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What Can You Substitute for Eggs in Brownies?

Eggs are used in many baking recipes, but if you have an egg allergy, are vegan, or just ran out of eggs and are looking for a quick substitute, here you will find a list of 10 egg substitutes you can use for making brownies.

What is the Purpose of Eggs in Baking?

Eggs have numerous purposes in baking including holding together the ingredients like glue and thickening the batter.

Furthermore, eggs help the batter rise while baking, and eggs also add moisture and give a rich flavor to baked goods.

Lastly, eggs provide nutritional value to baked goods including protein and fat.

10 Substitutes for Eggs in Brownies

When substituting eggs in brownies, the substitute needs to help hold the brownie batter together and make the batter rise. The substitute should also make the brownies moist and not add an overpowering flavor.

Below you will find 10 substitutes for eggs in brownies and the pros and cons for each substitute.

Substitute

Conversion Amount (per egg)

Applesauce

¼ cup applesauce

Aquafaba

3 tablespoons aquafaba

Arrowroot Powder

2 tablespoons arrowroot powder + 2 tablespoons water

Banana

¼ of a banana

Carbonated Water

¼ cup carbonated water

Chia Seeds

1 tablespoon chia seeds + 3 tablespoons water

Flaxseed

1 tablespoon flaxseed + 3 tablespoons water

Oil, Baking Powder, and Water

2 tablespoons water + 2 teaspoons baking powder + 1 teaspoon oil

Plain Yogurt

¼ cup yogurt

Silken Tofu

¼ cup silken tofu + 1 tablespoon water

#1 Applesauce

applesauce and apple

Conversion Amount: 1/4 cup of unsweetened applesauce per egg.

Applesauce is a common replacement for fat and oil in brownies, and it can be used to substitute eggs as well.

Unsweetened applesauce holds the brownie ingredients together and makes the brownies moist. However, applesauce does add a slight apple flavor to the brownies, and the brownies may not rise as well.

Pros:

  • Holds the ingredients together
  • Brownies are moist

Cons:

  • Adds an apple flavor
  • Brownies do not rise that much

#2 Aquafaba

aquafaba

Conversion Amount: 3 tablespoons of aquafaba per egg.

Even though aquafaba is an unusual name, it is simply the liquid found in a can of chickpeas. Aquafaba has similar properties to egg whites, which makes it a good substitute for eggs in baking.

Aquafaba helps hold the brownie batter together and ensures the brownies are moist.

Pros:

  • Holds the ingredients together
  • Brownies are moist

Cons:

  • Brownies do not have a rich flavor

#3 Arrowroot powder

arrowroot powder

Conversion Amount: 2 tablespoons of arrowroot powder mixed with 3 tablespoons of water per egg.

Arrowroot powder is made from the starches of the arrowroot plant, and it is used for thickening baked goods. It is a great substitution for eggs in brownies because it helps thicken the brownie batter and holds the ingredients together.

Arrowroot powder has a neutral flavor, but it can make the brownies drier and crumblier.

Pros:

  • Holds the ingredients together
  • Thickens batter
  • Neutral flavor

Cons:

  • Drier and crumblier texture

#4 Banana

overripe bananas

Conversion Amount: 1/4 of a ripe banana per egg

Bananas are similar to applesauce as an egg substitution as they help hold the ingredients together and make the brownies moist and sweet.

However, like with applesauce, bananas do add a banana flavor to the brownies, and the brownies do not rise as much.

Pros:

  • Holds the ingredients together
  • Brownies are moist
  • Adds sweetness

Cons:

  • Adds a banana flavor
  • Brownies do not rise that much

#5 Carbonated Water

crbonated water

Conversion Amount: 1/4 cup of carbonated water per egg

Carbonated water is also known as sparkling water and seltzer water, and it makes brownies light and fluffy. Carbonated water helps the brownie batter rise without changing the flavor.

You do need to add the carbonated water right before baking the brownies as you do not want to lose the carbonation.

Pros:

  • Helps brownies rise
  • Will not change the flavor

Cons:

  • Does not have a rich flavor
  • Need to add right before baking

#6 Chia Seeds

raw chia seeds

Conversion Amount: 1 tablespoon of chia seeds with 3 tablespoons of water per egg

Chia seeds are used to hold the brownie ingredients together like eggs, and they add moisture to the brownies. Chia seeds do have a neutral taste, but they add a crunchy texture to the brownies.

If you are using chia seeds as an egg substitute, it is recommended to ground them in a spice grinder or with a mortar and pestle before adding them to the brownie mixture.

Pros:

  • Holds the ingredients together
  • Neutral taste

Cons:

  • Crunchy texture if not ground
  • Brownies do not rise as much

#7 Flaxseed

flaxseeds wooden spoon

Conversion Amount: 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed with 3 tablespoons of water per egg

Flaxseed is similar to chia seeds, and it helps hold the brownie batter together.

