In a pickle: What to do if you’re out of eggs

Apr 11, 2012 7:00 AM by Katherine Martinelli

Posted in Food & Recipes / Kitchen & Cooking Tips

Once you’ve freaked out about what you don’t have, take a deep breath and take stock of what you do have. Eggs are a crucial component of baked goods because they provide moisture and volume, but fortunately you can simulate that with a number of other ingredients that you might just have around.

After successfully using these food substitutions, you may employ them for more than emergency back-up in the future. They are all vegan alternatives and, with the exception of the vegetable oil, are more heart-healthy than eggs. Using banana, applesauce and other pureed fruit in baked goods is a wonderful tactic to boost flavor and make them incredibly moist. Talk about a happy accident!

Applesauce

Use 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce in place of one egg in most baking recipes. Some sources say to mix it with 1/2 teaspoon baking powder. If all you have is sweetened applesauce, then simply reduce the amount of sugar in the recipe. Applesauce is also a popular healthy replacement for oil in many baked goods.

Banana

Use 1/4 cup mashed banana (from about half a banana) instead of one egg when baking. Note that this may impart a mild banana flavor to whatever you are cooking, which could be a good thing!

Flax seeds

Believe it or not, hearty-healthy flax seeds can be used as an egg substitute! Simply mix one tablespoon of ground flax seeds with 3 tablespoons water until fully absorbed and viscous. Use in place of one egg. (You can use pre-ground flax seeds or grind them yourself in a spice or coffee grinder.)

Vegetable oil

Typically 1/4 cup vegetable oil can be substituted for one egg when baking. If you are short more than one egg, you will want to try another method as any more vegetable oil may make the recipe too oily or greasy.

Water, oil and baking powder

Whisk together two tablespoons water, one teaspoon oil (like corn or vegetable oil) and two teaspoons baking powder. Use this in place of one egg. When used in cookies and other baked goods, it works so well no one would ever know!

More kitchen tips

Help for holiday food emergencies
How to freeze anything
How to store leftovers properly

Tags: baking cooking tips in a pickle kitchen tips substitute foods

Comments

Comments on "In a pickle: What to do if you’re out of eggs"

Tried "Water, oil and baking powder" to substitute one egg for my chocolate chip cookies. Did not turn out wel at all.

Thanks so much for all the enthusiasm leaids! I KNOW you are going to LOVE these! To answer some questions: yes, UNSALTED Fleischmans' Margarine is dairy free, as well as Earth Balance buttery sticks. Depending the size of your cookie scooper this recipe will yield about 30 pies, give or take a few. The cookies will stay fresh for several days, individually wrapped in a little saran wrap, and doesn't require refrigeration. And finally, don't get too caught up on the sugar content since it is a once in a while treat. I've never called myself the fat free mama .LOL.