Cinnamon Substitute

Need a good substitute for cinnamon?  Cinnamon has a warm earthy flavor that’s hard to replace. But if you’re in a pinch and need a replacement, here’s the best cinnamon substitutes (and best cinnamon stick substitute) you can use.

If you’re making a recipe that calls for ground cinnamon and you don’t have any on hand, there’s a few substitutes for cinnamon that you can use to replace it, though the flavor won’t be exactly the same.

What Is Cinnamon?

Cinnamon is one of the oldest spices known. It comes from the inner bark of evergreen trees found in Asia and its used in both sweet and savory dishes. There are four types of cinnamon commonly used.

1. Cassia (Cinnamomum cassia)

Also called soft cinnamon and sometimes Saigon cinnamon. It’s usually imported from Vietnam. This is the variety most often found in grocery stores. It’s dark reddish-brown in color and has a strong flavor. It comes in ground form and rolled sticks. It’s inexpensive, considered lower quality, and it’s the type most commonly consumed world-wide.

2. Ceylon (Cinnamomum verum)

Also called true cinnamon and sometimes referred to as Mexican cinnamon. It’s grown in Mexico, India and Africia. It has a soft texture with a more herbal and less sweet flavor.

3. Korintje (Cinnamomum buramannii)

This type is versatile and can be used in many recipes. It has a mellow flavor and is sweeter than other varieties. 

4. Royal (Cinnamomum Loureiroi)

This is grown in Vietnam and is harder to find in grocery stores. It’s sweeter and spicier than other varieties.

Best Substitutes for Cinnamon

Cinnamon is one of the most popular (if not loved) spices in the world. It adds a warm spicy flavor to both sweet and savory dishes. These are some spices with similar flavor profiles that you can use to substitute cinnamon.

1. Nutmeg

Nutmeg has a warm and spicy flavor that is more robust than cinnamon. It makes a great cinnamon substitute in baking and savory dishes. Use 1/4 to 1/2 the amount of nutmeg as you would use for cinnamon and adjust to taste.  

2. Allspice

Allspice makes a great cinnamon substitute in baking and some savory dishes. It has a strong flavor and you only need to use 1/4 to 1/2 the amount of allspice as you would use for cinnamon and adjust to taste.  

3. Pumpkin Pie Spice

Pumpkin pie spice is a combination of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger allspice and cloves. It’s a great substitute to use for baking, to add to oatmeal, desserts and festive non-alcoholic drinks. Use the same amount of pumpkin pie spice as you would use for cinnamon.

4. Apple Pie Spice

Apple pie spice is a combination of cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, ginger and cardamom. It’s a great substitute to use for apple pies, cookies, cakes and breads. Use the same amount of apple pie spice as you would use for cinnamon.

5. Ginger

Ground ginger has a warm and slightly sweet flavor and makes a good substitute in baking and savory dishes. Use the same amount of ground ginger as you would use for cinnamon in a recipe. 

Cinnamon Stick Substitute

To substitute cinnamon sticks, use 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon for each cinnamon stick called for in your recipe.

Cinnamon Stick vs Ground Cinnamon

Cinnamon sticks come from the inner bark of evergreen trees and ground cinnamon is made by grinding the sticks into a fine powder.

How Do You Make Ground Cinnamon From Sticks?

To make ground cinnamon out of sticks, just toss a few sticks in a coffee grinder or high speed blender and pulse several times until the cinnamon sticks turn to powder.

How Do You Use Cinnamon Sticks?

Cinnamon sticks can be used to infuse flavor in sweet and savory dishes as well as drinks, then the sticks are removed once the dish (or drink) has the right amount of cinnamon flavor.

• Cinnamon Tea. Add cinnamon sticks to simmering water to make an easy cinnamon tea.
• Apple Cider Vinegar Drink.  Cinnamon sticks add flavor to this immune boosting Apple Cider Vinegar Drink.
• Coffee. Add a cinnamon stick to your morning cup of coffee. It will  make your coffee taste sweeter without adding any sugar or honey to the cup.
• Hot Chocolate. The warmth and sweetness of cinnamon adds a depth of flavor to hot chocolate. 
• Savory Dishes. Simmer a stick of cinnamon with curries, grains, hot cereals.
• Soups. Add a stick or two of cinnamon to soups, stews and sauces.

Recipes With Cinnamon

• Cinnamon Sugar
• Cinnamon Tortilla Chips
• Cinnamon Raisin Cream Cheese Spread
• Elderberry Tea
• Roasted Pumpkin Seeds
• Berry Banana Baked Oatmeal
• Best Homemade Granola
• Dairy Free Pumpkin Pudding
• Gluten Free Pumpkin Bread
• Mulled Apple Cider Vinegar

More Resources

• Pumpkin Pie Spice Substitute
• Lemon Juice Substitute
• Brown Sugar Substitute
• Creme Fraiche Substitute
• Parchment Paper Substitute
• Parsley Substitute
• Oregano Substitute
• Bay Leaf Substitute
• Basil Substitute
• Rosemary Substitute
• Mint Substitute
• Cilantro Substitute
• Tomato Sauce Substitute
• Tomato Paste Substitute

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Yield: 8 servings

Cinnamon Substitute

Prep Time 2 minutes

Total Time 2 minutes

Need a good substitute for cinnamon?  Cinnamon has a warm earthy flavor that’s hard to replace. But if you’re in a pinch and need a replacement, here’s the best cinnamon substitutes (and best cinnamon stick substitute) you can use.

Ingredients

• Nutmeg
• Allspice
• Pumpkin Pie Spice
• Apple Pie Spice
• Ginger

Cinnamon Stick Substitute

• Ground cinnamon

Instructions

1. Nutmeg. Use half the amount of nutmeg as you would use for cinnamon and adjust to taste.  

2. Allspice. Use half the amount of allspice as you would use for cinnamon and adjust to taste.  

3. Pumpkin Pie Spice. Use the same amount of pumpkin pie spice as you would use for cinnamon (1:1 ratio).

4. Apple Pie Spice. Use the same amount of apple pie spice as you would use for cinnamon (1:1 ratio).

5. Ginger. Use the same amount of ground ginger as you would use for cinnamon in a recipe. (1:1 ratio).

Cinnamon Stick Substitute

1. Use 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon for each cinnamon stick.

Notes

How To Make Ground Cinnamon

To make powder out of sticks, just toss a few sticks in a coffee grinder or high speed blender and pulse several times until the cinnamon sticks turn to powder.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

1

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 327Total Fat: 15gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 254mgCarbohydrates: 49gFiber: 5gSugar: 20gProtein: 3g

theharvestkitchen.com attempts to provide accurate information, however, this nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. The nutritional information provided comes from online sources and calculations. See full disclaimer on About page.