There is a great deal of scientific evidence out there regarding the benefits of plant-based diets like the vegetarian and vegan diets. They are excellent for heart health and can help you maintain a healthy body weight while also reducing your risk for chronic disease. The vegan diet offers a wide variety of benefits, but it is not without its challenges. One of them is not being able to cook with eggs – keep reading to learn about the best vegan egg alternatives.

1. Ground Flaxseed

Combining ground flaxseed with water creates a gelatinous substance similar to an egg white. If you want to use this alternative in cooking, combine 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed with 3 tablespoons of water then stir well and let sit for 15 to 20 minutes. You can use this ratio to replace one large egg and, while it works well as a binder, it doesn’t act like an egg does in terms of leavening so you may need some extra baking powder or baking soda.

2. Chia Seeds

Chia seeds work in a very similar way to ground flaxseed in terms of creating a gel when mixed with water but they thicken up even more. Combine 1 tablespoon ground chia seeds with 3 tablespoons of water and let it rest for 15 to 20 minutes before using it. You can replace one large egg with this ratio, but avoid replacing more than one or two eggs in a single recipe.

3. Silken Tofu

You may not think of tofu as an egg substitute, but it can get the job done in recipes where the eggs are really just providing moisture. A ¼ cup of pureed silken tofu can replace one egg, particularly in dessert recipes for brownies or quick breads. Use it only in recipes that already contain leavening agents like baking powder and baking soda.

4. Mashed Banana

Like tofu, mashed banana can work well as an egg replacer in recipes where the egg primarily provides moisture. Use one medium mashed banana to replace one egg and keep an eye on leavening agents because the banana won’t help with that. Remember that it will add a strong fruit flavor to the recipe as well, so lay off if you don’t like the flavor of bananas.

5. Baking Soda and Vinegar

If you have a recipe where the eggs act as a leavening agent, you need to find an alternative that does the same thing. Mixing 1 teaspoon of baking soda with 1 teaspoon of white vinegar is a good replacement for one egg. Use this alternative in baked goods like doughs and batters – it will fluff them up well without changing the flavor.

6. Aquafaba

Even if you’re not a vegetarian or vegan, you’ve probably heard of using chia seeds or flaxseeds as an egg replacer. Aquafaba, on the other hand, may be completely new – it is the liquid leftover from a can of beans. Simply use three tablespoons of liquid per egg.

When it comes to baking in general, you need to be a little more careful than you do with regular cooking because baking ingredients tend to be more reactive. If you’re following the vegan diet, give some of these egg replacers a try.