Simple Egg Substitutes You Can Use In Cake Mixes
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Boxed cake mixes are so incredibly convenient. They are quick to put together, fast to bake and give you a fresh, delicious cake that would make anyones mouth water. And with a few minor tweaks, you can make them truly unique and delicious!
However, most cake mixes require the addition of eggs in order to make the batter. But what if you do not have eggs on hand? Or perhaps you are following a vegan diet and would like to avoid eggs. Or, maybe youre just looking for healthy ingredient substitutes.
Dont worry! You can still make amazing cakes using a box mix even without the eggs. Here are a few perfect ways to replace eggs in a cake mix.
What Can Vegans Use Instead Of Egg For Breading
There are off the shelf solutions to replace eggs for breading if you are vegan, look for a product known ass Egg Replacer, this can be found online and in stores and is vegan friendly. Results may vary depending on what type of vegetable you are breading but its worth experimenting for best results. You can buy Egg Replacer here.
Substitute: Water Oil And Baking Powder
Replacement: 2 tablespoons water + 2 teaspoons baking powder + 1 teaspoon vegetable oil = 1 large egg Rating: 9/10
This simple combination leans on pantry staples you probably have on hand. Muffins baked with this egg replacement were light and airy and there was almost no difference in taste and structure. The tops were a bit more crisp and darkened slightly during baking and this might have been my favorite, if it werent for the next method.
Replacement: 1/4 cup carbonated water = 1 large egg Rating: 10/10
This easy and surprising substitute yielded muffins that were almost indistinguishable from the muffins baked with egg. They were moist and tender on the inside with a lovely crisp top. This will definitely be my new go-to egg substitute in baking.
What do you think? Were you surprised by this result? Wed love to hear your favorite egg substitutes too do you have a favorite we didnt test?
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The Best Substitutes For Eggs In Cooking
While the need for an egg substitute often arises for baked goods there may be times when you need an egg in a savory recipe. The purpose of eggs in cooking is usually as a binding agent therefore, you dont need to worry about substitutes that help with leavening.
Below are my favorite egg substitutes to use in dishes like meatloaf or when making meatballs. These options are perfect for binding the ingredients without adding outside flavor.
Effective Substitutes For Eggs
Eggs are incredibly healthy and versatile, making them a popular food for many. Theyre especially common in baking, where nearly every recipe calls for them.
But for various reasons, some people avoid eggs. Fortunately, there are plenty of replacements you can use instead.
This article explores the various ingredients that can be used as egg alternatives.
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Baking Soda & Vinegar
Remember that eggs are often used as the leavening agent in recipes. Therefore, if you replace the eggs and there are not any other leavening agents, such as baking soda, consider using a substitution that can bind and help the dough or batter rise.
If you have ever made a homemade volcano for a science fair, then you know what happens when you combine vinegar and baking soda. That bubbly reaction from combining these two ingredients is the perfect substitute for eggs in cakes or other doughs that you want to be lighter and airier.
Mix 1 teaspoon of baking soda with 1 tablespoon of white or apple cider vinegar. Add the bubbly mixture to your recipe in place of 1 egg.
Ground Flaxseed Or Chia Seed
Flaxseed and chia seed are both tiny seeds that are highly nutritious.
Theyre high in omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, and other unique plant compounds .
You can grind the seeds yourself at home or buy ready-made seed meal from the store.
To replace one egg, whisk together 1 tablespoon of ground chia or flaxseed with 3 tablespoons of water until fully absorbed and thickened.
Doing so may cause baked goods to become heavy and dense. Also, it may result in a nuttier flavor, so it works best in products like pancakes, waffles, muffins, breads, and cookies.
Summary
Ground flaxseeds and chia seed make great egg substitutes. Mixing 1 tablespoon of either with 3 tablespoons of water can replace 1 egg.
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Purpose Of Eggs In Baking
Egg as Binding Agents: If eggs are binders in a recipe, it can be replaced with Arrowroot, Soy Lecithin, Flax-seed Mix, Pureed Fruits or Vegetables, Silken Tofu, Vegetarian Unflavored Gelatin Powder . The ratio is, for every egg replaced, 1/4 cup of the substitute is used, except for arrowroot, soy lecithin and agar agar. These egg substitutions for binding work well as substitutes for baking recipes.
Eggs as Leavening Agents: If eggs are leavening agents, Buttermilk, Yogurt, Baking Soda, Commercial Egg Replacement Powder such as Ener-G can be used.
Eggs for Moisture: If eggs are added for moisture, Fruit Juice, Milk, Water or Pureed Fruit can be used.
Baking Soda And Vinegar
The chemical reaction between baking soda and vinegar releases carbon dioxide and water, which can add lift to pancakes, cake, and quickbread batters. This combination “will give you rise, but if there’s already sufficient baking soda in the recipe, it might rise and fall,” says Fothergill.