Flaxseed does give the brownies a better texture than chia seeds. However, it does make the brownies denser, and the flaxseed can add an earthy flavor.

Pros:

  • Holds the ingredients together
  • Good texture

Cons:

  • Denser brownies
  • Earthy flavor

#8 Oil, Baking Powder, and Water

Conversion Amount: 2 tablespoons of water with 2 teaspoons of baking powder and 1 teaspoon of oil per egg

Oil and baking powder are common pantry staples that can be used to replace eggs in brownies. The oil and baking powder combined with the water hold the ingredients together and make the brownies rise.

The substituted ingredients also make the brownies moist and light without changing the flavor of the brownies.

Pros:

  • Holds the ingredients together
  • Helps brownies rise
  • Brownies are moist
  • Flavor is not changed

Cons:

  • Brownies can brown quickly when baking

#9 Plain Vegan Yogurt

natural yogurt

Conversion Amount: 1/4 cup of yogurt per egg

Yogurt is a great substitute for eggs in brownies as yogurt has a high amount of protein and fat. Plain yogurt adds a neutral flavor and it makes the brownies moist.

Plain yogurt does have added sugar, and the brownies can be too sweet if you do not adjust the sugar amount.

Pros:

  • Brownies are moist
  • Neutral flavor

Cons:

  • Does not hold ingredients together well
  • Brownies can be too sweet

#10 Silken tofu

silken tofu chinese

Conversion Amount: 1/4 cup of silken tofu with 1 tablespoon of water per egg

The final replacement for eggs in brownies is silken tofu, which is a creamy tofu made from soybeans. Silken tofu is a good substitution for holding ingredients together in baked goods. It also has a high amount of protein like eggs, and gives the brownies a smooth texture.

Pros:

  • Holds the ingredients together
  • High amount of protein
  • Brownies have a smooth texture

Cons:

  • Brownies can be denser

egg substitute for brownies

Chocolate Brownie Recipe Without Eggs

This chocolate brownie recipe uses flaxseed and water as a substitution for two eggs, but you can use any of the other above egg substitutes instead.

You can also swap the butter and chocolate for vegan butter and chocolate to make the brownie recipe vegan and dairy-free.

What ingredients do I need to make brownies without eggs?

For brownies without eggs, you can use any of the above egg substitutes, but this recipe uses flaxseed combined with water.

You will also need your dry ingredients including flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt as well your wet ingredients of butter and sugar.

The recipe also uses a chocolate bar to give the brownies a richer flavor.

What equipment do I need?

You do not need any special equipment to make these brownies. All you need are small bowls, a medium bowl, a baking dish, and a whisk.

How do I make brownies without eggs?

First, you will need to combine the flaxseed and water to make the egg substitute and let it sit for at least 10 minutes before adding it to the batter.

You will then combine melted butter and sugar followed by the other wet ingredients of vanilla extract and the flaxseed.

You will then add all the dry ingredients followed by the chopped chocolate bar then bake in the oven for around 30 minutes.

brownies recipe

How to Make Brownies without Egg

Yield: 9 servings
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes

Your best vegan brownies recipe.

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons of ground flaxseed
  • 6 tablespoons of water
  • ½ cup of butter
  • 1 cup of sugar
  • 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract
  • ¾ cup of all-purpose flour
  • ¼ cup cocoa powder
  • 1 teaspoon of baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon of salt
  • 8 ounces of a chocolate bar

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F
  2. In a small bowl, mix together the ground flaxseed and the water with a fork. Set aside the bowl for 10 minutes
  3. Melt the butter in a small microwave-safe bowl
  4. In a medium bowl, add the sugar and melted butter and combine the ingredients with a whisk
  5. Add the vanilla extract and flaxseed to the medium bowl and whisk until the ingredients are combined
  6. Add the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt to a medium bowl and combine all the ingredients with the whisk
  7. Chop the chocolate bar into small pieces
  8. Stir the chocolate pieces into the batter
  9. Line an 8-inch square baking dish with parchment paper or spray with cooking spray 
  10. Pour the batter into the baking dish
  11. Bake the brownies for 30 minutes or until a fork comes out clean when inserted into the center of the brownie batter
  12. Let the brownies cool for 20 minutes before serving
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 9 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 369Total Fat: 19gSaturated Fat: 11gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 33mgSodium: 392mgCarbohydrates: 47gFiber: 2gSugar: 35gProtein: 4g

DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?

Be sure to leave a comment and rating below. I appreciate your feedback!

Final Thoughts

Whether you are vegan, have an egg allergy, or are looking for a quick egg substitute, you will be able to make delicious brownies without eggs.

As well as brownies, the egg substitutes can also be used for other baked goods such as cakes, cupcakes, and cookies.

I’m Jennifer Schlette, a Registered Dietitian and Integrative Nutrition Health Coach. I love cooking, reading, and my kids! Here you’ll find the healthiest recipes & substitutions for your cooking. Enjoy, and be well, friends!

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