Best Egg Yolk Substitute [Top 7 Alternatives]
Eggs are a delicious and versatile ingredient in many dishes. They add flavor texture and even help to hold together the dish. While fresh eggs are always best when available, there are other egg substitutes for cooking if you need them.
This article will cover seven types of egg yolk substitutes: applesauce, banana puree, ground flaxseed mixed with water and refrigerated overnight (flax gel), mashed potatoes/pumpkin puree/sweet potato puree (mashed veggies), silken tofu blended with sweetener or vanilla extract then chilled, eggless egg replacer powder mixed with water, and more.
To make egg-free dishes, there are a couple of options you can choose from depending on your allergy(s). If it is an egg allergy, follow the method below using one of these egg substitutes. If it is a soy allergy, follow the eggless egg replacer powder method since soy and egg yolks have similar egg-like properties.
Apple Sauce as an Egg Yolk Substitute
When baking or cooking egg-free dishes, egg yolks are often used to add flavor, texture, and binding properties. One egg yolk has around 60 calories and is made up of fat, cholesterol, vitamins A, B12, D & E. They are rich in certain minerals like riboflavin (vitamin B2) and selenium which are great for the skin and nails.
Apple sauce is a great egg yolk substitute in egg-free dishes, and so many people already enjoy it! It adds flavor and helps to keep ingredients together. Please note: some apple sauces will add more water content than others. Check the nutrition label before using this egg yolk substitute in egg-free dishes.
Banana Puree as an Egg Yolk Substitute
Bananas add a lot of natural sweetness to egg-free dishes that can replace egg yolks. They also add a little binding and texture to egg-free dishes. Be sure that the banana puree is 100% banana (no added ingredients like sugar – bananas are naturally lovely). Like apple sauce, some varieties will be sweeter than others, so you’ll want to check the nutrition label before using this egg yolk substitute.
Using banana puree as an egg yolk substitute in egg-free dishes is not only good for you, it’s tasty too! It pairs well with many flavors and gives a great taste to egg-free dishes.
Ground Flaxseed as an Egg Yolk Substitute
Ground flaxseed mixed with water and refrigerated overnight (flax gel) can be a good egg yolk substitute in egg-free dishes. Still, some people prefer not to use ground flaxseed because it may add a bitter flavor to egg-free dishes.
Flax gel is 100% fiber and has almost no calories, so it’s a great egg yolk substitute for low-calorie egg-free dishes. Be sure that this egg yolk substitute is refrigerated overnight (with the water added) because ground flaxseed will mold if not stored properly. If you’ve never used egg yolk substitutes, flax gel can take some getting used to!
Mashed Potatoes, Pumpkin, Sweet Potato as an Egg Yolk Substitute
Mashed potatoes can be a good egg yolk substitute in egg-free dishes because they add a nice creaminess to egg-free dishes. Sweet potatoes are another egg yolk substitute that adds a little sweetness, but please note: sweet potatoes will also affect the color of egg-free dishes by adding a golden hue to the dish.
Mashed sweet potato or pumpkin are suitable egg yolk substitutes for egg-free dishes. Please note: some egg yolk substitutes like mashed potatoes and pumpkin will affect the color of egg-free dishes.
Nuts as an Egg Yolk Substitute
Ground or finely chopped nuts can mimic egg yolks in egg-free dishes because they have oil. These include cashews, almonds, macadamia nuts, hazelnuts, etc. If the egg yolk substitute is made from nuts, it will affect the color of your egg-free dish or baked good.
Ground or finely chopped cashews can be used as an egg yolk substitute in egg-free dishes that need binding. Since nuts are high in fat, use this egg yolk substitute moderation. By using nuts in your recipes, you’ll be adding healthy, unsaturated fats and magnesium, decreasing your risk of heart disease and stroke.
Pumpkin Puree as an Egg Yolk Substitute
When egg yolks are used in egg-free dishes to add flavor and texture, pumpkin puree is a great egg yolk substitute because it adds the same taste, color, and texture to egg-free dishes.
Pumpkin puree is high in fiber and rich in Vitamin A, so it’s a great egg yolk substitute for egg-free dishes because it also gives your egg yolk dish nutritional value. Like apple sauce and banana puree, some pumpkin purees are sweeter than others, so you’ll want to check the nutrition label before using this egg yolk substitute in egg-free dishes.
Baking Soda & Cream of Tartar as egg yolk substitute
Baking soda & cream of tartar can be used as egg yolk substitutes in egg-free dishes because they add a little leavening to egg-free dishes and increase volume. Please note: these egg yolk substitutes will affect the color of egg-free dishes.
Baking soda & cream of tartar are suitable egg yolk substitutes, but please note: they will affect the color of egg-free dishes. Additionally, egg yolk substitutes like baking soda & cream of tartar may not yield egg-free dishes with a great texture.
You can use egg yolk substitutes in egg-free dishes of all types – sweet, savory, or even baked goods like pancakes! The egg yolk substitute you choose is up to you (based on what dietary restrictions you may have) and which flavors you enjoy.
Conclusion
Whether you’re vegan, have an egg allergy, or are just looking for a way to add some variety to your breakfast routine, there’s an egg yolk substitute out there that will work for you. If you are looking for a vegan option, chia or flax eggs are great substitutes. Plenty of other options is available for those who need to avoid soy, including aquafaba, bananas, and avocados. Ultimately, it’s essential to experiment with different substitutes to find the one that works best for you.