How to use it: To replace one egg, combine one tablespoon vinegar with one teaspoon of baking soda.
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What If A Recipe Calls For Egg Whites Or Yolks
The ingredients shared in this article are great substitutes for whole eggs, but some recipes call for just egg whites or egg yolks.
Here are the best replacements for each:
- Egg whites: Aquafaba is the best option. Use 3 tablespoons for each egg white you want to replace.
- Egg yolks: Soy lecithin is a great substitute. You can replace each large egg yolk with 1 tablespoon .
Summary
Aquafaba is a great substitute for egg whites, whereas the best substitute for egg yolks is soy lecithin.
Wait I Need Yogurt To Make Yogurt
Now I know what you are thinking, I dont have yogurt, thats why Im making it. With all the yogurt making you need to add a yogurt starter to make it grow. Yogurt is a living thing and you need to feed it to help it grow, just like bread. If you dont have access to yogurt you can buy an inexpensive Yogurt starter online.
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Is Mayo A Substitute For Eggs
Mayonnaise in your muffins? That doesnt sound too appetizing. But actually, mayo is one of the best substitutes for eggs. Plus, the substitution process is super easy just add 3 tablespoons of mayo for each egg recommended by your recipe. You might be worried that youll still be able to taste the mayo in your finished product, but dont worry the flavor really isnt noticeable. However, this swap might make baked goods feel heavier, so we wouldnt recommend it as the first choice for bakes that are supposed to be very light, like cupcakes.
The Best Egg Substitutions For Baking
When making substitutions, Stafford says it’s important to keep in mind that one egg equals roughly ¼ cup of liquid, so any egg alternative should replace that volume in your recipe, regardless of which substitute you choose. The most common egg substitutes Stafford uses in her recipes are:
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Ground flaxseed mixed with water
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Sweetened condensed milk
Which one of these substitutes will work best depends on what you are baking. Stafford provides some guidance.
Cake, cupcakes, pancakes, waffles: In cakes, cupcakes, pancakes and waffles, eggs bind ingredients, moisten the texture and enrich the flavor. For these baked goods Stafford recommends choosing an egg substitute that contains water, which will add moisture. Bananas and applesauce work well and will also add sweetness, she explains.
Cookies and brownies: In cookies and brownies, which don’t rise, eggs primarily act as a binder. Stafford says ground flax or chia seeds work well as an egg substitute for these treats because the ground seeds “form a glue in contact with water … yielding a signature gooey chewy texture.”
Quick breads or scones: Because eggs are the primary or only leavening agent in quick breads and scones, Stafford says “vinegar and baking soda or oil, water and baking powder” are great egg substitutes because these combinations produce carbon dioxide that make baked goods rise. As a bonus, these are all shelf-stable pantry staples most already have at home.
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Effective Egg Substitute Ideas
Is there anything that you can substitute in the meantime thats already in your kitchen? Fortunately, there is! Here are several substitutes that you can use in place of eggs that will still give you the same texture and consistency that you desire. Be warned! Some of them are sure to surprise you.
Baking Soda + Vinegar
An interesting combination which provides the lift and browning to vegan cakes missing from not including eggs. This is very limited in application but works extremely well for certain recipes.
1 egg = 1 tsp baking soda + 1 tbsp vinegar
- Method: Unless you are confident in making changes to recipes I would only use this substitute in recipes which have been specifically developed using it. These types of recipe are easy enough to find by googling!
- Best for: chocolate cakes, other fluffy layer cakes and cupcakes, pancakes
- Benefits: most people will have these already to hand, cheap
- Example recipe: Caramelised Banana Buckwheat Bread
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Dry Commercial Egg Substitute
Dry egg substitute is a powder that can be made up of potato starch, tapioca, psyllium husk fiber, soy lecithin, baking soda or powder and other ingredients.
Works for: Many vegan recipes call for it as an ingredient, taking any guesswork out of equation.
How to use it in place of eggs: To use it, follow the instructions on the package. Typically, for every egg you’re replacing, you whisk 1 1/2 teaspoons of egg replacement with 3 tablespoons of water. For a few more specifics on dry egg substitute, check out our story How to Make a Cake Without an Egg.
The Best Egg Substitutes For Brownies And Bars
Because of the thick, fudgy and generally dense consistency of brownies and other kinds of bars, silken tofu will be the best egg substitute for baking here. Unlike firm or extra firm tofu, silken tofu will blend in seamlessly to your baked goods. Add 1/4 cup of pureed silken tofu per egg to bakes like double chocolate brownies, chocolate chip cookie bars and dense breads.
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Arrowroot Starch + Water
Arrowroot is a starchy root vegetable similar to yam, cassava, sweet potato, and taro. It is a tropical tuber native to Indonesia, and has garnered quite the gluten-free following in recent years.
