Out of Eggs, one case
Egg substitute for waffles
4 options, ranked, with the exact amount
Use Plain yogurt or buttermilk
¼ cup for every egg
For each egg, use ¼ cup of plain yogurt or buttermilk plus an extra ¼ teaspoon of baking powder. The waffles are tender inside and crisp outside. A flax egg works for dairy-free waffles, and whipped aquafaba gives the lightest result.
- Verdict —
- Tweak it
- The tweak —
- Add ¼ tsp baking powder per egg replaced and cook 1 minute longer than usual.
- Best for —
- classic and buttermilk waffles
- Pantry —
- Likely in your cupboard
One casethe full eggs card
Every option, one card
Ranked| # | Substitute | Instead of 1 egg | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Plain yogurt or buttermilkclassic and buttermilk waffles | ¼ cupTweak it | Tweak it |
| 2 | Flax eggvegan and dairy-free waffles | 1 tbsp flax + 3 tbsp waterTweak it | Tweak it |
| 3 | Whipped aquafabaBelgian-style waffles | 3 tbsp + 1 tsp oilTweak it | Tweak it |
| 4 | Unsweetened applesaucekids’ waffles | ¼ cupYou'll taste it | You'll taste it |
Plain yogurt or buttermilk
slightly tangy; tender
Moisture, protein and acid. The acid reacts with the leavening and gives lift the egg would have added.
- Best for
- classic and buttermilk waffles, waffle mix
- Prep
- Add ¼ tsp baking powder per egg replaced and cook 1 minute longer than usual.
- Contains
- dairy
- Where it fails
- Yeasted or Belgian waffles that rely on beaten egg whites for height.
Flax egg
nutty; a little denser
Binds the batter so the waffle releases from the iron in one piece.
- Best for
- vegan and dairy-free waffles, whole wheat and oat waffles
- Prep
- Rest 5 minutes to gel. Oil the iron well.
- Suits
- vegan
- Where it fails
- Very light, crisp waffles.
Whipped aquafaba
neutral taste
Chickpea liquid whips like egg white. Folded in, it makes waffles light and crisp.
- Best for
- Belgian-style waffles, vegan waffles
- Prep
- Stir the oil into the batter. Whip the aquafaba alone to soft peaks, 5 to 10 minutes with a mixer, and fold it in last.
- Suits
- vegan
- Where it fails
- A rushed morning; unwhipped, it adds little.
Unsweetened applesauce
lightly fruity; soft, not crisp
Binds and sweetens slightly, but holds water, so the waffle is softer.
- Best for
- kids’ waffles, freezer waffles for the toaster
- Prep
- Add ¼ tsp baking powder per egg and cook until the steam stops.
- Suits
- vegan
- Where it fails
- Crisp waffles. Toast them after cooking if you want an edge.
Tips for substituting eggs
4 tips- Egg-free batter sticks more. Brush or spray the iron before every waffle.
- Wait until steam stops coming out of the iron before opening it. Opening early tears an eggless waffle.
- For crispness, replace 2 tbsp of the flour with cornstarch.
- Hold cooked waffles on a rack in a 200°F oven, not stacked on a plate, so they do not steam soft.
Questions
4 questionsCan I make waffles without eggs?
Yes. Use ¼ cup yogurt or buttermilk per egg with ¼ teaspoon extra baking powder, or a flax egg.
What can I use instead of eggs in waffle mix?
The same swaps work in a boxed mix: ¼ cup yogurt, applesauce or a flax egg per egg listed.
Why are my eggless waffles sticking?
There is no egg protein to firm up the surface. Oil the iron well, make sure it is fully hot, and cook until the steam stops.
Can I use banana instead of egg in waffles?
Yes, half a mashed ripe banana per egg. The waffles taste of banana and are soft, so cook them a little longer.