Tired of Overspending on Eggs? Here are 13 of the Best Egg Substitute Options
With egg prices rising, we’ve cracked the case on alternative options with our list of the best egg substitutes.
Trying to find the best egg substitute?
Eggs are one of those foods that are used in so many recipes and meals. Eggs also play a big role in the texture and taste of your favorite dishes. With inflation affecting a variety of areas, eggs seem to be the most recent target. 🥚
Despite inflation as a whole lowering, egg prices have increased by almost 60%! We’ve taken a deep dive into why egg prices are rising this drastically; because eggs are a staple in many households, this has definitely tainted access to the most commonly sought protein source for meat eaters and vegetarians alike.
Whether you’re vegan, have an egg allergy, or you’re looking to save a little extra pocket money, we’re rounding up the best egg alternatives. With an open mind, eggs are actually fine to omit or easy to substitute in case you and your family are looking to avoid them.
Check out the best egg substitute options:
1. Flax Seed Meal
For each egg needed, simply substitute with 1 tablespoon flax seed meal + 3 tablespoons water. Allow the mixture to thicken for a few minutes and then add to your dishes.
Hip Tip: This is a very common method for baking and cooking because the texture really does mimic an egg! Also, this works great as a binder for making these meatballs.
2. Chia Seeds
Using the same method with chia seeds also works! Simply mix 1 tablespoon chia seeds + 3 tablespoons water to substitute 1 egg. Let the mixture thicken for a few minutes before adding it to your recipe.
Hip Tip: The texture gets nice and gooey using chia seeds making it great for baking, such as in cookies, waffles, and bread.
3. Vinegar and Baking Soda
Mixing 1 teaspoon of baking soda with 1 tablespoon of vinegar can replace one egg in some recipes. These two ingredients produce a reaction that makes carbon dioxide and water, which can make baked goods light and airy.
Hip Tip: We have used this method when baking cakes and pancakes instead of eggs, and it works great!
4. Greek Yogurt
You can use 1/4 cup of unsweetened greek yogurt for each egg that needs to be replaced. This is often the method recommended on cake boxes and other baked goods as the best egg alternative for desserts!
5. Creamy Nut Butter
To replace one egg in your baked goods, use 3 tablespoons of your favorite nut butter. Peanut butter and almond butter are both acceptable! Just note that this option will affect the flavor of your dish the most out of all the mentioned substitutes for eggs.
6. Carbonated Water
A 1/4 cup of carbonated water can be used instead of 1 egg for leavening as it adds moisture and air from the bubbles. This also works very well with cake and bread recipes.
7. Bob’s Red Mill’s Egg Replacer
Ideally used for vegan baking purposes, one pack of Bob’s Red Mill Egg Replacer is equivalent to 34 eggs. Considering the average dozen carton of eggs is priced at around $4.25, you’re getting almost triple the amount for a very similar price point.
8. Aquafaba
Aquafaba is the liquid in canned chickpeas, legumes, and/or beans; you can also preserve Aquafaba after cooking your chickpeas. Many vegans actually use Aquafaba as an egg white replacement, and you’ll use three tablespoons per egg. Considering you likely have some sort of canned bean in your pantry, this option is practically free!
9. Liquid Egg/Egg White Substitute
Although this technically isn’t an egg substitution, if you’re looking to enjoy eggs on their own, liquid eggs are the way to go! They’re usually always cheaper than actual eggs. Reviews are praising how delicious and convenient these cartons are.
10. Applesauce
Applesauce has a similar texture to beaten eggs, and using 1/4 cup can substitute eggs in almost every recipe. Since applesauce is often sweetened or mixed with other spices, try to opt for an unsweetened option. Ranging at around $4, you’re getting a snack and an egg replacement – sign me up for this option!
11. Mashed Puréed Fruits
Certain puréed fruits are another common way to mimic eggs and are probably the most frugal option. Banana is one of the most popular options; since they will flavor your recipes, opt for pumpkin or avocado if you’re looking for a more subtle egg alternative.
12. Silken Tofu
Tofu’s firmness depends on its water content; silken tofu has greater water content, making it very soft. It adds thickness to your recipes, so you’ll want to add 1/4 cup of silken tofu to recipes like brownies, cakes, and bread. Tofu is also incredibly affordable and another vegan-friendly option!
13. Gelatin
Unflavored gelatin is another handy egg alternative. Simply combine three tablespoons of water with one tablespoon of gelatin. If you’re vegan or vegetarian, opt for agar-agar. Unflavored gelatin packets can be as low as $2, so it’s definitely a budget-friendly option as well.
Which egg substitute is right for you?
