1/4 cup plain soy yogurt
• Yogurt works well in cakes, muffins, and quick breads.

Egg-free Cooking:

Recipes often include eggs because they require an ingredient that acts as a binder, in order to keep other ingredients in the dish together. Some examples of these types of foods are: burger patties; casseroles; "meat" balls; and veggie loaves.

As a result, the type of egg-substitute that you use should be determined by the type of dish that you're cooking, the amount of "stick" that you need, and the flavor that the replacement product will add to your particular recipe.

(For example, while mashed potatoes work well in burger patties, you might prefer not to use them in "meat" balls, due to the way that the taste/texture interacts with the burgers as opposed to the "meat" balls.)

Substitutions for Cooking with Eggs:

• Typically, 2 - 3 Tbsp of a single one of the following ingredients will replace one whole egg in a recipe. Keep in mind that just as when working with dairy substitutes, a little experimentation goes a long way toward perfection!

• Cornstarch

• Potato starch

• Oat or bean flour

• Whole-wheat or unbleached, white flour

• Breadcrumbs, finely crushed
• Breadcrumbs work well in most recipes

• Cooked oatmeal or quick-cooking rolled oats
• Oatmeal works well in burger patties and "meat" balls

• Cooked rice
• Rice works well in burger patties

• Instant potato flakes

• Mashed white or sweet potatoes
• Mashed potatoes work well in veggie loaves and burger patties

• Tomato paste

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These links might also be of interest:

• A Bit of Cooking Inspiration...
• How Now, Brown Cow?
• The 800 lb. Gorilla in the Room