https://www.quora.com/What-can-I-substitute-for-chili-powder-in-a-recipe You will need their fruity and woodsy flavors if you want to make classic dishes like Oaxacan mole. Chili powder is a versatile and handy spice mix to have in your pantry. If you need some right away and don’t have time to wait for an online order to arrive, try one of the pasilla powder substitutes below. Chile powder vs chili powder: Chile powder is made solely from dried chiles, whereas chili powder is a mix of ground chiles and other seasonings. The Spruce / Lindsay Kreighbaum Chili Powder vs. Cayenne Pepper . Dark chili powder varieties have a smoky and slightly sweet flavor. Pasilla chili peppers have one big drawback, which is that they are not easy to find in brick and mortar retailers outside of Mexico. Ground cayenne pepper is eight times hotter than chili powder. The spice sold as cayenne pepper is simply ground cayenne pepper and it is not a chili powder substitute.