How to Make Homemade Onion Powder (Easy Oven Steps)
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Last Updated on December 14, 2023
Onion powder is a pantry staple that makes having onions on-hand for your recipes super convenient. Have you ever made it yourself? Homemade onion powder is really easy to make and it’s better for you than buying it at the local grocery store. Learn how to make onion powder with our easy, step-by-step instructions.
Onion Powder
Onion powder adds a savory, umami flavor to your recipes without the need for chopping or sautéing fresh onions. It’s easy to make homemade onion powder yourself, let me teach you how!
Why Make Homemade Onion Powder?
Making your own homemade onion powder allows you to have complete control over the quality and freshness of the ingredients used. Store-bought onion powders may contain additives or preservatives that you might want to avoid. By making your own at home, you can ensure that your onion powder is made solely from onions, with no unwanted additives.
Additionally, homemade onion powder is incredibly versatile and can be customized to suit your taste preferences. You can experiment with different types of onions, such as red onions or even shallots (which aren’t truly an onion), to create unique flavors. Plus, you can adjust the level of grind to achieve either a fine or coarse texture based on your preference.
Is Onion Powder Healthy?
There are a lot of health benefits of onion powder due to its rich nutritional profile. It contains vitamins C and B6, high amounts of quercetin, dietary fiber, potassium, and antioxidants that help support a healthy immune system and promote overall well-being.
Homemade Onion Powder Recipe
Are you ready to make your own DIY onion powder? It’s easy, let’s get started!
First, you’ll need to decide on what type of onion to use. If you want to get creative, you could even blend various kinds of onion, just make sure they are evenly sliced.
Onion Types for Making Onion Powder
You can use any kind of onion to make onion powder. Each type of onion will impart its own unique flavors. For this recipe we use white or yellow sweet onions, but you can use any type you prefer:
- Yellow Onion: Yellow onions have a strong, pungent flavor of onion with a slightly sweet undertone.
- White Onion: White onions have a milder and sweeter taste compared to yellow onions.
- Red Onion: Red onions have a mild to moderate level of spiciness and offer a slightly sweet taste.
- Sweet Onion: Sweet onions, such as Vidalia or Walla Walla onions, have a high sugar content, resulting in a mild and sweet flavor profile.
- Green Onion: Onion powder made from green onions has a milder and slightly sweeter flavor compared to other types of onion powder.
- Shallots: Although technically not an onion variety, shallots are closely related and often used interchangeably in cooking. Shallots have a mild, delicate flavor that is sweeter than most onions but less overpowering than garlic.
Ingredients & Supplies Needed
- onions
- mandolin slicer or sharp knife
- cutting board
- baking sheet
- parchment paper
- oven
How to Make Onion Powder
The first step in making your own onion powder is to make dehydrated onions. While you can use a food dehydrator, we will be using an oven in our recipe instead.
Preparing the Onions
- Choose fresh, firm onions: Select onions that are free from blemishes and have a firm texture. This ensures better results during the dehydration process.
- Peel and slice the onions: Remove the outer skin of the onions and slice them into uniform pieces using a sharp knife or mandolin. You can choose to cut them into rings or use chopped onion, depending on your preference.
Drying the Onions
- Spread the thin slices out on the parchment-lined baking sheets in a single layer.
- Next, place the onion pieces in the oven at its lowest temperature around 130-150ºF/54-66ºC.
- If your oven doesn’t go as low as that, use the lowest temperature and prop the door open with a wooden spoon handle, so the steam can escape while the onion dehydrates.
- Check on the onion hourly, flipping it over a couple of times, to dry it faster.
- Depending on how thin and uniform your onion slices are, you can expect it to take about 6-10 hours to dry onions.
- Once cool, the onion slices should snap. If not, put them back into the oven again.
How Long is Drying Time?
Thinly sliced onions can be dehydrated in the oven at a low temperature for approximately 6-10 hours. The exact time may vary depending on factors such as the thickness of the slices and the moisture content of the onions.
Grinding Dried Onion Into Onion Powder
Grinding dried onion slices into fresh onion powder is a simple process that can be done at home using a few basic tools.
- Start by ensuring that the dried onions are completely dehydrated before grinding.
- Once the dried onions are ready, transfer them into a spice grinder or food processor.
