Egg Powder Substitutes

Eggs are a versatile ingredient used in many recipes, from baking to cooking. Their binding, leavening, and emulsifying properties make baked goods light and fluffy while providing structure.

However, some people need to avoid eggs due to allergies or dietary restrictions. Thankfully, there are several effective egg powder substitutes available.

Key Takeaway: Egg powder substitutes mimic the binding, leavening, and emulsifying properties of eggs to create baked goods that are light, fluffy, and structurally sound. Common substitutes include chickpea flour, flaxseeds, fruit purees, and commercial egg replacer powders.

Why Use Egg Powder Substitutes?

There are a few reasons why cooks and bakers seek out egg powder substitutes:

• Allergies - Eggs are one of the top food allergens, especially in children. An egg allergy requires avoiding all egg products, including powdered eggs used in baking.
• Dietary restrictions - Those who follow a vegan or vegetarian diet avoid eggs and animal products. Powdered egg whites are animal-derived.
• Convenience - Keeping a shelf-stable egg powder substitute on hand means you don't have to worry about running out of fresh eggs.
• Preference - Some people simply don't like the flavor or texture eggs impart and prefer recipes made without them.

No matter the reason, using an egg powder substitute allows you to modify recipes while still achieving delicious results.

How Eggs Are Used in Baking

To understand why egg powder substitutes are useful, it helps to know what purpose eggs serve in baked goods:

• Binding - Eggs help bind ingredients together and add structure, preventing batters from falling apart.
• Leavening - Beaten eggs trap air pockets, helping batters rise and expand when baked. This gives baked goods lift.
• Moisture - Eggs add moisture and fat, resulting in tender, rich baked goods.
• Color - Eggs promote browning and golden surfaces when baked.
• Flavor - Eggs contribute a light, neutral flavor and accentuate other ingredients.

When you remove eggs from a recipe, you lose their crucial binding, leavening, and moisturizing abilities. Egg powder substitutes can replicate these properties.

6 Homemade Egg Powder Substitutes

Don't want to buy a commercial egg powder alternative? Here are 6 easy homemade egg substitutes for baking using common kitchen ingredients:

1. Ground Flaxseeds

Flaxseeds are an excellent egg replacer thanks to their mucilaginous texture when mixed with water. To make a flax egg:

• Combine 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed with 3 tablespoons water
• Let stand 5-10 minutes until thickened
• Use in place of 1 egg

Flax eggs work in denser baked goods like muffins, breads, and cookies. They won't achieve the same rise as eggs.

2. Chia Seeds

Like flaxseeds, chia forms a gel when hydrated. To make a chia egg:

• Combine 1 tablespoon chia seeds with 3 tablespoons water
• Let thicken 5-10 minutes
• Use in place of 1 egg

Chia eggs work well in recipes where you want the texture, like breads and muffins.

3. Fruit Purees

Fruit purees like applesauce, mashed bananas, pumpkin, and avocado provide moisture in baked goods.

• Use 1/4 cup puree in place of 1 egg
• May affect flavor and color
• Works well in softer baked goods like muffins and cakes

4. Vegetable Oil + Baking Powder

Combining oil, baking powder, and water creates a vegan leavening agent.

• Whisk together 1 1/2 tablespoons vegetable oil, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1 1/2 tablespoons water
• Use in place of 1 egg

Best in muffins, pancakes, and cakes needing lift.

5. Vinegar + Baking Soda

Acidic vinegar reacts with alkaline baking soda to give lift.

• Mix 1 tablespoon vinegar with 1 teaspoon baking soda
• Use in place of 1 egg

Works well in fluffy baked goods like cakes and cupcakes.

6. Silken Tofu

Blended silken tofu makes a smooth, creamy egg substitute.

• Blend 1/4 cup silken tofu until smooth
• Use in place of 1 egg

Provides moisture and structure in cakes and brownies.

4 Store-Bought Egg Replacers

Don't have the ingredients for a homemade egg powder substitute? There are several commercial egg replacer powders that make egg-free baking easy.

