Keep calm and bake on!
Baking powder is one of those staple pantry ingredients that everyone should keep on hand. It's essential to make fluffy pancakes or any baking project you try to master. But if you find yourself out of baking powder, things can get a little tricky—especially if you're not able to pop out to the supermarket. Ree Drummond knows a thing or two about that (her grocery store is 30 minutes away). Luckily, there's no need to panic or stop what you're making because these baking powder substitutes are here to save the day.
First, let's take a look at how it works: Baking powder is a leavening agent that's made from baking soda mixed with an acid. When it comes in contact with a liquid, it releases carbon dioxide bubbles, which causes cakes made from scratch, muffins, and other baked goods to rise. While it might seem like baking soda is a good substitute, the truth is that there's a big difference between baking powder versus baking soda. So, you can't just swap one for the other. However, many of the baking powder substitutes ahead will use baking soda along with another ingredient, like buttermilk or lemon juice, to create the same rising effect. And, if you're out of baking soda, check out this list of baking soda substitutes.
So, what else do you need to know about baking powder? Remember that it usually lasts for about 12 months if stored in a cool, dry place, but, like any ingredient, it can go bad sooner. Check the expiration date to start or try this fun test to see if your baking powder is still active: Mix 1/2 teaspoon baking powder with 1/2 cup hot water; the mixture should bubble right away.
1
Cream of Tartar + Baking Soda
This mixture is basically like making your own baking powder right at home. Cream of tartar, which is sold in most baking isles, adds acidity to the baking soda to help baked goods rise. For 1 tablespoon baking powder, mix 2 teaspoons cream of tartar with 1 teaspoon baking soda (add 1 teaspoon cornstarch if you're making a big batch—it prevents the mixture from caking, but it's not necessary).
2
Buttermilk + Baking Soda
When working with baking soda, adding an acidic ingredient is essential if you want your recipe to rise. Luckily, buttermilk is very acidic. For 1 teaspoon baking powder, add 1/4 teaspoon baking soda with your dry ingredients and 1/2 cup buttermilk with the wet ingredients. But keep in mind, you're adding extra liquid, so you'll need to reduce any other liquids in the recipe to balance it out.
3
Yogurt + Baking Soda
Yogurt and baking soda are another duo that works well as a baking powder substitute. Just be sure to use plain yogurt (not flavored). For 1 teaspoon baking powder, use the same formula as you would for buttermilk: Add 1/4 teaspoon baking soda with the dry ingredients and 1/2 cup plain yogurt with the wet ingredients, then don't forget to reduce the other liquids by 1/2 cup.
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4
Sour Milk + Baking Soda
If your milk has turned sour but isn’t curdled yet, that means it has started to undergo the process of fermentation and contains lactic acid, which will activate baking soda. It's unlikely you'll happen to have milk that's perfectly sour (but not spoiled) when you need a baking powder substitute, but if you do, use it the same way you would use buttermilk or yogurt in combination with baking soda.
5
Lemon Juice + Baking Soda
Lemon juice is high in citric acid, so it's great for activating baking soda as a baking powder substitute. Just be warned: lemon juice also has a strong flavor. Use it as a replacement in recipes that only call for a small amount of baking powder (or in a dish where you wouldn't mind a lemony flavor). To replace 1 teaspoon baking powder, add 1/4 teaspoon baking soda with the dry ingredients and 1/2 teaspoon fresh lemon juice with the wet ingredients.
6
Vinegar + Baking Soda
Just like lemon juice, vinegar is highly acidic… and it's probably something you already have in your kitchen! White vinegar has the most neutral flavor, so it will probably go undetected in a baked good, but rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar will also work in a pinch. To substitute for 1 teaspoon baking powder, mix 1/2 teaspoon vinegar with 1/4 teaspoon baking soda.
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7
Molasses + Baking Soda
Molasses isn't very acidic, but when mixed with baking soda it can have similar leavening properties as baking powder. It's basically sugar (sugar cane juice that has been boiled), so it'll add more sweetness to a recipe. Make sure you take that into account and reduce some of the sugar in your recipe. Also keep in mind that molasses is a liquid, so you'll need to reduce the other liquids in the recipe to accommodate. To replace 1 teaspoon baking powder, mix 1/4 cup molasses and 1/4 teaspoon baking soda.
8
Whipped Egg Whites
Most baking powder substitutes require the use of baking soda, but if you don't have that on hand either, you may be able to use whipped egg whites to add a bit of volume in some recipes. Beat an egg white or two to soft fluffy peaks and gently fold into your batter (don't overmix or the whites will deflate). This won't work for all recipes, but it's a decent option for pancakes or waffles.
9
Self-Rising Flour
Did you know that self-rising flour is just flour with baking powder and salt already mixed in? That means that you can swap all-purpose flour for self-rising and just omit the baking powder and salt called for in the recipe! It's one of the easiest substitutes as long as you have some in your pantry. Look for it in the baking aisle with the other flours.
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10
Club Soda
Guess what? Water + baking soda = club soda. If you are really in a pinch and don’t have baking powder OR baking soda, use this lightly salted carbonated water in place of the milk or water in your recipe and it will provide a little extra volume. Only use it if you need a little lift though—it isn’t a miracle worker!
