By Kelly Petersen | U of M Extension

Eggs are a uniquely versatile ingredient used in all kinds of cooking and baking, from sweet and simple to savory and complex. But egg prices have more than doubled between 2020 and 2025, causing many consumers to seek egg alternatives when they are harder to find and to save money on their grocery bills.
While there is no singular perfect egg substitution, many affordable plant-based ingredients can be used instead of eggs to create delicious baked goods.
Replacing eggs in baking
Finding the best egg replacement requires understanding the role eggs play in the recipe. In baking, eggs are used for one or several reasons:
Adding moisture
Binding (holding shape)
Leavening (structure and lift)

Egg substitutes do not work well in recipes with more than three eggs. Even when baking without eggs, the food still needs to be cooked thoroughly, especially if it contains flour. Bake all products to an internal temperature of at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
Use substitutions to make eggless versions of these easy recipes:
Apple cake
Apple slice pancakes
Hearty oatmeal cookies
Blueberry muffins
Peanut butter bread

Egg alternatives as baking ingredients
Each substitution replaces 1 whole egg.
Substitution Amount Directions/notes
Aquafaba (chickpea water): 3 tablespoons aquafaba (liquid drained from chickpeas) Whip aquafaba until it forms a fluffy foam.
Baking powder and oil: 1 teaspoon vegetable oil, 2 tablespoons water and 2 teaspoons baking powder. For leavening only.
Chia seed: 1 tablespoon of chia seeds Mix chia seeds with hot water and and 3 tablespoons water leave it for 5 minutes to thicken.  Seeds may be visible in product.
Flax seed: 1 tablespoon flax seed meal  and 3 tablespoons water. Mix flax seeds with hot water and leave it for 5 minutes to thicken.
Nut butters: 3 tablespoons nut butter. (peanut, almond, cashew, sunflower) Product will have a noticeable nut butter taste.
Ripe banana: 1/4 cup mashed ripe banana Strong banana flavor.
Soy flour: 1 tablespoon soy flour and 1 tablespoon water. Mix until it is the consistency of a beaten egg.

Unflavored carbonated water: 1/4 cup unflavored carbonated water For leavening only.
Unsweetened applesauce: 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce Product will be more moist. Do not use sweetened applesauce. May have an apple taste.

Make savory dishes without eggs
To recreate dishes like scrambled eggs without eggs, try using extra firm tofu. Silken tofu can be used to replace eggs in sauces.
In recipes for meatloaf, hotdish, burgers and casseroles, eggs are typically used to bind all the ingredients together.

Egg substitutes for savory dishes
Tofu: 1/4 cup puréed with 1 tablespoon flour
2 to 3 tablespoons of one of the following:
Instant potato flakes
Mashed potatoes
Mashed sweet potatoes
Potato starch
Tomato paste
Whole wheat flour