5 Egg Alternatives for Every Meal

Wondering why eggs are so expensive right now? Here's a quick explanation: At the start of 2024, a dozen Grade A eggs in the U.S. cost $2.52. By the end of the year, the price had jumped to $4.15. This dramatic increase is due to the ongoing outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), commonly known as bird flu.

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Whenever bird flu strikes, the farmers kill their entire chicken flock. This reduces the supply of eggs while the demand is the same (or rather going up). This volatility will keep prices up in the foreseeable future.

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So if you’re looking to find more affordable alternatives without impacting your protein intake, here are some reasonable alternatives to eggs that you can use for anything from baking to breakfast:

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Alternatives For Scrambled Egg

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If you’re craving scrambled eggs, you can use chickpea flour as a vegan replacement. You simply need to add water, mix it to make a smooth paste, add spices and chopped veggies and cook it like you would cook a scrambled egg. Another alternative for this is a protein-packed plate of tofu scramble. Add black salt to up the eggy taste.

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How to make tofu scramble→

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Alternatives for Eggs in Baking

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Ground flax seeds or whole chia seeds work well as binding agents in cookies, brownies, and puddings. Mix them with water and let them thicken. This creates a flax egg or chia egg with a consistency similar to a regular egg. You can also use apple or pumpkin purée or mashed bananas as a replacement for eggs.

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How to make a chia egg→

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Alternatives for Egg Salad Sandwich

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To make a perfect vegan egg salad sandwich, combine medium-firm tofu with vegan mayonnaise, nutritional yeast, yellow mustard, green onions, turmeric, and black salt—the key ingredient that provides an authentic egg taste and aroma. You can enjoy this right away or store it in the fridge for 2–3 days.

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How to make a vegan egg salad sandwich→

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Alternatives for Eggs in Pancakes

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You don’t need an egg to bind your pancakes together. You can use a combination of baking powder, flour, and any plant-based milk to do that. These pancakes will turn out just as light and fluffy as traditional ones made with eggs and milk.

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How to make vegan pancakes→

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Alternatives for Eggs in Pasta

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Most pasta recipes call for eggs, egg whites, or yolks. However, you can make delicious pasta without them. One excellent egg alternative is aquafaba—the liquid left over from cooking chickpeas or found in canned chickpeas. After removing the chickpeas, whip this liquid until it becomes foamy. Combined with extra virgin olive oil, aquafaba helps create fresh pasta with the perfect texture.

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