The complete vegan egg-substitute chart
Every swap below is measured per one egg. Match the sub to the job: binders hold things together, aquafaba and baking-soda add lift, applesauce and yoghurt add moisture.
| Substitute | Per egg | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Flax egg | 1 tbsp ground flaxseed + 3 tbsp water (rest 5 min) | Pancakes, muffins, cookies, quick breads, brownies. |
| Chia egg | 1 tbsp ground chia + 3 tbsp water (rest 5–10 min) | Muffins, cookies, hearty breads. |
| Aquafaba | 3 tbsp aquafaba (chickpea tin liquid) | Meringue, macarons, mousse, light cakes, waffles. |
| Mashed banana | ¼ cup (about ½ ripe banana) | Sweet bakes: banana bread, brownies, pancakes, muffins. |
| Unsweetened applesauce | ¼ cup | Cakes, muffins, quick breads (especially low-fat). |
| Blended silken tofu | ¼ cup, blended smooth | Dense bakes: brownies, cheesecakes, quiches, custards. |
| Plant yoghurt (soy) | ¼ cup | Cakes, muffins, brownies. |
| Baking soda + vinegar | 1 tsp baking soda + 1 tbsp vinegar | Fluffy cakes, cupcakes (the classic "wacky cake"). |
| Commercial egg replacer | Per packet (e.g. 1 tbsp powder + 2–3 tbsp water) | All-rounder for cookies, cakes, bakes. |
| Cornstarch slurry | 2 tbsp cornstarch + 3 tbsp water | Cookies, bars, thickening, batters. |
Common questions
What is the best all-round vegan egg substitute?
A flax egg (1 tbsp ground flaxseed + 3 tbsp water, rested 5 minutes) works in most cookies, muffins and quick breads. For anything that needs to be light and airy — meringue, macarons, fluffy cakes — aquafaba is the only sub that truly whips like egg white.
How much applesauce or banana replaces one egg?
Use ¼ cup of unsweetened applesauce or mashed banana per egg. Both add moisture and binding; banana adds sweetness and flavour, applesauce is more neutral. If the recipe relied on the egg for rise, add ½ tsp baking powder.
What replaces eggs in savoury recipes?
Stick to flavour-neutral binders: blended silken tofu, a commercial egg replacer, aquafaba, or a cornstarch slurry. Avoid banana and flax in savoury dishes where their taste would show.
Can you replace 3 or more eggs?
Up to about 2–3 eggs, most subs work well. Beyond that the structure suffers — choose a recipe designed to be vegan instead, or split roles (e.g. aquafaba for lift plus a little tofu for binding).
