There are times when you may need to find a cinnamon substitute, either due to an allergy, personal preferences, or simply because you're out of this spice. Here are the best cinnamon alternatives for baking and how to use them in your recipes.
Have you been in the middle of baking gluten-free pumpkin bread or an apple pie filling and realized you are out of cinnamon? You are not alone, so let's get right into what cinnamon is and a cinnamon substitute you can use instead. This joins my paprika substitute and tarragon substitute guides for the spice shelf.
Quick Look
- 🔎 The Question: What can I use instead of cinnamon?
- ✅ Best All-Round: nutmeg, used in smaller amounts
- 🌿 7 Substitutes: nutmeg, allspice, cloves, cardamom, ginger, pumpkin pie spice, vanilla
- 🥢 For Cinnamon Sticks: whole cloves or crushed cardamom pods
- 🧁 Best in Baking: nutmeg, cloves and allspice
- ⚖️ Stick to Ground: 1 cinnamon stick = ½ to 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ✋ Rule of Thumb: start with small amounts and taste; these spices are more intense.
Quick Answer
Nutmeg is the best cinnamon substitute: it has a warm and slightly sweet flavor, so use it in smaller quantities because it is more intense. Allspice (which tastes like cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg combined), cloves, cardamom, ground ginger and pumpkin pie spice all work too, and vanilla extract adds sweetness when combined with other warm spices. In baking, nutmeg, cloves and allspice are the best options. To replace a cinnamon stick, use whole cloves or crushed cardamom pods; to swap a stick for ground, 1 cinnamon stick equals ½ to 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon.
Jump to:
Cinnamon refers to the spice obtained from the inner bark of several tree species belonging to the genus Cinnamomum. The most common types of cinnamon are Ceylon cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum or "true cinnamon") and Cassia cinnamon (Cinnamomum cassia). These trees are native to regions such as Sri Lanka, India, Indonesia, and other parts of Southeast Asia.
Cinnamon has been used for centuries in various cultures for culinary, medicinal, and aromatic purposes. It has a warm and sweet flavor profile and is often used in both sweet and savory dishes. Additionally, cinnamon is known for its potential health benefits, including antioxidant properties and anti-inflammatory effects.
In addition to its culinary uses, cinnamon is also popular as a spice in various beverages, such as chai tea, apple cider, and mulled wine, and is often used in baking this gluten-free banana bread, desserts like apple pie filling, snickerdoodle cookies, and breakfast dishes. It is available in ground form or in the form of cinnamon sticks, which can be used whole or ground.
Why These Substitutes Work
Click to see the technique science
- They share cinnamon's warm, sweet profile. Nutmeg, allspice, cloves and cardamom all sit in the same warm-spice family, so a dish still reads as cozy.
- Allspice is three spices in one. Its flavor profile combines cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg, making it a versatile substitute.
- Pumpkin pie spice already contains cinnamon. The blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves covers fall and holiday recipes in one scoop.
- Intensity is the trade-off. These alternatives may have different intensities, so smaller quantities keep them from overpowering the dish.
- Whole spices replace sticks. Cloves and cardamom pods infuse the way a cinnamon stick does and can be removed before serving.
Why You'll Love This Guide
- 7 tested substitutes with how much to use and where each one shines.
- Separate answers for ground cinnamon, cinnamon sticks, and baking.
- Allergy-friendly options like vanilla and ginger when cinnamon itself is the problem.
- Pantry-first picks: most of these are already in the spice drawer.
- Companion guides for almond flour and potato starch when the next jar runs empty.
The 7 Best Cinnamon Substitutes
- Nutmeg: Nutmeg has a warm and slightly sweet flavor, making it a good alternative to cinnamon. Use it in smaller quantities, as its flavor can be intense.
- Allspice: Allspice is a spice that comes from the dried berries (like that used in elderberry syrup) of the Pimenta dioica plant. It has a flavor profile that combines cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg, making it a versatile substitute.
- Cloves: Cloves have a strong, pungent flavor with a hint of sweetness. Use them sparingly, as their taste can be overpowering.
- Cardamom: Cardamom has a unique and aromatic flavor that can be used as a substitute for cinnamon, especially in baked goods. Ground cardamom is more common in recipes, but you can also use the seeds for a stronger flavor.
