Frugal Living - Egg Replacers

Does the price of eggs have you feeling down? Here are a few egg substitutes that could help you stay on budget.

While it may not be possible to find a great alternative to fried, poached, or hard-boiled eggs, there are several options when it comes to substituting eggs in recipes for baked goods. Here are several options that use common ingredients and/or easy-to-stock, shelf-stable, gluten-free ingredients. Listed below are substitute options we have used, other family members have used, or ones we want to try based on what we keep in our pantry.

Be aware that the texture of your recipe will likely vary from the original recipe when using an egg substitute.

Gluten free bread made with egg replacers

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Applesauce, Mashed Banana, or Pumpkin Puree

We have used applesauce several times in the past. It works remarkably well in baked goods such as cookies, cakes, and quick breads. It does not bind quite as well as eggs, so your baked item might be a bit softer and have a more fragile hold. Banana tends to be a bit stronger in flavor than applesauce and may give your baked goods a hint of banana flavor, so be sure to only use it in a recipe where the flavors will blend well.

Directions: Use 1/4 c. applesauce, mashed banana, or pumpkin puree in place of one egg in a recipe.

Yogurt or Buttermilk

We tried yogurt in a cookie recipe years ago. The texture was denser and more moist, but it did work.

Directions: Like applesauce, use 1/4 c. of either of these in place of one egg in the recipe. 

Unflavored Gelatin

This option is great for the health benefits. Gelatin has proteins and essential amino acids that can help your body build collagen and is a good source of several nutrients, including calcium, folate, choline, and magnesium. (1) Gelatin is shelf-stable and stores well for a long time, making it a great option for both your pantry and your prep plan.

We tried this substitute recently in a cobbler recipe. It worked quite well!

Directions: Use 1 T gelatin and 3 T warm water for each egg in the recipe. Heat water. Slowly sprinkle in gelatin while whisking. Whisk until smooth. Let sit for 2 minutes to allow it to set up prior to using.

Arrowroot Powder

We keep arrowroot as an alternative to cornstarch. It makes a nice thickener and can work as a binder in baked goods. Arrowroot powder (sometimes sold as arrowroot flour) is shelf-stable, making it perfect for your pantry and your prep plan.

We tried this in gluten-free applesauce bread, using it to substitute for half of the eggs in the recipe (see photo above). The bread seemed a bit fragile at first, as gluten free usually does, but after cooling down, the moisture content and texture were perhaps even better than the original recipe. It held together surprisingly well for gluten-free!

Directions: Use 2 T arrowroot powder and 3T water in place of one egg in the recipe.

For the latest recipe, we added the water and arrowroot together, whisked it well, and let it sit for two minutes before adding it. We have done it previously without mixing it first and it turned out just as well.

Ground Flax Seed

This is one our daughter has tried. She recommended letting it sit for three or four minutes to set up before adding it to the recipe. Due to the high oil content in ground flax seeds, the oil itself can go rancid over time. For this reason, many people store their ground flax seed in the refrigerator or the freezer to increase the storage time.

Directions: Stir together 1 T finely ground flax seeds and 3 T warm water. Let it sit for three or four minutes to thicken before adding to your recipe.

Chia Seed

Chia is another great option for adding nutrients to your recipe. Chia seeds are nutritious and high in antioxidants (2). Chia has become more popular in recent years. In fact, you may have heard of chia pudding, an easy-to-make pudding that requires no cooking due to chia's ability to turn gelatinous in liquid. It is this quality that makes it a good substitute for eggs. The directions for using chia seeds to replace eggs are similar to using flax seed, just with a longer wait time before adding it to your recipe.

Directions: Combine 1 T chia seeds and 3 T water. Let sit in the refrigerator for 15 - 20 minutes before using in the recipe.

Looking for More Options?

There are many more options for egg replacers.  Here are a few sites where you can find even more ideas for egg substitutes:

Best Egg Substitute for Baking (11 Swaps + Ratios) by Dame Cacao

13 Smart Egg Substitutes Already in Your Pantry by Pioneer Woman

13 Effective Substitutes for Eggs by Healthline


Sources:

(1) WebMD Editorial Contributor (2023). "Health Benefits of Gelatin." WebMD. Retrieved March 3, 2025: https://www.webmd.com/diet/health-benefits-gelatin

(2) Gunnars, C. and Streit, L. (2023). "7 Enticing Health Benefits of Chia Seeds." Healthline. Retrieved March 3, 2025: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/11-proven-health-benefits-of-chia-seeds



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