The Healthiest Egg Substitutions for Holiday Baking

Oh, the magic of holiday foods! From dishes like cream cakes and pastry rolls to hearty meals, stews, and creams, this and that, your oven has never been so entertaining or your belly has been so filled with tasty foods. You might be baking a good bit more this time of year than usual as well. Whether that’s a cake, pie, cupcakes, or anything else, more than likely, your recipe calls for eggs. Though there are many eggless recipes out there (which is helpful for those allergic or plant-based eaters), not all egg substitutes come with health benefits. And while baking doesn’t have to be a time to focus on health, why not use some perfectly efficient and healthy egg substitutes instead of eggs or other more processed egg substitute products?

What’s the Point of Replacing Eggs?

Eggs are inherently rich in cholesterol and animal-based saturated fat, and they’re even a bit scary! One egg has more cholesterol than a typical cheeseburger, and its fats aren’t necessary for our diet when we have options like coconut, avocado, and healthful nuts and seeds (all naturally cholesterol-free).

So when approaching your holiday baking conquest, use some of these easy, fast, and healthy substitutions for eggs instead of a processed product or an egg itself. You’ll be amazed at how easily they work and how you’ll never miss the egg that used to be in your recipes!

1. Charge it Up With Chia!

Source: Date Square Cookies

Okay, okay, chia is SO 2010, but forget that! The little tiny, tasteless seed is still worthy of some serious egg-replacing power. And let’s not forget they’re the easiest, sneakiest way to get in those healthy fats at the same time. Talk about double duty! Chia seeds can be ground and mixed with water, and you’ll never know they’re there except when your baked goods come out perfectly! To help your items rise, just be sure not to leave out the baking powder your recipe calls for. You can also use whole chia seeds instead of ground chia seeds for a bit more texture. This is a good idea for items like muffins (especially lemon poppy or nut-based options) where you might want a little extra something, something!

Use 1 tablespoon chia (ground or whole) plus 3 tablespoons room temp water to replace one egg.

Try using chia seeds in Vegan Protein Pancakes, Homemade Energy Bars, Vegan and Gluten-Free Date Square Cookies, and Grain-Free Vegan Stuffing.

Nutritional Benefit: Per tablespoon, chia provides 5 grams of heart-healthy fats, no cholesterol or saturated fat, 4 grams of fiber, 50 calories, and 3 grams of protein!

2. Fix it in a Flash With Flax!

Source: Raw Double Chocolate Mint Bars

Flax seeds can be used just like chia seeds and have more omega-3 fatty acids than most forms of fish. They’re also packed with fiber, essential protein, B vitamins, and magnesium, and they have a wonderfully nutty flavor. Use flax, ground or whole, in any recipe you need an egg and a flavorful boost. Flax works fantastic in pie crusts, puddings, cupcakes, muffins, cakes, pies, and donuts.

Use 1 tablespoon flax (ground or whole) with 3 tablespoons of room temperature water to replace one egg.

Try it in Raw Double Chocolate Mint Bars, Cinnamon Streusel Muffins, or a Gluten-Free, Sugar-Free Mini Pumpkin No Bake Pie!

Nutritional Benefits: Per tablespoon, flax is similar to chia seeds. It contains 4 grams of heart-healthy fats, 4 grams of fiber, 4 grams of protein, and no cholesterol or saturated fats.

3. Add Some Avocado

Source: Chocolate Cupcakes With Avocado Mint Icing

Avocados make pretty surprising nice egg imposters. They’re amazing at holding baked goods together and also adding moisture and flavor due to their healthy fats. Though green and vibrant in color, you’ll never taste the avocado flesh, just get that fatty mouthfeel you’re looking for from eggs (or even butter). Avocados work perfectly in cupcakes, brownies, and even cookies.

Use 1/4 avocado (regular Haas avocado) for each egg called for.

Try it in: Chocolate Cupcakes with Mint Avocado Frosting or Raw Chocolate Avocado Mousse.

Nutritional Benefits: Avocados provide a large amount of folate (an essential B vitamin), Vitamin E, magnesium, potassium, fiber, and even a little protein. They’re not called nature’s perfect food for just any reason, as you can see!

