With this simple guide, you can learn in no time how to make Flax eggs. Flax eggs are a vegan egg substitute that provides a great solution for anyone who is on an egg-free diet. Easy and quick to make, it’s a pantry-friendly alternative for vegan baking.
One of my favorite ways to spend quality time is hosting dinner parties and receiving friends to my house. Sometimes that can involve catering for guests with specific dietary requirements due to personal choices or allergies. Over the years, the one I found most challenging was finding a substitute for eggs, especially when baking.
There are many ways that you can do that, like using acquafaba, mashed banana, apple sauce, or pumpkin puree. But, one of my favorite ways is using flax eggs.
What is a flax egg?
A flax egg is simply a mixture of flaxseed (also known as flax meal) and cold water. It creates a gluey liquid similar to egg whites and helps to bind the ingredients together just as the egg does.
Despite being unappealing to look at, I have discovered that when used in the right recipe, flax eggs are a real game-changer when it comes to vegan baking!
Flaxseed (or flax meal)
There are two kinds of flaxseeds, brown and golden, and both are easy to find in supermarkets. Some people find that the dark brown seeds have a slightly stronger flavor than the golden seeds, but I don’t feel it’s an issue when baking.
Why is it good to use flax eggs?
It’s a complete food. When you implement flaxseeds into your diet, you are fueling your body with all 3 dietary macronutrients: carbohydrates, protein, and fat. Flax eggs are also rich in fiber. On a more practical side, it’s a pantry-friendly alternative to eggs for anyone who is vegan or has an egg allergy. Flax eggs help achieve the right amount of moisture for vegan baking.
When can you use Flax eggs?
Flax eggs work very well for many recipes but unfortunately, not for all.
Because flax eggs do not offer the same support in a recipe as real eggs do, you cannot substitute them in egg-based recipes like shakshuka or frittata.
As a general rule, I would say that flax eggs work great in:
- all recipes that call only for 1 or 2 eggs, like muffins, cookies, and quick breads
- any wheat-based flour recipe
- recipes that do not require an electric mixer
- recipes that produce a soft or chewy center like brownies
I use flax eggs in this vegan gingerbread cookies or you can substitute the eggs in my Chai Spice Apple Cake.
Avoid using flax eggs in:
- recipes that require more than 2 eggs
- recipes that call for gluten-free flour, like coconut flour. (However, I have to say that I have used flax eggs with oat flour, and it worked well.)
- recipes that do not use flour, such as custards, flans, and flourless cakes, as they will lack structure
How do you make flax eggs?
We can say that 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed + 3 tablespoons water = 1 ‘egg.’ So use this formula to substitute for each egg required by your recipe.
The secret of making good flax eggs is the resting time. You might read in other recipes that only 1 minute is required, but in my experience allowing the mixture to rest for at least 10-15 minutes makes all the difference to achieve the right consistency.
So make sure to prepare your flax eggs ahead of time.
How long will flax eggs keep?
You can place flax eggs in the fridge for one or two days in a small glass or ceramic container. But because it is so simple to make, I don’t recommend making it in advance.
Flax eggs vs Chia eggs
With the same technique and recipe, you can also make chia eggs. I feel they are pretty interchangeable. I prefer chia seeds in smoothies because they have a more neutral flavor or in recipes where the seeds won’t bother you visually.
How do you store flaxseed (or flax meal)?
Generally speaking, you can store whole or ground flaxseed in an air-tight container in your cupboard for up to 6 months. It will last much longer if kept in the fridge. However, always follow storage instructions on the package.
Can I grind my own flaxseed?
Absolutely! Whole seeds will keep even better. Just whiz up at least 1/3 cup of whole flaxseeds for about 60 seconds in a food processor, or until it feels like a slightly gritty flour. Because such a small quantity is usually needed, I find it more convenient to use a spice or a coffee grinder. Though I haven’t tried it myself, I assume a mortar and pestle will do the job as well.
I believe that covers pretty much everything but if you have any questions please get in touch!
How To Make Flax Eggs
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp ground flaxseed, also known as flaxseed meal
- 3 tbsp cold water
Instructions
- Mix the ground flaxseeds and cold water in a small bowl. (If your recipe calls for more than 1 egg, multiply the ingredients as necessary.) Stir with a small spoon until combined.
- Let the mixture rest for at least 10 to 15 minutes, or until it has a gooey, thick, jelly-like consistency (similar to egg white).
- Use in place of the eggs in your baking recipe.