- Ginger: Ground ginger can add warmth and a hint of spiciness to your dishes like ginger vegetable soup, making it a suitable substitute for cinnamon, particularly in savory recipes.
- Pumpkin Pie Spice: This is a blend of warm spicy-sweet flavors of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves and traditionally can be used in gluten-free pumpkin pie in place of the individual ingredients. It can be a convenient substitute for cinnamon in recipes, especially those with a fall or holiday flavor profile.
- Vanilla: While not a direct replacement for cinnamon, vanilla extract can add a sweet and aromatic quality to your dishes. Combine it with other warm spices for a well-rounded flavor.
When substituting, it's essential to consider the flavor profile of the dish and adjust the quantity accordingly, as these alternatives may have different intensities. Experimenting with small amounts first is a good practice to ensure the desired taste.
Substitutes for Cinnamon Sticks and in Baking
Cloves make a great alternative to cinnamon stick as they have a strong and slightly sweet flavor. If used sparingly, they can provide a warm and aromatic quality similar to cinnamon. Another great option are Cardamom Pods. Crush cardamom pods and add them to your recipe for a warm and slightly citrusy flavor. This works well in both sweet and savory dishes.
The best cinnamon substitute in baking recipes, like apple crisps and chai muffins, depends on the specific flavor profile you're looking to achieve. Nutmeg, cloves, and allspice make great options in baking.
How to Substitute Cinnamon in a Recipe
1Consider the flavor profile of the dish: sweet bakes lean on nutmeg, cloves or allspice; savory dishes take ginger; fall recipes take pumpkin pie spice.
2Start with a small amount, about half of what the recipe called for in cinnamon, since these alternatives may have different intensities.
3Taste and adjust the quantity accordingly. Experimenting with small amounts first is a good practice to ensure the desired taste.
4Replacing a cinnamon stick? Use ½ to 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon per stick, or infuse with whole cloves or crushed cardamom pods and remove them before serving.
Expert Tips
- Nutmeg first, sparingly. It is the closest match, but its flavor can be intense in the same quantity as cinnamon.
- Cloves overpower fast. A pinch goes a long way, whether ground or whole.
- Cardamom seeds are stronger than ground; crush them fresh for the biggest flavor.
- Vanilla is a partner, not a replacement. Combine it with other warm spices for a well-rounded flavor.
- Whole spices come out before serving, just like a cinnamon stick would.
- Warm-spice recipes to test them in: roasted rainbow carrots and high protein oatmeal.
Recipes That Use Cinnamon
Put the swaps to work anywhere cinnamon shows up: my healthy baked donuts, a batch of orange cranberry oatcakes, warm homemade apple cider, or the streusel on an apple crisp. Each one takes nutmeg or allspice just as happily.
Cinnamon Substitute FAQs
If a recipe calls for a cinnamon stick, and you need to substitute it with ground cinnamon, here's a simple guideline: 1 cinnamon stick or quill = ½ to 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon. Start with the lower end of the substitution range (½ teaspoon per stick) and taste the dish.
Ground cinnamon and cinnamon sticks come from the same source, the bark of cinnamon trees, but they are not exactly the same. The main difference lies in their form and how they are used in cooking. Ground cinnamon is a fine powder that blends seamlessly into recipes. Cinnamon sticks provide a coarser texture and are often removed before serving.
Brown sugar and cinnamon serve different purposes in recipes, and they have distinct flavors. While they are both commonly used in baking, they are not direct substitutes for each other.
Nutmeg, cloves and allspice. The best one depends on the specific flavor profile you're looking to achieve, and all three should be used in smaller amounts than cinnamon.
Yes. Pumpkin pie spice is a blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and cloves, so it is a convenient substitute for cinnamon in recipes, especially those with a fall or holiday flavor profile.
Ground ginger, cardamom or vanilla extract combined with other warm spices give warmth and sweetness without cinnamon. Check that any spice blend, like pumpkin pie spice, does not contain cinnamon.
More Substitutes in Cooking and Baking
I hope you enjoy this article on the best cinnamon substitutes! And don't forget to leave a comment below! Follow along with me on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, YouTube and Twitter for a feature and more recipe inspiration! And don't forget to leave a comment below!
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