If you plan to get your hands floury with some vegan baking, you’ll probably come across recipes that call for flax eggs. What the heck is a flax egg? It’s basically just some ground flax seeds and water.

You can substitute flax eggs for chicken eggs in most baking recipes. Flax eggs will give you the same sticky “binding” effect, so your baked goods will have more cohesion and they won’t turn out crumbly.

1 flax egg = 1 Tablespoon of ground flaxseed + 3 Tablespoons of water

How to Make a Flax Egg

Just whisk the ground flaxseed and water together with a fork, then wait a few minutes. It turns into a sticky paste that’s about the same consistency and volume as one large egg.

You’ll need to use ground flaxseed or “flaxmeal,” not whole flax seeds. (Unless you want to grind your own flax seeds in a spice mill, which is fine.)

Notes:

• Always keep ground flaxseed in the refrigerator to preserve freshness. If you store it in a jar or a clear plastic bag, wrap it in a paper bag as well, because it’s sensitive to light.
• A bag of ground flaxseed might seem like an expensive purchase, but it will last forever because you only use a little bit at a time.
• Some recipes call for only 2.5 Tablespoons of water per 1 Tablespoon of ground flaxseed. This will slightly reduce the amount of liquid in your mixture, so if you’re baking something with juicy berries or fruits, you might want a little less water in your flax egg.

Facts About Flax

Loaded with healthy fats, including Omega-3s, flax seeds also provide dietary fiber and a decent dose of protein. One little tablespoon has 1.5 grams of protein! Some people use ground flaxseed as a dietary supplement because of its many health benefits. 

Flax is a pretty amazing plant—it’s been grown for food and fiber since the Stone Age. Flax blossoms into gorgeous deep indigo flowers, and the stalks can be woven into textiles like linen, twine, and even paper. Its edible seeds can also be made into oil, and even though flax oil is called “linseed oil” it’s still the same plant.

Ready to Bake?

Now that you know what the heck a flax egg is, let’s get baking! Try this easy and delicious zucchini bread recipe—you’ll love it.