Removing eggs from your diet can be one of the most challenging parts of going vegan, especially if you love to bake or enjoy a pile of scrambled eggs for a quick meal. Fortunately, there are plenty of great vegan egg substitutes out there including chia or flax eggs, liquid eggs, and so much more. Whether you need something to make your favorite baked goods vegan or just want to scratch that scrambled egg itch, I'd love to help you find your new favorite swaps to get the same convenience or flavor without compromising on your values!
I'll admit - eggs are one of the few items that are animal products that I actually kind of miss. I loved the versatility of eggs.
I worked in breakfast for so many years and making an egg burrito, omelet or a scramble for breakfast was such an easy, high protein option that was easy to pack with veggies.
I also loved putting hard-boiled eggs on salads. It’s not really the eggs I miss so much as having the readily available convenient protein option.
Combine all of that with sky-high egg prices and shortages, and you start to understand why this topic is so important for everyone.
Fortunately, after 6+ years of being fully plant-based, I have lots of tips and tricks to help you pull off your next bake or enjoy a vegan version of your favorite egg dishes using simple swaps. Let's get into it!
Do vegans eat eggs?
I'm asked this question way more often than you'd think. Since chickens don't have to die to lay eggs...why don't vegans eat eggs?
Vegans don't eat any foods that come from animals or insects, including dairy, meat, eggs, or honey, for ethical, health, religious, and/or environmental reasons.
Why? Well, most eggs come from chickens that live inhumane, unhealthy lives in factory farms. They're bred and raised to do nothing but lay as many eggs as possible with little regard to their health or quality of life.
This isn't good for the chicken since this sort of intense egg production can leach vitamins from their bones, not even considering the injuries and diseases they can experience from living in cramped, crowded conditions.
Chickens are supposed to hunt and peck, experience sunshine and fresh air, and have room to roam around. Most chickens that lay eggs for production don't live a life anywhere close to this. It's truly inhumane.
Plus, we can't forget the environmental consequences of shoving thousands of chickens in giant pens.
Raising chickens for eggs require a lot of space, energy, and water while the plant-based alternatives below tend to be much more sustainable (and without the ethical issue of eating animal products).
Although you don't have to kill the chicken to eat eggs, the ethical and environmental reasons are too huge to ignore.
Best Vegan Egg Substitutes for Baking
This is one of the easiest ways to incorporate different vegan egg substitutes since you are using the egg as a binding agent, not for adding flavor.
Pro Tip: To find the best substitute, you'll want to make sure that you understand the role of the egg in the recipe. Replacing an egg with something like applesauce or mashed banana can change the flavor. Look for a swap that will work with the flavors in your recipe and the general type of recipe you're making (like pancakes, cookies, or cakes).
Flax & Chia Eggs
One of the best vegan egg replacements for baking are a chia or flax egg.
Flax seeds and chia seeds are naturally mucilaginous, which sounds gross, but is what makes them so wonderful. As they sit in water, they gel into this slimy substance that acts just like eggs in baking.
It's easily the most universal option and can work in a wide range of vegan recipes, like cookies, muffins, pancakes, quick breads, and more.
To make your own flax or chia egg: Soak 1 tbsp of whole flax seeds or chia seeds with 3 tbsp of water. Let the mixture set for 10 minutes until it gels. One batch replaces one whole egg.
Mashed Avocado
In baking, eggs also add moisture in addition to holding the batter together. There are some ingredients that offer this moisture while also serving as a binding agent.
Mashed avocado is one of my go-to options because it has a neutral flavor and is packed with hearty-healthy monounsaturated fats.
If you have a hard time eating avocados, using them in place of eggs can be a simple solution. This works best in vegan cakes or other recipes where moisture is key.
For each egg, use 4 tbsp (¼ cup) of mashed avocado.
Unsweetened Applesauce
Unsweetened applesauce is one of my favorite vegan egg substitutes since it adds moisture and a subtle sweetness.
People have also been using it as a replacement for vegetable oil in baking for years, making it easier to reduce the amount of overall fat and calories while still enjoying a soft, tender texture.
Use ¼ cup applesauce per egg you want to replace. It can help to add a little extra baking soda or baking powder to compensate for all the added moisture.
Mashed Banana
Mashed banana is essential in banana bread, and is also a great option for cakes, pancakes, muffins, and more.
But, it isn't the best swap for every recipe. Bananas have a strong, distinct flavor that can overpower other ingredients. It's best to use mashed banana when you know the flavor will add to the recipe instead of detract.
Use ¼ cup of mashed banana to replace each egg. Like the applesauce, you may need to compensate with an extra ½ tsp of baking powder or soda for a lighter texture.
Pumpkin Puree
Applesauce, mashed ripe bananas, and pumpkin puree are almost always interchangeable in recipes. I often keep a can of pumpkin puree on hand for this very reason, plus it's packed with fiber and tends to be pretty inexpensive.
Pumpkin is also mild and can easily become a background flavor instead of taking over, like banana. It's a great option in vegan brownie recipes, cakes, and more.
You'll need approximately ¼ cup of pumpkin puree to replace each egg. For lighter bakes, add an extra ½ tsp of baking powder or soda.
Aquafaba
Aquafaba is the starchy liquid from a can of chickpeas, and it acts very similar to egg whites in lots of recipes. You can even whip it to make vegan meringues!
Once whipped to stiff peaks, the aquafaba can add a nice, airy lightness in cakes and much more. Just fold them in like regular whipped egg whites.
P.S. I also like to use it as a binder for vegan meatballs, veggie burgers, fritters and patties!
