How to bake with vegan ingredients -
A Vegan Baking Substitutes Guide

When you’re new to vegan cooking, the idea of baking without eggs, dairy milk or butter can seem a little overwhelming. You’ll soon find how easy it is to bake with vegan ingredients though! Oftentimes plant-based ingredients can even perform better, plus they’re healthier and kinder.

Here are some easy ways to make vegan desserts and baked goods, such as cakes, muffins, cookies, pastries & more.

 
 
Vegan cookies made chia seed eggs
 

How To Make A Flax Egg (Vegan egg substitute)

 
  • 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed

  • 3 tablespoons water

Mix together & allow to sit for 3-4 minutes, until a gelatinous mixture forms.

This amount replaces 1 egg in baking.
Simply multiply to suit. Use in pancakes, crepes, cakes, biscuits and muffins.

You can also substitute flaxseed with chia seeds to make a chia egg.

Vegan pancakes made with flax eggs, topped with berry + chia seed jam.

Vegan pancakes made with flax eggs, topped with berry + chia seed jam.

 

How To Make Whipped Aquafaba
(Vegan egg white substitute)

That liquid leftover from a drained can of chickpeas (aka chickpea brine) is the new wonder-kid on the culinary block - because when whipped, this magic liquid becomes the most fabulous substitute for egg white.

Use whipped aquafaba to make chocolate mouse, pavlova & meringue. You can use ⅓ cup of sugar to a can of chickpeas - makes the equivalent of a 2-3 egg meringue.

3 tablespoons of aquafaba is the equivalent of 1 egg white.

 
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Vegan Meringue Kisses, Made With Aquafaba


How To Make Olive Oil Pastry (butter pastry substitute)

This produces a flakier, shorter, better textured pastry than our old butter pastry recipes used to.

We use whole ground flour, ground nuts (almonds, walnuts or hazelnuts), olive oil, juice of a lemon and chilled water. This makes a seriously delicious quiche or pie crust (for both sweet and savoury recipes).

Spinach & mushroom filling on top of a walnut, olive oil pastry base, waiting for its silken tofu and flaxseed topping, to make a very yummy quiche.

Spinach & mushroom filling on top of a walnut, olive oil pastry base, waiting for its silken tofu and flaxseed topping, to make a very yummy quiche.


Silken Tofu (cream substitute)

Blended with a stick-mixer or a food processor, the very best organic non GM silken tofu is a brilliant addition when you want a creamy sauce for a curry or in a cheesecake or quiche.

We also love to stir it though stir-fry noodles at the end, tossed with peanuts and chilli, to create a creamy finish.

 

 

Besan/Chickpea Flour (thickener for sauces)

Swapping chickpea flour for regular white flour in sauces adds protein, but also adds a nutty flavour and a texture which behaves. No more lumpy sauces!

Substitute like for like amount in savoury sauces and gravies.


 
A beginner’s guide to vegan baking. How to make baked cakes, muffins & cookies with vegan ingredients. Here are some easy ways to make vegan desserts, with plant-based ingredients like flax eggs and aquafaba egg whites.
 

Coconut Oil (Butter Substitute)

While the jury is still out on the enormous claims of the cure-all effects of this ancient (but now trendy) ingredient, there is no debate about its cooking prowess. Use 3/4 cup virgin/cold-pressed coconut oil + ¼ cup water to replace 1 cup of dairy butter. (Whip it, melt it - it creates yummier, more evenly textured cakes, biscuits, crumbles and slices.)


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How To Make Vegan Croissants

 

More Vegan Baking Recipes