The Best Simple Baking Powder Substitutes

Looking for an alternative to Baking Powder? You’re in the right place! Keep reading for my favourite simple Baking Powder substitutes.

What is Baking Powder?

Baking Powder is a chemical leavening agent used in baking to give lightness to baked goods. It consists of a bicarbonate and a weak acid. So that when water is added they react together to produce carbon dioxide gas which creates the leavening or lightness.

Baking Soda also called Bicarb Soda is different to Baking Powder because it doesn’t contain the acid.

Best Baking Powder Substitutes

1. Bicarb Soda / Baking Soda (Sodium Bicarbonate)

If you don’t have baking powder, you can use bicarb soda (baking soda) however you’ll also need to add some acid to the mixture such as a squeeze of lemon juice or some vinegar. If the recipe already has acidic ingredients such as cocoa powder, brown sugar, honey, yoghurt or buttermilk you wont need to add extra acid. You won’t need as much bicarb to get the same impact so start with substituting 1/2teaspoon bicarb for every 1 teaspoon baking powder.

Note that bicarb can add a soapy taste if used in high quantities – so err on the side of less.

2. Home Made Baking Powder

This is unlikely but if you happen to have cream of tartar and bicarb soda you can make your own baking powder (recipe below)

3. Whipped Egg Whites

Whipped egg whites leaven of help baked goods rise by incorporating the air trapped in the egg white matrix. In a cookie dough this would be difficult to incorporate but for cakes it can work well.

4. Skip it

While not ideal, omitting the baking powder will mean you end up with a heavier denser end product but it won’t be the end of the world. If your recipe involves creaming butter and sugar or whipped egg whites, you will be getting leavening from other sources so the lack of baking powder won’t be as significant.

How to Store Baking Powder

Keep in the pantry in a dry airtight jar or bag. It’s important to minimise contact to moisture or humidity.

How to Make Your Own Baking Powder

makes 1 tablespoon

1 teaspoon bicarb soda (sodium bicarbonate)
2 teaspoons cream of tartar

Combine ingredients until well mixed.

Is it safe to use baking powder past the best before date?

It’s totally safe. The only problem is that as baking powder ages it can lose its effectiveness so you may get less leavening but it won’t cause any food safety issues.

More Ingredient Substitutes

Also see see the Simple Ingredients Substitutes Index.

Have fun in the kitchen!

With love,
Jules x