Last Updated on May 2, 2022 by Share My Kitchen
It’s possible that you are allergic to eggs, or unable to eat them because of health reasons. There might also be a chance that you have run out of eggs at all to cook with. But don’t worry, you don’t need eggs to make brownies.
There are many substitutes for eggs that you can use when making brownies. You may be familiar with some, while others are ingredients you may not have considered using as an alternative.
How to replace eggs in a brownie recipe?
There are several packaged products on the market that claim to replace eggs. However, there are many items you might already have that you can use as a substitute for when you make brownies.
Egg Substitutes For Leavening agent
- Yogurt or Buttermilk: use 1/4 cup yogurt or buttermilk to replace every egg needed in your recipe for fudgy brownies. This will make brownies airy enough and keep them moist.
- Vinegar and Baking Soda: just mix 1 tablespoon of white distilled vinegar or apple cider vinegar with 1 cup of baking soda. This can replace 1 egg in your brownie recipe.
Egg Substitutes For Adding Moisture
- Pureed Fruits: you can use 1/4 cup of the fruit to replace an egg to add moisture to a recipe. You can choose from unsweetened applesauce, mashed bananas, softened dates, pureed prunes, or plumped up raisins. However, your brownies may need to be baked a bit longer.
- Oil and Baking Powder: just combine one teaspoon of oil (vegetable or corn oil is recommended) with two tablespoons of water, and two teaspoons baking powder to replace one egg.
- Nut butter: you can replace an egg with almond, cashew, or peanut butter in your brownie mixture. You can substitute 3 tablespoons of nut butter for every egg in your recipe. Moreover, ensure that nut butter should be creamy, not chunky.
- Carbonated Water: just add 1/4 cup of carbonated water as a substitute for every egg in the brownie recipe. This can act as your leavening agent, and provide moisture to the brownies.
Egg Substitutes For Baking
Pureed Fruits:
Each egg can be replaced with 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce, canned pumpkin, mashed bananas, or pureed prunes.
Pureed Vegetables:
You may replace one egg with 1/4 cup of mashed avocado to bind all of the ingredients together.
Silken Tofu:
Just use 1/4 cup of whipped silken tofu for each egg it needs to replace. This substitute gives a smooth texture.
Aquafaba
This is liquid leftover from canned beans. You will find that aquafaba is available in grocery stores. However, you can use the liquid from a can of beans or chickpeas you have at home. Its consistency is almost identical to an egg white. Now, use 3 tablespoons of aquafaba to replace an egg. It is also recommended to use the liquid from canned black beans or red kidney beans when making brownies.
Arrowroot:
This powder has a similar consistency with cornstarch. You may use 2 tablespoons of arrowroot mixed with 3 tablespoons of water to replace each egg.
Additional Replacements for Eggs in Brownies:
- Flaxseed: this can be used as a vegan substitute for eggs. Combine 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed powder with 3 tablespoons of water when you are making brownies.
- Vegetable Oil: this substitute only works if you are only replacing one egg. Otherwise, your brownies will be too oily. Just add 1/4 cup of vegetable oil to replace one egg in your brownie recipe.
Whatever reason you may have for substituting eggs when making brownies, make sure to use one of these substitutions.
However, you should not attempt to omit the egg from the recipe without an alternative on hand. You will not be ecstatic with the results you will get. This will cause problems and make the recipe less delicious. You can also use the substitutions if you’re using a boxed mix.
Prepare Homemade Brownie Mix
This recipe will make a great brownie mix if you don’t already have a favorite brownie recipe. It’s best to keep on hand whenever you crave for some fine chocolate.
Ingredients to make homemade brownie mix
Add the following ingredients to a large, quart-sized jar:
- 1 1/4 cups of granulated sugar
- 3/4 cups of all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup of good-quality cocoa powder (or a substitute)
- 1/2 teaspoon of salt
- 1/2 cup of chocolate chips, if you prefer your brownies extra chocolatey (optional)
What is the purpose of eggs in baking?
Many people have their own favorite recipes they keep on hand for when they want to cook or bake something delicious. These recipe cards have been tattered after so many uses, and it may still have some ingredients left on them.
Baking is not without its common ingredient, the egg. You may need one or two (or even three)! However, what is it about eggs that makes recipes, specifically brownies, great?
Eggs serve several important functions when baking. They are used multiple times to bind the ingredients, and create a cohesive unit, rather than a bunch of random items.
Moreover, eggs add moisture to the recipe in many recipes, especially brownies. A recipe that lacks enough moisture can turn out a dry and crumbly mess.
Additionally, eggs are a leavening agent that provides air which makes the brownies rise and retain the right texture.
Baking Brownies without eggs
Once you are ready to bake your delicious brownies, preheat the oven to 350°F. Then, spray an 8-inch baking pan with cooking spray. Add the dry ingredients into the pan, then add 2 eggs (or egg substitutes). Finally, add 1/2 cup of vegetable oil and 2 tablespoons of water.
Combine all ingredients until well mixed. Then, bake for 25 – 28 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes clean. Let it cool, slice, and then serve. Enjoy your brownies!
