Self-Rising Flour Substitutes — What to Use Instead

2 tested substitutions for self-rising flour with exact ratios and the science behind each swap.

2 substitute optionsExact ratio guidanceRecipe-specific notes
Reviewed by the CupOrGram Editorial TeamSources: King Arthur Baking, USDA FoodData Central, in-house testingMethodology
Best First Pick

All-Purpose Flour + Baking Powder + Salt

Use 1 cup all-purpose flour + 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder + 1/4 teaspoon salt for the closest result in most recipes.

View adjustment notes →

Quick Ratio Cheat Sheet

All-Purpose Flour + Baking Powder + Salt1 cup all-purpose flour + 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder + 1/4 teaspoon salt
Cake Flour + Baking Powder + Salt1 cup cake flour + 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder + 1/4 teaspoon salt
Excellent: 1Good: 1Moderate: 0

Best by Recipe Type

Common Baking Questions

These are common questions bakers ask. Each links to a recipe-specific substitute page with direct ratios and adjustment notes.

Can I make a cake without self-rising flour?

Yes. Start with All-Purpose Flour + Baking Powder + Salt at 1 cup all-purpose flour + 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder + 1/4 teaspoon salt. Closest homemade replacement for most recipes.

See recipe-specific answer →

What can I use instead of self-rising flour for cake?

Top options are All-Purpose Flour + Baking Powder + Salt (1 cup all-purpose flour + 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder + 1/4 teaspoon salt) plus Cake Flour + Baking Powder + Salt (1 cup cake flour + 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder + 1/4 teaspoon salt).

See recipe-specific answer →

Best self-rising flour substitute for cake?

All-Purpose Flour + Baking Powder + Salt is the top pick here. Use 1 cup all-purpose flour + 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder + 1/4 teaspoon salt and adjust only after a test bake.

See recipe-specific answer →

How do I substitute self-rising flour in cake batter?

Replace using 1 cup all-purpose flour + 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder + 1/4 teaspoon salt, mix as usual, then tune liquid and bake time in small steps if needed.

See recipe-specific answer →

Can I make cookies without self-rising flour?

Yes. Start with All-Purpose Flour + Baking Powder + Salt at 1 cup all-purpose flour + 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder + 1/4 teaspoon salt. Closest homemade replacement for most recipes.

See recipe-specific answer →

What can I use instead of self-rising flour for cookies?

Top options are All-Purpose Flour + Baking Powder + Salt (1 cup all-purpose flour + 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder + 1/4 teaspoon salt) plus Cake Flour + Baking Powder + Salt (1 cup cake flour + 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder + 1/4 teaspoon salt).

See recipe-specific answer →

Best self-rising flour substitute for cookies?

All-Purpose Flour + Baking Powder + Salt is the top pick here. Use 1 cup all-purpose flour + 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder + 1/4 teaspoon salt and adjust only after a test bake.

See recipe-specific answer →

How do I substitute self-rising flour in cookie dough?

Replace using 1 cup all-purpose flour + 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder + 1/4 teaspoon salt, mix as usual, then tune liquid and bake time in small steps if needed.

See recipe-specific answer →

Can I make muffins or quick bread without self-rising flour?

Yes. Start with All-Purpose Flour + Baking Powder + Salt at 1 cup all-purpose flour + 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder + 1/4 teaspoon salt. Closest homemade replacement for most recipes.

See recipe-specific answer →

What can I use instead of self-rising flour for muffins?

Top options are All-Purpose Flour + Baking Powder + Salt (1 cup all-purpose flour + 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder + 1/4 teaspoon salt) plus Cake Flour + Baking Powder + Salt (1 cup cake flour + 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder + 1/4 teaspoon salt).

See recipe-specific answer →

Best self-rising flour substitute for muffins?

All-Purpose Flour + Baking Powder + Salt is the top pick here. Use 1 cup all-purpose flour + 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder + 1/4 teaspoon salt and adjust only after a test bake.

See recipe-specific answer →

How do I substitute self-rising flour in muffins and quick breads?

Replace using 1 cup all-purpose flour + 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder + 1/4 teaspoon salt, mix as usual, then tune liquid and bake time in small steps if needed.

See recipe-specific answer →

Can I make pancakes or waffles without self-rising flour?

Yes. Start with All-Purpose Flour + Baking Powder + Salt at 1 cup all-purpose flour + 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder + 1/4 teaspoon salt. Closest homemade replacement for most recipes.

See recipe-specific answer →

What can I use instead of self-rising flour for pancakes?

Top options are All-Purpose Flour + Baking Powder + Salt (1 cup all-purpose flour + 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder + 1/4 teaspoon salt) plus Cake Flour + Baking Powder + Salt (1 cup cake flour + 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder + 1/4 teaspoon salt).

See recipe-specific answer →

Best self-rising flour substitute for pancakes?

All-Purpose Flour + Baking Powder + Salt is the top pick here. Use 1 cup all-purpose flour + 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder + 1/4 teaspoon salt and adjust only after a test bake.

See recipe-specific answer →

How do I substitute self-rising flour in pancake and waffle batter?

Replace using 1 cup all-purpose flour + 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder + 1/4 teaspoon salt, mix as usual, then tune liquid and bake time in small steps if needed.

See recipe-specific answer →

Can I make bread without self-rising flour?

Yes. Start with All-Purpose Flour + Baking Powder + Salt at 1 cup all-purpose flour + 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder + 1/4 teaspoon salt. Closest homemade replacement for most recipes.

See recipe-specific answer →

What can I use instead of self-rising flour for yeasted bread?

Top options are All-Purpose Flour + Baking Powder + Salt (1 cup all-purpose flour + 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder + 1/4 teaspoon salt) plus Cake Flour + Baking Powder + Salt (1 cup cake flour + 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder + 1/4 teaspoon salt).

See recipe-specific answer →

Best self-rising flour substitute for yeasted bread?

All-Purpose Flour + Baking Powder + Salt is the top pick here. Use 1 cup all-purpose flour + 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder + 1/4 teaspoon salt and adjust only after a test bake.

See recipe-specific answer →

How do I substitute self-rising flour in yeasted dough?

Replace using 1 cup all-purpose flour + 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder + 1/4 teaspoon salt, mix as usual, then tune liquid and bake time in small steps if needed.

See recipe-specific answer →

Worked Example

If a recipe calls for 1 cup self-rising flour (113g), start with your selected substitute's ratio, then run a small test bake before scaling.

Expect up to 12% variation in cup-based measurements due to brand and handling differences. Weight-first measuring is more reliable for structure-sensitive recipes.

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Pitfalls to Avoid

  • Closest homemade replacement for most recipes.
  • Softer texture, useful in tender cakes and biscuits.
  • Start with the listed ratio for self-rising flour and test a half batch before scaling.
  • Adjust liquid and bake time gradually after the first test bake.

When to substitute vs when not to

Substitutions work best in forgiving recipes like muffins, quick breads, and cookies. They're riskier in precision-dependent recipes like macarons, choux pastry, or laminated doughs where the original ingredient's exact properties (fat content, water content, acidity) are critical to the chemistry.

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