Self-rising flour substitute

Leavening · Checked against 3 sources · Updated November 4, 2026

Quick answer

Whisk 1 cup of all-purpose flour with 1 and a half teaspoons of baking powder and a quarter teaspoon of salt. Use it 1 for 1 in place of self-rising flour. All-purpose has more protein, so batters may need a bit more liquid and bakes are slightly less tender.

How much do you need?

I need (self-rising flour)Unit

Fractions work: 1 1/2, ¾, 0.5. The amounts below update as you type.

What to use

All-purpose flour, baking powder and salt
- Vegan
- Dairy-free
- Nut-free
- Egg-free
- 1 cup 125 g all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ tsp 7.5 ml baking powder
- ¼ tsp 1 ml table salt
How
Whisk together. Add a splash more liquid if the batter looks stiff.
Best for
Biscuits, pancakes, quick breads, cakes.
What changes
Slightly less tender than Southern self-rising flour, which is made from softer wheat.

Diet labels describe the ingredients as normally made. Check packages for gluten and allergens. Some refined sugar is filtered with bone char, which matters if you eat vegan.

Which swap for which job

Use	Pick	Why
Biscuits	Use a lower-protein flour	King Arthur suggests pastry flour in place of the all-purpose flour for more tender biscuits.

Do not substitute here

Yeast breads. Self-rising flour. The baking powder is not wanted.

Questions

Can I use self-rising flour in place of all-purpose?

Yes, 1 for 1, in recipes with about half to one teaspoon of baking powder per cup of flour. Leave out the recipe's baking powder and salt.

Does it replace baking soda?

No. Baking soda is a separate ingredient.

Sources

Ratios come from these sources, in our words. Where they disagree, we say so or pick the amount that matches tested results. Ratios are a starting point. Taste and adjust.