Since the price of eggs has skyrocketed, are you looking for alternatives to use in cooking? Until I went whole food plant based, I didn’t think too much about this, but with eggs becoming not only more expensive than most of us can imagine, availablity is also a concern. Bird flu has decimated crops of all kinds of birds and has not even been found in dairy cows. So lets talk about how you can still enjoy baking and possible breakfast alternatives to the simple egg.
Eggs have long been a mainstay in kitchens around the world, prized for their versatility in adding texture, flavor and nutritional value to an array of dishes. As awareness about animal welfare, sustainability and personal health grows, many are turning to innovative egg replacement alternatives in cooking and baking, such as aquafaba from canned chickpeas; flaxseed meal; applesauce and silken tofu among many more plant-based options available as alternatives to eggs.
Eggs serve many functions when it comes to baking, including providing moisture, enhancing flavor, and contributing to structural integrity of final products. There are a few effective alternatives that can mimic these functions while producing similar textures and tastes in baking. One of the most widely used substitutes is unsweetened applesauce. A quarter cup can usually replace one egg when making cakes and muffins. Applesauce adds natural sugars and moisture content that add a delightfully sweet and tender texture to baked goods, making it the ideal ingredient for delicious desserts.
Mashed bananas provide another tasty source of sweetness while providing much-needed moisture content in recipes. Substituting half a medium banana for one egg not only retains the moistness of cakes, but also imparts them with an original flavor profile. This is one of my favorite egg substitues to use to make cookies and bars. The end product is mildly sweet, and much healthier than using another form of sweetener, and they hold together well.
For those seeking a milder taste, mixing ground flaxseed or chia seeds with water creates a gel-like consistency which acts as a binding agent and binding agent. Simply mix one tablespoon of ground flaxseed or chia seeds with three tablespoons of water, allow it to sit until thickened, and use this natural substitute in place of eggs in your recipe. Not only will you achieve eggless baking with these natural alternatives, but you will also gain nutritional advantages like omega-3 fatty acids!
As one ventures into savory cooking, several egg substitutes exist that can successfully recreate quiches and fritatas custard-like qualities. Silken tofu, when blended until creamy, makes an excellent base for quiches and tarts. With its subtle flavors, silken tofu allows dishes with multiple spices or ingredients to take shape more naturally; rather than competing against them.
Chickpea flour (besan) can also be used to produce delicious omelets or pancakes; simply mix with water and create a thick batter for perfect omelets or pancakes! For optimal results, add baking powder as an optional extra for fluffy texture! For those attempting to create classic pancake or waffle batter without eggs, combining dairy-free milk with vinegar or lemon juice can serve as an effective replacement. When combined with flour, sweeteners, and baking powder this combination replicates the leavening qualities of eggs perfectly.
When it comes to something to eat instead of scrambled eggs, mashed firm or extra firm tofu, mixed with spices and a little turmeric and black salt is a tasty alternative. More recently I have discovered moong dal, a small yellow lentil that when soaked and then blended with water or plant milk and spices makes a great alternative for an omelte or inside a tortilla. Check out my recipe for quesadilla to see what I mean.
Cooking without eggs is more than just an economic necessity – it is an exciting culinary adventure that embraces creativity, inclusivity, and sustainability. By arming ourselves with knowledge and inspiration we can safely navigate an eggless kitchen in search of flavorful, nutritious dishes to share. Let’s celebrate its diverse tapestry of cooking by exploring all that eggless cuisine offers us!