What is the Best Egg Substitute for Cornbread? (2024)

Eggs are a staple in the food industry. We fry them, boil them, mix them with other stuff, and make every imaginable recipe much better.

But what happens when you want to make cornbread but don't have eggs at home or just don't want to use them?

I'm here to save your cornbread recipe. I've got the best egg substitute for cornbread to make your recipe even tastier and healthier!

The Purpose of Eggs in Cornbread Recipes

Every cornbread recipe (or other popular recipes like this homemade eggnog) calls for eggs. A quick search online will show you just how vital this ingredient is.

All of them will most likely include eggs in their lists of ingredients. That's because eggs serve two essential purposes in making cornbread; binding and rising.

Egg as a Binding Agent

The primary purpose of using eggs in cornbread (and with other baked goods) is to bind the ingredients together.

By holding the ingredients together, the egg improves the mixture's structure and texture while allowing you to create a gel-like substance for easier processing.

Egg as a Rising Agent

The second major purpose of eggs in baking cornbread or other goods is to function as a rising agent.

Eggs are rich in moisture. When you mix them with other ingredients and introduce heat to the substance, the moisture evaporates into steam.

As a result, the egg allows the rest of the mixture to expand, thus providing your baked goods fluffy texture (and richness, too!).

Eggs help baked goods in many other ways, too, but these are the main reasons we include them in our recipes.

So, going back to our original question, is there an egg substitute for cornbread recipes? Luckily, there are several.

Best Egg Substitutes for Cornbread

There are several reasons why people substitute eggs when baking cornbread. Some do it because of a lack of supply, while others simply prefer a healthier alternative.

Whatever your reasons are, here are some egg substitutes that'll still make your cornbread fluffy.

1. Ground Flaxseeds

Ground flax seeds are the most popular egg alternative for baked goods. However, you must first turn it into a gelatinous mixture called "flax egg."

You just need to add water. Around one tablespoon of ground flax seeds and three tablespoons of water equals one egg.

Mix everything and let it sit for five minutes or until it thickens. If you only have flax seeds, grind them first before mixing them with water.

Ground flaxseed is also a great substitute for wheat germ.

Pro-Tip: Ground chia seeds work, too!

Why Use It?

It's the best egg substitute for vegans since they come from plants. Flax seeds are also high in fiber which helps improve digestion.

You also get a lot of protein, Omega-3 vitamins, and other nutrients not present in eggs.

Why Not?

If you're very keen on the taste of your cornbread, ground flaxseed may not be your best option. It has a naturally nutty taste which may affect the flavor of the cornbread.

Additionally, making flax eggs with these seeds can be expensive and may not be as cost-effective as traditional eggs, especially if you're making cornbread for business.

2. Unsweetened Applesauce

Pureed fruit, especially apple or mashed banana, can make great egg substitutes when making cornbread. They're also very easy to prepare.

Just grind fresh apple chunks until they turn into a gel-like substance. If you don't have a grinder or a blender, you can use a large fork, but you may end up with many apple chunks.

Additionally, ensure you're not using store-bought sweetened applesauce, as this can cause your Jiffy cornbread to be very sweet and sugary.

Pro-tip: Use ¼ cup of applesauce for every egg in your cornbread recipe.

Why Use It?

Apples are perhaps the healthiest fruits you can add to your baked goods. They're very nutritious and contain lots of moisture.

They also contain an acid called pectin which works just like egg yolks when binding different ingredients.

Why Not?

It may take a while to prepare. If you buy applesauce from the store instead, some contain sugar, cinnamon, and other alternative sweeteners.

This may significantly affect the flavor of your cornbread, making it very sweet.

3. Silken Tofu

We already know how popular tofu is, especially for vegans who wish to replace meats with a healthier alternative.

However, did you know you can also use tofu as an egg substitute for cornbread recipes? Well, the silken variant, not the firm one.

Silken tofu has more water content than firm tofu, allowing you to make a gel-like substance. (Firm tofu will make your cornbread rough and dense.)

Mash the silken tofu or toss it in a food processor to make a puree. A quarter cup of pureed tofu equals one egg in your cornbread recipe.

Why Use It?

The binding agent in silken tofu is almost as efficient as whipped eggs. Additionally, it provides extra moisture and texture to your cornbread.

Lastly, tofu has high protein content, making your cornbread extra healthier!

Why Not?

Depending on the quality of the tofu, some of them tend to be denser and heavier. As a result, you may not achieve the fluffy texture you want when using real eggs.

4. Greek Yogurt/Buttermilk

You already know how healthy yogurt is. Now, imagine if you replace eggs in cornbread with this food product.

The best thing is you don't need to do anything to prepare it. Just grab the cup and mix it with the other ingredients.

