Millions of Americans who already have limited grocery budgets are being ripped off food prices household items such as eggs continue to grow more and more.
Egg prices rose by 3.2% in December 2024 and rose by 36.8% compared to last year due to the outbreak of bird flu affecting production, FOX Business reported this week.
If the price of eggs bothers you, Fox New Digital asked food experts for some egg alternatives that won’t break the bank.
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Consider these effective replacement ideas.
1. Choose another protein
If you normally start your day with eggs, try another protein for a change.
The price of eggs might prompt breakfast lovers to consider some protein alternatives as well as other suggestions. A registered dietitian shared ideas. (iStock)
“Greek yogurt is a great high-protein option,” Carol Holland, a registered dietitian with JM Nutrition in Ontario, Canada, told Fox News Digital.
She suggested pairing it with fruit and some granola for balanced breakfast. Or layer the yogurt by adding berries and nuts.
2. Bake with seeds
When making thick pastries such as muffins or cookies, use ¼ cup of fully mashed banana or smooth apples for each egg, suggested Holland.
These egg alternatives won’t break the budget.
“Banana in particular will add a subtle sweetness to the final product, so this may not be the best choice for savory baking,” she said.
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Another way to skip eggs during baking is to use them flax or chia seeds.
“Mix one tablespoon of ground flaxseed or ground chia seeds with three tablespoons of water,” Holland said.
Flaxseed can be used as a substitute for eggs in baking. (iStock)
To get the desired consistency with these seeds, use a clean coffee grinder, then mix one tablespoon of ground seeds with three tablespoons of water to replace each egg.
“Let it sit for a few minutes and it will form a thick gel that you can use in place of eggs,” Holland noted.
Another way to bake these treats without eggs is to use yogurt or buttermilk.
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“It will help offset the baking moisture that eggs would provide, and ¼ cup of either will replace one egg in baked goods,” Holland said.
3. Find an egg substitute for your fluffy favorites
If you’re making pancakes, brownies or cakes, consider using a starch powder like arrowroot powder or cornstarch, Holland suggested.
Mix two tablespoons of starch with three tablespoons of water to replace one egg, she said.
Arrowroot powder can be used as a substitute for eggs when making pancakes, cakes or cookies, said a food expert. (iStock)
“This will also act as a thickener for puddings or custards made without eggs,” she added.
4. Think about the items from the pantry
Another trick is to use pantry items to simplify eggless dishes food preparation.
If you’re using ground beef or pork, saltine crackers can help bind the meat, Holland said.
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“Just put the salty wipes in a Ziploc and rub them with a rolling pin until they’re powdery,” she explained.
Fine breadcrumbs will also be served. Holland suggested one cup for each egg.
Pantry items like breadcrumbs are another egg-free food option. (iStock)
But poultry dishes will not do well with this method.
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“But this won’t work with ground chicken or turkey,” Holland said. “There’s not enough fat in the meat to hold things together.”
5. Make fried rice without eggs
Making fried rice but can’t add eggs? There are several things to consider.
The egg adds moisture to this dish during cooking and a tangy flavor, which you can get from cooking oils like avocado oil, along with seasonings of your choice, Holland noted.
Cooking oil can be used instead of eggs in fried rice. (iStock)
To make delicious fried rice, reach for a wok or other large pan so you can keep the food at a high temperature, Holland said.
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If you’re looking for a protein boost without eggs, alternatives like thinly sliced meat or legumes like kidney beans or edamame are smart substitutes, Holland said.
6. Choose an omelette without eggs
Although it sounds unusual, this omelet “is made with chickpea flour, oil and water,” Holland said.
An omelet can be made without eggs from chickpea flour, oil and water. (iStock)
“The end result is a bit like a savory pancake.”
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Add your choice of toppings, fold the dish, and you have a protein-rich meal that can be customized to suit personal taste, she said.
