Can You Substitute Espresso Powder for Instant Coffee?

If you bake often at home, chances are, you have a container of espresso powder somewhere in your pantry. It’s a common addition to chocolate because it helps intensify the flavor.

But what it if you need a cup of coffee and all you’ve got is that espresso powder in your pantry? Is there a way you can get your morning coffee fix without running to the store?

In this post, we’ll tell if you if you can substitute espresso powder for instant coffee. On top of that, we’ll talk about some other common questions people have regarding espresso powder.

Quick Answer: Can You Substitute Espresso Powder for Instant Coffee?

Espresso powder is essentially just dehydrated espresso. Adding water to it will rehydrate the powder and turn it into espresso.

However, we don’t recommend using it to brew your morning cup of joe. The flavor will be completely different, resulting in something you may find overwhelming or unappealing.

What if you’re baking and you want to add espresso powder to your sweet treat, but all you have is instant coffee? The good news is you can use a little instant coffee instead of espresso powder. Just use the same amount of instant coffee as the amount of espresso powder the recipe calls for.

You May Also Like: Where to Buy Espresso Powder and Find It in the Grocery Store

Espresso Powder FAQs

Is Instant Espresso Coffee the Same as Espresso Powder?

Yes, instant espresso and espresso powder are basically terms for the same product. They’re both made in the same way: by brewing espresso traditionally, drying it, and then crushing it into a powder.

Keep in mind, then, that if you see a recipe calling for one, you can use the other. The terms are interchangeable.

You can learn more about it in our post about espresso powder vs instant espresso.

How Do You Make Coffee with Espresso Powder?

Your espresso powder won’t produce a cup of espresso that’s nearly as good as one that has been freshly ground. We recommend sticking to using it for baking or cooking if possible.

If you’re absolutely desperate for some coffee, though, you can use your espresso powder to make a drink. Simply put a teaspoon of espresso powder into an eight-ounce cup of boiling water, then stir it in until it has dissolved.

You can add more espresso powder as necessary to strengthen the drink. You can even add sweeteners or dairy-free milk at your discretion to make it more palatable.

What is the Best Instant Espresso Powder?

There are a lot of different espresso powder brands out there, so we can understand completely if you feel a little overwhelmed when you’re looking at them all! Our recommendation is this [amazon fields="B07DYFSM8C" value="link" title="Anthony's Organic Espresso Baking Powder."]

Because it’s organic, you can be sure it’s non-GMO, if that’s one of your dietary concerns. Plus, it has been verified as gluten-free, making it perfect for those with gluten sensitivities.

Wrap Up

The next time you’re baking anything with chocolate in it – whether it’s a cake, cupcake, brownie, cookie, or anything else – consider adding some espresso powder. Trust us when we say it will knock the chocolate flavor out of the park and take your baking to the next level.

In the event you still have questions about it, be sure to check out our guide to what espresso powder is to learn more about the powder and its uses.