To make it usable in baking, this root vegetable is usually processed into a powder, called arrowroot starch, arrowroot flour, or arrowroot powder. This naturally grain-free starchy white powder has the same thickening properties as cornstarch.
Arrowroot starch is a versatile thickening agent that can be used to add texture and structure to cooking and baking recipes. It also holds up well when combined with acidic or frozen ingredients, as it has no taste of its own and leaves food glossy & clear.
While it doesnt hold or reheat well, when mixed fresh, it acts as a good egg alternative for cookie & brownie recipes. As an egg substitute in baking, arrowroot may add a slight sweetness to your final recipe.
Mix 2 tablespoons of arrowroot starch with 3 tablespoons of water to form a slurry before adding the mixture to your batter.
How To Decide On An Egg Substitute:
Different substitutes work better for different things. An egg has many diverse properties. In baking it acts as a binder, a leavening agent, and adds moisture. Simply put, an egg is what makes your cake spongy and well structured.
The most important property of egg will vary from recipe to recipe. Before picking what replacement to use, be sure its the best available. Especially when making an egg heavy recipe such as meringue.
If you want to try baking without eggs, then first find recipes designed specifically to be egg free. Vegan baking is a popular market, and with hardly any searching youre sure to find something to make your mouth water.
Once youve mastered the basics, you can begin substituting eggs in your favorite recipes.
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Flax Seeds Or Chia Seeds
Coffee grinders or spice grinders come in handy when you use flax seeds as egg substitutes. They are great in recipes in which eggs are used for binding and emulsifying. Grind the flax seeds, and use three tablespoons of water and one tablespoon of ground flax seeds for one egg. Let the mixture chill in the refrigerator for about 15 minutes, then you are good to go.
This substitution can be especially enjoyable in recipes such as power cookies and whole grain muffins that work well with the nutty flax seed flavor. Cooked rice, mashed potatoes and oatmeal are also good egg replacers that help with binding.
3 tbsp water + 1 tbsp ground flax seeds or chia seeds = 1 egg
How To Make Meatballs Without Eggs
If you are looking for a way to make the perfect meatballs with eggs substitute, here are some ideas that you might like:
1) If you do not want the overpowering flavors of the alternatives, you can add salt and pepper to it. You can also opt to add Italian seasoning or sauces like marinara sauce. They are a great addition to the meatball mix.
2) Applesauce is the perfect substitute for lactose-intolerant or dairy-free diets.
3) Instead of using milk, you can use water or vegetable broth.
4) You can also use tomato paste instead of ketchup.
5) Use panko breadcrumbs to give extra texture
6) You can also replace the egg whites with a flaxseed meal.
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What Is The Purpose Of Eggs In Baking
Most people use eggs for baking because of the following reasons.
- Moisture. The liquid part of eggs adds moisture to the final product during baking.
- Binding. The sticky nature of eggs helps to hold together, especially in baked goods, like a banana bread.
- Leavening. Eggs are one of the main reason for the volume and an airy texture .
- Emulsify. Eggs help combine ingredients that typically wouldnt mix under normal conditions .
- Taste and appearance. Eggs improve the flavor and appearance of the baked product. They can also give certain foods a lovely sheen/glaze, like the tops of rolls or buns.
What Are Some Good Vegan Egg Substitutes
The majority of these substitutes would classify as good vegan egg substitutes. You just need to check those that have any animal-based ingredients. In doing my research for the post, I did come across some commercially prepared egg substitutes that you may want to consider as plan Bs. For those vegans out there, check these out:
- Follow Your Heart VeganEgg
- Bobs Red Mill Egg Replacer
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Pumpkin Or Sweet Potato Puree
Canned pumpkin is good for more than just pie. Both pureed pumpkin and sweet potato are good egg substitutes in muffins, doughnuts, and quick breads. These purees act as both a binder and thickener, while keeping baked goods moist.
Just like applesauce, use 1/4 cup of puree per egg you’re replacing.
What Are Egg Allergies
Some of us are prone to allergies to eggs, just like some other foods. When you eat eggs, your body recognizes egg proteins, and in some cases, the immune system cells kick in by telling the system to release histamine and other chemicals into the bloodstream that present themselves in symptoms such as skin rashes, nasal congestion, hives, runny nose, wheezing, sneezing, coughing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and sometimes stomach problems like nausea.
Both egg yolks and egg whites can cause these allergies, but it seems to be the egg whites that most often are the culprit. You may want to test out various combinations and see if it is the egg yolk or egg white portions of the egg that cause you or your family members issues.
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Best Egg Substitutes For Your Recipes
Maybe youre on an egg free diet or have an egg allergy, or maybe you dont have any eggs on hand or theres an egg shortage, and need to find something to substitute in your recipe. Whatever the reason, there are several things that serve as great egg replacements. Many of the ingredients you may already have on hand. Here is a list of the best egg substitutes for your recipes.