πΏβ¨ Vegan Meringues
Crispy β’ Airy β’ Sweet β’ Egg-Free
Makes: ~20 small meringues
Prep time: 10 minutes
Bake time: 1.5β2 hours
π Ingredients
- Aquafaba β ΒΎ cup (liquid from a can of chickpeas)
- 1 tsp cream of tartar
- ΒΎ cup powdered sugar (or superfine sugar)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Optional for flavor / decoration:
- Cocoa powder, lemon zest, or food coloring
- Sprinkles or crushed freeze-dried fruit
πͺ Instructions
1. Preheat oven
- Set oven to 225Β°F (110Β°C).
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Whip the aquafaba
- Pour aquafaba into a clean, dry bowl.
- Add cream of tartar.
- Whip with an electric mixer 8β12 minutes on high until soft peaks form.
You should see stiff peaks when you lift the whisk, and the mixture should be glossy.
3. Add sugar gradually
- Add powdered sugar 1β2 tbsp at a time, continuing to whip.
- Whip until stiff, glossy peaks form and sugar is fully incorporated (~3β5 minutes).
- Fold in vanilla extract and any optional flavoring gently.
4. Pipe or spoon
- Transfer mixture to a piping bag or spoon.
- Pipe small mounds or rosettes onto the parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Leave some space between each meringue.
5. Bake low and slow
- Bake 1.5β2 hours at 225Β°F (110Β°C), until meringues are dry and crisp.
- Turn off oven and let meringues cool inside oven for 30β60 minutes to prevent cracking.
6. Store
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.
- Keep away from moisture β meringues will soften if exposed to humidity.
π Tips for Perfect Vegan Meringues
- Use room-temperature aquafaba for better volume.
- Make sure the bowl and whisk are completely clean & dry.
- Do not open the oven during baking; slow drying is key to crispness.
- For colored meringues, add a few drops of natural food coloring after whipping but before piping.
π Variations
- Chocolate Meringues: Fold in 1β2 tbsp cocoa powder.
- Lemon Meringues: Add Β½ tsp lemon extract + 1 tsp finely grated zest.
- Mocha: Add Β½ tsp instant coffee granules.
- Sprinkled: Top with crushed freeze-dried berries or colored sugar before baking.
