Article
Opinion 17 vegan ‘egg’ recipes you’d swear actually have egg in them
Kitchen TipsAuthor: Liv Published: September 16, 2024
Craving a traditionally ‘eggy’ recipe, only without the egg? Vegan breakfast scramble, quiche, omelette & meringues coming right up!
If you’re just cracking into the world of egg-free baking and cooking, you’ve got so many exciting plant-based options to discover.
From tofu to store-bought egg replacers, to a magical little ingredient called aquafaba, there are plenty of ways to replace the heartiness and texture of eggs in your meals – and from there, it’s all about the flavours you create with your other seasonings and ingredients.
Black salt, also called kala namak, is a game-changing spice to have in your toolkit if you want to achieve that signature ‘eggy’ flavour in a tofu scramble or omelette, for example. It’s salty, as the name suggests, but also has a distinctive, sulphurous aroma that your brain can’t help but read as egg.
To help get you started on your egg-free exploration, we’ve rounded up some of the best vegan ‘egg’ recipes around, from breakfast classics to decadent desserts.
They’re all super easy, super satisfying, and replicate the taste and texture of eggs so well that you might just do a double take.
1. Smoky Tofu Scramble on Toast
Tofu is utterly transformed in this easy-to-whip-up scramble recipe, featuring smoky seasonings, garlic, chilli, and a touch of turmeric for that yellow ‘eggy’ colour. A hearty, protein-packed way to start the day.
2. Egg-less Salad Sandwich
The dream egg-replacing team – tofu and black salt – are used to their full potential in this ridiculously filling sandwich, and are perfectly complemented by the fresh crunch of lettuce and cucumber.
3. Vegan Lemon Meringue Pie
A zesty lemon curd filling topped with fluffy aquafaba meringue, this pie is an absolute showstopper. It looks the part, tastes the part, and frankly, no one will believe you that it’s completely egg-free!
4. Tofu Benedict with Vegan Hollandaise
Rich, smoky tofu shines as a stand-in for poached eggs in this classic brunch order – but it’s the velvety vegan hollandaise sauce that really brings the whole thing together and amps up the flavour.
5. Simple Strawberry Crêpes
Delicate and thin, these mouthwatering vegan crêpes are filled with sweet strawberries and a dollop of dairy-free cream. The texture is exactly what you want from crêpes, with not a single egg in sight.
6. Vegan Sausage & Egg Mock Muffin
This hearty breakfast recipe creates a visual illusion perhaps even more convincing than the flavour! The deconstructed ‘egg’ is made using silken tofu as the white, and turmeric-coloured vegan mayo as the yolk.
7. Easy Vegan Aquafaba Mayo
This quick and tangy mayo made from chickpea water is thick, dollop-able, and perfect for sandwiches, salads, and more. Definitely a versatile egg-free staple you’ll want to keep on hand.
8. Christmassy ‘Eggnog’
All the festive flavours of eggnog, just without the eggs. This creamy, spiced drink is made with a blend of non-dairy milk, cinnamon, vanilla, and custard powder, and is perfect for adding to your plant-based holiday spread.
9. Chickpea Flour Omelette with Avo & Asian Veggies
Chickpea flour makes a tasty and nutritious base for pan-fried dishes like savoury pancakes and omelettes. This one’s sturdy, protein-packed, and topped with crunchy Asian greens & avo.
10. Spinach & Tofu Scramble
Packed with fresh spinach and seasoned to perfection, this ridiculously simple tofu scramble is a healthy and delicious way to enjoy a classic breakfast dish egg-free.
Tip: Add a pinch of black salt for even more egginess.
11. Pumpkin, Caramelised Onion & Rosemary Tart
Full of soft pumpkin, fragrant rosemary, and pops of caramelised onion, this wholesome, cheesy tart is held together much like a quiche, except using chickpea flour instead of eggs.
12. Spaghetti Frittata
A delicious cross between a frittata and last-night’s Italian leftovers, this recipe somehow just works. Plus, it’s proof that you don’t need eggs to bind fritters or frittatas – plant-based swaps do the job just as well!
13. Vegan Omelette
Super smooth, light, and fluffy, this creamy vegan omelette is made with a blend of extra firm tofu, soy milk, rice flour, and potato starch, as well as a classic blend of spices and our eggy-flavour saviour, black salt.
14. Artichoke & Olive Quiche
This Mediterranean-inspired quiche swaps the usual ‘eggs and milk’ combo for cannellini beans and blended cashews. The result is a delightfully soft yet sturdy dish, peppered with the savoury flavours of capers, olives, and artichokes.
15. Crème Brûlée
Traditionally egg-heavy, this crème brûlée recipe is breaking all the rules by going vegan. But the rules (and crème brûlée) were made to be broken – it tastes just as decadent and is guaranteed to impress.
16. Lemon & Basil Mayo
Our zesty and aromatic take on vegan mayo is flavoured with fresh lemon and basil, making it an utterly addictive sauce for your sandwiches, salads, and more. With silken tofu as the base, each spoonful is also laden with protein!
17. Bubble & Squeak
This nostalgic English dish has had a plant-based makeover, now featuring leftover fried veggies held together by mashed potato instead of eggs. It’s indulgent, crispy, and the ultimate nourishing comfort food.
Told you these recipes were no yolk 😉 Happy cooking!
Keen to discover even more egg-free meals & desserts? Check out these amazing recipes you can make with aquafaba – the liquid gold hiding in your cans of chickpeas!
Meet Liv!
Having grown up in a “meat and 3 veg” kind of household, Liv’s embarrassed to admit that she was a bit of a one-note chef until she began exploring the world of plant-based food. Vegan cooking has given her a whole new appreciation for the symphonies of flavours that simple, nourishing wholefood ingredients can create. (Even eggplant, once her greatest nemesis, is now — in a delicious, miso-glazed redemption arc — her all-time favourite veg.)