Eggs in brownies are necessary for two reasons. They act as a binding agent, helping to give the batter a smooth consistency, and they also add moisture to brownies. Without eggs or a substitute for eggs, brownies would be dry, crumbly, and unappetizing without eggs or a substitute for eggs.
You can use a few ingredients as substitutes for eggs in brownies. Certain dairy products and pureéd fruits can be used in place of eggs in brownies because these ingredients also add moisture and help bind all of the ingredients together.
Best Eggs in Brownies Substitute: Applesauce
The best substitute for eggs in brownies is applesauce. Applesauce is made from pureéd apples. The natural juice in the apples adds the same moisture as eggs to brownies.
The texture of apple sauce is smooth, with a thickish liquid consistency. This makes applesauce a good substitute for eggs in brownies because applesauce and eggs both act as binding agents.
Use ¼ of a cup of applesauce as a substitute for each egg in brownies. You can buy ready-made apple sauce, or you can make it yourself.
The only ingredients you’ll need for homemade applesauce are apples and water. Golden delicious apples are the best apples to use because they have the perfect balance of sweet and tart flavor.
Follow these easy steps for the best homemade applesauce.
- Peel and core 6 apples
- Cut the apples into chunks
- Place the apples in a saucepan with ¼ of a cup of water
- Cook the apples over medium heat until they are soft
- Leave the apples to cool, and blend them into a smooth paste using a blender
Store the applesauce in a sterilized glass jar. Home-made applesauce can last for up to 6 days in the fridge.
Brownies Recipe With Applesauce as a Substitute for Eggs
Ingredients:
- 1 cup flour
- 2 cups sugar
- 1 cup oil
- ¾ cup applesauce ( replacing 3 eggs)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla essence
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon of salt
- ¾ cup of cocoa
Method
- Preheat the oven to 350°F
- Spray a 9×13 inch baking pan with non-stick spray
- Mix all of the ingredients except for the baking powder together in a bowl
- Add the baking powder to the bowl and mix lightly
- Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and bake at 350° for 25–30 minutes
Other Eggs in Brownies Substitutes, Alternatives, and Replacements
There are other alternatives that you can use in place of eggs in brownies.
Fruit-based Substitutes for Eggs in Brownies
Certain fruits can be pureéd or mashed and used as a substitute for eggs in brownies. If the fruit is exceptionally sweet, you should reduce the amount of sugar in the recipe accordingly to allow for the extra sweetness.
When making brownies, you can use any of the following fruit-based substitutes on the basis of ¼ of a cup of fruit to one egg.
Mashed Bananas
Mashed bananas add moisture to brownies, and also give brownies a hint of a fruity flavor. For the best results, you should use overripe bananas.
Bananas that are still green are too hard and firm. They have the wrong texture and will make the brownie batter lumpy.
Pureéd Prunes
Pureéd prunes are cooked dried prunes that have been blended to a smooth paste. Pureéd prunes work as a substitute for eggs in brownies because of their smooth consistency.
Prunes are sweet, so reduce the amount of sugar in the recipe to make up for the sweetness of the prunes.
Mashed or Pureéd Dates
Dates are a great substitute for eggs in brownies because of their texture and flavor. Remove the stones from the dates, and soak the dates in enough water to cover them until they are soft. Mash the dates or blend them in a blender, and use the paste in place of eggs in brownies.
Raisins
Raisins work as a substitute for eggs in brownies. Soak the raisins in water until they are soft and plump. Drain the raisins well and mash them to a pulp. Use a ¼ of a cup of mashed raisins in place of 1 egg.
Mashed Avocado
Avocado has a smooth consistency and is full of natural oil. You can use a ¼ of a cup of mashed avocado for each egg in brownies. The avocado acts as a binding agent, and the natural oil in the avocado adds moisture to the batter.
Vegetable-based Substitutes for Eggs in Brownies
Mashed Pumpkin
You can use mashed pumpkins as a substitute for eggs in brownies because pumpkins don’t have a strong flavor. The smooth texture of the mashed pumpkin helps to bind the other ingredients.
