Egg substitutes facts for kids
Egg substitutes are special food products that can be used instead of regular eggs when you are cooking or baking. People might choose to use them for several reasons. Maybe they have an egg allergy, which means eggs make them sick. Or perhaps they follow a vegan diet, which means they don't eat any animal products, including eggs. Some vegetarians also avoid eggs. Other people might be worried about how farm animals are treated or how egg farming affects the environment. While there are some labels to help, they can sometimes be confusing, so many people prefer to use egg substitutes.
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What Are Egg Substitutes?
Egg substitutes are products designed to replace eggs in recipes. They help your food stick together, rise, or add moisture, just like real eggs would. Many of these products are made without any animal ingredients, so they are great for vegans and usually don't contain cholesterol.
Store-Bought Options
There are many different egg substitutes you can buy in stores today. Here are a few examples:
- The EVERY Company makes egg whites using a special process called fermentation. This means they use tiny living things to create egg whites that are just like the real thing.
- JUST, Inc. creates egg-free products like cookie dough and a mayonnaise substitute. These are often made from pea protein, which comes from yellow peas.
- Egg Replacer is a mix of different powders. It contains potato starch, tapioca flour, and ingredients that help food rise, like leavening.
- The Vegg is a liquid that replaces egg yolks. It's good for recipes where you only need the yolk. It's made from things like nutritional yeast and a special salt called kala namak. The Vegg has been around since 2012 and is sold in many countries.
- FUMI Ingredients makes egg white substitutes from tiny water plants called micro-algae. They use helpful micro-organisms, like brewer's yeast, to do this.
It's important to know that a product called Egg Beaters is mostly made of egg whites. So, while it's a substitute for whole eggs, it still comes from eggs.
Making Your Own Egg Substitutes
You can also make simple egg substitutes at home using common kitchen ingredients. What you use depends on what the egg is supposed to do in your recipe. Some popular homemade options include tofu, fruit purees, ground seeds, and plant milk.
Aquafaba (Chickpea Water)
Aquafaba is the liquid you get after cooking chickpeas, or the water from a can of chickpeas. People discovered it could replace egg whites. It can be whipped up to create fluffy textures, just like egg whites. This makes it perfect for dishes like macarons or lemon meringue pie without using any eggs!
Tofu
Tofu is a great egg substitute, especially in recipes that use a lot of eggs, like quiche or custards. Tofu won't get fluffy like whipped egg whites, but it gives a firm, meaty texture that works well for "eggy" dishes. For fluffier dishes like an omelette, you can use silken tofu, which is softer.
Fruit Purees
In sweet baked goods and desserts, many fruits can replace eggs. They add moisture and help bind ingredients together. However, they will also add some flavor to your recipe. To replace one egg, you can use:
- ¼ cup of mashed banana
- ¼ cup of canned pumpkin or squash
- ¼ cup of applesauce
- ¼ cup of pureed prunes
A "cup" here means about 8 ounces. You might notice that many substitutes are ¼ cup. This is because one large egg, which most recipes use, is about ¼ cup when whisked.
Ground Flax or Chia Seeds
Flax seeds and chia seeds are excellent for baking cookies, brownies, and bars. They act as a binding agent, helping everything stick together.
- To replace one egg, mix 1 Tbsp of ground flax seeds with 3 Tbsp of warm water. Let it sit for a few minutes until it thickens. Then stir it into your recipe.
- It's best to use freshly ground flax seeds, or keep them in the fridge, because they lose their special oils if left out.
- You can also add ¼ tsp of baking powder to help your baked goods rise.
- For chia seeds, follow the same steps. If you want to keep the color of your food light, use white chia seeds instead of dark ones.
Other Liquids
Sometimes, eggs are only used to add moisture to a recipe. In these cases, you can simply use ¼ cup of water, milk, plant milk, fruit juice, or fruit puree for each egg.
Chickpea Flour
Chickpea flour can give your recipes the texture and color of eggs. It also adds nutrients like protein, iron, and vitamins.
- To replace one egg, mix ¼ cup of chickpea flour with ¼ cup of water or another liquid.
- One thing to remember is that chickpea flour doesn't taste very good before it's cooked. So, if you plan to eat the raw batter, you might want to use flax or chia seeds instead.
