Quick Answer
Nilla Wafers are a popular vanilla-flavored cookie made by Nabisco. If you don’t have Nilla Wafers on hand, there are several substitutes you can use in recipes calling for them:
- Graham crackers – These provide a similar flavor and texture.
- Vanilla wafers – Generic brands can be substituted for Nilla Wafers.
- Shortbread cookies – Use plain shortbread rounds as a substitute.
- Sugar cookies – Plain sugar cookies can be used.
- Gingersnaps – For a spicier flavor, use gingersnaps.
You can also make homemade vanilla wafers for a from-scratch substitute. The texture and flavor won’t be exactly the same as Nilla Wafers, but they can work nicely in many recipes.
Graham Crackers as a Substitute
One of the best substitutes for Nilla Wafers is graham crackers. Graham crackers provide a similar sweet, vanilla flavor and crunchy texture that works well in dessert recipes that call for crumbling the cookies, like cheesecakes and pie crusts.
Look for plain, unsweetened graham crackers rather than the honey or cinnamon varieties. Break graham crackers into pieces or use a food processor to pulse them into fine crumbs as a substitute for crushed Nilla Wafers.
Graham cracker crumbs can be used:
- As a crust for cheesecakes, custards or icebox pies
- In trifles or parfaits
- In cookie crusts
- As a topping for casseroles or desserts
The graham flavor will come through more strongly than the vanilla flavor of Nilla Wafers, but this substitution works well in most applications. Start with about 1 1/4 cups graham cracker crumbs for every 1 cup Nilla Wafer crumbs called for in a recipe. You can adjust to taste.
Advantages of Graham Crackers
Graham crackers make a handy substitute for Nilla Wafers because they:
- Have a similar crunch and texture
- Provide a sweet flavor
- Are easy to find in most grocery stores
- Can be substituted in a 1:1 ratio in most recipes
- Crumble nicely and hold their shape when crushed
Overall, graham crackers are one of the best and easiest swaps to use in place of Nilla Wafers in recipes. The graham flavor is a little more pronounced, but they mimic the vanilla cookie flavor and crunchy texture well.
Vanilla Wafer Substitutes
Nilla is the most popular brand of vanilla wafer cookies, but there are store-brand versions as well. Generic vanilla wafer cookies can be used in place of the name-brand Nilla Wafers in recipes.
Look for vanilla wafers in the cookie aisle at your grocery store. Brands like Kroger, Great Value and Trader Joe’s all offer their own versions. You can also find them at stores like Target or Walmart.
Off-brand vanilla wafers will have very similar ingredients and nutrition compared to Nilla Wafers. They can typically be substituted in a 1:1 ratio in recipes without any modifications.
Comparing Vanilla Wafer Brands
Here is a nutritional comparison of some popular vanilla wafer brands:
| Brand | Calories | Fat | Carbs | Protein |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nilla Wafers | 140 | 7g | 20g | 1g |
| Great Value | 130 | 7g | 18g | 2g |
| Kroger | 130 | 5g | 22g | 1g |
| Trader Joe’s | 130 | 5g | 21g | 1g |
As you can see, most store-brand vanilla wafers have very minor differences in nutritional values compared to Nilla Wafers. The main exception is that some brands have 2 grams of protein per serving instead of 1 gram. Otherwise, calories, carbs, and fat content are very close.
This makes off-brand vanilla wafers an easy 1-to-1 substitute in any recipe. The taste and texture may vary slightly between brands, but they can be used interchangeably without impacting the recipe results.
When to Use Vanilla Wafer Substitutes
Some recipes where vanilla wafer substitutes work well include:
- Cheesecake crusts
- Icebox pies
- Cookie crusts
- Trifles
- Parfaits
- Toppings for casseroles or desserts
- Incorporating into cookie dough
- Crumbled on top of puddings
Vanilla wafers are often used as a crunchy, flavorful topping or mix-in for dessert recipes. Off-brand vanilla wafers do the trick when Nilla Wafers aren’t available.
Shortbread Cookies
Plain shortbread cookies are another suitable substitute for Nilla Wafers in some recipes. Shortbread has a tender, delicate crunchy texture similar to Nilla Wafers.
When using shortbread, look for plain round cookie varieties without chocolate or other mix-ins. You want the simple biscuit-style shortbread cookies, not the shaped holiday-style shortbread.
Shortbread tends to be richer and more buttery than Nilla Wafers, so it complements creamy desserts nicely. It can be crumbled up and used in any way you would use crushed Nilla Wafers, like:
- Cheesecake crusts
- Pies
- Trifles
- Toppings for puddings or custards
Since shortbread is denser than Nilla Wafers, you may need to adjust the ratio when substituting. Try using about 3/4 cup shortbread cookie crumbs for every 1 cup Nilla Wafer crumbs called for. Taste and adjust as needed.
Pros and Cons of Shortbread Substitution
Some benefits of using shortbread as a Nilla Wafer substitute include:
- Delicate, crisp texture
- Simple flavor that complements other ingredients
- Easy to crumble or grind into fine crumbs
The downsides are:
- More buttery richness instead of sweet vanilla flavor
- Denser, heavier crumbs
- May overpower other flavors if too much is used
Keep these differences in mind, and adjust your shortbread proportions accordingly for best results. Test a small batch before substituting shortbread in large recipes.
