How to Make Self-Rising Flour

4.97 from 31 votes
Jump to RecipeJump to Video

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

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!

Ingredients to make a substitute for self-rising flour sit on a marble countertop. Salt, baking powder and all-purpose flour are all measured for mixing.

Have you ever started a recipe that called for self-rising flour and realized you don’t have any? It is a frustrating thing when that happens! That’s when this simple homemade substitution for self-rising flour comes to the rescue. It’s 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. Itโ€™s 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.

Measuring cup of flour, salt and measuring spoon of baking powder sit on marble counter beside a glass container of flour.
  • All-purpose Flour
  • Baking Powder
  • Salt

I’ve 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.

A wooden salt cellar and a measuring cup of flour sits on a stone surface.

More Useful Substitution Recipes

Buttermilk Substitute

How to Make Cake Flour

How to Make Oat Milk

Here’s 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

4.97 from 31 votes
Self-rising flour is a staple ingredient in so many southern recipes! Learn how to make your own self-rising flour with this quick and easy substitution recipe. All you need are 3 simple ingredients!
Prep Time: 2 minutes
Total Time: 2 minutes
Servings: 4 (1/4) cup

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

Measurements to equal each cup of self-rising flour.
Large Batch Recipe:
  • 4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 6 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
Mix well, then use or store as directed.ย 
Storage Tips
To store: Add the flour to an airtight container for up to 6 months.

Video

Nutrition

Serving: 0.25 cup | Calories: 115kcal | Carbohydrates: 25g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 0.3g | Saturated Fat: 0.05g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.03g | Sodium: 147mg | Potassium: 185mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 0.1g | Calcium: 70mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Enjoy!
Robyn xo

Originally published April 2012.

Welcome to Add A Pinch

About Robyn

Robyn Stone is a cookbook author, wife, mom, and passionate home cook. Her tested and trusted recipes give readers the confidence to cook recipes the whole family will love. Robyn has been featured on Food Network, People, Southern Living, and more.

4.97 from 31 votes (5 ratings without comment)

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Review




133 Comments

  1. Promise says:

    5 stars
    Really helpful website ๐Ÿ™‚

    1. Robyn Stone says:

      Glad it was helpful to your, Promise! Thanks!

  2. Lisa Aigen says:

    I had the opposite dilemma…my spouse brought home self rising instead of regular and your recipe helped me figure out if I needed to add baking powder to my cake or not! Thanks

    1. Robyn Stone says:

      Oh I’m glad it was helpful to you, Lisa! Thanks for letting me know! xo

  3. Kerry says:

    worked perfectly for me has risen very nicely I’ve yet to give it the taste test

    1. Robyn Stone says:

      I’m glad it helped you, Kerry! Thanks! xo

  4. Cynthia Fowlkes says:

    5 stars
    Perfect

  5. Linnea says:

    Hi, if im using this substitute in a recipe that calls for baking powder and salt, will I add the baking powder and salt on top of the amount youโ€™ve used? So, that would basically double the baking soda and salt.ย 

    1. Robyn Stone says:

      Hi Linnea,
      I’m not sure what your recipe ingredients are, but please make sure what type of flour is needed. If it indeed calls for self-rising flour instead of all-purpose, then you would use the completed self-rising flour recipe, and then your additional recipe ingredients. Thanks!

  6. judy styer says:

    worked great and thank you and will save this recipe and pass it on….

    1. Robyn Stone says:

      I’m glad it helped you, Judy! Thank you! xo

  7. Betty says:

    Do you use this amount of baking powder & salt for each cup of flour used in a recipe, or do you only add these two to just 1 cup of the flour used in a recipe, & mix it with the rest of the flour? (Say , for instance a recipe calls for 4 cups flour, do you add the b. pow & salt to each cup?)

    1. Robyn Stone says:

      Hi Betty,
      You’ll use these ratios for every cup of flour called for in a recipe. I hope that helps! xo

  8. Brenda Roach says:

    I need the amount of ingredients to add to 5 pounds regular flour to make 5 pounds self rising flour

  9. Disha says:

    How much is 1 cup in ml or gms?

    1. Robyn Stone says:

      Hi Disha,
      Here is a link to my Conversion Chart. It should help you. Thanks!

  10. Jewels says:

    I need help the recipe is sugar cookies o need all purpose flor but have self rising what can I do

    1. Jewels says:

      Meant I have self rising no all purposes what do I do