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How To Make Onion Powder

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Learn How To Make Onion Powder at home using a dehydrator. Homemade onion powder is a great way to preserve onions, which taste better than any grocery store-bought pre-packed tiny jars.

Onion powder substitute close up.
How to make onion powder

Add to every single meal you are preparing. You can sprinkle your cloud eggs breakfast omelet or eggy bread for that extra onion flavor. Add into your seasonings or make unique onion-packed DIY gifts for Christmas.

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Powder Recipes

As I have started dehydrating, powdering my goodies has become another passion.

My first-ever powder was made from dehydrated strawberries. I sprinkle them on almost every dessert I now bake.

The strawberry powder is now in my pantry at all times because I can use it for so many desserts.

Further came the idea of powdering more dehydrated vegetables, things like onions and chicken. Apart from today’s onion powder recipe, I am introducing you to mushroom powder and chicken dust as pure protein.

I would love to dehydrate all of the foods like onions to have always at home on hand.

What Is Onion Powder?

Onion powder is dried onions ground into a powdery consistency. This seasoning is a must in everyone’s kitchen as it is one of the most important herbs to use in dishes. Adding an onion flavor to your dishes makes them double delicious.

Making dried onions or onion powder is an excellent way of preserving them for future use.

Is Onion Powder Healthy?

Like regular onions, an onion powder dried in a dehydrator or naturally in a shaded place in your garden is very healthy. Onion, on its own, is a powerhouse of antioxidants. By dehydrating, you are not losing any nutrients and can keep onions in your kitchen throughout the year.

Is Onion Powder Keto?

It depends on how much you are going to use. As onion does contain carbohydrates, by drying it, the amount intensifies. And because they do shrink, and by powdering, we get even a smaller amount, we might miscalculate this.

The amount of carbohydrates also depends on the onions you use. Green onions or scallions are the lowest in carbs. Red onions, on the other side, are the sweetest.

One teaspoon of homemade onion powder contains 2 grams of carbs and only 8 grams calories.

Why Make Homemade Onion Powder?

There are a few reasons why you should make your onion powder. Having homemade onion seasoning is excellent because:

  1. Powder made at home is way better than the store-bought onion powder.
  2. You use the onions you pick. Meaning your garden when there is a season for the best flavor.
  3. Drying your onions means they will be 100% bio, and nothing else will be added.
  4. Making onion powder is the best way to preserve it for longer.
  5. Making your own onion powdered spices and seasoning with onion powder is the healthiest alternative to a store-bought.
  6. The taste of homemade powdered veggies is unbelievable.
  7. You will always have dried onions to use in your house.
  8. Your spice jar will never be empty.
  9. The dried minced powder does not smell like freshly cut onions.
Homemade onion powder on a white plate.
Onion powder recipe

Homemade Onion Powder Recipe

Making fine homemade powder from freshly picked onions or onions in season bought in a farmers market is unrecognizable from a little store-bought jars, filled with preservatives you do not wish to have.

How Do You Make Onion Powder?

There are various ways you can make your powder, whether from vegetables or fruits. First of all, your goodies need to be fully dry. 

Then you can choose from using:

  • Mortar and pestle
  • Food processor
  • Magic Bullet
  • Coffee grinder
  • Blender

I usually grind the onions in magic bullet because of the size.

What Is Onion Powder Used For?

Ways to use onion powder are:

  1. Onion powder is used for flavoring your meals while cooking.
  2. You can also sprinkle a bit of powder on your omelet or already-made dishes.
  3. Add into your seasoning mixtures.
  4. Use it instead of fresh onions if not available.

How To Make Onion Powder From Scratch?

By following our easy steps, you can magically make an onion powder from scratch in just a few hours.

First and most important is to dry your onion flakes. I have used dehydrator and made the entire post about it with great tips and tricks, plus questions you might have.

Once your onion flakes are dehydrated, you grind them into a fine powder using one of the options I have mentioned above.

In our recipe, I have used Magic Bullet because that is my most favorite food processor for everything.

Drying the Onions for Onion Powder

To dry your onions, you can use a few options

  • Sun drying – spread the homegrown onion pieces on a newspaper and place them in a shaded area in your garden for a day or two.
  • Oven – chop the onions into uniform pieces and place them onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Dry onions in the oven on the lowest heat until fully dry. Use your oven if you do not have a dehydrator.
  • Air-Frying – as some of the new Air Fryers came up with dehydrator options, using an AirFryer for drying chopped onions or your food is also an option.
  • Dehydrator – slice the onions and spread the onion pieces onto a dehydrator tray, making sure they are not double-layered.

Of all the choices, I prefer using a food dehydrator or oven because of its convenience.

I can dehydrate throughout the whole year, summer or winter. I do does not have to watch for my dehydration to burn, and I can fit so many onion slices onto the dehydrator tray compared to baking or sun-drying space.

Substitute for onion powder in a bowl.
Onion powder substitute

How Do You Dehydrate Onions?

I will show you how to prepare your onion powder with our recipe and a few easy steps. You can use the same steps for garlic powder as well.

Learn How To Make Dried Onions at Home Using a Dehydrator.

