How to Make Onion Powder at Home: Simple Steps for Big Flavor
It is simple, cheap, and tastes better than store-bought onion powder to make your own at home. Read this to find out what onion powder is, how to make it, and why you should do it yourself.
We'll talk about different ways to do it, how to store it, the health benefits, and more. There is no need to be a chef to follow this guide. It has all the information you need to make onion powder from scratch.
How to Make Onion Powder?
Step-by-Step Guide for Making Onion Powder at Home
It's easy to make your own onion powder, and it makes your food taste great and flavorful. Some kitchen tools and a few onions are all you need. Your own powder will taste better than store-bought onion powder once it's dry and ground.
-
Choose your onions: Use red onion, onion bulbs, or spring onions. You can also include onion greens or onion tops for extra flavor.
-
Prep the onions: Wash, peel, and dice onions or slice them into thin rings for even drying.
-
Remove moisture: Spread onion slices in a thin layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
-
Dry completely: Bake at 170°F or use a food dehydrator until they feel brittle and completely dry.
-
Cool before grinding: Let them cool fully to avoid clumping during grinding.
Tools & Storage Tips for Maximum Shelf Life
If you have the right tools, it's easy to turn dried onions into finished onion powder. Keep it in a cool, dry place so it lasts a long time.
-
Grind the onions: Use a blender or food processor, coffee grinder, or grind the onions using a blender, coffee grinder, food processor, or mortar and pestle until you get a smooth powder.
-
Store it right: Keep in a clean, air tight container or airtight container to protect from moisture.
-
Keep it fresh: Add a few grains of dry rice to absorb moisture.
-
Shelf life: If stored in a cool, dry spot, it stays good for up to a year.
Is Onion Powder Just Dehydrated Onion?
What Onion Powder Is Made Of
Yes, you can make your own onion powder by grinding dried onions into a fine powder. It's a great way to keep the onion flavor without adding water or bulk.
-
Main ingredient: Uses onion bulbs, sometimes with onion greens or tops.
-
No additives: Unlike store onion powder, your homemade version is pure onion.
-
Versatile: Add to soups, rubs, dips, and anything needing a boost of onion flavor.
Flavor and Texture Differences from Fresh Onion
Yes, you can make your own onion powder by grinding dried onions into a fine powder. It's a great way to keep the onion flavor without adding water or bulk.
-
No crunch: It blends in without adding texture.
-
No moisture: Won’t water down your dish like fresh onions instructions.
-
Stronger flavor: Just a pinch gives a bold onion taste.
-
Use with fresh: Add to dishes with fresh onions for even more depth.
How to Make Onion Powder at Home Without a Dehydrator?
Oven Drying Method for DIY Onion Powder
No dehydrator for food? Not a problem. You can dry your onions just as well in the oven. If you have never made your own homemade spices before, this is a great way to start.
-
Slice the onions: Use onion bulbs, red onion, or spring onions. Cut into small, thin pieces for faster drying.
-
Set them up: Spread the onion pieces in a thin layer on a baking sheet with parchment paper.
-
Bake at low heat: Use a standard oven set to 150°F–170°F for drying.
-
Drying time: It usually takes 5–6 hours. The onions should be completely dry and brittle.
-
Cool them off: Let the onions cool before grinding to prevent sticking.
Grinding and Storing Without Fancy Tools
You don't need expensive tools. If you store your homemade seasoning the right way and with the right tools, it will stay fresh and tasty.
-
Grind it fine: Grind finely using a coffee grinder, blender, food processor, or mortar and pestle.
-
Store safely: Place your powder in an airtight container to keep out air and moisture.
-
Use smart storage tips: Store in a dark, dry cabinet and add rice grains to prevent clumping.
-
How long it lasts: Your powder can stay fresh up to a year if sealed properly.
Is Onion Powder the Same as Ground Onion?
Granulated vs. Powdered vs. Ground Onion
A lot of people mix up onion powder with ground or granulated onion, but they're not the same thing. What makes them different is the size of the diced pieces and how fine the powder is after being ground.
