7 Egg Alternatives To Get You Through the Shortage

The worst bird flu outbreak in U.S. history has quickly turned eggs, once a household staple, into a hard-to-find luxury item. Case in point: the average cost of a dozen, large Grade A eggs in U.S. cities has more than doubled from $1.70 in November of last year to $3.59, according to data from the St. Louis Federal Reserve. And those record-high prices have consumers searching for egg alternatives. In one popular Reddit thread, more than 600 users discussed egg replacers and workarounds. Here are the top seven egg alternatives to get you through this shortage.

Prices and availability are subject to change.

Related: Here's Why Egg Prices Are Hitting Record Highs

It's easy to forget that vegans have been doing without animal products for thousands of years. Thanks to them, we know that a variety of seeds work as egg substitutes in baked goods, as multiple Redditors point out. For instance, just one tablespoon of ground chia seeds mixed with 2.5 tablespoons of water is the equivalent of one egg, according to one popular recipe. For recipes that call for eggs, a chia egg is a quick, healthy, and cheap solution.

Related: 36 Common Substitutes for Cooking and Baking Ingredients

JUST Egg is a plant-based substitute made to mimic eggs down to the color and texture, though it's a bit pricey at around $4 for eight servings. Still, this egg-free mixture is versatile, as it can be used in scrambles, baked goods, and other recipes.

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If you can't go without a proper omelet, try to find a carton of liquid eggs or egg whites. A carton of Egg Beaters from Walmart — equivalent to around 20 cage-free eggs — costs $7.18. While not cheap, it might be your only option if the store is sold out of whole eggs.

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You can make a "flax egg" with a tablespoon of ground flax seeds and 2.5 tablespoons of water, according to the recipe site Minimalist Baker. Redditors say this egg replacer "works great" for baking.

One Redditor says that they baked the "best sugar cookies" by substituting chickpea juice (aka aquafaba) for eggs. The difference, they add, was imperceptible — and we're not surprised. Aquafaba can be used as a binding agent in quiches, meringues, and other delicate egg-based baked goods. Around 3 tablespoons of aquafaba is equivalent to one egg, according to Kitchn.

Tofu is an egg analog that's cheap, perfect for scrambles, high in protein, and widely available. And if you feel like your tofu scramble is lacking flavor, consider adding nutritional yeast to give the dish "an awesome umami flavor," as one Redditor suggests. Black salt, also known as kala namak, can also give your scramble a sulfurous, eggier flavor.

Related: 11 Vegan Meat Substitutes That Actually Taste Good

While most Redditors argue that it's cheaper to buy factory-farmed eggs than raise your own chickens, our research shows that it can be a worthy investment, especially if you're prone to buying organic and pasture-raised. (You can also sell surplus eggs to neighbors to offset expenses,). Plus, you'll know that your chickens are living healthy, cruelty-free lives. Just be prepared to research local laws and pay for significant start-up costs.