SAFFRON FILE FORMAT · VERSION 1

One recipe.
A file you can keep.

A small, open JSON format for moving recipes into Saffron. Easy to share with a friend, write by hand, or create with an AI assistant.

Download a sample ↘Make a file with AI →

UTF-8 JSONWorks offlineNo account needed

From an idea to your recipe box.

Create a file

Use the example below, or ask your AI assistant to follow this documentation.

Save as .saffron

The contents are plain JSON. The extension tells Saffron what to open.

Open and review

Choose Saffron from Files, Mail, or Messages. Check the ingredients before cooking.

Your first recipe file.

See every field →

This complete example uses the required structure and a base yield of one.

overnight-oats.saffron

{
  "format": "saffron",
  "version": 1,
  "recipes": [
    {
      "title": "Overnight oats",
      "servings": 1,
      "ingredients": [
        {
          "name": "Rolled oats",
          "quantity": "0.5",
          "unit": "cup"
        },
        {
          "name": "Milk",
          "quantity": "0.5",
          "unit": "cup"
        }
      ],
      "steps": [
        {
          "text": "Combine the oats and milk in a covered container. Refrigerate overnight."
        }
      ]
    }
  ]
}

Small details, fewer import surprises.

Write quantities as decimal strings: "0.5", rather than "1/2".
Use tablespoon, rather than tbsp, for a unit token.
Each direction is an object with a text field.
A file is a portable copy. Creating one does not publish a recipe or add it to the app.