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This post shows you how to make vanilla powder from 100% vanilla pods. It is a zero-waste recipe for a rich, robust homemade vanilla powder to add to all your baked goods, drink recipes, and more!
Did you know it’s super simple to learn how to make vanilla powder? Made only from 100% vanilla pods, this homemade vanilla powder is zero waste and adds a rich, deep vanilla flavor to a dish. This is much more potent than vanilla extract ( meaning you can use 1/2 tsp powder vs 1st extract!) and maintains its flavor even when baked at high heat in an oven. (Did you know that the alcohol in vanilla extract means flavor is evaporated during the cooking process?!)
I love the fact that this homemade vanilla powder is zero-waste too! Unlike when a recipe calls for vanilla beans and the pods are discarded. This way you’ll use the entire pod. That way you can get really good value for money. No need to waste a single bit of those expensive vanilla pods again!
The powder is also a great alternative to vanilla extract, for those that can’t consume alcohol. The vanilla powder can also be used to make vanilla sugar. In terms of recipes it can be used in custards, sauces, drinks, baked goods, and basically, anywhere you would usually add vanilla paste, beans, or extract.Â
Some of my recipes where you could use this vanilla powder include fluffy Japanese-style pancakes, DIY Vegan magnum ice creams, and these healthy dessert-inspired overnight oats … just to name a few!
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Table of Contents
How to Make Vanilla Powder
The process for making homemade vanilla powder is super simple. It only consists of two steps.Â
The First Step:
Is to dry out the vanilla pods. While there are a few methods you can use to do this;
- If you’re in no rush then you can simply leave the vanilla pods out on a counter for a few weeks.
- Alternatively, place on a lined tray in the oven at 50 degrees Celcius for 1.5 hrs.
I’ve also heard that it’s possible to microwave the beans. However, honestly, I didn’t want to try this, I prefer to try a slower, more natural way of drying them out.
The second step:
Is to grind the now brittle whole vanilla pods into a fine vanilla powder, with zero waste. You’ll find that if they aren’t dry enough then they simply won’t blend into a smooth powder. You can either use a spice/coffee grinder for this if you have one, or I simply used my hand mixer/blender.Â
note* If using the oven method, the pods will still be fairly pliable when first removing them from the oven. However, as they cool down they will become more brittle.
The vanilla powder can then be stored in an airtight container in a cool, dark area ( like a cupboard). This will then keep for around a year!
Note* Don’t be tempted to refrigerate the vanilla powder. It will ruin it by drying out the powder and affecting the oils within.
And that’s it!
If you give this simple homemade vanilla powder DIY a go then please let me know your thoughts in the comments below. Also, feel free to tag me in your creations @AlphaFoodie.
DIY: How to make Vanilla Powder
Ingredients
- 5 Vanilla Pods
Instructions
- First you need to dry out the vanilla pods. To do this simply place the pods on a lined baking tray in the oven at 50 degrees Celcius for an hour and a half. *
- Once the pods have cooled , simply pop into a spice grinder or use a hand mixer / blender to grind them down into a fine powder. **
- The vanilla powder can then be stored in an airtight container in a cool, dark area (like a cupboard). This will then keep for around a year!Â
So if I understand you correctly you end up with 4 dried beans and also a 5 lb bag of vanilla sugar? What do you do with the flavored sugar? I wondered if I could dry the beans in a large bag of powdered stevia.
Thanks
That’s what I understood – yes. And yes, I would imagine that it would work in a similar way with powdered/granulated stevia 🙂
I do this but differently… for more band for your buck I make vanilla sugar by burying about 4 vanilla beans split in a bag of sugar. I then shake it daily for a week or so and remove the dried out beans. Those dried out beans are what I use to grind into vanilla powder. The flavor is wonderful and still plenty potent. Save some money and use it all every way you can 🙂
That’s a great idea! I’ll definitely be making some vanilla sugar next time 🙂
I’m so excited to try this! I love the idea of sugar first, then powder so the beans get the most use.
My questions are: how many beans in how big a bag of sugar:? (and) How much powder from how many beans?
Hi Charity,
– It depends on how “vanilla-y” you want your sugar. I usually add 1 bean to about 1 cup of sugar (about 200g/7oz) and I find it’s flavored enough in a few days.
