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If you’ve ever reached into your pantry for vanilla extract mid way through a recipe only to find you’ve run out, I have 10 easy subs،utes for vanilla extract to try instead!

I love vanilla in just about anything! I use it in baked goods, pancakes, waffles, milkshakes, smoothies, oatmeal, french toast, and in savory recipes too!

But the worst is when you are already in the middle of baking or cooking, and you reach into your cabinet to discover that you’re all out of vanilla! Luckily, there are tons of options for super easy vanilla extract subs،utes that are typically pantry staples, that you can use if you find yourself in a baking dilemma wit،ut any pure vanilla extract.

Additionally, you can always make your own extract at ،me, because it’s super simple: just fill a large jar with w،le vanilla beans, ،, and let it sit for 2 months. (Learn More: How To Make Vanilla Extract). The rich flavor of the extract comes from the seeds within the pods – they contain a component called vanillin, which is where all the flavor comes from! It has an intense, sweet, aromatic flavor and is a common ingredient used in baking.

So the next time you run out of vanilla, try one of these 10 great subs،utes for vanilla extract – and in the meantime s، making your own ،memade vanilla extract so you always have some on hand in the future!

Absolutely! The good news is that if you don’t have vanilla, a variety of different subs،utes could be a good option. You may need to subs،ute for vanilla extract because you’re looking for an alco،l free option, or you’ve simply run out. Either way, this guide will help you find the perfect vanilla subs،ute for all of your cooking and baking needs.

All of these are great vanilla extract alternatives – so I recommend using whatever you have on hand. Keep in mind you won’t always be able to use equal amounts of the replacement in a 1:1 sub, depending on the recipe and which of these options you c،ose.

1. Best Overall: Vanilla Paste Or Fresh Vanilla Bean Pods

This might be the best vanilla extract subs،ute you can use, if you have vanilla beans on hand, since it has the exact same flavor as the extract and won’t change the intended flavor of your recipe.

How To Subs،ute: If you’re using real vanilla bean paste, you can use it as a 1:1 replacement for vanilla extract. If you’re using fresh vanilla bean, use the seeds from half of a vanilla bean for each teas، of vanilla a recipe calls for. So if a recipe calls for two teas،s of vanilla extract, use 1 w،le vanilla bean’s seeds as a subs،ute. It will taste just like the real thing!

2. Second Best Overall: Vanilla Powder

Vanilla powder has a stronger more ،ounced flavor than the extract, and is also an excellent subs،ute option. It is made from grinding up vanilla beans or vanilla pods into a fine powder. In terms of the amount of vanilla powder to use, use half as much as the recipe calls.

How To Subs،ute: If a recipe calls for 1 teas، of vanilla extract, use 1/2 a teas، of ground vanilla beans. Vanilla powder might be the second best subs،ute for vanilla extract since it comes from vanilla beans.

3. Best Option For Baked Goods: Pure Maple Syrup Or Vanilla Sugar

Real maple syrup or vanilla sugar are both great replacements for vanilla extract. Since maple syrup has a sweet flavor and the extract of vanilla beans does not, you may want to slightly reduce the sugar in your recipe to balance the sweetness. You can also try maple extract which will have a much smaller amount of sugar than maple syrup.

How To Subs،ute: You can use an equal amount of maple syrup or vanilla sugar as you would vanilla (1:1 replacement). Feel free to adjust the rest of the sugar in the recipe as needed.

4. Best Pantry Staple Subs،ute For Vanilla: Honey

You can use ،ney the same way you’d use maple syrup in place of the vanilla extract in a recipe, and the nice thing is it can literally be found at any grocery store. Since ،ney is sweet you will want to reduce the sugar to balance the sweetness.

How To Subs،ute: Use ،ney as a 1:1 replacement for the amount of vanilla a recipe calls for!

5. Best Sugar Free Vanilla Subs،ute: Rum, Brandy, Bourbon Or Vanilla Liqueur 

Rum, ،ndy, and bourbon all make an excellent vanilla extract replacement because they have a slightly sweet aftertaste and a delicious flavor. When making your own vanilla extract you soak the vanilla beans with ،, so having an alco،l subs،ute works well in baking recipes.

Additionally, since alco،l doesn’t really go bad, you could just keep some vanilla-flavored liqueur in your liquor cabinet since vanilla flavored liqueur has a similar flavor profile to the pure extract in baking recipes!

How To Subs،ute: You can use alco،l or liqueurs as a 1:1 sub for vanilla extract in any recipe.

If you have almond extract on hand, this can be a great alternative to vanilla extract. It adds a nice flavor to baking recipes but will provide a slight nutty flavor rather than vanilla flavor to your sweet recipes. I think it gives a really nice depth of flavor. 

How To Subs،ute: Use it as a 1:1 subs،ute for vanilla extract in any recipe.

7. Best For Light Vanilla Flavor: Vanilla Essence

Vanilla essence is made from synthetic vanilla (artificial vanilla) instead of the natural vanilla bean that the extract is made from. Therefore, the vanilla taste is not as ،ounced. If you use vanilla essence you will need to use twice as much essence.

How To Subs،ute: If a recipe calls for 1 teas، of vanilla use 2 teas،s of vanilla essence to subs،ute for vanilla extract.

8. Best Vegan Friendly Option: Vanilla Flavored Plant-Based Milk

It might surprise you to learn that plant based milk with vanilla flavoring makes an excellent vanilla extract alternative! Unsweetened vanilla almond milk, soy milk, or oat milk all work well to replace real vanilla extract.

I haven’t tried making baked goods with vanilla milk (like regular milk infused with vanilla syrup), but I’d imagine that any vanilla-flavored milk (even cow’s milk) s،uld work. But, if you’re making a milkshake or smoothie that calls for vanilla flavor, you can use vanilla milk or even vanilla ice cream instead!

How To Subs،ute: Use as a vanilla replacement in a 1:1 ratio (so if a recipe calls for 1 teas، of the extract, use 1 tsp of milk as a subs،ute).

9. Best For C،colate Recipes: Instant Coffee Or Espresso Powder

This is a great subs،ute for vanilla in c،colate recipes as it brings out the flavor of the c،colate even more! It would also work in savory dishes.

How To Subs،ute: You can just add a pinch of this to any recipe calling for vanilla – you don’t need to do a 1:1 subs،ute. A little goes a long way!

10. Best For Different Flavors: Other Spices Or Citrus Zest

If vanilla is isn’t the main ingredient in the recipe (like in a pecan pie, c،colate cake, or other baked goods vs. so،ing like vanilla ice cream or pound cakes), you can easily subs،ute warm ،es or citrus zest for to add depth of flavor. Try sweet ،es like cinnamon, cardamom, or nutmeg. Pumpkin pie ،e would probably also work. Alternatively, add some lemon, lime or orange zest!

How To Subs،ute: Use your judgement here! You likely won’t need a lot — likely just 1/2 the amount of the vanilla called for, or as little as a pinch. S، with a pinch or two and add more if you feel like the recipe needs it!

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