Sugar Cookies
Simple vanilla or sugar cookies can also work as a replacement for Nilla Wafers in a pinch. Like shortbread, sugar cookies have a tender, delicate texture that crunches nicely when crushed.
Look for plain sugar cookies without chocolate chips, icing or other mix-ins. You want the basic cookie dough flavor to come through.
Sugar cookies are a bit sweeter than Nilla Wafers, but can be used as a 1:1 substitute in most recipes without issue. They work well:
- Crumbled over desserts
- In cheesecake crusts
- Pie crusts
- Trifles or parfaits
You may want to reduce the amount of sugar in a recipe slightly to account for the added sweetness from sugar cookies. But otherwise, they mimic the crunch and texture of Nilla Wafers nicely.
Sugar Cookie Substitution Tips
Follow these tips when using sugar cookies in place of Nilla Wafers:
- Use plain sugar cookies, not decorated or iced
- Pulse in a food processor for fine crumbs
- Consider reducing other sugars in the recipe slightly
- Add a dash of vanilla extract for flavor if needed
- May need to reduce oven temperature slightly to prevent overbrowning
With a few minor adjustments, plain sugar cookies can stand in for Nilla Wafers as a quick substitute in recipes.
Gingersnaps
Spicy ginger cookies are another option that can work well in some dishes calling for Nilla Wafers. Gingersnaps have a crunchy texture and hold their shape nicely when crushed.
Keep in mind that gingersnaps have a very different, spicy-sweet flavor compared to the mild vanilla taste of Nilla Wafers. This can complement some recipes, while overpowering delicate flavors.
Gingersnaps work especially well:
- In fruit desserts, paired with tart citrus
- In pumpkin or sweet potato dishes
- In boldly-flavored desserts that can handle spice
Start by substituting about 3/4 cup gingersnap crumbs for 1 cup Nilla Wafer crumbs. Adjust the amount to taste based on the intensity of the ginger flavor. You may need to add a bit of sugar or vanilla to balance the spiciness.
Should You Use Gingersnaps?
Gingersnaps can complement bolder dessert flavors well. But consider these downsides before using them:
- Overpowering spicy flavor
- May clash with more delicate ingredients
- Difficult to accurately substitute for Nilla Wafers
- Can make desserts too spicy for some tastes
Test gingersnap substitutions in small batches first to ensure the flavor works well and isn’t too intense. They add nice spice and chew in the right dessert recipes, but aren’t ideal in all applications.
Homemade Vanilla Wafer Substitutes
If you can’t find a suitable store-bought substitute for Nilla Wafers, you can also make your own homemade version. DIY vanilla wafer recipes mimic the flavor profile and texture well.
Here is a simple vanilla wafer recipe to try:
Homemade Vanilla Wafer Ingredients
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line baking sheets with parchment.
- In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla.
- In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and salt. Stir dry ingredients into butter mixture until a soft dough forms.
- Roll dough into 1-inch balls and place 1 inch apart on the baking sheets.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes until lightly golden. Allow to cool completely on the baking sheet.
This recipe makes about 4 dozen cookies with the classic crunchy, vanilla wafer texture. You can substitute them into any recipe that calls for Nilla Wafers in a 1:1 ratio.
Tips for Homemade Vanilla Wafer Success
Secrets to getting the perfect texture include:
- Don’t overbake – they should be lightly golden
- Allow to cool and crisp completely before using
- Store in an airtight container to maintain freshness
- Pulse in a food processor for fine crumbs as needed
With this easy recipe, you can make as many vanilla wafer substitutes as you need. Adjust the vanilla or add a pinch of cinnamon for different flavor variations.
What About Digestive Biscuits or Graham Crackers?
Digestive biscuits and graham crackers are two other options sometimes used as substitutes for vanilla wafers. Here’s how they compare:
Digestive Biscuits
- Crumbly, slightly coarse texture
- Neutral wheaty flavor
- Denser and not as crunchy as Nilla Wafers
- Adds nice richness but not much sweetness
Digestives can work well in crusts and crumbled toppings where a bit of extra density is desirable. Reduce the amount slightly and add a pinch of sugar when substituting in recipes.
Graham Crackers
- Crunchy texture very similar to Nilla Wafers
- Hint of cinnamon and honey flavor
- Tend to be less sweet than Nilla Wafers
- Easy 1:1 substitution in most recipes
Graham crackers are one of the best direct substitutes for Nilla Wafers in terms of flavor and texture. The graham flavor comes through but isn’t overpowering.
Conclusion
Nilla Wafers have a distinctive vanilla flavor and light, crunchy texture that works well in recipes. But you have options if you need a substitute, including:
- Graham crackers
- Vanilla wafer cookies
- Shortbread cookies
- Sugar cookies
- Gingersnaps
- Homemade vanilla wafers
Consider the flavor profile and texture each substitute will add. Cookies like graham crackers and shortbread tend to be the most seamless substitutes. Test small batches first when using an unfamiliar substitution to ensure it provides the intended results before incorporating into a full recipe. With a few simple swaps, you can duplicate the Nilla Wafer experience when needed.