How to Make Flax Seed "Eggs" for Vegan and Allergy Baking Substitution

In baked goods, eggs are used as a binder, emulsifier, and a thickening agent. But what do you do if you are unable to eat eggs? Flax "eggs" are a great substitute for the real thing and they are very simple to make. Use one flax "egg" as a one-for-one substitute for recipes that call for up to three eggs. Flax "eggs" (flegs?) work particularly well in loaves, cookies, and cakes. If you find that your baked good is not rising as much with a flax "egg," increase the amount of baking powder in the recipe by 1/2 teaspoon.  

Ground flax is often available in the grocery store, but it is very easy to make your own - and it's often fresher this way. Simply grind up flax seeds in a cleaned-out coffee grinder, a grain attachment for a blender, or even with a mortar and pestle. 

Flax Seed Egg Subsitute

(This recipe is the equivalent substitute for one egg)

Ingredients:

• In a small bowl, whisk together ground flax and water.
   
• Set bowl in refrigerator for 15 minutes; this will thicken the mixture so that it will be a similar consistency to egg whites.
   
• Use as a one-for-one substitute for regular eggs in any baked good recipe. 
   
• Double or triple this for 2 to 3 egg substitutes.

IMAGE SOURCES: MIZINA VIA GETTY IMAGES | COURTESY OF NICOLE MACPHERSON

I use flax eggs in a lot of recipes, including Perfect Pumpkin Spice Cake, Healthy Cranberry Blueberry Bran Muffins, and Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Lentil Loaf.  

Looking for more Vegan Kitchen Hacks? Try my Cashew Cream or my Coconut Whipped Cream.