Vegan egg replacers: egg replacement in baking

Vegan Zucchini Bread, recipe and photo from HappyHerbivore.com

Replacing eggs is often the trickiest part to vegan baking. Thankfully there are a number of ways to replace eggs and have vegan baking success.

Silken Tofu
One-fourth cup (approximately two ounces) of silken tofu or soy yogurt may be used to replace one egg in recipes. Blend tofu with the liquids called for the recipe until smooth and creamy. You can also add one tablespoon of flour to the tofu mixture if you need an egg replacer that binds.

Since tofu is virtually flavorless, it works in most recipes, however, since it is a bit heavy, tofu is not recommended for recipes calling for multiple eggs.

Bananas
One-half of a mashed banana may be used to replace one egg. Bananas are a great egg replacer because they are readily available and easy to work with. Bananas also keep baked goods moist, so they are particularly useful as an egg replacer in fat-free vegan baking. The downside to using a banana, however, is the distinctive banana flavor which is not always complementary and can sometimes be too overpowering. When selecting a banana for egg replacement, remember that the more ripe a banana is, the easier it is to mash. However, also be mindful the banana flavor and overall sweetness enhances with age. Thus, if you use a very ripe banana, your baked goods will likely have a slight banana flavor and you may also want to scale back on the sugar or other sweetener called for in the recipe. If using a slightly green banana that will not mash easily, blend it with the liquids called for the recipe until smooth and creamy.

Bananas work particularly well with oatmeal cookies and fat-free cookies as they provide a firmer texture. Bananas also work great in breads, muffins and pancakes, though baking powder or baking soda must be included if you want the baked goods to rise.

Applesauce
One-fourth cup of smooth, unsweetened applesauce may be used to replace one egg. Like bananas, applesauce is a great egg replacer because it is readily available. Applesauce is also quite universal because it leaves virtually no taste. Applesauce is not recommended, however, as an egg replacer in fat-free baking where oil and butter has also been replaced with applesauce. Additionally, baking powder or baking soda must be included if you want the baked goods to rise.

Flax Seeds
Two and one-half tablespoons of ground flaxseed combined with three tablespoons of water replaces one egg. Whisk the flaxseeds and water together until the mixture becomes gooey and add it to the recipe as you would a whole egg. Flaxseeds give baked goods a chewy texture and slight firmness, making them great for cookies, bars, gluten-free recipes and anything with oats. However, flaxseeds have a bit of a nutty and earthy taste to them which is not always complementary flavor in vanilla recipes.

Ener-g-Egg Replacer
Ener-G is a commercial egg replacer product that works with most recipes. Ener-G Egg Replacer is great for beginners but also works well in tricky recipes such as meringues or recipes where multiple eggs need to be replaced. On the downside, Ener-G Egg replacer can be difficult to find and it has a bit of a chalky taste to it.

Starch or Flour
Two tablespoons of cornstarch, arrowroot, potato starch or whole wheat flour may be used to replace one egg in a recipe. These replacers work best in entree recipes that are particularly egg heavy like bread puddings, quiches and casseroles because they act as a binding agent.

Combinations
Goodbaker.com recommends to replace two eggs, sift one tablespoon of tapioca or cornstarch, one tablespoon potato starch, one-fourth teaspoon baking powder, one-eighth teaspoon xanthan gum (optional) together and whisk it with a scant one-half cup of water and two teaspoons of oil until thoroughly combined and somewhat frothy.

Replacing Egg Whites
One tablespoon of agar powder dissolved into one table spoon of water, then whipped, chilled and whipped again, replaces one egg white in a recipe.

Get it Local: Bananas can be found just about anywhere in Manhattan, from produce vendors on the sidewalk to 711 and supermarkets. Applesauce can be found in most convenience stores and supermarkets. Tofu can be found at most supermarkets and all health food stores. Ener-g-egg replacer is located in the baking section of Whole Foods Market but can be found at well stocked health stores and be purchased online. Whole Foods Market sells whole flax seeds. Trader Joe's sells preground flax seeds. Flax seed meal may be sold at your local Whole Foods Market. Check the shelf and bulk section. Agar powder is found in the Asian section of Whole Foods Market and can be found in well stocked health food stores. Cornstarch is avaliable at most supermarkets. Arrowroot is sold at Whole Foods Market and in some well stocked health foods stores. 

For more vegan baking tips and recipes: visit happyherbivore.com