- For minced onion or onion flakes, you’ll pulse the grinder until it’s at your desired consistencey. For a finer texture and smooth powder, continue grinding for longer periods of time.
Ways to Grind Onions into Powder
-
- Mortar and Pestle
- Food Processor
- Magic Bullet
- Coffee Grinder
- Blender
- Spice Mill
Learn about Granulated Onion Vs Onion Powder
How to Store Onion Powder
To maintain the freshness and flavor of your homemade onion powder, proper storage is essential. Store it in an airtight container, like Mason jars or an airtight spice jar in a cool, dark, dry place like your pantry, spice cabinet, or kitchen cupboard. Avoid exposing it to heat or moisture as this can cause clumping and decrease its shelf life.
I like these spice jars that come with some cute labels:
Shake the Onion Powder (Conditioning)
Conditioning homemade onion powder is not necessary but can be beneficial in certain cases. Conditioning involves exposing the powdered onions to a controlled level of humidity to ensure uniform moisture content throughout. This process helps prevent clumping and extends the shelf life of the powder.
To condition homemade onion powder, place it in a resealable plastic bag or an airtight container along with a silica gel packet. Alternatively, if you are not gluten-free, you can use a piece of bread. Seal the bag or container and leave it undisturbed for about a week. The silica gel packet or bread will absorb any excess moisture, helping to maintain the quality of your homemade onion powder.
An easier way to condition the onion powder is to shake the container every couple of days for about a week. Keep an eye on it for any mold or impurities and toss if you see anything concerning.
You might also enjoy: Dehydrating Jalapeno Peppers – Easy Step-by-step Instructions
What is the Shelf Life of Dried Onion Powder?
When stored properly in an airtight container away from heat and moisture, homemade dried onion powder can retain its flavor and potency for up to two years. However, it’s important to regularly check for any signs of spoilage or loss of aroma.
How Do I Know if My Onion Powder Has Gone Bad?
If your onion powder has gone bad, there are a few noticeable signs. Inspect the color – if it has turned significantly darker or developed mold-like spots, it should be discarded. Additionally, if you notice an off smell or taste that is rancid or unpleasant, it’s best not to consume it.
What is the Difference Between Granulated Onion and Onion Powder?
The main difference between granulated onion and onion powder lies in their texture. Granulated onion consists of coarser particles with a slightly larger grain size compared to fine-textured onion powder. This difference in texture can impact their usage in recipes.
How to Use Onion Powder
Onion powder is incredibly versatile and can enhance the flavor of various dishes. It can be used as a seasoning for meats, poultry, seafood, vegetables, soups, stews, sauces, and marinades.
How to Make Onion Powder in a Dehydrator
To make onion powder in a dehydrator, start by slicing onions into thin, even pieces. Arrange the slices on the dehydrator trays in a single layer, ensuring proper airflow between them. Set the dehydrator to a low temperature (around 130°F/54°C) and allow the onions to dehydrate for several hours until they are completely dry and brittle.
Once dried, follow the instructions above to grind it into onion powder.
PrintHomemade Onion Powder
Ingredients
Ingredients & Supplies Needed
- onions
- mandolin slicer or sharp knife
- cutting board
- baking sheet
- parchment paper
- oven
Instructions
- Peel and slice the onions: Remove the outer skin of the onions and slice them into uniform pieces using a sharp knife or mandolin. You can choose to cut them into rings or use chopped onion, depending on your preference.
- Spread the thin slices out on the parchment-lined baking sheets in a single layer.
- Next, place the onion pieces in the oven at its lowest temperature around 130-150ºF/54-66ºC.
- If your oven doesn’t go as low as that, use the lowest temperature and prop the door open with a wooden spoon handle, so the steam can escape while the onion dehydrates.
- Check on the onion hourly, flipping it over a couple of times, to dry it faster.
- Depending on how thin and uniform your onion slices are, you can expect it to take about 6-10 hours to dry onions.
Grinding the Onions into Powder
- Once cool, the onion slices should snap. If not, put them back into the oven again.
- Once the dried onions are ready, transfer them into a spice grinder or food processor.
- For minced onion or onion flakes, you’ll pulse the grinder until it’s at your desired consistencey. For a finer texture and smooth powder, continue grinding for longer periods of time.
