The role of eggs in baking
There are ready-made egg substitutes or vegan eggs on the market today, but they are not always available. In most cases, such as vegan scrambled eggs or vegetable quiche, you can replace the eggs with tofu. For baking, aquafaba or flour are most often suitable. However, there are many other ways to substitute eggs. To choose the most suitable one for your dish, you need to know what role the eggs play in the selected recipe.
Eggs are used in cooking not so much for taste, but for the following effects:
1. Linking all the ingredients together. Because eggs harden when heated, they hold the ingredients together.
2. Baking powder. They help baked goods rise and be airy.
3. Moisture and calories. This effect is obtained due to the fact that the eggs are liquid and full of fat.
4. To give a golden color. Often pastries are smeared on top with an egg to get a golden crust.
For linking ingredients
Aquafaba. This bean liquid has taken the culinary world by storm! In the original, this is the liquid left after boiling legumes. But many also take the one that remains in a tin can from beans or peas. Use 30 ml of liquid instead of 1 egg.
Flax seeds. A mixture of 1 tbsp. l. crushed flaxseed with 3 tbsp. l. water instead of 1 egg. After mixing, leave for about 15 minutes in the refrigerator to swell.
Chia seeds. A mixture of 1 tbsp. l. chia seeds with 3 tbsp. l. water instead of 1 egg. After mixing, leave for 30 minutes to swell.
Banana puree. Simply mash 1 small banana into a puree. ¼ cup puree instead of 1 egg. Because the banana has a bright flavor, make sure it’s compatible with the other ingredients.
Applesauce. ¼ cup puree instead of 1 egg. Because applesauce can add flavor to a dish, make sure it’s compatible with other ingredients.
Potato or corn starch. A mixture of 1 tbsp. l. cornstarch and 2 tbsp. l. water instead of 1 egg. 1 st. l. potato starch instead of 1 egg. Use in pancakes or sauces.
Oat flakes. A mixture of 2 tbsp. l. cereal and 2 tbsp. l. water instead of 1 egg. Let the oatmeal swell for a few minutes.
Flaxseed flour. A mixture of 1 tbsp. l. flax flour and 3 tbsp. l. hot water instead of 1 egg. Please note that you should not just add flour to the dough. Must be mixed with water.
Semolina. Suitable for casseroles and vegetarian cutlets. 3 art. l. instead of 1 egg.
Chickpea or wheat flour. A mixture of 3 tbsp. l. chickpea flour and 3 tbsp. l of water instead of 1 egg. 3 art. l. wheat flour instead of 1 egg is added immediately to the dough.
Like baking powder
Soda and vinegar. A mixture of 1 tsp. soda and 1 tbsp. l. vinegar instead of 1 egg. Add to batter immediately.
Loosen, oil and water. 2 tsp add baking powder to flour, and 2 tsp. water and 1 tbsp. l. vegetable oil add to the liquid ingredients of the dough.
Cola Not the most useful way, but if you don’t have anything at all, and you need an egg replacement, then use 1 can of cola instead of 2 eggs.
For moisture and calories
Tofu. 1/4 cup soft tofu puree instead of 1 egg. Use for anything that needs a soft texture, such as custards and cakes.
Fruit puree. It not only perfectly binds the ingredients, but also adds moisture. Use any puree: banana, apple, peach, pumpkin puree ¼ cup instead of 1 egg. Since the puree has a strong taste, make sure it is compatible with other ingredients. Applesauce has the most neutral taste.
Vegetable oil. ¼ cup vegetable oil instead of 1 egg. Adds moisture to muffins and pastries.
Peanut butter. 3 art. l. peanut butter instead of 1 egg. Use to give baked goods softness and calorie content.
Non-dairy yogurt. Use coconut or soy yogurt. 1/4 cup yogurt instead of 1 egg.
For a golden crust
Warm water. Just brush the pastry with water instead of an egg. You can add sugar to it if you want a sweet crust, or turmeric if you want it to have a yellow color.
Milk. Use in the same way as you would water with tea. Lubricate the pastry with milk. You can add sugar or turmeric for sweetness and color.
Sour cream. Lubricate the dough with a thin layer of sour cream for a glossy and soft crust.
Black tea. Just brush pastries with black tea instead of an egg for a crispy crust. You can add sugar to it if you want a sweet crust, or turmeric if you want it to have a yellow color. Please note that tea must be strongly brewed.