Seasonal Vegan Egg Recipes: Holiday Edition
The holidays are a time when traditional egg-based recipes often take center stage, from creamy eggnog to delicate meringue cookies. But for those embracing a plant-based lifestyle, there’s no need to miss out! The world of vegan egg alternatives has exploded in recent years, offering incredible versatility for holiday cooking and baking.
Plant-Based Egg Basics
Before diving into festive recipes, let’s quickly cover the vegan egg substitutes that shine during holiday season:
- Aquafaba: The liquid from canned chickpeas that whips up beautifully for meringues and fluffy desserts
- Silken tofu: Perfect for creating creamy textures in custards and pies
- Commercial egg replacers: Brands like JUST Egg and Follow Your Heart offer pourable “eggs” that work wonderfully in quiches and scrambles
- Flax or chia eggs: Ground seeds mixed with water create a binding agent ideal for cookies and cakes
- Chickpea flour: When mixed with water and seasonings, it creates an uncanny scrambled egg texture
Festive Breakfast Favorites
Nothing beats a special holiday breakfast to start the celebration. Try a vegan quiche Lorraine using silken tofu blended with nutritional yeast and black salt (kala namak) for that distinctive “eggy” flavor. Pour the mixture over sautéed onions, vegan bacon bits, and herbs in a flaky crust for an impressive centerpiece.
For a quicker option, chickpea flour scramble spiced with winter herbs like sage and rosemary makes a hearty breakfast. Fold in roasted red peppers and spinach for festive red and green colors that brighten the table.
French toast is another holiday morning tradition easily veganized by soaking thick slices of challah or brioche in a mixture of plant milk, chickpea flour, vanilla, and cinnamon. Top with maple-bourbon-glazed pears and a dollop of coconut whipped cream for a decadent treat. And don’t forget about breakfast casseroles—layer torn bread with vegan sausage, colorful bell peppers, and a Peggs (https://eatpeggs.com/) mixture seasoned with herbs de Provence for a make-ahead morning meal that feeds a crowd.
Holiday Baking Magic
Holiday cookies and cakes don’t need eggs to be spectacular. Aquafaba has revolutionized vegan baking, especially for delicate treats like meringue cookies. Whip it with sugar and a touch of cream of tartar until stiff peaks form, then fold in peppermint extract and pipe into festive shapes before baking at a low temperature.
Flax eggs provide the binding power needed for traditional sugar cookies that hold their shape perfectly when cut into snowflakes or stars. The subtle nutty flavor complements the warming spices of gingerbread cookies as well.
Celebratory Drinks and Desserts
No holiday season is complete without eggnog! Create a luxurious vegan version using:
- Cashews soaked and blended with coconut cream for richness
- Maple syrup and dates for natural sweetness
- Warming spices like nutmeg, cinnamon, and cloves
- A splash of bourbon or rum (optional)
For show-stopping desserts, silken tofu transforms into beautiful crème brûlée when blended with vanilla, sugar, and coconut cream, then baked and topped with a crackling caramelized sugar crust.
Savory Side Dishes
Reimagine classic holiday sides with vegan egg alternatives. A plant-based Yorkshire pudding using chickpea flour batter rises beautifully alongside your holiday roast. For a modern take on deviled eggs, slice firm tofu into rounds, create a small divot, and fill with a creamy mixture of vegan mayonnaise, mustard, black salt, and paprika.
The best part about these vegan egg alternatives is how they allow everyone at your holiday table to enjoy the same beloved dishes together. Whether you’re fully plant-based or simply hosting guests with different dietary needs, these recipes ensure nobody feels left out of the festivities. Which vegan egg alternative are you most excited to try this holiday season?
