Traditional baking ingredients often include animal-derived products like milk, butter, and eggs. For existing vegans or those transitioning into veganism, baking products made from such ingredients is a strict no-no. Fortunately for such individuals, several animal-free baking substitutes are available for use. These include dairy-free alternatives for baking, vegan alternatives for sugar and sweeteners, and plant-based food components. These vegan substitutes allow people to enjoy their favorite baked foods while practicing a cruelty-free lifestyle.
1. Chia seeds
People who are used to baking with traditional ingredients such as wheat flour and eggs will be surprised to know that chia seeds can act as a substitute for both in baked goods. Certain vegan recipes use ground chia as a primary flour substitute, while others use whole or ground chia as a binder and egg alternative. People who wish to create egg-like goop for their baked recipes can mix two teaspoons of ground chia with three tablespoons of water. Ground chia is an excellent gluten-free ingredient for cakes and pastries due to its useful binding and thickening properties. Small amounts of chia can replace guar gum and xantham.
Arguably, the best part of chia seeds is their versatility as an ingredient. Whole seeds will likely work for recipes with textured surfaces like cookies, bread with nuts, and muffins. On the other hand, ground chia works better for brownies, cakes, and similar less-textured baked products. Chia seeds ground finely to a powder format can be used as a thickener for puddings and other smooth-textured recipes.
All in all, this alternative is an ideal option for people seeking solutions for how to bake without dairy and eggs.
2. Dairy-free chocolate chips
Most popular baking products have chocolate in them. Milk, oil, and butter are key components of chocolate used to make cakes, pastries, brownies, cupcakes, and bagels. Instead of using regular chocolate, one can include a dairy-free product such as vegan chocolate chips to free their cakes and brownies of animal-derived components. Dairy-free chocolate chips are versatile ingredients that many baking enthusiasts and professional bakers use to make eatables, such as chocolate-dipped pretzels and fruit-based products. There are sub-alternatives even within dairy-free chocolate chips. Two popular classifications include organic vegan white baking chips and solely date organic dark chocolate chips.
3. Soy milk
This vegan component is among the most popular dairy-free alternatives for baking. Soy milk offers all of milk’s positive attributes without the lactose-related elements. So, this ingredient is just as good for those who don’t prefer lactose-based products. Despite its organic, vegan nature, soy milk packs almost as much protein content as standard milk. Apart from soy milk, other types of plant-based milk for baking include rice milk, coconut milk, almond milk, oat milk, peanut milk, and normal pea milk.
4. Almond oil
As is the case with plant-based milk products, using plant-derived oils is also ideal when following a cruelty-free lifestyle. Among many alternatives, almond oil stands out for its smooth texture, rich aromas, and, most importantly, its powerful antioxidative properties. These oils are highly versatile and useful for frying and baking various dishes. The flavors of almond oil tend to be mild and toasty (and, most importantly, not too overpowering or overwhelming). This is why it is considered among the most popular vegan butter substitutes for baking. Almond oil can elevate the flavor and provide a moist texture for several food items like cookies, muffins, cakes, and cinnamon buns.
5. Applesauce or apple butter
Several vegan substitutes for sugar and sweeteners are derived from plant sources, including apple butter or applesauce. Wellness-conscious individuals who wish to reduce the sugar levels of their baked goods tend to use applesauce or apple butter as key ingredients.
Applesauce lends the natural sweetness, tenderness, and moisture content people generally associate with sugar and traditional dairy products. Applesauce and apple butter come with many natural elements and varied water content. To balance things out and get the most out of these ingredients, one can reduce the liquids in their recipes and add more vegan flour (or chia seeds). This helps add more flavor and create a stellar base for the baked delicacies.
6. Dairy-free whipped cream
Traditional, animal-derived whipped cream forms the backbone of baked foods such as cheesecakes and trifles. Fortunately, one of the most useful vegan substitutes for such baked products is dairy-free whipped cream. Several brands are currently offering dairy-free ice cream containers and aerosol cans of vegan whipped toppings. Dairy-free whipped cream is widely used for various recipes and delivers a taste similar to regular cream.
7. Mashed bananas and sweet potato puree
Like applesauce, mashed bananas, and potato puree are popular vegan substitutes for sugar and sweeteners. These foods contain much less refined sugar than factory-based sucrose and are packed with essential nutrients. Like applesauce, mashed bananas contain large amounts of water, so people who use these ingredients regularly will need to adjust the liquid levels in baked dishes. Similarly, sweet potato puree is highly dense in fiber and antioxidants, and it adds a moist texture to baked foods like breads, muffins, and pies.