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!

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 donโ€™t have any? It is a frustrating thing when that happens! Thatโ€™s when this simple homemade substitution for self-rising flour comes to the rescue. Itโ€™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

Iโ€™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

Hereโ€™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!
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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)

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. 
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.

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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.

4.97 from 31 votes (5 ratings without comment)

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Recipe Review




133 Comments

  1. Sonia says:

    Just wondering, why the salt?

    1. Robyn Stone says:

      Commercial self-rising flour is a mixture of all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt, Sonia.

  2. Fern Sunday says:

    Hi Robin thanks so much for the self rising flour recipe. But should I use level teaspoons or heaped teaspoons of baking powder? Thanks

    1. Robyn Stone says:

      You would use a level teaspoon, Fern.

  3. Diane says:

    Youโ€™re a lifesaverโ€ฆ Thank you, Robin ๐Ÿ‘

    1. Robyn Stone says:

      Thanks, Diane!

  4. Nancy says:

    5 stars
    Made delicious biscuits!! Thank you

    1. Robyn Stone says:

      Thanks, Nancy!

  5. Joan Stewart says:

    U saved my day . Thank You

  6. Robin says:

    Thank you so much. It was wonderful.

  7. rose says:

    i love this recipes

  8. Rev. David Crabtree says:

    5 stars
    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 soโ€ฆ.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

    1. Robyn Stone says:

      Thank you, Rev. David. Hope you enjoy the biscuit!

  9. Sonja James says:

    Thank you this was extremely useful and my banana cake was perfect.

    1. Robyn Stone says:

      Iโ€™m so glad this was helpful to you, Sonja. xo

  10. Sophie (Philippines) says:

    5 stars
    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!

    1. Robyn Stone says:

      I hope you find many more recipes you like, Sophie. Thanks