Are you looking for easy egg substitutes to bind ingredients, but don’t know what to use? Look no further.
Here we will discuss the best vegan and eggless alternatives that can be used in place of eggs.
You’ll soon be making delicious recipes without compromising taste or texture.
What Does Binding an Egg Do?
You may have heard of binding an egg, but not know what it is or how to use it.
Binding an egg simply means cooking the white and the yolk together over low heat, so that they revolve around each other.
The result is a smooth yet dense texture that can be enjoyed in a number of ways.
For starters, you can enjoy them as a topping for ramen soup or udon noodles; there’s also binding onigiri rice cakes or adding onto steam-style buns and hotpot dishes.
Switch things up by adding parsley and salt for a savory taste and perhaps some cream cheese for something more creamy.
To bind your own eggs, scramble them in a non-stick pan until slightly thickened over low heat – this will help keep your eggs light and fluffy.
Make sure to stir often to keep your mixture from sticking to the pan.
Enjoy with your favorite sauces and spices, or even just as they are – binding eggs have the perfect taste without needing too much accompaniment.
The 5 Best Egg Substitutes for Binding (Eggless and Vegan)
Binding an egg can be an essential part of many recipes, including baked goods or quiches.
Eggs act as a binder to help hold ingredients together and also provide moisture, volume, and structure to food.
When it comes to finding egg substitutes for binding in eggless and vegan recipes, there are several options available that can provide similar characteristics. Here’s a detailed comparison of the 5 best substitutes, along with their key characteristics and proper ratios:
Substitute | Key Characteristics | Proper Ratio |
---|---|---|
Applesauce | Adds moisture and helps bind ingredients together | 1 egg = 1/4 cup applesauce |
Ground Flaxseed Meal | Provides binding properties and adds a nutty flavor | 1 egg = 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed + 3 tablespoons water |
Mashed Banana | Adds moisture and acts as a natural binder | 1 egg = 1/2 mashed banana |
Silken Tofu | Creates a creamy texture and provides binding properties | 1 egg = 1/4 cup pureed silken tofu |
Aquafaba | The liquid from cooked chickpeas, known for its binding capabilities and ability to mimic egg whites | 1 egg = 3 tablespoons aquafaba |
Now let’s explore each substitute in more detail:
1 – Applesauce
Applesauce is one of the most common replacements for eggs.
It’s an ingredient that can be found in many vegan recipes, and isn’t hard to substitute in place of eggs.
When replacing eggs with applesauce, you’re essentially swapping moisture content, texture, and binding power.
Applesauce can either be made at home or store-bought – some brands contain sugar so make sure to read the label before purchasing.
As a general rule of thumb, use ¼ cup applesauce for every egg required in the recipe.
The applesauce will bind everything together perfectly.
Additionally, it won’t overpower any other flavors that you don’t want to taste stronger, like lemon or cocoa powder––so you can rest assured your gluten-free baking is still delicious.
2 – Ground Flaxseed Meal
Ground flaxseed meal is one of the best egg substitutes for binding because it has a mild flavor and its viscosity is similar to that of eggs.
It’s also a good source of fiber, making it an ideal substitute for those looking to reduce their intake of saturated fat and cholesterol.
Flaxseed meal can be used in any recipe that calls for eggs, but it works best in baked goods such as muffins and cakes.
To use it as an egg substitute, simply mix 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed meal with 3 tablespoons of water.
Let this mixture sit for 5-10 minutes before adding it to your recipe.
Additionally, you can replace each egg in a recipe with 2 tablespoons of the prepared mixture to get the same binding effects as you would from using an egg.
3 – Mashed Banana
Mashed banana is one of the most popular egg substitutes because it’s easy to use and it has a neutral flavor.
It’s also a great binder for vegan cakes and cookies.
To substitute one egg in a recipe, use one mashed banana, making sure you mash it until it’s smooth.
When using mashed banana as an egg substitute, make sure to adjust the other ingredients in the recipe to balance out the flavor and structure of your recipes, as the additional moisture from mashed banana can affect the final result.
Keep in mind that this substitute works best for baked goods such as cakes, quick breads, and brownies.
4 – Silken Tofu
Silken tofu, also known as soft or Japanese-style tofu, is another great egg substitute within eggless baking.
It’s made from soybeans and water, then strained before it’s sold in blocks.
This type of tofu has a creamy consistency that helps it bind whatever its used in.
For those following vegan diets, silken tofu is ideal for eggless baking since it has no cholesterol and is low in calories and fat.
Foods like cookies and muffins can benefit from the use of this ingredient, although it may not provide the same structure that an egg would have given.
Use 1/4 cup of silken tofu to replace one large egg in whatever dish you’re making — be sure to add extra liquid like applesauce if needed.
5 – Aquafaba
Aquafaba, the liquid the chickpeas are cooked in, has been a hot topic in the plant-based culinary world for a few years now.
This vegan egg substitute is not only low in calorie but is extremely effective at binding ingredients together and adding structure to dishes.
It can also be whipped into sturdy meringues and marshmallow fluff, or used as substitute in custards and other delicious treats.
Aquafaba can replace an egg for binding at the ratio of 2 Tbsp (30 ml) aquafaba for each egg.
Be sure to let your mixture sit for a few minutes so the aquafaba can work its binding magic.
The 5 BEST Egg Substitutes for Binding (Eggless and Vegan)
Ingredients
- 1 – Applesauce
- 2 – Ground Flaxseed Meal
- 3 – Mashed Banana
- 4 – Silken Tofu
- 5 – Aquafaba
Instructions
- Choose your preferred substitute from the list of options.
- Organize all of your ingredients.
- Use the proper substitute to cook your recipes.