As a rule of thumb, 2 tablespoons of aquafaba equals one egg white while 3 tbsp equals one whole egg.
Vegan Yogurt
Just like the mashed ingredients above, non-dairy yogurt makes a great alternative to eggs in many baked goods. The added richness and moisture makes for truly decadent bundt cakes, muffins, and quick breads.
However, vegan yogurt tends to be more expensive, so I usually opt for chia eggs or applesauce instead.
Use ¼ cup of vegan yogurt to replace each egg.
Best Vegan Egg Substitutes for Savory Dishes
Baking isn't the only time we use eggs. Many of us used to rely on eggs for breakfast and find ourselves feeling at a loss when we switch to a vegan diet. What do we eat for breakfast again??
Fortunately, you have some solid options to choose from that really add the look, feel, and/or taste of eggs depending on the specific recipe you're trying to replicate.
They work for more than just breakfast, too! You can use some of these ingredients to make the best vegan burgers, patties, fritters, and more.
Tofu
Tofu is easily one of the best egg substitutes for breakfast since it truly looks like scrambled eggs and soaks up so much flavor. I love to make a tofu scramble with lots of veggies to start my day off right! Plus, it's packed with protein, so it's not just filler food.
For breakfast scrambles, you can use firm tofu for hard scrambled eggs or silken tofu for soft scrambled eggs.
Liquid Egg Replacements
I've been so impressed by the store-bought vegan egg replacements on the market these days. Similar to vegan cheeses, the plant-based egg alternatives are getting more and more realistic.
For example, I've been using JUST Egg and have been surprised by how much it really looks and tastes like real eggs. And if you think it's full of a bunch of weird ingredients, it really isn't.
JUST Egg is made from mung beans, which have a similar nutritional composition to real eggs. It's a sustainable, easy-to-grow crop, that uses way less water than factory farming eggs.
It's great anytime you want scrambled eggs or a breakfast skillet that reminds you of eating real egg, and these days, you can find it in pretty much all major grocery stores.
Chickpea Flour
The nutty flavor of chickpea flour makes the best omelets! You just mix the flour with nutritional yeast and a little plant-based milk, and the flour will hold the mixture together similar to eggs. Super simple swap!
Aquafaba
This ingredient works in both sweet and savory recipes. In addition to meringues and cakes, the chickpea cooking liquid is also great for meatballs, fritters, burgers, and more.
Vegan Baking Recipes
There are so many ways to bake without eggs without sacrificing texture or flavor. If you're not confident about finding the right egg substitute just yet, it can help to start with a vegan recipe that will guide you through the process. As you get more comfortable, you'll understand when and where to use which replacement!
Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies with Spelt and Oats
These chewy, hearty cookies have a rich brown sugar flavor, pops of molten chocolate chips, and plenty of whole grains from the oats and spelt. All you need is a chia egg to bind them all together!
Tahini Chocolate Chip Cookies
The combination of nutty, slightly bitter tahini + sweet chocolate chips adds so much more flavor and the tahini stands in for any added oil or butter. This recipe uses a chia egg as a binder, too.
Vegan Peach Crumble Cake
Soft, caramelized peaches are the star of this simple cake. Applesauce adds sweetness and moisture to the cake batter, helping it hold together under the crunchy oat crumble topping. Perfect for a cozy late summer breakfast!
Vegan Tahini Coffee Cake
You'll notice tahini features prominently in many of my baking recipes. The flavor adds complexity and depth, keeping the recipes from being overly sweet or one-note. The warm spices, crumble topping, and ultra-moist cake are decadent with a mug of hot coffee or tea.
Savory Vegan Egg Recipes
I'm more about the savory recipes than the sweet ones and love helping vegans find new ways to get their "egg" fix. You truly do not have to compromise or miss out on anything anymore!
Tofu Florentine with Vegan Hollandaise
Eggs Florentine is a brunch classic with the wilted spinach and buttery hollandaise sauce, all nestled on a bed of toasted English muffins. This vegan version uses extra firm tofu for a vegan egg replacer and tahini and olive oil to make a lusciously creamy hollandaise sauce. I could eat the sauce with a spoon!
Vegan Huevos a la Mexicana
These Mexican-style eggs are cooked with fresh tomatoes, onion, and jalapenos for tons of fresh flavor. I use JUST Egg to get that perfect "egg" look and flavor, and you really can't tell they aren't the real deal!
Vegan Breakfast Hash with Tofu
Breakfast hash is the perfect antidote to breakfast scrambles. You get lots of veggies, like roasted potatoes, sweet potatoes, and chickpeas with tofu that soaks up all the spices and seasonings. It really scratches that breakfast itch for me and is a great way to start the day.
Lemon Pepper Tofu Breakfast Bowl
Combine roasted potatoes, crispy tofu, broccoli, avocado, and a lemon pepper sauce for a major flavor bomb loaded with veggies! I love serving this for breakfast, but it also works for any meal of the day.
Healthy Savory Breakfast Bowl
Instead of trying to replicate the experience of eating eggs, sometimes I like to use chickpeas instead. They add the protein and fiber, while the veggies add the bulk. Plus with the tater tots, you won't even miss 'em!
Tofu and Greens Scramble
This simple tofu scramble relies on crumbled extra firm tofu and lots of fresh veggies and greens. You still get that breakfast scramble texture and flavor, plus you'll make a dent in your daily veggie count, too.
Air Fryer Broccoli Cheese Balls
These crispy, crunchy, cheesy broccoli balls are one of my all-time favorite snacks. They're also a great lesson in vegan binders as you use a mixture of aquafaba and flaxseed meal to get just the right texture. So good!
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