Kitchen Gadgets Needed:

  • Dehydrator
  • Magic Bullet

Ingredients Needed:

  • Onions
  • Water

*Exact measurements are listed in the recipe card below.

STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS TO BATCH OF HOMEMADE ONION POWDER 

First Step: Prepare Your Onions

Pick your onions. The least carb counts are green onions or scallions.

Fully clean all of the onions you are about to use. Peel the outer layer of skin and cut it in half.

Cut out the stem and prepare your dehydrator.

How to make onion powder ingredients needed.
Homemade onion powder

Second Step: Dry Onions

Slice your onions into flakes and separate each streak.

Place slices of onion onto your dehydrator trays and dehydrate until fully dry.

How do you know the onions are done?

They need to be fully dry without any moisture. It gets crispy and crunchy after a bite.

You can also choose air drying or an oven if you do not own a dehydrator.

Onion powder recipe steps.
Substitute for onion powder

Third Step: Grind

Once onions are dry, place them into your chosen gadget. You can also use a mortar and place the dried onions there.

Pulsing dry onions in a food processor will give you nice tiny onion flakes.

Letting the grinding process go further makes a perfect smooth powder out of the dehydrated onions.

Homemade onion powder blending in.
Onion powder recipe

Fourth Step: Enjoy and Store

Use immediately or store in your mason jars for later.

Onion powder substitute pouring into the bowl.
How to make onion powder

TIPS AND TRICKS:

  • Type of onions – scallions and green onions have the least carbs.
  • Grinding – use a food processor, blender, coffee grinder, or use a mortar and pestle.
  • Drying process – apart from using a dehydrator, you can sun dry, oven dry, or air dry your onions before grinding.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT ONION POWDER

How To Use Onion Powder?

Onion powder can generally be used wherever you need to add fresh onion or store-bought seasoning.

Use your homemade onion powder to:

Adding it to the blackening seasoning can be another alternative.

Besides those recipes, I usually sprinkle it over our morning omelet, cloud eggs, or lecso.

Substitutes for Onion Powder

If you do not have pure onion powder, you can always substitute it for garlic powder or onion salt.

Can I Use a Coffee Grinder To Grind Dried Onion for Powder or Garlic Powder?

Yes, a coffee grinder is an excellent substitute for anything you need to grind. I use it sometimes if I need to grind a smaller batch of onion powder.

Onion powder recipe on a plate.
Substitute for onion powder

What’s the Difference Between Onion Powder and Onion Salt?

Onion powder is made of pure fresh onions, which are dried and then ground. Onion salt is a mixture of onion powder together with salt flakes.

Can I Make Onion Salt at Home From Fresh Onions?

Yes, it is super easy to flavor your salt or make onion salt from onion powder. I usually add not only onion but various dry herbs from my garden. Onion salt or herbs salt is one of the best flavorful seasonings you can regularly use for almost anything.

Place dry onion with same parts salt into the blender or food processor and grind.

What Is the Shelf Life of Dried Onion Powder?

Stored properly, the shelf life is very long. If you have made powder from completely dry onion flakes and there is no moisture, your spice jar should last over a year.

Do I Need to Condition Vegetable Powders?

It is always advisable to condition any dry food for longer shelf life. Simply shake the container every day for the first seven days. Watch for any impurities or mold.

How To Store Onion Powder?

Placed either in one of the glass spiced jars, Mason jars, or any other glass jar you can fully close, and would be great for storage. Place it in your pantry and use it whenever needed.

More Dehydrating Powders

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Substitute for onion powder on a white pate.
Onion powder substitute

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Yield: 5

How To Make Onion Powder

Onion powder substitute close up.

Learn How To Make Onion Powder at home using a dehydrator. Homemade onion powder is a great way to preserve onions, which taste better than any grocery store-bought pre-packed tiny jars.

Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 6 hours
Total Time 6 hours 5 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 Onions
  • Water

Instructions

  1. Pick your onions. Fully clean all of the onions you are about to use. Peel the outer layer of skin and cut it in half. Cut out the stem and prepare your dehydrator.
  2. Slice your onions into flakes and separate each streak. Place slices of onion onto your dehydrator trays and dehydrate until fully dry.
  3. Once onions are dry, place them into your chosen gadget. You can also use a mortar and place the dried onions there. Pulsing dry onions in a food processor will give you nice tiny onion flakes. Letting the grinding process go further makes a perfect smooth powder out of the dehydrated onions.
  4. Use immediately or store in your mason jars for later.

Notes

  • Type of onions - scallions and green onions have the least carbs.
  • Grinding - use a food processor, blender, coffee grinder, or use a mortar and pestle.
  • Drying process - apart from using a dehydrator, you can sun dry, oven dry, or air dry your onions before grinding.

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Nutrition Information

Yield

5

Serving Size

1 teaspoon

Amount Per Serving Calories 8Total Fat 0gCarbohydrates 2gFiber 0gProtein 0g

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By Zuzana Paar on July 22nd, 2023

About Zuzana Paar

Zuzana is the creative force behind this vibrant blog. With passion as a recipe developer, content creator, food writer, movie maker, and photographer, she poured her heart and soul into curating a space brimming with delightful keto and low carb recipes. Join her on this flavorful journey where quick, easy-to-make dishes take center stage, bringing joy and nourishment to your table.

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