4. Fruit is a Fortune

Source: Carrot Gingerbread Muffins

Fruits like bananas, pumpkin, squash (yes, technically a fruit), applesauce, and even puréed prunes work beautifully to replace eggs. They add the binding texture you’re looking for while also adding sweetness, flavor, and vitamins. These fruits mentioned here work well in baked goods, and even baby food prunes, veggies like carrots and sweet potatoes, and butternut squash can all be used in a pinch when you don’t have time (or just don’t want to) use the adult version! Just be careful with fruits like berries, peaches, pineapples, etc. They don’t have the same binding power that other fruits do. Though they can still be used in recipes, it’s best not to rely on those alone to replace an egg.

Use 1/4 cup fruit purée of choice per egg called for.

Try it in Carrot Gingerbread Molasses Muffins, Healthy Banana Bread, Chocolate Pecan Pumpkin Bread, Pumpkin Breakfast Loaf with Chocolate Drizzle, or Vegan, Almond, and Prune Finger Cake.

Nutritional Benefits: Fruits are fat-free, cholesterol-free, provide Vitamin C, potassium, and fiber, and many contain phytonutrients and anticancer properties.

5. Psyllium Husk Powder

Source: Gluten-Free Cupcakes With Chocolate Buttercream Icing

Have you heard of this amazing fiber? Though commonly used as a fiber aid, it’s such a smart baking agent! It’s tasteless and nearly calorie-free (it’s also gluten-free too), and works the same way that chia and flax do. As soon as this magical powder hits the water, bam! It starts gelling up and serves as a natural binder and thickener in recipes. A little bit of psyllium goes a long way though; it’s rich in soluble fiber, so you only need a little before it will start gelling up quite nicely.

Use 1 teaspoon of husk powder (not the whole husks)  with 3 teaspoons of water to replace one egg.

Try it in Gluten-Free Chocolate Cupcakes as a tasty way to give this product a go!

Nutritional Benefits: Psyllium is a plant-based powder that’s gluten-free, corn-free, and completely grain-free. It’s a seed whose fibers are used to reduce cholesterol, improve regularity and heart health, and is commonly used by low-carb dieters since it’s starch-free and low glycemic. You can also use it in shakes, smoothies, or even common dishes of your choosing.

As you can see, you needn’t buy powdery egg replacement products when you can just use whole foods. Also remember that it’s better for your heart, arteries, and overall body to use these plant-based options when you can. Experiment with any of these awesome egg substitutions in muffins, cakes, donuts, cookies, cupcakes, and pies, oh my! What a tasty holiday season it’s going to be!

Related Content:

• 10 Sweet and Seasonal Eggless Dairy-Free Breads to Enjoy During the Holiday Season
• Top 7 Dairy-Free Heavy Cream Substitutes
• Best Vegan Butter Substitutes
• How to Make Dessert Healthier by Substituting Fats With Fruits and Veggies

Easy Ways to Help the Planet:

• Eat Less Meat: Download Food Monster, the largest plant-based Recipe app on the App Store, to help reduce your environmental footprint, save animals and get healthy. You can also buy a hard or soft copy of our favorite vegan cookbooks.
• Reduce Your Fast Fashion Footprint: Take the initiative by standing up against fast fashion Pollution and supporting sustainable and circular brands like Tiny Rescue that raise awareness around important issues through recycled zero-waste clothing designed to be returned and remade over and over again.
• Support Independent Media: Being publicly funded gives us a greater chance to continue providing you with high-quality content. Please consider supporting us by donating!
• Sign a Petition: Your voice matters! Help turn petitions into victories by signing the latest list of must-sign petitions to help people, animals, and the planet.
• Stay Informed: Keep up with the latest news and important stories involving animals, the environment, sustainable living, food, health, and human interest topics by subscribing to our newsletter!
• Do What You Can: Reduce waste, plant trees, eat local, travel responsibly, reuse stuff, say no to single-use plastics, recycle, vote wise, switch to cold water laundry, divest from fossil fuels, save water, shop wisely, Donate if you can, grow your food, volunteer, conserve energy, compost, and don’t forget about the microplastics and microbeads lurking in common household and personal care products!