By Elizabeth Herman | Posted: April 08, 2020

With the panic buying during the corona pandemic, the shelves in the stores in your area may be looking empty. With Easter and Passover approaching, you may experience a short supply of eggs, too. According to the New York Times, egg prices crack records this year due to panic buying.  But don’t allow the shortage of eggs to spoil your festive mood. I am happy to share with you some excellent egg substitutes. If you decide to try them, I believe you won’t miss the eggs.  

Eggs become very popular this time of year since they’re part of the religious and cultural rituals of both holidays. Some families hold Easter egg hunts and elaborate meals, and others gather around extended family tables to celebrate the rebirth of freedom that Passover brings every year.

Living with the stress of self-isolation, some members of my family have decided to help my elderly father by planning a Passover seder over the internet on Zoom. As a long-time planner of Passover seders, I sent around a vegan seder grocery list to everyone and recommended that our members replace their traditional hard-boiled or roasted eggs with flax seeds or bananas on their individual tables. 

For all vegan, vegetarian and otherwise planet-conscious families of whatever stripe, an egg substitute becomes necessary in both foods and celebrations. Several possible ways to replace eggs in cooking exist, depending on the recipe and the purpose for which you need it. 

Banana

In 3 ingredient breakfast cookies, you can really get creative using mashed bananas and oats as the base for your cookie dough. Then add whatever nuts, dried fruits, or sweet chips you might like, along with some salt, cinnamon or other spice powder, and cocoa powder if you wish. Quick breads are also a good way to use this substitute, using ¼ cup of mashed banana for each egg in any recipe.

Flax seeds

By grinding one tablespoon of flax seeds in your spice grinder, and then combining the powder with three tablespoons of water, you can make your own flax egg. Use this small combination for binding in sweet breads, cakes, cookies and other baking recipes. I have read that it works especially well when making cookie dough. If you’re working on vegan matzah balls, this is your best option, because it won’t add any sweet or sour taste.

Yogurt

Yogurt works well as an egg replacer in cakes, with one fourth cup of it to stand in for each egg in the recipe. Unless you want to change the flavor in the cake, it’s best to use plain or vanilla yogurt without the added flavorings. If you’re avoiding sugar to help keep your immune system strong, it’s also best to use unsweetened yogurt and unprocessed sweeteners instead of sugar in any recipe.

Applesauce

A fourth of a cup is the default amount for using applesauce, as well as mashed banana and yogurt, to replace one egg. This works well in muffins, but be cautious about sweetened, store bought brands! If you use the sweetened variety, consider reducing the amount of sweetener in the recipe. If you can use unsweetened, or even homemade applesauce, those are best. 

Applesauce is easy to make by boiling and then gently simmering 3 chopped apples in 1 cup of water for 10 to 15 minutes with a dash of cinnamon, and then pureeing the cooked and tender mixture in a blender or food processor. You’d only need the apples, cinnamon and water for a supply of homemade applesauce that will last in your refrigerator for several days.

Vinegar plus baking soda

I’ve used this combination in a very easy chocolate cake recipe that can be made in a 9 inch by 9 inch square pan. For Passover, Jewish people are avoiding leavening agents so we may not choose this option. But in recipes for Easter, it’s fine! I’ve never used it in brownies, but I’ve heard that it would really be good for vegan brownie recipes. It takes one teaspoon of baking soda and 1 tablespoon of vinegar to replace one egg.

Instead of getting into a low mood during this lockdown, you can take this as an opportunity to try something new. If this lockdown period is making you stressed and your mind feels agitated, you can easily access this FREE webinar on HOW TO CALM YOUR MIND AND CHANGE YOUR LIFE! You’ll not only learn some excellent practical tools to manage your mind and energy, but you’ll also gain back your enthusiasm for festivities ahead. I’ve been using these breath-work based tools for years now and thankfully, however the outer situation is, I can keep my balance and sanity. 

Wishing you all the best this holiday season, and hoping you enjoy all of the delicious vegan foods you can make with egg substitutes! The whole planet will thank you for your efforts.

Elizabeth Herman writes, offers writing support to clients, teaches, and volunteers for a better world. She has a PhD in Rhetoric, Composition and Literature. Find her on Facebook or Twitter.