This TikTok Favorite Makes A Perfect Egg Substitute

If you've ever found yourself scrolling through TikTok, chances are, you've come across the silken tofu hashtag. From creamy smoothie bowls to béchamel sauce, it's clear that this protein-rich ingredient, also known as Japanese-style tofu, is slowly becoming a trendy staple in kitchens beyond the realm of its Asian roots. 

Unlike regular tofu, the kind most commonly used as a meat substitute in the plant-based food community, silken tofu has a smooth, custard-like texture (via The Kitchn). This is fundamentally why The Spruce Eats says it's a perfect substitute for eggs. Though you'd probably never initially think to whisk or beat a block of silken tofu, its liquid and solid properties make it as versatile as eggs. As The Spruce Eats explains, it can even go through the blender. If dietary restrictions are preventing you from eating eggs, or you just don't have anymore left in your fridge and want to make breakfast, silken tofu can come in handy for practically any recipe that calls for them, even your favorite desserts. In terms of texture, flavor, and protein content, silken tofu comes pretty close to the real thing.

Due to its sponge-like nature, regular tofu requires pressing before cooking in order to remove excess water. For silken tofu, on the other hand, this can be skipped entirely. To use it as an egg substitute, just blend it until it's lump-free, The Spruce Eats instructs. According to vegan cooking vlog Make It Dairy Free, once it's blended, silken tofu acts as a one-to-one substitute, meaning you won't have to add or subtract any other ingredients in your recipe to accommodate for the eggs you're swapping out. The volume of one egg is ¼ cup, so simply measure out ¼ cup of silken tofu for each egg that your recipe calls for.

Aside from being structurally similar to eggs, silken tofu doesn't exactly taste like anything, so it's a blank canvas of cooking possibilities. Regardless of whether you're making something sweet or savory, it won't alter the flavor profile of your dish in any significant way, so you really can't go wrong with silken tofu as an egg substitute. Well, unless you buy the wrong kind. "You don't want to pick up a flavored version," Make It Dairy Free's co-host warns. That is, unless there's a specific flavor you'd like to incorporate in whatever you're making!