This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
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!
Want to save this recipe?
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
Hello, thank you for this DIY. Do you know if this vanilla powder is more potent than the store bought kind which usually is white (maybe bleached). I have a french recipe for a flan that asks for 1/2 cup of vanilla powder. It sounds like a lot!
Hi Heloise,
I would argue that homemade is more potent than store-bought – it’s pure vanilla powder and probably more recently made :).
1/2 cup of vanilla powder is a lot. Does the recipe really call for vanilla powder? Maybe it’s vanilla sugar? To make your own vanilla sugar, you can mix 1/2 cup white sugar with a small amount of pure vanilla powder – like 1/8 tsp or 1/4 tsp (start with a little and increase to taste). Let me know if you give it a try!
I had never thought of making a powder from the whole vanilla bean. My lowest setting on my oven is 170 so I start it there and turn it off once I put in the vanilla beans. I use a spice grinder to grind the beans to a fine powder. Thanks for sharing this idea. I’m giving some vanilla powder, homemade vanilla and vanilla sugar as my Christmas gifts this year to friends.
So happy to hear! Hope your friends liked it! 🙂
I’m so excited I found this! My husband keeps buying ready-made pudding cups while I’m trying to get our diet more natural. I found a recipe for making instant vanilla dry pudding mix that calls for vanilla powder, so I looked it up and it brought me here. I can’t wait to do thia! Thank you so much!
Hi Cindy,
Vanilla pudding cups sound delicious.:) Enjoy making the vanilla powder – it’s so versatile. Let me know how it goes.
Can you tell us how much vanilla powder the 5 pods yields? And how much those 5 pods weighed if you know!
Hi Christine ,
5 pods yielded about 25 grams (0.9 oz). If you have large fresh plump pods, you might be able to get a bit more. Keep in mind that the vanilla powder will be very potent so you should only need a pinch to add to recipes. I hope this helps.
Question: Can I dry and then grind the same vanilla pod that I have use to make extract, or have they given all their flavor? Thanks for all the info!
Hi Vicki,
While you can do that, it won’t be very flavorful as most (if not even all) of the flavor would be in the extract. Let me know how it goes if you decide to give it a try.
The flavor quality of that vanilla powder will have been compromised with.
Indeed.
Tnks for teaching me how to do this
I’m glad I could help Judith! 🙂
Thank you for the excellent post. I’ve experimented a bit with drying the beans both over time and in the oven at the lowest temperature. And in a dehydrator…I’ve also ground them while still moist (works fine with somewhat sticky beans and probably retains the most aroma and flavor – the grinding process tends to “dry” them slightly so there is no “sticky” scenario in the grinder) – all with a small Krups coffee/spice grinder that does a terrific job with a great range of both hard and soft items. I’m still learning and wanted to to see what information was available on the internet. Great point about the zero waste especially given the cost of beans, as most articles are focused on the much more popular extracts (which are probably fantastic homemade). I suppose, I’d recommenced grinding the beans without drying them for the best experience of no waste and maximum flavor…it works! Unless they are REALLY moist, possibly. Either way, Vanilla powder is divine, and extremely versatile in the kitchen. Besides the typical desert and coffee uses, it’s also excellent applied as a component micro spice in savory applications…everything from salads to soups or ANYTHING, really, that your imagination can suggest.
Thank you for your feedback, Pauly. Great tips!
If you use vanilla for making dough, place a spoon of flour in a coffee blender (or other blender or processor if suitable) and cut the fresh vanilla beans with the scissors into it. No need to dry the vanilla because the flour will take the moisture.
Thank you for the great tip, Ola!
Thanks so much , this is the first time to buy natural vanilla and finally i found the way , how to save it and make it powder also , really i’m lucky , special thanks again
Thank you so much for your comment, Sasso. Glad you are happy with this DIY. 🙂
Just got 40 lbs of Tanzanian vanilla beans. I had vacuum packed about half and unfortunately (but perhaps not) the rest dried out into extract grade. These may become vanilla powder. Vanilla beans have a terroir (like wine grapes) depending on soil chemistry, elevation, and climate along with harvest and post-harvest handling. These smell like nesquick and dried prunes behind the classic vanillin. Anyhow, just rambling — thank you for the post, Samira!
Thanks for your comment, Brian 🙂
Can I make vanilla powder with the beans I previously used for my vanilla extract?
Hi Melody,
To make vanilla powder, you need to use whole beans, with the seeds inside – this will make for a very aromatic and potent powder. I wouldn’t recommend dehydrating the used beans – they won’t make for a very aromatic powder (their potency has been transferred to the extract). I hope this helps.
Th
Thanks, Roy.
I’m not sure if possible, but are there other uses fo the remaining vanilla beans that were soaked in alcohol to make the best tasting vanilla extract. I’d hate to waste it if I can use in another way. Suggestions appreciated
Hi Tracie,
You can always replenish your vanilla extract by topping up the bottle with alcohol everytime you use some extract, make sure the vanilla bean remains fully submerged. This way you can get full use out of the beans.
Other uses once the beans are dried:
Bath salts
Vanilla sugar
Vanilla oil
Or use it to poach fruit.
I hope this helps 🙂