Self-rising flour is a staple ingredient in many recipes! Learn how to make self-rising flour with just 3 simple ingredients!

Looking for more easy substitutions? I think you’ll love my easy buttermilk substitution, how to make cake flour, and how to make oat milk.

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! // addapinch.com

Have you ever started a recipe and realized that you didn’t have enough of a specific ingredient called for in that recipe? It is a frustrating thing when that happens. That’s when simple substitutions come to the rescue, like this simple self-rising flour recipe for a homemade substitution.

What is self-rising flour? 

Self-rising flour is a combination of all-purpose flour (also referred to as plain flour), baking powder, and salt. It’s often used in recipes with no leavening agents (such as baking powder, baking soda, or yeast) and reduces the number of ingredients needed. 

What is the difference between regular all-purpose flour and self-rising flour? 

The difference between the two flours is one already has the leavening agent included If you only have all-purpose flour on hand, you will need to add the leavener to it for it to rise. If you come across a recipe that uses self-rising flour, you can make it yourself quickly and easily using 3 simple ingredients that you most likely already have in your pantry.

What recipes use self-rising flour? 

Self-rising 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 breads, and more.

How to Make Homemade Self-Rising Flour Substitute

This homemade self-rising flour works perfectly in recipes that call for self-rising flour. I’ve included the recipe to make one cup of the homemade substitute, but it can easily be scaled up for a big batch of self-rising flour or scaled down based on your specific needs.

It’s really simple to make and only takes seconds.

One Cup Self-Rising Flour 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

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! // addapinch.com

Large Batch Self-Rising Flour Recipe (Makes 4 Cups)

  • 4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 6 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt

To make a large batch of self-rising flour, simply 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 in the pantry for up to 6 months.

Large Batch Self-Rising Flour Recipe

4 cups all-purpose flour

+

6 teaspoons baking powder

+

1 teaspoon salt

Self Rising Flour - Learn how to make self-rising flour with this super easy substitution recipe. All you need are 3 everyday ingredients! // addapinch.com

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.

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.

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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.

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Recipe Review




131 Comments

  1. 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

  2. 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 you’ve used? So, that would basically double the baking soda and salt. 

    1. 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!

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

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