Baking without eggs – whether on a temporary basis while egg prices rise (and are in short supply) or for the long term – can be a challenge. Eggs are in so many baking recipes that it's easy to get overwhelmed if you try to do without them.
But do not despair! We have lots of recipes and tips to help you bake without eggs. Read.
Substitute eggs in your favorite recipes
There are many egg substitutes available out there. But first, it is necessary to admit that nothing can exactly repeat the function of eggs in baking. Because eggs do a lot. Their specific role varies depending on what you're making, but in general, eggs provide structure, emulsify, bind, and leaven. They are essential for texture as well as appearance and flavor. So while many alternative ingredients can mimic these properties, nothing will be able to fully capture all of the amazing work that eggs do in baking. But this does not mean that the following replacements do not approach.
Rossi Anastopoulos
Our favorite egg substitute: Aquafaba
in tested a bunch of different egg substitutes, and this was our favorite of all. If you are not familiar, aquafaba it's the viscous liquid that remains when you drain a can of chickpeas. It can magically be whipped into stiff peaks like egg whites, and it can also be mixed directly into batters and doughs like a whole egg. We recommend using aquafaba from canned chickpeas, rather than chickpeas you make from scratch, as the homemade version of aquafaba can be much less reliable.
You can mix liquid aquafaba into a recipe that calls for a whole egg or a liquid egg white. When it comes to substitution in recipes, 2 tablespoons (28 g) of aquafaba is equal to about 1 egg white; 1/4 cup (57 g) of aquafaba is equal to about 1 whole egg.
When whipped to stiff peaks, aquafaba is good to make buckram OR Swiss butter. However, it is very delicate for baked goods that rely on beaten eggs or egg whites for texture: cakes such as angel food cakes or chiffon cakes, or cookies including macarons – we do not recommend using them in these types recipes.
For more information about aquafaba and how to use it, see this blog post: A guide to aquafaba.
Rossi Anastopoulos
Other egg substitutes that work
In our trials, we tested many other egg substitutes, from mashed banana, pumpkin puree and applesauce to “eggs” made with flax and chia seeds. We tried using mashed tofu, Greek yogurt, and commercial egg substitutes. We also experimented with starches like cornstarch and arrowroot, as well as seltzer. Fortunately, everything will work out in a pinch. For exact instructions on how to substitute, when such substitutions will and won't work, and the pros and cons of each, see our previous post: No eggs? Here is your replacement guide.
Based on the success of previous testing, here are some substitutions you can try for egg-free versions of classic recipes:
Food photography and styling by Liz Neily
Eggless gluten free baking
Avoiding eggs in gluten-free baking can often be a challenge, as eggs usually play a large role in building texture in gluten-free recipes. In general, we recommend baking gluten-free recipes that don't include eggs first, rather than trying to replace them. Examples include:
That said, we have had some success using a flax egg substitute in some gluten-free recipes. In particular, ours Gluten Free Sandwich Bread Recipe includes this tip at the bottom of the page to make this eggless recipe with one flax egg: To replace the 3 eggs called for, use 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons (1 1/2 ounces) flax meal (as finely ground the better), mixed with 1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon water. Let the mixture sit for 10 minutes to thicken before whisking it into the butter in the bowl.
Food photography and styling by Liz Neily
Choose recipes without eggs
Of course, the easiest way to bake without eggs: Use recipes that do not require.
One of the main egg-free baking categories is bread. Except for enriched bread like croissants, most bread recipes don't call for eggs. (And if you have your heart set on croissants, we've got one Delicious Vegan Brioche Recipewho uses aquafaba instead of eggs.) Even cinnamon rolls can be made without eggs, as in our case. Super Soft Vegan Cinnamon Rolls.
Bread-adjacent recipes like cookies and brownies fall into this category too: classic styles such as Buttermilk Biscuits, Easy Drop CookiesAND Cream for tea all skip the eggs.
Of course, we cannot live by bread alone. pie is another good egg-free category, since most fruit pie recipes don't call for eggs. However, they usually need an egg wash. But we've got you covered. Our test kitchen has done a lot of testing and determined their favorite egg-free wash: I am milk. (For extra oomph, add a splash of maple syrup to the milk before brushing the pie.) And if you want an eggless custard or custard pie — styles that typically rely on eggs in their filling — try Vegan Pecan Pie, No-Bake Vegan Chocolate PieAND Vegan Pumpkin Pie.
Food photography and styling by Liz Neily
As you move into other baking styles, finding egg-free recipes can become tricky. Here are some egg-free versions of common recipes to get you started:
If you're vegan (or cook for someone who is!) check out ours vegan dessert collectionwhich not only skip eggs but also dairy.
Cover photo by Rick Holbrook; food styling by Kaitlin Wayne.
