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.
Just wondering, why the salt?
Commercial self-rising flour is a mixture of all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt, Sonia.
Hi Robin thanks so much for the self rising flour recipe. But should I use level teaspoons or heaped teaspoons of baking powder? Thanks
You would use a level teaspoon, Fern.
Youโre a lifesaverโฆ Thank you, Robin ๐
Thanks, Diane!
Made delicious biscuits!! Thank you
Thanks, Nancy!
U saved my day . Thank You
Thank you so much. It was wonderful.
i love this recipes
Thank you Robyn. We had already done our shopping earlier today and while poking around the internet later in the afternoon I came across a two ingredient biscuit recipe. I knew I had some heavy cream, but thought my self rising flour had become the victim of a mouse invasion last year. Well, the invasion was turned back and them mices defeated, but the self rising flour was not in a container and soโฆ.well you can imagine the rest. Undaunted, I looked to your site and found what will save the day. We are having a slow cooker Mediterranean pot roast on Sunday and will try my new biscuit recipe, using your self rising flour mix, to sop up the gravy. Thanks for being there.
Rev. David
Thank you, Rev. David. Hope you enjoy the biscuit!
Thank you this was extremely useful and my banana cake was perfect.
Iโm so glad this was helpful to you, Sonja. xo
thank you and this is helpful. baking banana cranberry loaf and calls for a self rising flour. will try other recipes featured in this website. keep safe!
I hope you find many more recipes you like, Sophie. Thanks