Name: The ONLY 5 Mixed Spice Substitutes You Need To Know
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon of ground cinnamon; 2 teaspoons of ground coriander; 1 teaspoon of ground allspice; 1 teaspoon of ground nutmeg; ½ teaspoon of ground ginger; ¼ teaspoon of ground cloves

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Last Updated on June 5, 2023 by Toya

Check out 5 easy mixed spice substitutes that can actually work in your recipe. If you’re looking for a way to enjoy the flavor of mixed spice, without actually having it, then you’re in the right place.

Mixed spice also called pudding spice or British mixed spice is a spice mix made with ground spices like cinnamon, coriander, caraway, nutmeg, ground ginger, and cloves. This spice blend is used in Irish and British baked treats and adds a complex, warm flavor to cakes, puddings, bread, pies, cookies, pancakes, cupcakes, fruit salads and so much more!

So, if you don’t have mixed spice, what can you use?

The short answer:

Homemade mixed spice
Pumpkin pie spice
Apple pie spice
Allspice
Cinnamon

Best ways to substitute for mixed spice

Homemade mixed spice

It’s very easy to make a homemade mixed spice blend.

To make it you will need to combine 1 tablespoon of ground cinnamon, 2 teaspoons of ground coriander, 1 teaspoon of ground allspice, 1 teaspoon of ground nutmeg, ½ teaspoon of ground ginger, and ¼ teaspoon of ground cloves.

Mix well, then use as required in your recipe.

Pumpkin pie spice

Pumpkin pie spice is an excellent British mixed spice substitute for all recipes. Pumpkin pie spice is a great choice because it has most of the flavors of mixed spice including cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, allspice, and ginger which are some of the ground spices used in British mixed spice blends.

A pumpkin pie spice blend does not contain caraway and cardamon, but, if a recipe calls for 1 tsp of mixed spice, replace it with 1 teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice. You can try my homemade pumpkin pie spice with no allspice here.

Apple pie spice

Apple pie spice is made with spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and sometimes even cardamom and ginger. Therefore, if you’re making a recipe that calls for mixed spice, an apple pie spice blend can be used instead.

1 teaspoon of mixed spice = 1 teaspoon of apple pie spice.

Cinnamon

The most prolific spice in British mixed spice is cinnamon. As such, if you’re in a pinch, cinnamon can be used as a mixed spice replacement. Cinnamon has a warm, sweet woody flavor that will complement many recipes mixed spice gets used in like cakes, pancakes, cookies, and more.

Allspice

Allspice is a great single spice that can be used in place of mixed spice. Allspice works because its flavor reminds you of a combination of cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg. Substitute 1 teaspoon of mixed spice with 1 teaspoon of allspice.

If a recipe calls for mixed spice, there are at least 5 simple replacements for mixed spice that can work. 2 of the substitutes including allspice and cinnamon will vary the flavor of your dish because they do not contain any coriander or caraway flavor. If you happen to have some caraway or coriander sitting around, add a little of both to each to help round out the flavors a little more. Also, you can check out my homemade allspice recipe here and use it as a sub for mixed spice too!

The other 3 substitutes namely pumpkin pie spice, apple pie spice, and the homemade mixed spice blend are closer to the flavor of mixed spice and will work well in any recipe.