Substitutions

What can I use instead of ground cinnamon?

Q: Can I use cinnamon stick instead of ground cinnamon?

1/2 tsp ground cinnamon = 1 cinnamon stick. A standard stick holds roughly the same amount of bark as half a teaspoon of the ground spice, but it releases its oil slowly into liquid rather than all at once. Cleaner and less dusty in a liquid, but useless where you need the spice dispersed through a dough or a dry rub.

Q: Can I use pumpkin pie spice instead of ground cinnamon?

1 tsp ground cinnamon = 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice. Cinnamon is about half of the blend by volume, and the ginger, nutmeg and allspice around it are all warm baking spices that sit comfortably alongside it. Only about half as much actual cinnamon, plus flavours the recipe did not ask for. Good in a spiced cake, wrong in a cinnamon roll.

Q: Can I use ground allspice instead of ground cinnamon?

1 tsp ground cinnamon = 3/4 tsp ground allspice. Allspice contains cinnamon-like notes alongside clove and nutmeg character, so it covers the same warm register at slightly higher intensity. Darker and more clove-forward. In a fruit crumble this passes; in a delicate custard the clove note stands out.

Q: Can I use ground nutmeg instead of ground cinnamon?

1 tsp ground cinnamon = 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg. Another warm baking spice from the same family of aromatic phenols, but nutmeg is considerably more potent and turns bitter if overused. Muskier and less sweet. The comforting quality people associate with cinnamon will not be there.

The dried inner bark of several Cinnamomum trees, ground to a powder. Its warmth comes from cinnamaldehyde, which makes up most of the essential oil.

What it does in a recipe: Sweet warmth and a perception of sweetness without sugar — it works in both baking and savoury spice blends. Pick the swap that covers that job — the ratios below are written so you can act on them without doing any arithmetic.

Also called: Cassia, Ceylon cinnamon, True cinnamon

4substitutes

1close matches

Spicescategory

Quick answer

Cinnamon stick

1/2 tsp ground cinnamon = 1 cinnamon stick

All substitutes, best first

4 ways to replace ground cinnamon

Cinnamon stick

Closest match

1/2 tsp ground cinnamon = 1 cinnamon stick

A standard stick holds roughly the same amount of bark as half a teaspoon of the ground spice, but it releases its oil slowly into liquid rather than all at once.

MethodSimmer the stick in the liquid for at least fifteen minutes and remove it before serving. This does not work in a dry batter.

Trade-offCleaner and less dusty in a liquid, but useless where you need the spice dispersed through a dough or a dry rub.

CookingDrinksSaucesVeganVegetarianGluten-freeDairy-freeEgg-freeNut-freeSoy-free

Pumpkin pie spice

Reliable

1 tsp ground cinnamon = 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice

Cinnamon is about half of the blend by volume, and the ginger, nutmeg and allspice around it are all warm baking spices that sit comfortably alongside it.

Trade-offOnly about half as much actual cinnamon, plus flavours the recipe did not ask for. Good in a spiced cake, wrong in a cinnamon roll.

BakingDrinksVeganVegetarianDairy-freeEgg-freeNut-freeSoy-free

Allergen checkPre-mixed baking spices are manufactured products and their fillers vary; a few use wheat-derived anti-caking agents. Read the panel before baking gluten-free, and where the allergy is medical, verify with the producer.

Ground allspice

Reliable

1 tsp ground cinnamon = 3/4 tsp ground allspice

Allspice contains cinnamon-like notes alongside clove and nutmeg character, so it covers the same warm register at slightly higher intensity.

Trade-offDarker and more clove-forward. In a fruit crumble this passes; in a delicate custard the clove note stands out.

BakingCookingVeganVegetarianGluten-freeDairy-freeEgg-freeNut-freeSoy-free

Ground nutmeg

In a pinch

1 tsp ground cinnamon = 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg

Another warm baking spice from the same family of aromatic phenols, but nutmeg is considerably more potent and turns bitter if overused.

Trade-offMuskier and less sweet. The comforting quality people associate with cinnamon will not be there.

BakingDrinksVeganVegetarianGluten-freeDairy-freeEgg-freeNut-freeSoy-free

Worth knowing

Most supermarket cinnamon is cassia, which is stronger and harsher than Ceylon cinnamon. If a recipe tastes unexpectedly aggressive, that is usually the reason.

At a glance

Ground cinnamon in summary

Category	Spices
Job in a recipe	Sweet warmth and a perception of sweetness without sugar — it works in both baking and savoury spice blends
Suits	Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-free, Dairy-free, Egg-free, Nut-free, Soy-free
Swaps available for	Dairy-free Egg-free Gluten-free Nut-free Soy-free Vegan Vegetarian
Number of substitutes	4

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Cooking around an allergy? Diet tags here describe the ingredient itself, not any particular brand. Processed products change formulation without notice and shared production lines are common, so read the label on everything you use. A severe allergy is a medical matter — confirm with the manufacturer or your clinician rather than relying on a substitution chart.