+7 votes
Eggs are getting far too expensive nowadays! What simple pantry ingredient can I use to keep my pancakes fluffy without relying on all these modern chemical powders???
in Recipes and Cooking by

3 Answers

+4 votes
Best answer
Hello there. I completely understand your concern with rising grocery prices, and you will be glad to hear that you can make wonderfully fluffy, thick pancakes using simple, traditional ingredients you likely already have in your kitchen.

One of the most reliable pantry substitutes is plain yogurt or sour cream. Using about a quarter cup of full-fat yogurt or sour cream in place of an egg adds the necessary richness, protein, and moisture. The natural acidity also tenderizes the gluten in your flour, allowing the batter to hold onto air pockets during cooking so the pancakes puff up nicely instead of turning flat or dense.

Another classic pantry option is unsweetened applesauce or a well-mashed ripe banana. A quarter cup of applesauce or half of a ripe banana replaces one egg effectively. The natural fruit pectin and starches bind the batter together and retain moisture on the griddle. Applesauce provides a very neutral flavor, while banana will add a pleasant, subtle sweetness.

A helpful culinary tip for keeping eggless pancakes fluffy is to avoid overmixing. Stir your wet and dry ingredients gently until just combined, leaving some small lumps in the bowl. Allowing the batter to rest for about ten minutes before pouring it onto a medium-hot pan gives the flour time to hydrate thoroughly, which produces a much higher rise.
by chef (168k points)
selected by chef
+8 votes
Mix 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed with 3 tablespoons of warm water... Let it sit for 5 minutes on the counter until its completely gelatinous and thick! Stir it directly into you're dry mix in place of one egg! It binds everything together like real eggs and freezes great if you batch cook you're pancakes on Sunday! Makes them super thick and fluffy every single time without falling apart!!!
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–1 vote
I feed four kids on tight weeknight schedules, so egg shortages forced me to test various pantry substitutes. Whisk one tablespoon of cornstarch with three tablespoons of warm water until completely smooth, then add it to your batter in place of one egg. It binds the flour together and keeps the batter thick on the skillet. However, keep the cooking temperature on low heat to prevent the center from remaining sticky and gummy.
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