Recipe Creator - Build Custom Datapack Recipes

Build custom Minecraft recipes and export datapack JSON. Pick a recipe type, set the ingredients, and copy the ready-to-use file.

Version

Recipe Configuration

Namespace

Recipe Name

Crafting Grid (click to set, right-click to clear)

Result

Count

JSON Output

Save to

data/mypack/recipe/custom_recipe.json

{
  "type": "minecraft:crafting_shaped",
  "pattern": [
    " "
  ],
  "key": {},
  "result": {
    "id": "minecraft:stone"
  }
}

Create Custom Minecraft Recipes for Datapacks

The recipe creator above lets you build custom Minecraft recipes visually: pick your items from the full item database, arrange them on a crafting grid or select a processing type, set the output, and export valid JSON for your datapack. No JSON editing by hand required.

Custom recipes are one of the most common datapack features. Whether you want to make diamond blocks craftable from emeralds, add new smelting recipes for custom items, or create entirely new crafting paths, the recipe system is fully data-driven in Java Edition. Vanilla Minecraft already has 1,515 recipes across 11 types, and you can add as many more as you want.

This tool supports all 7 primary recipe types that datapacks can define: shaped crafting, shapeless crafting, smelting, blasting, smoking, stonecutting, and smithing transform. The visual editor handles the JSON structure so you can focus on game design rather than syntax.

How to Use the Recipe Creator

1
Choose a recipe type. Select from shaped, shapeless, smelting, blasting, smoking, stonecutting, or smithing transform. The input interface changes based on the type you select.
2
Set the ingredients. For shaped recipes, place items on the 3x3 grid in the pattern you want. For shapeless, add ingredients in any order. For smelting, blasting and smoking, pick the input item. Search the full item database by name.
3
Set the result. Choose the output item and specify the count (how many items the recipe produces). Shaped and shapeless recipes support any count.
4
Export the JSON. Copy the generated JSON and save it as a .json file in your datapack's data/namespace/recipe/ directory. The filename becomes the recipe ID.

Custom Recipe Types Explained

Each recipe type has its own JSON structure and is processed by a specific crafting station:

Type	Station	Key Fields	Example Use
Shaped	Crafting Table	`pattern, key, result`	Custom tools, blocks, armor
Shapeless	Crafting Table	`ingredients, result`	Dye mixing, item conversion
Smelting	Furnace	`ingredient, result, experience, cookingtime`	Custom material processing
Blasting	Blast Furnace	`ingredient, result, experience, cookingtime`	Fast ore processing
Smoking	Smoker	`ingredient, result, experience, cookingtime`	Custom food cooking
Stonecutting	Stonecutter	`ingredient, result, count`	Block variant conversion
Smithing Transform	Smithing Table	`template, base, addition, result`	Gear upgrades with templates

Shaped recipes use a pattern array of strings (up to 3 rows of 3 characters) and a key object mapping each character to an item or tag. Shapeless recipes just need an ingredients array, where order does not matter.

Tips for Custom Recipes

Use tags for flexible ingredients

Instead of specifying minecraft:oak_planks as an ingredient, use the tag #minecraft:planks. This lets any plank type work in your recipe, making it feel more natural and compatible with other datapacks that add new wood types.

Override vanilla recipes

To change an existing recipe, create a file at data/minecraft/recipe/ with the same filename as the vanilla recipe. Your version replaces the original. For example, data/minecraft/recipe/diamond_sword.json overrides the diamond sword recipe.

Recipe unlock advancements

Vanilla recipes show in the recipe book when you pick up a relevant ingredient (those 1,492 hidden recipe advancements handle this). For custom recipes, create a matching advancement with an inventory_changed trigger that grants the recipe as a reward. This way players discover your recipe naturally.

Datapack file structure

Your datapack should have this structure: mypack/pack.mcmeta at the root, and recipes at mypack/data/namespace/recipe/my_recipe.json. Use /reload after adding or modifying recipe files to apply changes without restarting.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I add custom recipes to Minecraft?

Create a datapack with recipe JSON files placed in data/namespace/recipe/. Each JSON file defines one recipe with a type (shaped, shapeless, smelting, etc.), ingredients, and a result. Load the datapack by placing it in your world's datapacks folder or using /datapack enable.

What recipe types can I create for Minecraft datapacks?

Minecraft supports 7 main custom recipe types: shaped crafting (pattern-based 3x3 grid), shapeless crafting (any arrangement), smelting (furnace), blasting (blast furnace), smoking (smoker), stonecutting (stonecutter), and smithing_transform (smithing table with template, base, and addition).

Can custom recipes use tags as ingredients?

Yes. Instead of specifying a single item ID, you can reference a tag using the # prefix (for example #minecraft:planks). The recipe will accept any item in that tag as a valid ingredient. This makes recipes more flexible and compatible with other datapacks that add items to tags.

How do I override a vanilla Minecraft recipe?

Use the same namespace and path as the vanilla recipe. For example, to change the diamond sword recipe, create data/minecraft/recipe/diamond_sword.json in your datapack with your custom recipe definition. The datapack's version replaces the vanilla one when loaded.

Do custom recipes show in the recipe book?

Only if you create a matching recipe-unlock advancement. Vanilla recipes use hidden advancements that grant the recipe when you pick up an ingredient. Create an advancement with an inventory_changed trigger and a recipes reward to replicate this behavior.

Browse more Minecraft tools:

Browse All Tools Recipe Browser

Related tools

Create Custom Minecraft Recipes for Datapacks

The recipe creator above lets you build custom Minecraft recipes visually: pick your items from the full item database, arrange them on a crafting grid or select a processing type, set the output, and export valid JSON for your datapack. No JSON editing by hand required.

How to Use the Recipe Creator

Choose a recipe type. Select from shaped, shapeless, smelting, blasting, smoking, stonecutting, or smithing transform. The input interface changes based on the type you select.

Set the ingredients. For shaped recipes, place items on the 3x3 grid in the pattern you want. For shapeless, add ingredients in any order. For smelting, blasting and smoking, pick the input item. Search the full item database by name.

Set the result. Choose the output item and specify the count (how many items the recipe produces). Shaped and shapeless recipes support any count.

Export the JSON. Copy the generated JSON and save it as a .json file in your datapack's data/namespace/recipe/ directory. The filename becomes the recipe ID.

Custom Recipe Types Explained

Each recipe type has its own JSON structure and is processed by a specific crafting station:

Type	Station	Key Fields	Example Use
Shaped	Crafting Table	`pattern, key, result`	Custom tools, blocks, armor
Shapeless	Crafting Table	`ingredients, result`	Dye mixing, item conversion
Smelting	Furnace	`ingredient, result, experience, cookingtime`	Custom material processing
Blasting	Blast Furnace	`ingredient, result, experience, cookingtime`	Fast ore processing
Smoking	Smoker	`ingredient, result, experience, cookingtime`	Custom food cooking
Stonecutting	Stonecutter	`ingredient, result, count`	Block variant conversion
Smithing Transform	Smithing Table	`template, base, addition, result`	Gear upgrades with templates