Given the shortage of eggs, high prices and news reports about bird flu, are you feeling frustrated after your last supermarket run?

Maybe you are thinking of raising backyard chickens as an alternative? Let's consider some plant-based alternatives first.

It makes sense to switch to healthy and cruelty-free options. This allows you to avoid the myriad of issues with backyard eggs and the welfare issues associated with commercial eggs. Many folks have been using plant-based alternatives for years, from aquafaba, flax, and chia seeds in baking to scrambled tofu and plant-based eggs for more traditional egg-centric meals.

It's important to consider what you're trying to achieve with your eggs. Once you've determined that, there are a variety of options:

The first are the most budget-friendly options that you probably already have in your cupboard. Aquafaba is the liquid from a can of chickpeas that can be whipped into a foam that resembles egg whites. Flax and chia seeds can also be used as egg substitutes by mixing them with water to form a gel-like consistency. Silken tofu can be blended into a smooth mixture and used in recipes that call for eggs. Lastly, mashed bananas or applesauce can also be used as egg substitutes in recipes that require a binding agent.

For those who want a baking option, established brands like ‘PaneRiso Egg Replacer’, ‘Ener-G Egg Replacer’, or ‘Bob's Red Mill Egg Replacer’ are perfect. These products are not only cruelty-free, but are highly versatile, and can be used in a variety of recipes, from cakes and cookies to savory dishes like quiches and omelettes.

For the demanding chef, or cooks in a hurry who need a truly authentic egg substitute, products like Just Eggs, Simply Eggless, VeganEgg, or Scramblit are a perfect fit. They are ideal for creating a very realistic and satisfying egg-like experience. To replicate the light and airy texture of egg whites, Oggs and Yumgo are great! Their texture and consistency can help achieve fluffy meringues or other recipes calling for airy fillings.

Finally, under “I can't believe these are plant-based” eggs, soy-free, and gluten-free Wonderegg has been praised for its ability to mimic the taste and texture of real eggs so closely that many people can't tell the difference.

Yo-Egg, is a plant-based egg yolk replacement that mimics the taste and texture of real egg yolks, making it perfect for dishes like hollandaise sauce or aioli.

All of these products are part of a rapidly expanding selection of plant-based egg alternatives that are transforming the food industry. With an increasing demand for allergy-friendly and cruelty-free options, these innovative products are enabling both chefs and home cooks to create family-friendly meals and baked goods without compromise.

Note: don't forget to check out our long list of replacements AND our extensive recipe collection, too.

Happy cooking!

Note: Egg-Truth is not sponsored by any of the aforementioned products.

Juliane Priesemeister, Executive Director

Juliane worked almost a decade for an international corporation as an information designer. Generating compelling visual stories was her daily deed, but as much as she enjoyed the creative work the big corporation environment left her hungry for substance and impact.

When she started her yoga journey a few years ago the “do no harm” philosophy pushed her to align work with her personal ethics and values. Today she uses her omnibus skill set, including marketing communications, economics, and graphic design, to reveal the truth about the egg industry to consumers.