Baking with Flax Seeds

By Kristen | Updated December 3, 2024

I first began baking with flax years ago, when I had a customer request vegan baked goods. In order to make my recipes vegan, I would have to find substitutes for butter (not difficult, oil works) and eggs (a bit more tricky). I did some research and quickly realized that I could use flax meal to substitute for eggs with great results. The process of converting my recipes made me appreciate the versatility of baking with flax seeds!

Flax Seeds Flavor

Flax seeds are a baking gem with their unique and wholesome flavor. When they are used in baking recipes, they have a subtle nuttiness that elevates the flavor profile of everything from bread to muffins. This finished flavor is earthy and slightly toasted, which will help add depth and richness to your recipes.

If you look beyond their primary flavor, brown flax seeds impart a gentle, grain-like sweetness that works beautifully with other ingredients, making your baked goods more flavorful and satisfying.

When it comes to texture, the whole flax seeds can add a satisfying crunch, which can boost the overall experience of eating these recipes.

A Plant, Seeds, Meal & Flour

Flax is a plant with long grassy leaves. Flax seeds (also commonly known as linseeds) are small, glossy, brown seeds. High in fiber and naturally gluten-free, flax seeds make a nutritious addition to your baked goods.

Flax seeds can be ground into a “meal” or “flour,” which is how they are typically used when baking. Grinding flax seeds into a meal allows the body access to absorb the nutrition locked up in the seed. It also unlocks the natural oils and binders in the seeds, making them a great tool for baking. To grind flax seeds, simply place them in a spice or coffee grinder, or use a blender. About ¼ cup of flaxseed will yield about ½ cup of flax meal.

Tips for Baking with Flax

Flax meal does not have an overpowering taste, so it will not alter the flavor of your baked goods. However, substituting flax meal for eggs, fat, or flour in a recipe may alter the texture and/or outcome of your final product. Whatever you do, have fun with it, and see my tips below for the best results.

As an egg substitute: In recipes that call for eggs to moisten and bind ingredients (like cookies, muffins, and quick bread), flax meal slurry can act as a good substitute. To replace one egg in a recipe, mix 1 tablespoon of flax meal (whole seeds won’t work) with 3 tablespoons of water. Set this mix aside for 5-10 minutes. Mix it with a fork to form a slurry, with a texture much like a beaten egg. I keep flax meal in my freezer in case I am out of eggs when I want to bake muffins or quick bread. Be warned! Flax meal slurry cannot substitute for eggs in a recipe where eggs are adding volume, like in a soufflé or a meringue.

As a substitute for fat: The most common forms of fat called for in baking are vegetable oil, butter, and often, melted butter. Loaded with natural oils, flax meal can reduce or replace fat in baking. To replace 1 tablespoon of oil or melted butter in a recipe, use 3 tablespoons of flax meal. If a recipe calls for ½ cup of oil, use ¼ cup of oil and replace the other ¼ cup of oil with ¾ cups of flax seeds. Be warned! Baked goods made with flax meal instead of oil may be denser and brown faster in the oven.

As a substitute for flour: Naturally gluten-free, substituting flax meal for some of the flour in baked goods boosts nutrition and adds fiber to any recipe. Flax meal can typically replace up to ¼ of the flour called for in a recipe. Be warned! Flax meal cannot be used to replace all of the flour in a recipe. Also, naturally low in starch, flax meal cannot be used as a substitute flour to thicken sauces.

As a mix-in for muffins, quick bread, and granola: Flax meal can be added like oats (or in place of oats) to muffins and quick bread. Whole flax seeds can be added to granola before baking, adding nutrition and crunch. Flax seeds can also be used to top crackers, savory seeded bread, and bagels before baking.

Flax Seed Nutrition

Brown flax seeds are a powerhouse of nutrition, making them a great addition to any recipe. These tiny seeds are packed with omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential for heart health and reducing inflammation.

They are also rich in fiber, and they promote healthy digestion while also making you feel full longer. They are also a good source of lignans, which have anti-oxidant properties. They also provide a good amount of protein and other essential vitamins and minerals including magnesium, manganese, and thiamine.

Bottom line, adding brown flax seeds to your meals is an easy way to boost your nutrient intake and promote wellness. Whether you include them as substitutes via the methods listed above, or simply sprinkle them onto some of your favorite recipes, these seeds pack a nutritious punch that cannot be ignored.

Some of our Recipes that use Flax Seeds:

We have added several delicious recipes that utilize flax seeds, and many are very simple to make. I’ll include a couple of our favorites below:

Homemade Chocolate Chip Granola Bars with Flax & Chia

Apple Flax Seed Muffin Recipe

Both of these recipes include a video to make it easy to follow along. They include our Lone Goose Bakery Brown Flax Seeds as a main ingredient.

  Happy Cooking!
Kristen

Kristen is a professional chef living, working, and playing in Washington, D.C.