However, make sure that you use Greek yogurt. Avoid flavored yogurt, as it can affect the flavor of the cornbread.

You can also use melted butter or make your own buttermilk if you don't have Greek yogurt at home. For every egg in your cornbread recipe, use ¼ cup of yogurt or buttermilk.

Why Use It?

Yogurt and buttermilk are arguably the easiest egg substitute for cornbread you could find at home or the supermarket.

Why Not?

Some recipe calls for yogurt and buttermilk, too. Therefore, if your cornbread recipe includes these ingredients and eggs, you can't use them as substitutes.

Some yogurt products also contain lots of sugar, so you may want to be extra careful when using them as egg substitutes.

5. Sour Cream

Do you know that condiment you use to make your nachos extra special? You can use that to replace eggs in cornbread and other recipes, too!

Try out this Air Fryer Vanilla Cake recipe we've prepared if you have lots of excess sour cream at home.

Sour cream as an egg substitute makes for a thicker and better cornbread batter consistency. Similar to yogurt, you can use sour cream as it is.

Add around a quarter cup of sour cream for every egg in the recipe.

Why Use It?

It's a great alternative for people who regularly use this condiment. If you have leftover sour cream, you can use that to make your cornbread.

It also includes lots of vitamins and is free of sodium, making it one of the healthiest egg substitutes for cornbread.

Why Not?

Two reasons; dairy and fat. Sour cream comes from whole milk (and other ingredients), which means it's not the best option for lactose-intolerant folks.

Also, sour cream has a relatively high-fat content, so it's also not the best if you're trying to reduce your fat intake.

No. You can't go for low-fat/non-fat sour cream either since these variants will not help the taste and consistency of your cornbread batter.

6. Vegan Mayonnaise

You can use good old mayonnaise instead of eggs to make cornbread, but since some of you are ditching eggs for a more vegan alternative, vegan mayo works fine, too.

Some vegan mayo products tend to be more watery in consistency instead of gel-like. You want to beat it up a little to match the consistency of regular mayo.

Like the other alternatives here, use ¼ cup of vegan mayo for every egg in your favorite cornbread recipe.

Why Use It?

Whether you're avoiding eggs, soy, or gluten, vegan mayo is the best substitute you can use. It also helps in binding different ingredients and making fluffy cornbread.

Why Not?

Vegan mayo products vary from one brand to another. Ergo, you'd have to be more careful when selecting a substitute for cornbread.

Vegan mayo, or any variant of mayonnaise, is also rich in fat and sodium, so even if it can make the fluffiest cornbread, it won't be the healthiest.

7. Baking Powder/Baking Soda and Vinegar

There's a reason these are called baking powder/soda. When you mix them with vinegar, the batter will foam up and cause the substance to expand.

Because of this, they make for great egg replacements in making cornbread. For every teaspoon of baking soda, you will need one tablespoon of vinegar.

On the other hand, if you're using baking powder, you only need heat to activate the agent and make your cornbread fluffy.

Why Use It?

Almost every home has baking powder/soda and vinegar, which means it's very accessible, especially when you're in a pinch.

There's also the bonus of an airy or fluffy texture on your cornbread.

Why Not?

This one probably has the lowest binding properties among the cornbread egg substitutes on this list.

Moreover, baking soda and vinegar are both liquids, so you might have to increase the portions of the dry ingredients in your recipe to match.

8. Commercial Egg Substitutes

Your last option for making cornbread without eggs is a commercial egg substitute or egg replacer.

If you haven't heard of this, it's basically tapioca and potato starch (powder) made to resemble egg qualities.

You can find these in supermarkets packed in bags or boxes. You will need two tablespoons of powdered egg replacer to account for one egg in your recipe.

Why Use It?

The main purpose of egg replacement powder or starch is to replace eggs. Therefore, they have almost all the qualities of regular eggs when it comes to binding and rising.

Why Not?

Commercial egg substitutes can be nutritious but not as healthy as real eggs. Additionally, some of them aren't necessarily vegan.

You may want to read the labels first before purchasing one, especially if you're replacing eggs to make a vegan cornbread.

If you're making a different recipe that calls for potato starch but you're trying to avoid it, here are some substitutes you can try.

Related: Best Potato Starch Substitutes for Gluten-Free Cooking and Baking

Egg Substitute FAQs

Wrapping Up

If you've fully embraced the vegan lifestyle, or don't want to try an eggless cornbread, feel free to use any of the substitutes I listed above.

Remember that each will affect your cornbread differently, whether it's the flavor, consistency, or texture.

Once you've understood their properties, I guarantee you'd make the best and most unforgettable eggless cornbread ever!

Find out more about other one-of-a-kind recipes and kitchen hacks using egg alternatives. Use air fryers to make the healthiest meals at home. Don't have one? Check out our buying guides and reviews, too!

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