If you are looking for an egg substitute for cornbread, you’ve come to the right place. Eggs are essential ingredients in baked goods, including cornbread. Cornbread will not become what it is without eggs or an equivalent.
In this article, you’ll learn about the other ingredients that can replace eggs in a cornbread recipe. We’ll also share with you their pros and cons, along with how to use each of the options below.
Eggs act as a binding agent for cornbread; they make the ingredients stick together. Eggs also lend their flavor, making the bread taste more delightful. They also make the cornbread rise and give it a fluffy texture.
That said, the substitute for eggs in cornbread should also have similar properties.
Here is the list of the best nine options for you to try when substituting egg in cornbread.
When you add water to ground flaxseed, you’ll create a gelatinous substance. Known as “flax egg,” this mixture is a go-to replacement for eggs in many recipes. For this reason, you can use this to make eggless cornbread.
Ground flax seeds are vegan and gluten-free. This makes a good substitute for people with strict diets and those who have celiac disease. Plus, they are high in fiber, which helps with digestion. Lastly, flaxseeds make excellent binders. You’ll surely get the same texture in your cornbread as when you used eggs.
Flax seeds have a naturally nutty taste. This flavor is absent from eggs, so using flax eggs can alter the taste of your recipe. Plus, flax seeds are more expensive than eggs. They are not the most budget-friendly substitutes.
Mix 3 tablespoons of water with 1 tablespoon of flax meal to make a flax egg. This will give you the equivalent of one real egg. Use a 1:1 ratio of flax egg to a real egg in a cornbread recipe.
If flax seeds are unavailable, you can use chia seeds instead. They also turn gel-like when mixed with water.
Although tofu is a known meat substitute, it can also be an egg substitute when making cornbread. Yet, you should ensure that you use silken tofu instead of firm tofu. Using regular tofu will give your cornbread an unpleasant texture.
Silken tofu is a softer variety. Its texture can blend well with other ingredients in your cornbread.
Tofu has excellent binding properties, similar to an actual egg. You’ll get a great texture in your cornbread when using it. Plus, it is rich in protein, so you’ll have extra nutrients in your bread.
Silken tofu is much denser than eggs, so using them might give you a heavier cornbread.
Make a tofu puree by tossing the silken tofu in a food processor. Once pureed, use ¼ cup to replace one egg in your recipe.
You can also use yogurt or buttermilk as egg substitutes for cornbread. Unlike tofu, these food items are light and won’t make your cornbread dense. Besides, they are everyday food items in households. When using yogurt, though, it is best to pick Greek yogurt for its neutral flavor.
When in a pinch, you can look at your fridge and most likely find one. Yogurt and buttermilk are the most accessible options for egg substitutes.
Yogurt and buttermilk are also common ingredients for baking. That said, you cannot use them to substitute eggs in recipes where they are also an ingredient. Doing so will cause the cornbread to fail, affecting the balance of ingredients.
To substitute 1 egg, use ¼ cup of either buttermilk or yogurt.
Vegan mayo is like regular mayonnaise but without eggs. It’s a go-to vegan substitute for eggs. This plant-based condiment is a mix of aquafaba, oil, and vinegar.
Aquafaba is chickpea water. When beaten, its consistency matches that of regular mayo. So it’s an excellent choice for baking cornbread without eggs.
This mayo is safe for those sensitive to gluten, soy, and eggs. It will make your cornbread fluffy, too. If you’re on a vegan diet, there is a good chance you’ll have this on hand. Vegan mayo makes it an easy swap for eggs.
Unless you make your own vegan mayo, its ingredients vary per brand. You’d have to check the label to ensure that you won’t consume anything you’re sensitive to. Plus, any kind of mayo is high in sodium and fat, so this is not the healthiest option.
Use ¼ cup of vegan mayo to replace each egg called for in your cornbread recipe.
Sour cream can also substitute for eggs in cornbread. This condiment is regular cream fermented with lactic acid and bacteria. These additives are what make the cream sour, hence the name. It has a thick consistency that will give your cornbread a great texture.
