The contents of this article are human-created.
This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my full disclosure for details.

Full of rich and robust flavour with an uplifting blend of vanilla, this Homemade French Vanilla Cappuccino Mix is a delicious alternative to coffee! Plus, this instant mix is free of dairy, refined sugar and artificial flavours.

*Nutrition Disclaimer: The information provided on this site is designed for educational purposes only. You should not rely on this information as a substitute for, nor does it replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please read my disclaimers page for more information.

I've never been a big coffee drinker, but do enjoy a good latte or cappuccino on occasion. However, after a little Starbucks phase, I soon learned that coffee and I do not get along all that well.

As much as I love tea, I would still get a craving for a creamy specialty coffee from time to time. Which, led to the creation of this homemade French Vanilla Cappuccino Mix! It's full of rich and robust flavour that satisfies those coffee cravings.

Plus, with the uplifting blend of pure vanilla, it's a delicious drink that beats anything I've ever had from a coffee shop.

Why Make A Cappuccino without Coffee?

As delicious as caffeinated cappuccinos are, there are plenty of reasons to make a cappuccino without coffee. While cacao powder contains a small amount of caffeine, it is significantly lower than in coffee or tea.

Nervous system regulation. For those like me, with more sensitive constitutions, high amounts of caffeine (especially from coffee) can overload the nervous system, causing the jitters, increased anxiety, heart palpitations, sweaty palms, and trouble focusing or calming the mind.

Improve sleep. The high amounts of caffeine in coffee can disrupt hormones that promote relaxation and sleep. Avoiding coffee and heavily caffeinated drinks, especially later in the day, can help with getting a better night's sleep. On the flip side, cacao is a rich source of magnesium and tryptophan, both of which can help regulate sleep-wake rhythms.

Better nutrient absorption, digestion and gut health. High amounts of caffeine can disrupt the absorption of certain nutrients, including calcium, iron and B vitamins. It can also prematurely stimulate the release of undigested food into the intestinal tract. This can contribute to leaky gut, cramping and bloating.

Hormonal balance. Too much caffeine can contribute to hormonal imbalances, especially in women. This can cause a cascade of effects, including menstrual irregularities, breast tenderness and cystic acne.

What Makes This Cappuccino Mix Healthy?

Aside from being low in caffeine, this Cappuccino Mix is naturally flavoured with pure vanilla, made with whole food ingredients and no refined sugar.

How to Make A Homemade French Vanilla Cappuccino Mix

Making your own instant French Vanilla Cappuccino Mix is surprisingly simple! It only requires a handful of ingredients and takes a few minutes of hands-on time.

What You Will Need

Equipment

• Bowl to mix the ingredients in.
• Spoon for combining the ingredients.
• Airtight glass jar for storing the cappuccino mix.
• Small blender to blend the vanilla into powder.
• Oven to roast the vanilla beans.

Ingredients

• Roasted dandelion root powder offers a rich coffee-like flavour with plenty of nutrients and no caffeine.
• Cacao powder adds to the rich coffee-like flavour, providing a richer depth of flavour that complements both the vanilla and roasted dandelion root.
• Homemade vanilla powder is the key to this recipe. It offers a rich, sweet and uplifting flavour that balances the deep notes of dandelion and cacao.
• Coconut sugar offers a sweet caramel-like flavour, similar to brown sugar. It pairs perfectly with the vanilla and cacao, bringing more warmth to this French Vanilla cappuccino mix.
• Coconut milk powder adds a natural sweetness and a hint of creaminess.

Step 1: Make Homemade Vanilla Powder

To make homemade vanilla powder, the vanilla beans first need to be dried. You can do this naturally or in the oven.

To dry them naturally, leave them in an open jar or on a herb drying rack in a well-ventilated area for 1 to 2 weeks.

Drying them in the oven is a much quicker option. First, preheat your oven to the lowest temperature, either 100°F or 200°F.

Next, place the fresh vanilla beans on a baking sheet or in an oven-safe dish.

The cook time can vary depending on how fresh the vanilla beans are.

If the vanilla beans are very moist and your oven is set 100° F, you will want to bake the vanilla beans for 1.5 to 2 hours. Alternatively, if they are on the drier side or your oven is set to 200° F, you'll want to bake them for 1 to 1.5 hours. If the vanilla beans are older and are already starting to dry out, you may want to check them after 30 to 45 minutes.

Once the vanilla beans are dried, the tips should easily snap right off.

Once the vanilla beans are dried and cooled, place them into a blender or a small food processor. A small smoothie blender works great for small batches like this. Blitz the vanilla beans for about 1 minute, or until they have turned into a fine powder. Alternatively, you can use a mortar and pestle to grind your dried vanilla beans.

Step 2: Mix Ingredients

To make the instant French Vanilla Cappuccino Mix, measure the roasted dandelion root powder, cacao powder, vanilla powder, coconut sugar and coconut milk powder into a bowl and mix until well combined. You can also blend them together in a small smoothie blender. Blending can break up any clumps and create a finer powder. It also helps to combine vanilla more evenly with the other ingredients.

Once all the ingredients are mixed or blended, store in an airtight glass jar or container for 3 - 6 months.

Substitutions & Variations

Coffee substitute blends can be used in place of the roasted dandelion root powder.

Organic instant coffee can be used in place of the roasted dandelion root powder if you do not need your cappuccino mix to be caffeine-free.

Carob powder can be used as a substitute for cacao powder.

Mushroom powders, such as chaga, reishi, or lion's mane, can be added for a nutritional boost.

How to Use Homemade Instant French Vanilla Mix

To use your homemade instant French Vanilla Cappuccino Mix, add 2 tablespoons to a 350ml (11oz) mug. Add a splash of milk or hot water to create a paste. Next, stir in warmed milk (I like using tigernut, almond or coconut milk) and mix well.

To enjoy it black, you can also use hot water with no milk.

This cappuccino mix isn't overly sweet. If you prefer your cappuccinos on the sweeter side or are used to Tim Horton's French Vanilla cappuccinos, you can add more coconut sugar to taste.

To make your French vanilla cappuccino extra frothy, blitz in the blender for about 30 seconds. For an extra treat, you can also sprinkle some more cacao powder, ground cinnamon or vanilla on top!

More Ways to Use French Vanilla Cappuccino Mix

This delicious Cappuccino Mix can be used for more than just a warm, cozy drink! You can also use it to make French vanilla-flavoured sweet treats and baked goodies. It can also be used as a substitute for many recipes that call for instant coffee.

More Cozy Drinks

• Caffeine-Free Pumpkin Spice Latte
• Dandy Cinnamon Dolce Latte
• Fresh Turmeric Golden Milk
• Vanilla Spice Adaptogenic Smoothie (With Ashwagandha)

If you make this Homemade French Vanilla Cappuccino Mix, let me know how it turns out by leaving a comment and rating below. Also, make sure you're following along on Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook and Flipboard for more wildly nutritious recipes!

This post contains affiliate links where I may earn a small commission for purchases made. Please read my full disclosure and privacy policy for more information.