– I used 5 beans and that yielded about 25 grams (0.9 oz) of vanilla powder. Keep in mind that vanilla powder is very potent so you don’t need a lot of it when using it in recipes (which is why I was happy with the seemingly small amount). I hope this helps
So, then is your sugar then flavored with vanilla? And are your vanilla grounds sweet?
How do you use either?
Hi Leslie,
The vanilla powder can be used to make vanilla sugar (to use for coffee, tea, or baking). You can also use straight vanilla powder in dessert, baked, or other recipes that call for it.
If you add the powder to sugar can you use the vanilla sugar immediately or does it have to meld for days?
Hi Manya,
Yes, you can use the sugar immediately, but it may just taste better after a few days 🙂
Thank u for this ,been looking for a way of adding value to our vanilla, my sister and i grow vanilla in uganda.
I am glad you like the vanilla powder recipe. 🙂 I also have a post on making vanilla extract – it’s the easiest thing and another great way to utilize vanilla beans. Here’s the link if you want to check it out: https://www.alphafoodie.com/two-ingredient-simple-diy-vanilla-extract/
Hi,
Great recipes!
Is it advisable to vacuum pack vanilla powder into bags?
Thank you.
Hi Albert,
I am glad you are liking the recipes 🙂
Vacuum packing the vanilla powder would extend its shelf life. Make sure that the vanilla is well dried and store it in an airtight jar/container and you shouldn’t have any issues. I’ve never vacuum packed it and have used it for many months after making it.
How much does this make?
Hi Cassie,
It depends on how many vanilla pods you use. I used 5 pods and that yielded about 25 grams of vanilla powder. Keep in mind that vanilla powder is very potent so you don’t need a lot of it when using it in recipes (which is why I was happy with the seemingly small amount). I hope this helps 🙂
Hi, totally agree, zero waste for vanilla powder, don’t waste the money only for 1 vanilla bean, we can make it both vanilla powder and vanilla extract.
Hi , please could you advise, I have vanilla pods I haven’t used in many years , can they still be used some way. Is it possible to rehydrate them or what would be the best way to use them ?
Thank you .
Hi Farhana,
As long as the pods have been stored properly unopened in an airtight container, you might be able to use them if they haven’t yet lost their aroma and flavor. Please make sure there are no signs of mold on them (scrape it off if needed), then you can grind the dry pods into powder. Another option is to make vanilla extract (the recipe is also here on the blog) but you might have to soak them in warm water for a couple of hours if they seem too dry.
Thanks for your advised .I loved it .
Glad you liked it, Roy!
Can I still make this if I have scraped out the seeds for cookies, and used the pods to make vanilla sugar? They’re super dry and still very fragrant…
I would imagine so 🙂 I think you’d need to use more of the powder to add to recipes for flavor with the seeds having been removed. However, it will still add a little something to a dish 🙂
Hello! Do you think it’s possible to heat at 177F? My oven only does down to 177F (about 81C). I love tour recipes!
I would think so. Just reduce the amount of time it spends the oven 🙂
Could you please post one of the places you have purchased and liked their vanilla bean pods? They are quite expensive and I’d want to purchase from somewhere that is recommended. Thank you.
Hi Mocharuns,
I’m sorry but I am not sure I can recommend a specific place. I usually get mine from the greengrocer. If you can pick the pods yourself, choose beans that are plump and pliable. And they should smell very nicely of vanilla. If you can’t pick the pods (because they are packaged), it would be best to check some reviews for a bland that’s available in your area.
Thank you for this. I have never heard of this, but will surely try this.
hello mary, by the way, if you want to try making one of the most aromatic vanilla powder, use vanilla pods from kilembe vanilla exporters Ltd, their pods are good and they are not expensive, have higher vanillin content.
Thank you for your advice, Kato. 🙂
Which vanilla pods do you purchase?
Honestly, I’ve used quite a few different ‘branded’ vanilla pods and have never had a complaint. Madagascan vanilla pods are what I’d look out for, for the best vanilla 🙂
What happens that i don’t have a vanilla pods
Unfortunately, you won’t be able to make the vanilla powder without the pods.