How to Make Self-Rising Flour at Home (Easy 3-Ingredient Recipe)

Ever reached for self-rising flour mid-recipe only to realize you’re out? Don’t worry—making your own is quick, easy, and way cheaper than store-bought!

With just three pantry staples—flour, baking powder, and salt—you can whip up a DIY self-rising flour substitute in under a minute. Whether you’re baking biscuits, pancakes, or quick breads, this simple blend rises to the occasion every time.

📌 Why You Need a Self-Rising Flour Substitute

• What is Self-Rising Flour?
  Self-rising flour is a convenient blend of all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. It’s most commonly used in quick and fluffy recipes like biscuits, pancakes, muffins, and some cakes—no extra leavening needed.

• Why Make Your Own?
  If you’re out of the store-bought version (or simply want to save money), making your own self-rising flour at home is fast, easy, and incredibly cost-effective. With just three pantry staples, you can whip up a fresh batch in under a minute—and skip the emergency grocery run.

🔍 What Is Self-Rising Flour?

• Definition & Composition:
  Self-rising flour combines all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt.
• Common Uses:
  Perfect for recipes like biscuits, pancakes, and quick breads.
• Note on Protein Content:
  Commercial self-rising flours often use lower-protein flour for tender baked goods.

🧪 How to Make Self-Rising Flour at Home

• Basic Recipe:
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1½ teaspoons baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
• Step-by-Step Instructions:
  1. Measure ingredients accurately.
  2. Whisk together thoroughly to ensure even distribution.
  3. Store in an airtight container for up to 6 months.
• Tips:
  • Use fresh baking powder for best results.
  • Sift the mixture to prevent lumps.

🧁 Self-Rising Flour Conversion Chart

🧂 Alternative Substitutes for Self-Rising Flour

• Using Baking Soda and Acidic Ingredients:
  • Combine ½ teaspoon baking soda with 1 cup all-purpose flour and an acidic ingredient like buttermilk or yogurt.
  • Adjust liquid content in the recipe accordingly.
• Gluten-Free Options:
  • Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend with added xanthan gum.
  • Add 1½ teaspoons baking powder and ¼ teaspoon salt per cup of gluten-free flour.

🧁 When to Use Self-Rising Flour vs. All-Purpose Flour

• Self-Rising Flour:
  • Best for recipes without additional leavening agents.
  • Ideal for quick breads, pancakes, and biscuits.
• All-Purpose Flour:
  • Suitable for recipes where leavening agents are added separately.
  • More versatile for various baking needs.

🧾 Budget101® Price Breakdown: Homemade Self-Rising Flour

Prices based on average Walmart costs as of April 2025.

❌ Common Mistakes When Making Self-Rising Flour

• Using expired baking powder
• Not mixing thoroughly
• Swapping without adjusting other leaveners in recipe

🧠 FAQs About Self-Rising Flour Substitutes

Q. Can I use self-rising flour in yeast recipes?
A. Not recommended, as it may interfere with yeast fermentation.

Q. How do I store homemade self-rising flour?
A. Keep in an airtight container in a cool, dry place for up to 6 months.

Q. Is homemade self-rising flour as effective as store-bought?
A. Yes, when measured and mixed correctly, it performs similarly in most recipes.

🧁 Recipes Using Self-Rising Flour

• Quick Biscuits:
  Combine 2 cups self-rising flour with ½ cup cold butter and ¾ cup milk. Bake at 425°F for 12-15 minutes.
• Pancakes:
  Mix 1 cup self-rising flour with 1 egg and ¾ cup milk. Cook on a griddle until golden brown.
• Two-Ingredient Pizza Dough:
  Combine 1 cup self-rising flour with 1 cup Greek yogurt. Roll out and add toppings before baking.

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🖨️ Print-Friendly Homemade Self-Rising Flour Recipe

Homemade Self-Rising Flour Substitute (3-Ingredient DIY Blend)

Budget101.com by Melissa 'Liss' Burnell

This quick and easy DIY self-rising flour substitute uses just 3 pantry staples—flour, baking powder, and salt. Perfect for biscuits, pancakes, and more when you’re out of store-bought self-rising flour!

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Prep Time 2 minutes mins

Total Time 2 minutes mins

Course baking igredient, baking mix, Basic Ingredient, pantry staples

Cuisine American, Southern, Southern American

Servings 1 cup

Equipment

• ▢
  1 medium bowl
• ▢
  Measuring Cups
• ▢
  Measuring Spoons
• ▢
  Whisk or fork
• ▢
  Airtight container for storage

Ingredients

  

.5x1x2x3x

• ▢ 1 cup all-purpose flour
• ▢ 1½ teaspoons baking powder
• ▢ ¼ teaspoon salt

Instructions

 

Instructions:

• In a medium bowl, add 1 cup of all-purpose flour.
  1 cup all-purpose flour
• Sprinkle in 1½ teaspoons baking powder and ¼ teaspoon salt.
  1½ teaspoons baking powder

  ¼ teaspoon salt
• Whisk thoroughly until the ingredients are evenly combined.
• Use immediately in recipes that call for self-rising flour or store in an airtight container in a cool, dry place for up to 6 months.

Equipment

1 medium bowl

Measuring Cups

Measuring Spoons

Whisk or fork

Airtight container for storage

Notes

Recipe Notes:

✅ Always check your baking powder's freshness! If it's over 6 months old, it may not rise properly.

✅ To test it: Add ½ tsp baking powder to warm water—if it bubbles, it's good.

✅ Sift the mixture for extra fluffiness, especially in biscuit or pancake recipes.

✅ Want to make a bulk batch? Scale this recipe up and store in a labeled jar for easy use.

✅ This works great in recipes like biscuits, pancakes, muffins, and even some pizza doughs!

Recipe Size Alteration Note

If you altered the ingedients above by doubling or tripling the recipe, you may also need to change the pan/dish size and adjust the cooking/baking time.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g

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Creating your own self-rising flour is a simple, cost-effective solution that ensures you’re always prepared for baking. With just a few pantry staples, you can whip up this versatile ingredient and avoid unnecessary trips to the store.

☑️ Check out Top 25 Ingredient Substitutions Everyone Should Know

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