How to Make Self-Rising Flour
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!
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.
This was hugely helpful, as I am making a cake for my best friendโs birthday today and the recipe called for self rising flour. Thank you so much!
I’m so glad this “How To” helped you, Jeannette. I love that you can make this from ingredients you have at home and don’t have to make an extra trip to the store.
What type of salt are you using here? Most diy’s substitutions call for double or even triple the amount of salt listed here.
Meri, I use kosher salt.
This is exactly what I needed! Perfect and now I don’t have to run to the store, thank you!
I always thought self-rising and cake flour were the same thing๐๐! Thank you for the recipes for both. My cakes, muffins and cookies are a heck of a lot better thanks to you.
I’m so glad these How To recipes have helped you, SusieRed.
This is such a great tip! Does this work for making cookies. My cookie recipe calls for 1 1/4 cup of self rising flour? So how much baking powder and salt shall I use ? Thank you
This will work for any recipe that calls for self-rising flour, Sonia.
I used your recipe for my lemon pound cakes, they came out light and fluffy. The best I’ve made in a while. Thank you.
Sonia, I love that this helped with making your lemon pound cakes. I like to have these substitutions I can make when I don’t have the actual ingredient I need for a recipe.
love this a lot…… made a perfect cake thanks to this conversion.
I will try this recipe. Iโm going to visit some relatives in another country and will try to impress them. Thank you
Have a fun trip, Lorena.
I love this recipe, works great!
Thanks, TJD. I’m glad it works well for you.
Going to try this. When I make my biscuits. Purchased Hudson cream ap flour from their site, but I know I need self rising flour. Their flour is amazing, not heavy at all! Had never heard of it before, ( it’s a southern thang) but on a cooking show, it was reccomended. I can see why! Thanks for the info, I’ll just add these ingredients to my AP before making biscuits ,pancakes, rolls!