How to Make a Chia Egg

Here’s how to make a chia egg with just chia seeds and water. This easy recipe is great for vegan and egg-free baking!

I use flaxseed eggs in a lot of my recipes but chia seed eggs are rarer! But did you know you can also use chia seed to make a vegan egg replacement? It’s worth clarifying that these “eggs” don’t work in all recipes but they are really great for vegan baked goods.

What is a Chia Egg?

A chia egg is a vegan egg substitute in some recipes that is made from water and chia seeds. When combined, they gelatinize and can help bind baked goods together.

Health Benefits of Chia Seeds

Chia seeds are powerful little seeds! For starters, they are a great source of omega 3 fatty acids, which help reduce inflammation and have been linked to a lower risk of chronic diseases. They’re a good source of antioxidants, plant-based protein and fiber! Learn more about the health benefits of chia seeds.

Here’s What You Need

• chia seeds – black or white chia seeds work! And no need to grind the chia seeds, just use whole chia seeds! Some of my favorite brands are Mamma Chia, Navitas and Bob’s Red Mill.
• water – the liquid in this mixture.

How to Make a Chia Egg

In a small bowl whisk together chia seeds with water. Let the mixture sit for 10-15 minutes until it gels up and use as directed in the recipe you’re making.

Do the Chia Seeds Need to be Ground Up?

While you can use ground chia seeds to make a chia egg there is no need to grind the seeds. You can just use whole chia seeds!

How to Use Chia Eggs

One traditional egg can be substituted for one chia egg in a lot of baking recipes. I typically like to only use this substitution if the recipe notes that it is okay – sometimes the baked good doesn’t rise as well with an egg substitute, like with brownies for instance. Chia eggs work well when the traditional egg is acting as a binding agent and not the star of the show. If a recipe calls for a flax egg, but you don’t have ground flaxseed on hand you can easily swap in a chia egg instead.

Here are some recipes where you could use chia eggs:

• Apple Baked Steel Cut Oatmeal
• Vegan Apple Bread
• Easy Baked Oatmeal
• Berry Baked Oatmeal Bars
• Vegan Zucchini Bread
• Chocolate Chip Tahini Cookies
• Sweet Potato Brownies
• Healthy Pumpkin Bread

More Staple Recipes to Try

• How to Make a Flax Egg
• How to Make Oatmeal
• Quick Pickled Onions
• How to Make Almond Milk
• How to Make Cauliflower Rice
• Lemon Vinaigrette Dressing
• How to Make Hard Boiled Eggs
• How to Make Roasted Garlic