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Flaxseed Egg Substitute for Baking

posted by Annie B. Bond Mar 1, 2008 9:06 am
filed under: Food & Recipes, Desserts
Flaxseed Egg Substitute for Baking
34 comments

By the Care2 Green Living Staff

Using flaxseeds in place of eggs is a great vegan trick for baking, but you don’t have to be vegan to benefit from this great substitution. Flaxseeds are a nutritional powerhouse and sneaking some into baked goods is an easy way to get some of their wonderful nutrients into your diet. Read on for an easy tip on how to substitute flaxseeds for eggs.

Flaxseeds are rich in alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), an essential fatty acid that appears to be beneficial for heart disease, inflammatory bowel disease, arthritis and a variety of other health conditions. They also contains a group of chemicals called lignans that may play a role in the prevention of cancer.

With all of this goodness, it seems like a great idea to get flaxseeds into one’s diet in any way possible. One great way is to use flaxseeds in place of eggs in baked goods.

To replace one egg:
1 tablespoon ground flaxseeds
3 tablespoons water (or other liquid)

Stir together until thick and gelatinous.

You can also use whole flaxseeds:

1 tablespoon whole flaxseeds
4 tablespoons water (or other liquid)

Process seeds in a blender to a fine meal, add liquid and blend well.

You can make a bigger batch by increasing the ingredient amounts. Store in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.

More on Desserts (375 articles available)
More from Annie B. Bond (3248 articles available)

34 comments

34 comments

add your comment »
34 comments add your comment
Jeffrey B.

Tip:
If you are in a hurry, combine the flax meal with HOT water first thing before you start baking. It can take 15 - 20 min for it to get nice and gooey. By the time you've measured your other ingredients it should be about ready. You shouldn't have to stir it much.

Jeannette Gravett

Fantastic - thanks for this!

Barbara Cantor

Vegan pumpkin cheescake...recipe will not fit here. Will send to anyone who wants it via email
Barb

Tammy Deckman

hi Lisa, I don't have the recipe at hand, but you can make an excellent pumpkin pie with silken/japanese tofu. you don't need any egg or egg replacers as far as i remember. the tofu works really well and you don't need to wait for anything to bind. just use tofu instead of egg. I got a recipe from mori-nu, the tofu people, but i am sure you can find tofu recipes elsewhere. if i run across the recipe, i'll post it here.

also, i have to say i think it is so sweet that you want to make a special vegan pie for your family! it brings a tear to my vegan eye. i am sure they will appreciate it immensely! best of luck, and happy holidays!

Lisa C.
  • Lisa C. says
  • Nov 18, 2008 10:52 AM

I am currently trying this in a pumpkin pie. So far, the pie is not firming up. I am leaving it in longer to see if it will eventually congeal. Anyone else try this in pumpkin pie? I really want it to work, as my sister, sister-in-law, and niece are vegans. I'd love to make them a vegan pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving.

Tammy Deckman

For Barbara Cantor: for box brownies, the egg can usually just be omitted. I usually just add a 1/4 cup of silken tofu to the batter to replace the moisture of the egg. there are enough conditioners and thickeners already in the mix to make the brownies chewy and to make them rise. it's pretty amazing really! of course, one should always try to make homemade brownies, but box brownies always seem like a fun treat to me. Try adding frozen junior mints or bits of vegan chocolate. mmmm. For vegans, Duncan Hines makes two box mixes that do not contain milk or egg (but NOT Betty Crocker). The same goes for cake mixes. I believe there are a few commercial ones that are ok. I'd add some powder egg replacer or flax and maybe a half cup of silken tofu. should be good.

Sudhatest A.

very nice article!

Sudha C.

thank you! i am going to try this today

Jann S.
  • Jann S. says
  • Apr 17, 2008 8:56 PM

I am trying to find a good recipe for a sweet bread ( Like the Amish Friendship bread) Only I want to make it healthy and gluten free. I will use flaxseed for the egg replacement, soy milk for the milk replacement and Stevia for the sugar replacement. I will use yeast or some type of a natural leavening. What is a good flour to use? Oat flour? And last but not least... Will this work? Thanks!

Jason V.

Try the ground flax seed w/ blueberries (from Traders Joes) on popcorn..very good!

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Disclaimer: Care2.com does not warrant and shall have no liability for information provided in this newsletter or on Care2.com. Each individual person, fabric, or material may react differently to a particular suggested use. It is recommended that before you begin to use any formula, you read the directions carefully and test it first. Should you have any health care-related questions or concerns, please call or see your physician or other health care provider.

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