The Best Simple Cinnamon Substitutes

Looking for an alternative to Cinnamon? You’re in the right place! Keep reading for my favourite simple Cinnamon substitutes.

What is Cinnamon?

You’re not going to believe this but Cinnamon is a spice made from the inner bark layers of trees from the Cinnamomum genus. Yes it literally grows on trees!

It has a unique sweet flavour that works well in both sweet and savory dishes and can be used as whole cigar-shaped quills or ground into a powder.

Simple Cinnamon Substitutes

1. Cardamom

While cardamom pods or ground cardamom have a different flavour profile to cinnamon, there are some similarities and so can work well for a different spice experience in your dish. Cardamom isn’t as sweet tasting as cinnamon so be prepared to start with less.

2. All Spice

Ground All Spice will take your flavour profile in a different direction but not necessarily an unpleasant detour. It tends to be much stronger and less sweet than cinnamon so start with half or less.

3. Star Anise

Star anise actually has a background sweetness that can work in place of cinnamon but I’d only use it in savoury dishes because it will probably overpower a sweet dish.

4. Vanilla Exctract

For sweet dishes, vanilla is completely different in flavour to cinnamon but it will add a beautiful sweet aroma and will complement the same types of ingredients as cinnamon. My husband isn’t a cinnamon fan so I’m more likely to reach for vanilla to flavour my sweet treats and I don’t get any complaints!

How to Store Cinnamon

In an airtight jar in your pantry.

Cinnamon Flavour Pairings

Apple & Cinnamon
Custard & Cinnamon
Pecans & Cinnamon
Maple Syrup & Cinnamon
Coffee & Cinnamon
Pear & Cinnamon
Prunes & Cinnamon
Chocolate & Cinnamon