Quick summary: Paprika is a spice made of dried and finely ground chili peppers and can be sweet or spicy. Chili powder is a blend of spices that include chili peppers, cumin, garlic, and other herbs and spices. Cayenne powder is made up of ground red cayenne peppers, and is primarily used to add heat to dishes.
Now, what if you can’t find bell pepper powder at your local grocery store? It requires short work and it can be daunting at first, but you can make your own powder at home. To start, you have to dehydrate them first and then ground them to powder using a spice grinder or mortar and pestle. To use as a backup, simply double the amount as the recipe suggests.