Why can aquafaba replace many products, including eggs?
Aquafaba contains elements of protein and starch, so it can thicken dishes, emulsify (bind products together, like oil), and, when beaten with a whisk, replace the foam of egg whites. So with its help you can prepare, for example, vegan meringues, chocolate mousse and mayonnaise. For those who are allergic to eggs or those who do not want animal products in their diet, aquafaba is a wonderful ingredient that offers a huge number of possibilities!
Aquafaba is a gluten-free product, is low in calories, and contains no cholesterol. You can freeze it, too! Therefore, after draining the chickpeas from the tin or jar, be sure to save it.
Here are some dietary inspirations you can try for Christmas and beyond.
1. Mayonnaise made from aquafaba – a vegan hit that has conquered the world
Let’s start with a recipe that really creates the so-called “wow effect”. Mayonnaise made from aquafaba is no different from the egg version! It is just as tasty, springy and efficient. It is suitable for Christmas salad, cold sauces, sandwiches and anything you like to use mayonnaise for. Is it less calorific than the traditional version? Only slightly, because the basis is still oil. Instead, it will contain less cholesterol.
Recipe for a small jar:
- 1/4 glass of aquafaba,
- 1/4 teaspoon of mustard,
- 1/4 teaspoon of sea or regular salt,
- 1 1/2 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar,
- 1/3 teaspoon of agave or maple syrup (can be substituted with stevia),
- 3/4-1 glass of refined sunflower oil (it is supposed to be neutral in taste, it can also be rice oil or grape seed oil).
To make mayonnaise, you will need a hand blender. Aquafaba should be decently cooled. Pour it into a tall dish and add all the other ingredients except oil. Blend them for one minute. Then put the blender to the bottom and turn on a gentle speed. At the same time, slowly pour in all the oil. You can do it all at once and don’t have to trickle. In the process, mayonnaise will be created! You can store it later in the refrigerator for about two weeks.
Another recipe for fit vegan mayonnaise can be found HERE.
2. Chocolate mousse made of aquafaba
A perfect substitute for heavy holiday desserts. The light, sweet, cloud-like texture of the mousse will win the tastes of all guests!
Ingredients for 3 servings:
- 1 glass of aquafaba,
- 120 grams of dark chocolate (preferably min. 70% of cocoa mass),
- 2 tablespoons of maple or agave/date syrup,
- a pinch of salt.
Melt the chocolate in a water bath. You can do this in the microwave or in a bowl set over a saucepan of boiling water. Add syrup and a pinch of salt to it. The whole thing should cool down slightly (but not set). Meanwhile, pour the aquafaba into a tall bowl and start whisking with a mixer. After 5 minutes, you will get a stiff foam. Add the chocolate to it and carefully mix with a spatula. Put the mousse into bowls or goblets and place in the refrigerator for at least an hour. All done! You can decorate it with fresh fruit or nuts.
Read also: “Dark Chocolate – Why Should You Reach for It on a Diet?”
3. Brownie without sugar and eggs
Moist, chocolate and less calorific than the classic version with white sugar, flour and eggs... Brownie with aquafaba is another hit that has won the tastes of those with a sweet tooth.
Ingredients for a small baking pan:
- 1 glass of pitted dates,
- 1/4 glass of water,
- 1 tin of chickpeas,
- 3 tablespoons of aquafaba,
- 1/2 glass of peanut butter,
- 1/3 glass of dark cocoa,
- optional: half a bar of dark chocolate, chopped.
Boil the water and pour it over the dates for about 15 minutes. Then put them in a food processor (you can also use a hand blender, but the processor will be more convenient). Blend the dates with water, then add chickpeas, aquafaba, peanut butter and cocoa. Blend the whole mixture until smooth. Finally, you can add dark chocolate and also blend it.
Transfer the finished mixture to a baking tray lined with paper and bake for about 20 minutes in an oven preheated to 180 degrees. After baking, let the cake cool completely.
4. The perfect hummus for any season
Not everyone knows that aquafaba is the basis of tasty and perfectly creamy hummus. This recipe will ensure that you no longer buy ready-made hummus for sandwiches.
Ingredients for 2-3 servings:
- 1 tin of chickpeas,
- 3-4 tablespoons of tahini,
- juice of 1/4 lemon,
- salt to taste.
Pour the chickpeas along with half of the aquafaba into a food processor or bowl. The tin should be cooled in the refrigerator beforehand. Blend. Then add tahini, lemon juice and salt. Continue blending for a few minutes until the whole thing comes together in a perfectly smooth mass. If the hummus is too solid, add the rest of the aquafaba. Serve with a side dish of roasted vegetables, for example. In the autumn season we recommend pumpkin!
Read also: “6 Pumpkin-Based Recipes Guaranteed to Warm and Energise You During the Autumn Season!”.
5. Sweet or savoury vegan waffles without eggs
The addition of aquafaba makes the waffles crispy, light and fluffy. They can replace bread on a weekend morning or become the main course or dessert. For the savoury version, omit the erythrol.
Ingredients for 5-6 waffles:
- 2 glasses of plain white wheat flour or spelt flour type 450 or 650 (lightness is important),
- 3 tablespoons of erythrol,
- 2 flat teaspoons of baking powder,
- ½ teaspoon of salt,
- 250 ml of plant-based milk (can be soy milk, for example),
- 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar,
- 1/2 glass of aquafaba,
- 1/4 glass of sunflower oil (or other neutral in taste).
In a large bowl, mix flour with erythrol, salt and baking powder. In a separate dish, combine plant-based milk, aquafaba, oil and apple cider vinegar. Add to the dry ingredients, then mix thoroughly. Fry the finished mixture on a waffle iron, sprayed with a little oil. Serve with fruit or salty side dishes.
You can also freeze the finished waffles and later reheat them in the oven to make them crispy again.
You can find more recipes for delicious fit waffles HERE.
Enjoy!