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What can you use instead of eggs in baking? Flax eggs! Here’s how to make a flax egg, a replacement used in vegan baking.

Flax egg | Replacement in vegan baking
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What’s a flax egg? This mix of flax seed and water is a trick used an egg replacement in baking. Alex and I used to shy away from flax eggs, mostly because of the name. But turns out, they’re incredibly easy to make and they work like a charm in many baked goods!

Now that we’ve gotten the hang of the flax egg, we often swap them into baked goods if we forget to buy eggs. You can store ground flax seed in your fridge and have it ready to go at any moment. But I’m getting ahead of myself! Here’s everything you need to know about flax eggs.

What’s a flax egg?

A flax egg is a mixture of ground flax seed and water that can be used as a substitute for an egg in baked goods. This egg substitute is all natural and fits into virtually any diet (gluten-free, Paleo, Whole 30, vegetarian, vegan, and dairy-free). It seems almost magical, but it’s truly a miracle of nature!

How does a flax egg work? When the flax seeds are ground up and mixed with water, they become thick and gooey due to a gum in the seed coating. The thick substance can be used as a binder in baked goods, just like you’d use an egg.

How to make a flax egg

How to make a flax egg

Here’s the formula for how to make a flax egg, the replacement for 1 standard chicken egg:

  • 1 flax egg = 1 tablespoon ground flax seed + 2 ½ tablespoons water, whisked and allowed to stand for 15 minutes.

You may see other sources state that a flax egg is 1 tablespoon ground flax seed to 3 tablespoons water. In our testing, we found that 3 tablespoons came out a bit watery, so we prefer 2 ½ tablespoons.

There are lots of different variations on how to make a flax egg: some people use hot water, others place the mixture into the refrigerator for 15 minutes. Our testing found that there was really no difference between all these options. So, simply whisk together the flax seed and water at room temperature and allow it to stand. It will thicken after the 15 minutes into a gel-like substance. Give it another whisk after it’s sat and it will come to the right consistency.

What recipes can you use a flax egg replacement in?

Obviously, do not attempt to make a plate of scrambled flax eggs! The best place to use a flax egg replacement is in baked goods like quick breads, muffins, and pancakes. While they don’t whip up into a meringue or make a fluffy frittata, they’re perfect for zucchini bread or banana pancakes.

Here are some ideas for recipes where you could substitute a flax egg. Please let us know if you’ve tried any, and what recipes you’ve found work well!

What is a flax egg

How to grind flax seed

This recipe calls for ground flax seed, and you’ll typically find it in the grocery as whole seeds. You can easily grind your own flax seeds by placing them in a blender or electric coffee grinder. Here’s how to grind flax seed:

  1. Place 1 cup flax seeds in a high speed blender or electric coffee grinder.
  2. Blend on high for a few seconds until fully ground. Yields 1 ½ cups.

Dietary notes

This flax egg recipe is vegetarian, gluten-free, vegan, plant-based, and dairy-free.

Frequently asked questions

Why use a flax egg?

Flax eggs are a great option for vegans, vegetarians, or people with egg allergies. Using flax eggs can add a slightly nutty flavor and moist texture to your baked goods.

Can I use whole flax seeds instead of ground flaxseed meal?

No, whole flax seeds will not work as a substitute. You need to use ground flaxseed meal to create the binding and emulsifying properties necessary for a flax egg.

Can I use a flax egg in any recipe that calls for eggs?

Flax eggs are best for recipes where eggs are used as a binder, rather than for leavening or creating a light and airy texture. They might not work as well in recipes like angel food cake or meringues.

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Flax Egg

Flax egg
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What can you use instead of eggs in baking? Flax eggs! Here’s how to make a flax egg, a replacement used in vegan baking.

  • Author: Sonja Overhiser
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Total Time: 15 minutes
  • Yield: 1 flax egg 1x
  • Category: Essentials
  • Method: Stirred
  • Cuisine: Vegan

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 tablespoon ground flax seeds*
  • 2 ½ tablespoons water

Instructions

  1. If your flax seeds aren’t already ground, grind them by placing them in a high speed blender or electric coffee grinder for a few minutes until finely ground. 
  2. In a small bowl, whisk together the flax seeds and water. Allow to stand for 15 minutes until it thickens, then give it another whisk. Use as a 1 for 1 replacement for eggs in baked goods like quick breads, muffins, cookies and pancakes.

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About the authors

Alex & Sonja

Hi! We’re Alex & Sonja Overhiser, authors of the acclaimed cookbooks A Couple Cooks and Pretty Simple Cooking—and a real life couple who cooks together. We founded the A Couple Cooks website in 2010 to share seasonal recipes and the joy of home cooking. Now, we’ve got over 3,000 well-tested recipes, including Mediterranean diet, vegan, vegetarian, pescatarian, smoothies, cocktails, and more!

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