When using mashed pumpkin in place of eggs in brownies, you should cook the pumpkin for a long time so that it is soft and easy to mash into a smooth paste. Use a ¼ of a cup of mashed pumpkin for each egg.
Butternut Squash
Mashed butternut squash works as a substitute for eggs in brownies. Use mashed butternut squash as a substitute for eggs in brownies in the same way as mashed pumpkins.
Dairy-based Substitutes for Eggs in Brownies
Buttermilk
Buttermilk is a fermented liquid that is made from cultured cream. Buttermilk has a smooth, creamy consistency and works well as a substitute for eggs in brownies because it acts as a binding agent and adds moisture.
Use a ¼ of a cup of buttermilk as a substitute for 1 egg.
Natural Yogurt
Natural yogurt is similar to buttermilk and can be used as an alternative to eggs in brownies. Yogurt has a sour tang, so you should add extra sugar to your recipe to make up for the sour taste of the yogurt.
A ¼ of a cup of yogurt can replace 1 egg in a brownie recipe.
Butter
Most brownie recipes contain either butter or oil. Adding extra butter can work as a substitute for eggs in brownies. Use 1 tablespoon of butter for 1 egg.
You should only replace one egg with butter. Substituting more than one egg with butter will make the brownies too rich and greasy.
Milk
You can use milk as a substitute for eggs in brownies because milk adds moisture to the batter. Add 2 tablespoons of milk in place of 1 egg.
Adding extra milk gives the batter a loose consistency. You should bake the brownies for an extra 3-4 minutes to ensure that they are properly cooked on the inside.
Flaxseed Powder
Flaxseed powder is made from ground flaxseeds. Flaxseeds have a mild, slightly nutty flavor which goes well with brownies. You can mix flaxseed powder with water and use the paste as a substitute for eggs in brownies.
Mix 1 tablespoon of flaxseed powder with 3 tablespoons of water as a replacement for 1 egg.
Aquafaba
Aquafaba is the liquid that is found in canned beans or chickpeas. Aquafaba works as a substitute for eggs in brownies because it adds moisture to the recipe.
3 tablespoons of aquafaba can replace 1 egg.
Arrowroot
Arrowroot is a starch that comes from the roots of tropical plants. Arrowroot powder mixed with water acts as a good substitute for eggs in brownies because it adds moisture and binds the other ingredients.
Use 2 tablespoons of arrowroot powder mixed with 3 tablespoons of water as an alternative to 1 egg.
Nut Butter
Peanut butter, cashew nut butter, and almond butter all work as a substitute for eggs in brownies. However, you should use the creamy variety rather than the chunky variety.
Nut butter has a smooth texture and acts as a binding agent. The natural oil in the nut butter adds moisture to the brownie batter too.
Use 2 tablespoons of nut butter in place of 1 egg in brownies.
Distilled Vinegar and Baking Soda
Distilled vinegar mixed with baking soda works as a substitute for eggs in brownies. The vinegar adds moisture, while the baking soda acts as a binding agent.
One tablespoon of vinegar mixed with one teaspoon of baking soda can replace one egg in brownies.
Carbonated Water
Carbonated water is fizzy water that contains added gas. Carbonated water adds moisture to brownies, and the gas in the carbonated water helps to bind the other ingredients together.
Use ¼ of a cup of carbonated water as a substitute for one egg in brownies.
Silken Tofu
Tofu is a vegan-friendly food that is made from coagulated soy milk. Silken tofu is a soft, smooth variety of tofu. Silken tofu makes a great substitute for eggs in brownies because it doesn’t have any flavor and silken tofu adds moisture to the brownie batter.
You should whip silken tofu before using it as a substitute for eggs in brownies. Replace 1 egg with ¼ of a cup of whipped silken tofu.
Oil, Water, and Baking Powder
You can use vegetable oil as a substitute for eggs in brownies, but you should mix vegetable oil with water and extra baking powder. The oil and water add moisture to the batter, but extra oil makes the batter heavy. Baking powder helps to lighten the batter.
Use 1 teaspoon of oil with 1 teaspoon of water and 1 teaspoon of baking powder in place of 1 egg. You should only replace 1 egg with oil. Replacing more than 1 egg with oil makes the brownie batter heavy and oily.