Substitutions / poppy seeds
What to use instead of poppy seeds
Use sesame seeds in equal amounts. Similar crunch and appearance, but the flavor is nuttier and more pronounced.
Every option, best first
| Use instead | How much | What changes |
|---|---|---|
| Sesame seeds | 1:1 | Similar crunch and appearance, but the flavor is nuttier and more pronounced. |
| Chia seeds | 1:1 | Milder flavor and slightly gummy texture when wet, but visually similar. |
| Hemp seeds | 1:1 | Softer texture with no crunch, and a grassier, nuttier taste. |
A word on how to read these
A substitution is a trade, not an equivalence. The ratio gets the quantity right; the third column is the part worth reading, because it tells you what you are giving up. In a stew, most of these are invisible. In a cake — where flour, liquid, fat and leavening are in a fixed relationship — the same swap can change the crumb.
Why baking notices and stew doesn't →
Where these came from
These substitutions were written by Gather's own kitchen model — the same one the app uses when you tap an ingredient and ask what else would work — then checked and saved as a fixed list in July 2026. Nothing on this page is generated while you read it. They are a good starting point and not a substitute for tasting as you go.