Eggs are highly nutritious foods known for numerous health benefits. They belong to the class of foods known as superfoods, alongside berries, leafy greens, and nuts. Eggs contain proteins, vitamins, phosphorus, and selenium. Most of these nutrients are present in up to 20% of the recommended daily amount.
Eggs are some of the most popular foods; even people who rarely cook know them. Thus, they are some of the staple ingredients for making pancakes, cakes, and other baked goods. Eggs serve multiple purposes in these recipes, including acting as a binder, making the final product fluffier, and adding flavor.
What is the best substitute for eggs in pancake mix? The best substitute for eggs is nut or seed butter. Nut butter works as a binder for the batter and adds a rich flavor to the mix — two functions you expect from eggs. People who are allergic to nuts can use seed butter to achieve a similar effect.
Overview of Eggs in Pancake Mix
Even before people started using them in pancake mix, eggs have been a crucial part of our diets. They are mostly a part of breakfast meals, being scrambled, fried, boiled, and combined with foods like bacon. Their rich nutrient profile makes them the perfect first meal of the day.
Eggs are mostly gotten from fowls, even though many people consume eggs from ducks and quails, as well. They are especially crucial to the leavening of pancakes. The more egg whites you add to your batter, the fluffier the pancakes will be.
Why Replace Eggs in Pancake Mix?
- You have an allergy: An egg allergy is quite common, and allergic people usually react to many types of eggs, not just chicken eggs. If you’re allergic to eggs, symptoms like skin inflammation, nasal congestion, digestive symptoms, and asthma can make you crave a more comfortable substitute.
- You’re vegan: People on a vegan diet avoid all meals that exploit animals one way or the other. Fortunately, some substitutes make pancakes just as enjoyable without eggs or other animal-related foods. These substitutes are also rich in proteins and vitamins, much like eggs.
- You’re avoiding cholesterol: Eggs are notorious for their cholesterol content. One egg may contain as much as 200 mg of cholesterol, up to 66% of the RDA for most people. If you’re at risk of heart disease or wish to eat healthily, you’ll need substitutes for eggs in your pancakes.
- You can’t find eggs: Because of their popularity, eggs are readily available at grocery stores and many supermarkets. But if, for some reason, you can’t find them, their absence shouldn’t stop you from enjoying some delicious pancakes.
- You want to mix things up a little: Some substitutes for eggs in pancake mix offer a different taste, texture and nutrient benefits. They also bind the batter and even the pancakes. These substitutes are great if you’re looking for a change.
Best Substitutes for Eggs in Pancake Mix
Best Overall Substitute for Eggs in Pancake Mix: Nut and Seed Butter
Nut butter is gotten by grinding nuts into a paste. It is an excellent substitute for eggs in pancake mix because of its binding ability. Nut butter also adds richness to your batter flavor, and gives the pancakes a golden brown color. Depending on the nut used, the substitute can offer nutrients like protein, fiber, niacin, manganese, as well as many vitamins.
Some of the most common kinds of nut butter are peanut butter, almond butter, and cashew butter. People with nut allergies can use seed butter to achieve the same results. The most common seed butter is sunflower butter.
Best Substitute for Denser Pancakes: Flax Egg
Instead of the light and fluffy texture you get from eggs, flax egg makes your pancakes denser and gives them a nutty flavor. This is perfect if you’re looking for a change in your pancake recipe.
Contrary to its name, flax egg isn’t egg at all. It’s made by grinding raw flax seed with water. Flax egg is also popular among vegan recipes where it more or less replaces eggs. It is rich in calories, fiber, omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, and protein. There are two primary types of flaxseed: brow flax and yellow flax. Both are similar in nutritional value and taste.
Best Substitute for Vegans: Applesauce
Applesauce is one of the most delicious and nutritious substitutes for eggs in pancake mix. It is also a great recipe for oil in many recipes since it adds moisture and binding. Commercially available applesauce doesn’t come with additional flavors or chemicals, making it a healthy option.
Some people add a sprinkle of cinnamon to the pancake batter for more flavor. When replacing eggs with applesauce, expect moister and denser pancakes. ¼ cup of applesauce will replace 1 egg in your pancake mix.
Best Substitute for Avoiding Cholesterol: Mashed Bananas
Bananas have a distinct flavor that’s hard to ignore and even harder to hate. If you love having pancakes with bananas, then adding mashed bananas to your batter will be a real delight. The mix will yield a new flavor, but without all the extra cholesterol. Instead, you get a healthy dose of potassium, fiber, and probiotics.
You can easily mash bananas with a fork right before adding them to your pancake mix. ¼ cup of mashed bananas can substitute 1 egg. As with applesauce, you may get moisture and denser pancakes than with eggs. Some people add extra baking soda to the batter to make the pancakes fluffy.
Best Substitute When There Are No Other Options: Yogurt
Most of these other substitutes are readily available. But if you can’t find them, yogurt will do just fine. Yogurt is made by fermenting milk, and it introduces protein, calcium, and probiotics to your diet. You can play with various yogurt flavors to find what works best for your recipe.
There are also low-fat yogurts if you’re on a diet. With yogurt, you get fluffier pancakes with a slightly different flavor than you’re used to. The pancakes may also have a less crispy finish.