EGG REPLACER 101:
For those who want to adopt a vegan lifestyle or need egg substitutes here is your official guide:
Replacing eggs is the most challenging aspects of vegan baking. They bind, they leaven and they give structure to our baked goods. However, they can be replaced, and with pleasing results. Here is some info on replacements I have tried.
Flax Seeds
How to use it:
1 Tablespoon flax seeds plus 3 Tablespoons water replaces one egg. Finely grind 1 tablespoon whole flaxseeds in a blender or coffee grinder, or use 2 1/2 tablespoons pre-ground flaxseeds. Transfer to a bowl and beat in 3 tablespoons of water using a whisk or fork. It will become very gooey and gelatinous, much like an egg white.
When it works best:
Flax seeds have a distinct earthy granola taste. It tastes best and works very well in things like pancakes, and whole grain items, such as bran muffins and corn muffins. It is perfect for oatmeal cookies, and the texture works for cookies in general, although the taste may be too pronounced for some. Chocolate cake-y recipes have mixed results, I would recommend only using one portion flax-egg in those, because the taste can be overpowering.
Tips:
Always store ground flaxseeds in the freezer because they are highly perishable.
Silken Tofu
How to use it:
1/4 cup blended silken tofu = 1 egg. Whiz in a blender until completely smooth and creamy, leaving no graininess or chunks. You will want to add other wet ingredients to this mixture to get it to blend properly. I recommend extra firm silken tofu.
When it works best:
Dense cakes and brownies, and in smaller quantities for lighter cakes and fluffy things (if the recipe calls for 3 eggs only use 2 “tofu” eggs”). Whizzed tofu leaves virtually no taste, so it is an excellent replacer in cake recipes. In cookie recipes, it may make the cookie more cake-y and fluffy than anticipated, add 1 teaspoon of starch to the recipe (such as arrowroot or corn starch) to combat that. It may make pancakes a little heavy, so it is not recommended as a quick replacement for eggs in pancakes, although it could work well with a little experimentation.
Ener-G Egg Replacer
How to use it:
1 1/2 tablespoons + 2 tablespoons water mixed well = 1 egg
When it works best:
It seems to work best in cookies, or things that are supposed to be a little crispy.
Bananas
How to use it:
1/2 banana blended until smooth or mashed well= 1 egg.
Bananas work wonders as an egg replacer in baking, which is the reason many banana bread recipes don’t require eggs. They hold the air bubbles well, make things nice and moist, and impart a nice flavor. However, you don’t want everything tasting like banana, so use in things where the taste won’t be intrusive. I’ve also noticed that baked goods using banana brown very nicely.
When it works best:
Quick breads, muffins, cakes, pancakes
Tip: Make sure bananas are nice and ripe and have started to brown.
Soy yogurt
How to use it:
1/4 cup soy yogurt = 1 egg.
Soy yogurt works a lot like whizzed tofu as an egg replacer.
When it works best:
Quick breads, muffins, cakes
Also on the market are products like VeganEgg and Neat Eggs. I personally don’t have experience with these products but they are an option for those seeking an alternative.
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