Looking for an alternative to Bicarb Soda? You’re in the right place! Keep reading for my favourite simple Bicarb Soda substitutes.
What is Bicarb Soda?
Bicarb Soda also called Baking Soda or Sodium Bicarbonate is a chemical leavening agent used in baking to give lightness to baked goods. It consists of just Sodium Bicarbonate. To create the leavening effect there must be an acidic ingredient such as cocoa powder, honey, yoghurt, buttermilk or brown sugar in the mixture.
Bicarb Soda is different to Baking Powder because baking powder contains an acid as well as the bicarbonate. So that when water is added they react together to produce carbon dioxide gas which creates the leavening or lightness.
Too much baking soda can leave an unpleasant soapy taste.
Best Bicarb Soda Substitutes
1. Baking Powder
Is an excellent substitute. Because it contains an acid as well as the bicarbonate, you’ll need to substitute more to get the same impact. I’d start with 2 teaspoons baking powder for every teaspoon of bicarb soda.
2. 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.
3. Skip it
While not ideal, omitting the bicarb soda 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 bicarb soda won’t be as significant.
How to Store Bicarb Soda
Keep in the pantry in a dry airtight jar or bag. It’s important to minimise contact to moisture or humidity.
Is it safe to use Bicarb Soda 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
- The Ultimate Guide to Vegetable Substitutes
- Broccoli
- Chilli Bean Sauce
- Kale
- Collard Greens
- Miso Paste
- Oyster Sauce
- Pesto
- Tahini
Also see see the Simple Ingredients Substitutes Index.
Have fun in the kitchen!
With love,
Jules x