Sour cream is also a common household item, so you will likely have a tub already. This makes it an accessible alternative, especially when you’re in a hurry. Sour cream is also rich in calcium and Vitamins A, B12, and E, so you’re looking at a healthy substitute here.
Sour cream is a dairy product, which makes it a no-no for those with lactose intolerance. It is also high in saturated fats, so those watching their fat intake should be on the lookout.
Like the other substitutes, you can use ¼ cup of sour cream to replace 1 egg in cornbread.
You can make applesauce from pureed apples. Apples contain pectin, a natural thickener that can act as a binder in a Jiffy cornbread. For this reason, it makes an excellent alternative to eggs.
Applesauce is not only delicious but also nutritious. It is a pleasant-tasting alternative with a natural flavor. Applesauce is also rich in fiber, which aids digestion.
Store-bought applesauce can have added sugars and cinnamon flavoring. This can alter the flavor of your bread. Remember, cornbread should taste like corn.
To replace a single egg, use ¼ cup of applesauce.
We’re all familiar with the science experiment of mixing vinegar and baking soda. The mixture will foam up and produce a fascinating effect. This combination will form carbon dioxide and will make your cornbread fluffy. For this reason, it can replace eggs in your recipes.
Both these items are household staples. This makes for a quick replacement, which you’ll appreciate if you don’t want to go on a grocery run. Also, adding them to your cornbread will give you a lovely airy texture.
This combination does not have a strong binding effect. Plus, it adds more liquid to your recipe. You might have to alter the ratio of dry ingredients to compensate for this.
Combine 1 teaspoon of baking soda and 1 tablespoon of vinegar. This mixture will make a suitable replacement for 1 egg in a cornbread batter.
You can puree different fruits to make an egg replacement. Avocados, apples, and bananas are among the best fruits to use.
Pureed fruits will provide you with plenty of vitamins. This makes them a healthy alternative. Also, fruits are usually available in most households. That said, you can work with what you already have.
Fruits have a flavor of their own, which can affect the taste of your cornbread. So expect a shift in taste, color, and aroma. Pureed fruits do not have a leavening property. You might have to add baking powder to achieve a nice fluffy texture.
Use ¼ cup of pureed fruits to replace 1 egg.
A commercial egg replacer is also a great option for cornbread. After all, these products are there to replace eggs. The main ingredients for commercial egg substitutes are potato starch and tapioca starch.
Commercial egg substitutes are the most convenient replacements. They mimic the same properties of real eggs. That said, they are excellent binding agents.
Although some egg replacers include nutrients, they are less nutritious than eggs. Plus, some contain non-vegan ingredients, so it is best to check the label.
Use 2 tablespoons of egg replacer for each egg called for in your recipe.
When choosing the best substitute for eggs in cornbread, consider these four factors.
If the substitute you picked does not bind well, you must make adjustments. Or else, you’ll risk changing the texture of your bread.
You also need to pay attention to their taste. Some substitutes, like pureed fruits and flaxseeds, have a distinct flavor. They’ll affect the taste of your cornbread.
You should also look at the cost. For example, flaxseeds are not as affordable as baling soda and vinegar. For the best swapping experience, go for those that will not break the bank.
Lastly, watch out for ingredients that might not suit some people. This is especially important for those with dietary restrictions. For instance, some alternatives are not vegan, while others may contain soy.
Substitutes like pureed fruits and flaxseeds can alter the flavor of your cornbread. Fruits will make cornbread sweeter and fruity, while flaxseed can lend a nutty taste. Other swaps, like tofu and yogurt, have a neutral flavor that will have little to no effect on taste.
The cornbread will not be as flavorful without eggs. The egg yolks are rich in fat which makes your bread tasty. Plus, the ingredients won’t stick together if you don’t put eggs in cornbread. Eggs are the binders in a cornbread recipe. If you skip them, ensure that you’ll use an egg substitute.
The answer is it depends. Of course, substitutes like applesauce and pureed fruits will make cornbread more nutritious. But baking soda and vinegar won’t do the same.
Many options are available if you are on the hunt for the best egg substitute for cornbread. Commercial egg replacers are the most convenient. Tofu and applesauce are top choices when it comes to their binding properties. But if you are after the most nutritious ones, go for pureed fruits.
