How to Make Self-Rising Flour
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Self-rising flour is a staple ingredient in many southern recipes, from biscuits to cobblers! This recipe shows you how to make self-rising flour with just 3 simple ingredients for this easy homemade substitute!
Have you ever started a recipe that called for self-rising flour and realized you donโt have any? It is a frustrating thing when that happens! Thatโs when this simple homemade substitution for self-rising flour comes to the rescue. Itโs so quick to make with just a few ingredients!
Self-rising flour is a combination of all-purpose flour (also referred to as plain), baking powder, and salt. Itโs often used in recipes with no leavening agents (such as baking powder, baking soda, or yeast) and reduces the number of ingredients needed.
Difference Between Self-Rising and All-Purpose Flours
The difference between the two flours is simple. Self-rising already has the leavening agent included and all-purpose does not. All-purpose flour must have a leavening agent added to it in a recipe for it to rise.
How to Make Homemade Self-Rising Flour Substitute
If you come across a recipe that uses self-rising, you can make it yourself quickly and easily using 3 simple ingredients that you most likely already have in your pantry.
Ingredients
Be sure to see the recipe card below for the full listing of ingredients, instructions, notes, and estimated nutritional information.
- All-purpose Flour
- Baking Powder
- Salt
Iโve included the amounts to make a One Cup recipe, or a Small Batch, as well as the amounts needed to make a Large Batch recipe too.
One Cup Recipe:
For each cup of flour, whisk together 1 1/2 teaspoons of baking powder and 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Make sure to whisk all these ingredients together well so that the baking powder and salt are evenly distributed within the flour.
Small Batch Self-Rising Flour Recipe
1 cup all-purpose flour
+
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
+
1/4 teaspoon salt
Large Batch Recipe (Makes 4 Cups)
To make a large batch recipe, add flour, baking powder, and salt in the above amounts to a large mixing bowl. Whisk to combine so that all ingredients are evenly distributed. Use or store in an airtight container.
Large Batch Self-Rising Flour Recipe
4 cups all-purpose flour
+
6 teaspoons baking powder
+
1 teaspoon salt
Storage Tips
To store: Add to an airtight container and store in the pantry for up to 6 months.
Uses for Self-Rising Flour
This flour is used in so many quick and easy Southern recipes.
It has become a staple ingredient in my kitchen for the perfect buttermilk biscuit, buttermilk pancakes, cinnamon roll biscuits, waffles, easy peach cobbler, quick bread, and more.
More Useful Substitution Recipes
Hereโs the printable recipe card for making my self-rising flour substitute. I hope you find it as helpful as I do!
How to Make Self-Rising Flour
Ingredients
- 1 cup (120 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons (6 g) baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon (0.6 g) kosher salt
Instructions
- Measure all ingredients and whisk to combine.
Notes
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 6 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Enjoy!
Robyn xo
Originally published April 2012.
Good tips ๐ thanks.
I have been using all purpose, salt together with baking powder but i had no idea that when you put this three ingredients they make self raising. Thank you for sharing with us.
Hello. Thanks for sharing the recipe but will it really work? I read many articles about DIY flours you know like self-rising flour and cake flour or how to add lemon juice or vinegar to milk to get buttermik etcโฆ and every time the writer will end up like โof course it would be better to use whatever the recipe calls forโ. So, will this really work? Just asking.
Thanks
Hi Hala,
It absolutely works โ as does the buttermilk substitute. Hope you find it helpful!
This is such a great tip! So handy!
I never keep self-rising flour on hand. It just works better for me to make my own.
Just gave this info to my niece. I didnโt know exact measurements for a cup, so thanks. Also, if youโre using buttermilk or โsour milkโ we were always told that you needed to add 1 tsp baking soda along with the baking powder and salt. That info was passed by my grandmother, now Iโm the granny. ๐
can i make up a lot of this flour at once
Hi Ellen,
You sure can. If I know Iโll be using a good bit for various recipes, Iโll mix up a batch to keep on hand.
how big is a cup?
Hi Tina,
Depending on if you spoon or dip the all-purpose flour into your measuring cup, youโll have between 4.5 ounces and 5 ounces.
WoW!!! Just stumbled upon your blog and this
โฆoopsโฆ
Just stumbled upon this amazing recipe and your wonderful blog. Thanks for this. I canโt tell you how many times Iโve tried to make something and then realized that I donโt have self-rising flour. I use it so seldom that I would hate to buy a whole bag. Now I donโt have to!!!
This is such a great tip, Robin. Thanks for sharing!