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 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. 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
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.
More Useful Substitution Recipes
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
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.
Really helpful website ๐
Glad it was helpful to your, Promise! Thanks!
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
Oh I’m glad it was helpful to you, Lisa! Thanks for letting me know! xo
worked perfectly for me has risen very nicely I’ve yet to give it the taste test
I’m glad it helped you, Kerry! Thanks! xo
Perfect
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 youโve used? So, that would basically double the baking soda and salt.ย
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!
worked great and thank you and will save this recipe and pass it on….
I’m glad it helped you, Judy! Thank you! xo
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?)
Hi Betty,
You’ll use these ratios for every cup of flour called for in a recipe. I hope that helps! xo
I need the amount of ingredients to add to 5 pounds regular flour to make 5 pounds self rising flour
How much is 1 cup in ml or gms?
Hi Disha,
Here is a link to my Conversion Chart. It should help you. Thanks!
I need help the recipe is sugar cookies o need all purpose flor but have self rising what can I do
Meant I have self rising no all purposes what do I do