1. Bob's Red Mill Egg Replacer

• Made of potato starch, tapioca flour, baking soda, and psyllium husk
• Use 1 1/2 teaspoons + 2 tablespoons water per egg
• Mimics eggs in baked goods

2. Ener-G Egg Replacer

• Contains potato starch, tapioca flour, and leavening
• Use 1 1/2 teaspoons powder + 2-3 tablespoons water per egg
• Works well as egg binder and leavener

3. Bickel's Vegan Egg Mix

• Made from potato starch, leaveners, and natural gums
• 1 1/2 teaspoons powder + 2 tablespoons water equals 1 egg
• Provides lift and structure

4. Orgran No Egg Natural Egg Replacer

• Potato starch, tapioca flour, and leavening agents
• 1 1/2 teaspoons + 2-3 tablespoons water replaces 1 egg
• Versatile in all baking recipes

Follow package instructions, adjusting water to get the right consistency. Shelf-stable egg replacer powders make egg-free baking convenient.

Egg Powder Substitutes for Different Recipes

Certain egg powder substitutes work better in some baked goods than others. Here are the best options for common recipes:

• Cakes - Fruit purees, vinegar + baking soda, yogurt, silken tofu, commercial egg replacers
• Cookies - Applesauce, commercial egg replacers, flaxseeds
• Muffins - Fruit purees, flaxseeds, chia seeds, yogurt, oil + baking powder
• Bread - Flaxseeds, chia seeds, oil + baking powder, fruit purees
• Pancakes - Fruit purees, flaxseeds, oil + baking powder, yogurt
• Brownies - Applesauce, mashed banana, silken tofu, commercial replacers

Experiment to see which egg substitutes you prefer in certain recipes. Combining two substitutes, like yogurt and applesauce, can also work well.

Tips for Baking with Egg Substitutes

• Reduce other liquids slightly to account for the added moisture of most egg substitutes.
• Allow for extra baking time, as items may take longer to set without eggs.
• Add a bit more leavening (baking powder/baking soda) to get a good rise if the substitute you use doesn't provide lift.
• You may get a different texture and appearance when using an egg replacer. Don't expect it to duplicate eggs exactly.
• Start by substituting eggs in small quantities in a recipe until you get accustomed to how the replacements work.
• Check your finished baked good a few minutes early, as egg substitutes can sometimes cause faster browning.

Egg Powder Substitutes Use Table

Here is a quick reference for how much of common egg powder substitutes equals one egg:

FAQ on Egg Powder Substitutes

What is the best egg powder substitute?

There is no one "best" egg powder substitute. The best option depends on the recipe and your dietary needs. Versatile choices like silken tofu, fruit purees, flax eggs, and commercial egg replacers work well in many baked goods.

What powder acts like egg whites?

For whipping egg whites, aquafaba (the liquid from canned chickpeas) is an excellent alternative. Whip 3 tablespoons aquafaba as you would egg whites. It mimics the foaming ability of eggs.

Do egg substitutes work the same as eggs?

No substitute duplicates eggs exactly. Eggs provide unique binding, leavening, moisture, structure, flavor, and color. Substitutes like flaxseeds or baking powder can imitate certain properties of eggs but not all. Expect some texture and appearance differences.

Can I use egg substitute powder to make omelets?

Unfortunately egg powder substitutes don't work for cooking eggs on their own. They need other ingredients to bind together. For omelets and scrambled "eggs," try using blended silken tofu or chickpea flour.

How long does homemade egg replacer last?

Most homemade egg powder substitutes made with pantry staples keep 1-2 weeks refrigerated. Flax eggs only hold 1-2 days. Discard sooner if you notice any off colors or smells.

The Takeaway on Egg Substitutes

With so many egg powder substitutes to choose from, you can successfully modify nearly any recipe to be egg-free. Store-bought egg replacers offer convenience, while homemade versions use ingredients you likely have on hand.

Understand the role eggs play in a recipe, then select an appropriate binder, leavener, and moisture source as needed. You may need to experiment with a few different egg substitutes to find your favorites for baking and cooking various recipes.

Key Takeaway: From flaxseeds to fruit purees to commercial egg replacer powders, you can substitute eggs in recipes with several handy ingredients. Pick an egg powder substitute that mimics the binding, leavening, and moisture properties eggs provide.