How to Make Vanilla Powder (Vanilla Bean Powder Recipe)

Learn how to make vanilla powder at home using real vanilla beans. This easy vanilla powder recipe takes just minutes and makes a perfect substitute for vanilla extract in baking and beverages.

What's really great about it and what sets it apart from vanilla extract is that vanilla powder can be made super fast whether you need it at the last minute for a recipe or a homemade gift.

For many people, holidays include lots of baking. And baking includes lots of vanilla.

While vanilla extract is what most people use for baking, it does take awhile to make.

With this super simple vanilla powder, you can have a vanilla extract substitute ready in a few minutes. No fillers or funky ingredients: just exotic, rich vanilla.

If you like, you can add it to your sweetener of choice to make vanilla sugar. Some people refer to vanilla sugar as vanilla powder, but they really are two different things.

What Is Vanilla Powder?

Vanilla powder is simply dried vanilla beans that are ground into a powder. It's different from vanilla extract, which is the result of steeping vanilla beans in alcohol for months. It's also different from vanilla sugar, which is vanilla powder blended into sugar.

How to Make Vanilla Powder (Step-by-Step)

1. Cut into pieces for easier grinding.
2. Dry vanilla beans (if soft). Air dry or use an oven/dehydrator to fully dry them.
3. Grind in coffee grinder/spice grinder until fine.
4. Store in airtight jar away from heat and light.

How to Dry Vanilla Beans

Most vanilla beans need to be dried before grinding into powder. If your beans are soft and flexible, dry them at 170°F for 60–90 minutes, or until they are completely dry and brittle.

You can also use a dehydrator on a low setting until the beans snap easily instead of bending.

How and When to Substitute Vanilla Powder for Extract

Here's how to use vanilla powder instead of vanilla extract in recipes.

• 1 tsp extract = ¼–½ tsp powder

Vanilla powder is the better choice when you're trying to:

• avoid adding liquid to a recipe (for example for chocolate or meringues)
• prevent vanilla flavor evaporating during high heat cooking or baking due to its alcohol content (in fact once you try using vanilla powder in all your baking, you might never go back to extract)
• add visible vanilla specks to a dish. Think about how vanilla ice cream looks so much better with those little vanilla bits.
• add intense flavor. Vanilla powder provides a more concentrated substitute for vanilla extract.

Vanilla Powder vs Vanilla Extract vs Vanilla Sugar (What’s the Difference?)

Here’s a quick comparison to help you understand the differences between vanilla powder, extract, and vanilla sugar:

Type	What It Is	Best Uses	Notes
Vanilla Powder	Ground dried vanilla beans	Baking, dry mixes, drinks	No alcohol, concentrated flavor
Vanilla Extract	Vanilla beans soaked in alcohol	Most baking recipes	Adds liquid; most common form
Vanilla Sugar	Sugar infused with vanilla	Topping, sweetening	Contains sugar (not low-carb) unless using a low-carb sweetener

Vanilla powder is especially useful when you want strong vanilla flavor without adding liquid, while vanilla extract is more versatile for traditional baking. Vanilla sugar is best for sweetening and flavoring and can even work for low-carb recipes if you swap out the sweetener for a low-carb option.

How to Use Homemade Vanilla Powder

And you can use this vanilla powder to so many things, including recipes that don't actually call for it. Some great recipes that are basically just calling for some vanilla powder are Low-carb Almond Crescents, Coffee Substitute, Vegan Eggnog, or Adaptogenic Hot Chocolate. This Caffeine-Free Chai Latte already has vanilla powder listed as one of the ingredients.

Vanilla powder is just perfect for holiday baking. Simply use 1/4-1/2 teaspoon vanilla powder for each teaspoon of vanilla extract in any recipe.

And of course, you can always taste test your recipe to see if you have enough vanilla and add more of the vanilla powder if you like.

How to Make Toasted Vanilla Powder

If you roast the vanilla beans longer at a higher temperature, you'll end up with Toasted Vanilla Powder. Some love the intensity of the flavor of toasted vanilla, while others really dislike it.

If you haven't had toasted vanilla powder before, I recommed trying it with one or two beans only to make sure you like it before making a larger batch.

How to Store

You can store this homemade vanilla powder in either glass or plastic, but I use glass as much as possible.

In some countries, spices are sold in paper envelopes, so you could do that as well, but that's not advisable for humid environments.

You could also make a small paper funnel to put the powder in small glass bottles such as cleaned essential oil bottles.

I hope this gives you inspiration for a way to easy have homemade vanilla in your home, or for a simple homemade gift to bless others with.

Let me know how you like this vanilla powder after you make it!

Photo Credits: Naomi Huzovicova