🧁 The Best Baking Soda Substitutes for Cooking and Baking
Ever found yourself halfway through a recipe only to realize you’re out of baking soda? Don’t toss the bowl just yet! Whether you’re whipping up cookies, pancakes, or biscuits, there are plenty of reliable baking soda substitutes hiding in your pantry. In this guide, we’ll show you the best swaps—and exactly how to use them—so your baked goods still rise to the occasion.
🎯 What is Baking Soda and Why Is It Important in Recipes?
Baking soda, also known as sodium bicarbonate, is a leavening agent used in baking to help batters and doughs rise. It reacts with acidic ingredients—like lemon juice, vinegar, yogurt, or buttermilk—to create bubbles of carbon dioxide, giving baked goods their light, airy texture.
Baking soda is not the same as baking powder. While both are used for leavening, baking powder already contains an acid (usually cream of tartar), making it a complete leavening system. If your recipe calls for baking soda, you’re expected to add an acidic component.
🧂 Top Baking Soda Substitutes and How to Use Them
If you’re mid-recipe and realize you’re out of baking soda—don’t panic. Here are the best substitutes based on what you have in your pantry:
✅ 1. Baking Powder (Most Common Substitute)
Use 3 teaspoons of baking powder for every 1 teaspoon of baking soda.
🔁 Substitution Ratio: 3:1 (baking powder : baking soda)
📝 Note: Since baking powder contains an acid, it may slightly alter the flavor or texture of your baked goods. It’s perfect for cookies, cakes, and quick breads.
✅ 2. Potassium Bicarbonate
This is a sodium-free alternative often used by people watching their salt intake.
🔁 Substitution Ratio: 1:1
📝 Note: You may want to add a small amount of salt to your recipe if using this.
✅ 3. Self-Rising Flour
If your recipe includes flour, you can use self-rising flour instead of regular and skip the baking soda entirely.
📌 Use self-rising flour 1:1 in place of all-purpose + baking soda + salt
📝 Note: Be cautious with this substitute—it works best in pancakes, biscuits, and muffins.
✅ 4. Club Soda or Sparkling Water
This works well for liquid-based batters, such as pancakes or waffles.
🔁 Substitution: Replace some liquid with equal parts club soda
📝 Note: This is a short-term lift and won’t hold in dense recipes like cookies.
✅ 5. Buttermilk + Vinegar or Lemon Juice
Perfect for moist cakes or muffins. Use 1/2 cup buttermilk and 1 tsp vinegar in place of 1 tsp baking soda. Reduce other liquid slightly.
🔁 Substitution Ratio: ½ cup buttermilk + 1 tsp acid : 1 tsp baking soda
📝 Note: Helps create a tender texture and slight tangy flavor.
If a recipe calls for 1 teaspoon of baking soda, and you’re using buttermilk (with vinegar or lemon juice) as the acidic component, then:
✔️ Correct Method:
- Use ½ cup buttermilk in place of ½ cup of another liquid already in the recipe (milk, water, etc.)
- Add 1 tsp vinegar or lemon juice to the buttermilk
- Let it sit for 5–10 minutes to curdle (this mimics acidity for the baking soda reaction)
🔄 This doesn’t substitute the baking soda—it activates it.
If you’re out of baking soda entirely, this mix will help if the recipe includes other leaveners (like eggs or whipped whites), but by itself, buttermilk + acid ≠ leavening.
🧁 So what happens if you don’t adjust for the liquid?
Your recipe will likely:
- Be too wet
- Come out dense or undercooked
- Possibly not rise at all
🧪 How to Choose the Right Substitute Based on Your Recipe Type
🍰 Recipe Type |
✅ Best Substitute |
📋 Notes |
Cookies |
Baking Powder |
Slightly less crisp |
Pancakes/Waffles |
Club Soda |
Best if used immediately |
Cakes |
Buttermilk + Vinegar |
Light, moist texture |
Muffins |
Self-Rising Flour |
Reduce added salt |
Biscuits |
Self-Rising Flour |
No need to add baking soda or salt |
📌 Tips for Successful Substitution
- ⚖️ Measure accurately – ratios matter!
- 🧪 Choose a substitute based on your recipe’s acid content.
- 🧁 Test texture – don’t expect exact duplication in structure.
- 🔥 Adjust baking time if necessary – some substitutes rise more slowly.
💬 Frequently Asked Questions
Can I skip baking soda altogether?
No. Without it or a substitute, your baked goods may be dense and flat.
Can I use yeast as a substitute?
Not directly. Yeast requires time to ferment and rise—it’s better for bread, not quick recipes.
Will using too much baking powder ruin my recipe?
Yes. It can create a bitter taste and cause your baked goods to rise too quickly and collapse.
Can I use baking soda substitutes in non-baking uses like cleaning or deodorant?
Only potassium bicarbonate works similarly in cleaning. For DIY toothpaste or deodorants, stick with baking soda.
💸 Budget101® Price Breakdown: MYO Baking Soda Substitute
Ingredient |
Size |
Cost at Walmart |
Cost Used (1 tsp) |
Baking Soda |
16 oz |
$0.68 |
$0.01 |
Baking Powder |
8.1 oz |
$1.24 |
$0.06 |
Buttermilk |
1 quart |
$2.12 |
$0.27 |
Club Soda |
1 liter |
$1.08 |
$0.10 |
Potassium Bicarbonate |
$7.95 |
$0.20 |
🧾 Total Used Cost (per substitution): Starting as low as $0.01 per recipe
🥣 DIY Baking Powder (If You’re Out of Both!)
Make your own if you’re out of baking powder and baking soda:
🧂 Homemade Baking Powder Mix
- 2 tsp cream of tartar
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp cornstarch (optional for storage)
➡️ Mix and store in an airtight container for up to 1 month.
🍪 Try These Baking Soda-Free Recipes
🧁 Buttermilk Pancakes Without Baking Soda
🍪 Baking Powder Biscuits
🎂 No-Bake Cookies
Tried this recipe? Mention @Budget101com or tag #Budget101
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🖨️ Print-Friendly Baking Soda Substitute Recipe
Homemade Baking Soda Substitute
Equipment
- Whisk or spoon
Ingredients
- 3 teaspoons baking powder
- Optional: Reduce other liquid in your recipe by 1 tablespoon if needed
Instructions
🥣 Instructions:
- Measure out 3 teaspoons of baking powder to replace 1 teaspoon of baking soda in your recipe.3 teaspoons baking powder
- Whisk gently to break any lumps before adding to dry ingredients.
- Important: Since baking powder is not as strong as baking soda, this ratio ensures proper leavening.
- Adjust other acidic ingredients in your recipe (like vinegar or lemon juice) if needed to balance flavor.
Equipment
Notes
📝 Recipe Notes:
📌 Ratio Reminder: Always use 3:1 (baking powder to baking soda). ⚠️ Do Not Substitute by Volume Alone: Baking powder contains fillers and acids—always measure carefully. 🧁 Works best in recipes like cookies, cakes, pancakes, and muffins. 🔁 Not suitable for recipes where baking soda is used for browning (i.e. pretzels).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
🎯 Final Thoughts: Don’t Panic When You’re Out of Baking Soda
Running out of baking soda doesn’t have to derail your recipe. From baking powder to fizzy club soda, there are plenty of reliable alternatives you can use with just a few tweaks.
☑️ Check out Top 25 Ingredient Substitutions Everyone Should Know
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💬 Have you tried any of these baking soda substitutes? Tell us your go-to swap below 👇 or tag us on social with #Budget101Kitchen!