You may need to do a bit more experimenting when using egg substitutes, but it definitely can be done. Through trial and tribulation, you’ll be able to develop a preference for which substitute is best for whatever you’re making. On top of helping out those with egg allergies and sensitivities, we hope these options offer you a way to save money and cut back on the cost of eggs.
When in doubt, preserve the longevity of your eggs by freezing them!
Oh my goodness, this is absolutely awesome information…!! Thank you Hipsterz….!!!!!!! Wowwowowowo, I just bought two dozen at Aldi in Port St. Lucie Florida last night, $4.19 a dozen…! 🙄🙄😳😳
You’re SO welcome!! Happy this is so helpful! 💞🙌 Thanks for letting us know the price of eggs at your Aldi.
Costco has the 5-dozen eggs around $9
just bought from costco 5dz eggs for $15.99 🙁
I was allergic to eggs for many years and never found a substitute to use in brownies. The butter will come to the surface and not reabsorb. You can just leave eggs out of meatloaf and you won’t miss them. I have been extending scrambled eggs with liquid egg whites. I am considering the cost of the ingredients and deciding if I want to take a chance on something not turning out. Today I made a double batch of chocolate chip cookies and after considering the two bags of chocolate chips and the butter I thought it was worth using four eggs to be sure they turned out and did not end up in the trash.
Hi Lana! Yes, taking the overall cost into consideration before trying substitutes is great advice. Thanks for sharing your honest feedback on what has worked for you. 💞
I’ve only had luck at finding eggs at target.
I was recently diagnosed with an egg allergy among several others. My favorite and best substitute I have found is the bottle of Simply Eggless. I buy it from Trader Joe’s, but I read that it may also be available at Super Target. I’ve used it very successfully with baking many things, most specifically Gluten Free recipes.
So sorry to hear about your allergies, Stephanie. Glad you were able to find a substitute you love. Thanks for sharing about Simply Eggless. 🤗💗
Have been using ground flax seed as an egg substitute for years in baked goods. Also applesauce as a substitute for oil. Works great. Thanks for several of the other subs! Hip2save is the best!
You’re very welcome, Irene! Glad to share the substitutes.💞
I love H2S! Thanks for great post!
How sweet! Thanks for the kind comment! We truly appreciate YOU! 💞🥰 Glad you’re loving this post!
Ener G egg baking substitute powder hands down in baked goods bc it retains the rise and texture in most recipes – used it for years for egg allergy. Bobs Redmill doesn’t quite cut it on the height annd things stay pretty dense. And Tru Egg in the fridge section for times you want a liquid sub.
Thanks for letting us know what substitutes you’ve tried and how they’ve worked out for you, Angela! 💞🙌
In Pinellas County, Sprouts has the best price of $3.35 for a dozen of cage free eggs.
P.S. Whole Foods has cage free eggs for $3.49.
Thanks so much for sharing the best prices you’ve seen lately! 🤗🙌 Good to know!
Is there a printable version of this list? it’s great information, thank you!
Yes! You can print out this list when clicking through the print option at the bottom of the post. ❤️🥰
Thank you!
Thanks for sharing. My neighbor has a sign out where she is selling eggs and I called her to see how much she was charging. She said for you they are free. Check your neighbors and see if they are selling eggs. Can’t hurt. I am going to try some of these methods and see how they work. I have been using applesauce instead of oil for decades.
Woohoo! Free eggs are awesome!! You’re so welcome, Patricia! Great idea to check with neighbors.🙌🎉
Thanks so much for this post! Our costco and Sam’s is always out of eggs. I just put in a pickup order from Kroger for $7.52 for 18. I hated to do it, but we are down to one egg. We live a rural area, but eggs are scarce currently. I am going to try some of these. H2S is so timely and helpful! And the comments from other Hip2Savers are really helpful, too💐
You’re very welcome! ❤️ Hoping these tips work well for you! Let us know how you like them and if there’s one you like best!! 🥰
Awesome info. Thank you so much for this 🙂 Just came back from Food Lion where avg price per egg is 45cents, yikes.
You’re so welcome, Sandy! I hope these substitutes help! Let us know how you enjoy them and which one is your favorite!!❤️
It’s not an egg sub exactly, but look up depression/wacky cakes. They don’t use eggs or milk, are super easy to make, and taste way better than most box mix cakes.
Thanks for sharing that, Melie! You can find our Best Vanilla Crazy Cake Recipe here!💗🍰
I use chickpea flour as a replacer when the purpose is protein and structure. 1/4 chickpea flour to equal amount of water equals 1 egg. Also, combining some of these works better. i.e. combine flax or chia with applesauce. (I have been egg free for 9 years)
1/4 cup* sorry
Sweet! Thanks, Ginelle!🤗 We sure appreciate you sharing your tips and egg replacer!💕