Baking Substitutions for Gluten, Dairy, and Eggs

While there are several reasons you may need to make a substitution while baking, food allergens are at the top of the list. Food allergies are quite common and because of them baked goods are off the market for many people. Allergies to gluten, dairy, and eggs can be especially tricky while baking because these ingredients play such key roles in many recipes. Thankfully, there are lots of amazing products out there to make baked goods accessible to almost anyone! I do not personally have these allergies, but I am sharing some things that have worked for me when catering to them. Keep in mind that these are not all-inclusive lists, and you may know a different product that works wonderfully. If you do, please share with us in the comments! And always double check for yourself to make sure all of the ingredients you are using are a good fit for you.

As you make substitutions, be aware that the recipe may not come out quite as expected the first time. Baking is a science, and changing ingredients in a recipe will alter the way it bakes.  Be patient with the process and know that you may need to attempt the recipe several times to fine tune it to come out just right. If your recipe isn’t a success, try finding a recipe specifically crafted to fit your needs and go from there.

Substitutes for Gluten

If you are interested in baking a gluten free recipe from scratch, you will need to a good gluten free flour and possibly xanthan gum. King Arthur has two different gluten free flour products that I have found helpful. The first type, GF All Purpose flour does not contain xanthan gum, which will have to be added to the bake as part of the recipe. This flour is more ideal if you are making a recipe that is specifically crafted to be gluten free. The second type, GF Measure for Measure flour does contain xanthan gum. This flour is ideal if you are making a traditional recipe yet changing it to be gluten free. 

Here are links to those flours as well as a blog from King Arthur detailing more of the differences in the flours:

• Gluten Free All Purpose Flour
• Gluten Free Measure for Measure Flour
• How to choose which gluten-free flour to use.

Gluten free mixes are also a wonderful and reliable tool to have. After testing out quite a few gluten free cake mixes, I have found that my favorite products are from King Arthur. If you need to make a GF cake, I highly recommend these two mixes. The cakes are delicious, and no one I baked them for could even tell that they were GF bakes! These are found in many different grocery stores, but I have been able to find them consistently stocked at Whole Foods.

• Vanilla Cake
• Chocolate Cake

Substitutes for Dairy

Butter and milk are commonly used while baking to make cakes, frostings, pastries, cookies, breads… the list goes on. When trying to find an appropriate substitute for the diary in your recipe, I have found one thing especially helpful to remember – the flavor of the dairy-free milk or butter you choose will filter through to your baked goods.

Dairy-Free Milk

There are many options for dairy-free milk these days and each one comes with it’s own unique flavor. A few types available are oat, almond, coconut, soy, rice, cashew, or macadamia. For the best baking results, just be sure to select one that is unflavored and unsweetened. Do keep in mind that you some dairy-free milks are made with nut products if that is a concern for you.

My personal favorites:

• Oatly! Oat Milk
• Almond Breeze Almond Milk

Dairy-Free Butter

Dairy-free butter options include vegan butters, coconut oil, shortening, and oils. When choosing a dairy free option, there are two main considerations – flavor and consistency. 

For the most part, an oil or shortening will not change the flavor of your bake. However, many dairy-free butters have an added “butter flavor” or salts to create a likeness to true butter. This is helpful for cooking, but added salts in baking can often throw off a recipe. Find an unsalted version of dairy-free butter and you will be good to go in the flavor department! Miyoko’s Creamery makes an unsalted cashew and coconut oil spread that is crafted specifically for baking with a very mild flavor. While making dairy-free buttercream, I tested many many brands and Miyoko’s came out as my favorite. The mildness of the “butter” led to a more true buttercream flavor and the consistency held up well even for a July wedding in the south!

The consistency of your dairy-free option can make a difference in your bake. For example, if a recipe calls for melted butter you can usually substitute with an oil since it is also liquid. However, if a recipe calls for softened butter, an oil would not be an equal substitute. In that case, you would need to find something with the same consistency as softened butter. Vegan butter sticks or solid coconut oil or shortening would be a better choice. So, note the current recipe’s requirements and use that to help make your selection. 

My personal favorite:

• Miyoko’s Creamery European Style Cultured Vegan Butter – Unsalted 

I have been able to find this at Whole Foods, but you can also order online.

Substitutes for Eggs 

I am still quite new in the world of egg substitutes, but I have compiled a list of common ones that are readily available. The end result of your bake may be slightly different in taste or texture from the normal version, but it will hopefully result in a similar and delicious result. If one substitute doesn’t work as hoped, don’t give up, simply try again using another option. Let us know if you have any tried and true egg substitutes!

One trick that I have heard works great is to pick your favorite box cake mix and simply mix in a can of sprite. Bake as directed and you have an egg free cake! Have you ever tried that one? 

In addition to commercial egg replacement products, here are some other ideas:

1 egg = ¼ cup applesauce

1 egg = 1 tablespoons ground flaxseed + 3 tablespoons water

1 egg = ¼ cup silken tofu pureed

1 egg = 1/4 cup yogurt

1 egg = 1/4 cup buttermilk

1 egg = 1/4 cup sweetened condensed milk

1 egg = ½ banana mashed

Try it out

If you are looking for a recipe that is gluten, dairy, & egg free, check out these No Bake Oatmeal Cookies I shared on the Plan to Eat blog a few years ago! They are truly delicious and I hope you enjoy them! If you need to make the recipe nut free as well, try using SunButter, which is made from sunflower seeds, instead of peanut butter. 

No Bake Oatmeal Cookies