-
Onion powder: Fine and smooth, like flour—used in dry rubs and spice mixes.
-
Ground onion: Coarser than powder, but not as big as granulated—offers powder like results with some texture.
-
Granulated onion: Made from dried pieces and used for dishes needing more bulk.
-
Best for cooking: Choose based on your texture needs—powder blends in, while granulated adds body.
When to Use Each in Cooking
There is a place for every kind of onion in the kitchen. Picking the right one will help your recipes turn out better, especially if you don't have a lot of water on hand.
-
Use onion powder: Ideal for soups, sauces, dips, and spice blends.
-
Use ground onion: Great for marinades, burger patties, and stews.
-
Use granulated onion: Works well in BBQ rubs, spice packets, or casserole toppings.
-
Tip: Combining forms is a great idea to layer flavor in dishes.
Is Onion Powder Healthy?
Health Benefits of Using Homemade Onion Powder
While onion powder retains some antioxidants and sulfur compounds, heat-sensitive nutrients like vitamin C are significantly reduced during dehydration.
-
Nutrient retention: Contains antioxidants and natural compounds found in onions.
-
Low calorie: Adds flavor without adding fat or sugar.
-
Good for digestion: Onion has prebiotics that support gut health.
-
Convenient nutrition: Works well in restricted diets and long-term food storage.
Is It as Nutritious as Fresh Onion?
Onions that have been dried out lose some of their nutrients in a different way than when they are fresh. Dried onions have a concentrated flavor, but some nutritional loss occurs during the drying process.
-
Longer shelf life: Can be stored properly for significantly longer.
-
Dried form: Still contains sulfur compounds like allicin and quercetin, though levels may be reduced compared to fresh onions.
-
Better for travel: No smell, no prep, and easy to store.
-
Great for batch cooking: Use in meal preps without spoilage concerns.
What FullyHealthy Can Do for You
Shop High-Quality Organic Onion Powder
You can find clean, organic products at FullyHealthy that are great for your diet. If you don't want to make your own onion powder, theirs is a great option because it is simple and pure.
-
Quality product: Made from organic type onion with no additives.
-
AIP-friendly: Labeled AIP-compliant, suitable for many elimination diets. Consult a healthcare provider if uncertain.
-
Trusted brand: Offers products from well-known natural brands.
-
Convenient packaging: Sealed to keep powder fresh and last longer.
Why Buy from FullyHealthy?
Buying onions from FullyHealthy is a great idea if you're too busy to dry and grind them yourself. It saves time and gives you confidence in a clean label.
-
Specialty diets: Supports gluten-free, AIP, paleo, and allergy-free eating.
-
Bundle options: Buy seasonings in packs for easy pantry stocking.
-
Dry location storage: Comes ready to store in any dry location without repacking.
-
Eco-friendly options: Many items come in sustainable packaging.
Final Thoughts
It's smart to make your own onion powder because it will taste better, last longer, and be made with clean ingredients. The steps are the same whether you use an oven, a drying rack, or a dehydrator tray.
Run a dried onion through a grinder or use a mortar and pestle to make a paste. Store it in a jar with a lid. Remember that the drying time can change based on the size of the slices and the level of humidity. This homemade seasoning is worth the work. You can use it with garlic or on its own.
FAQs
Can I use green tops in onion powder?
Yes, green tops from spring onions can be dried and ground just like onion bulbs for extra flavor.
How do I set a dehydrator for onion powder?
Just set the dehydrator to 135°F and use a dehydrator tray or regular tray lined with parchment. Time may vary depending on humidity level.
Where do I place dried onion after grinding?
Place dried onion in an airtight jar, keep on a drying rack to cool first, then store in a dark, dry cabinet.
Can I use a mortar and pestle for grinding?
Yes, a mortar and pestle works well for small batches, especially if you don’t have a food processor or grinder.
Can I add garlic to the onion powder mix?
Yes, mixing dried garlic with onion powder makes a great blend. Just make sure both are fully dried before combining.
Leave a comment