Best Baking Powder Substitutes that Really Work

If you are passionate about cooking and baking, chances are, you always have several staples in the pantry. A ‘must’ ingredient is baking powder. In the middle of prepping up, you realize that you’ve run out of baking powder. What to do? Luckily, bakers, chefs, and home cooks have a few helpful baking powder substitutes up their sleeves.

The baking powder substitutes are not ‘myths’ – many users have tried them, and they work perfectly. We shall feature several types of baking powder substitutes. You might be interested in trying one or two of these hacks before making a quick run to the grocery.

Put on your baker’s hat, and scroll down to find out. This staple pantry ingredient is one every baker should have on hand, as it’s essential for rising and creating the light, fluffy textures we all know and love. 

What’s the Difference Between Baking Powder and Baking Soda?

There is often the misconception that baking powder and baking soda are the same. Both are in white powder form. But in fact, baking powder and baking soda are two worlds apart. They are two different elements. 

Baking powder is a leaving agent with baking soda and a dry acid that can be activated with water. When used, baking powder increases the volume and lightens the texture of baked goods. It is a vital ingredient in many baking recipes.

Baking soda, on the other hand, is essentially a mineral like salt. It is known as sodium bicarbonate and has an alkaline value with a high ph balance. When mixed with an acid, it will bubble. In foods, this causes cakes and bread to rise.

How to Properly Store Baking Powder

By now, you know that baking powder’s shelf life is not extensive as your other grocery items. If you are storing unopened baking powder, the USDA suggests that storing should not exceed six months. Upon opening it, it is safe to store it for three months.   

Unlike baking soda,  baking powder has a dry acid and reacts to a moist or humid environment. It is vital to store it in a dry area to last longer. The drier you keep your baking powder, the better it will last. 

How to Test Your Baking Powder

Want to find out if your baking powder is still potent and good to use? All you have to do is mix one teaspoon of baking powder and mix it with 1/3 cup of water. If it is in a good state, the baking powder mixture will produce a lot of bubbles.   When you do this test,  use warm or hot water. 

It may still be useable if it produces ‘weak’ bubbles, but you must add more to make a cake rise favorably. On the other hand, baking soda should produce many bubbles when combined with an acidic ingredient.

Add a few drops of vinegar to 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda. It should have a lot of bubbles. Consider replacing it if it has little bubbles. 

Best Baking Powder Substitutes for Cooking and Baking

Top Substitute 1: Cream of Tartar and Baking Soda

First on our list is a top choice of many chefs and home cooks – the heavily favored cream of tarter and baking soda. Cream of tartar is a popular baking ingredient often used by bakers. It can also be used as a housecleaning agent.

Cream of tartar is an excellent stabilizing agent and thickener for your recipes. As an additive, it is multi-functional. It helps dough rise,  prevents lumps caused by moisture,  and prevents the growth of microorganisms. 

Many bakers mix cream of tartar with egg whites to help create stiff peaks in making meringue. Many also use it for puddings or frostings.

Cream of tartar is known too as potassium bitartrate or potassium acid tartrate. It is the acid present in baking powder. If you have any at your home,  all you have to do is mix it with baking soda.  

Here is the replacement of 1 teaspoon of baking powder: 

1. Combine ¼ teaspoon of baking soda with ⅝ teaspoon of cream of tartar.  
2. If you are an avid baker and want to save on cost, you can do this in advance and store it in an airtight jar. Just follow this combination:
3. Mix two parts cream of tartar, one part baking soda, and one part cornstarch. You may opt not to include cornstarch in the mix. Adding cornstarch to the mix prevents clumping. 
4. Interestingly, a cream of tartar has a string of health benefits, such as relieving migraine and can help you stop smoking. 

Substitute 2: Baking Soda and Buttermilk

Next to the cream of tartar, another popular ingredient is buttermilk. Buttermilk is a dairy product that has a tart and sour flavor. It is commonly used in baking recipes such as pancakes and biscuits. In addition, you can add buttermilk to salad dressings and creamy sauces. Interestingly,  buttermilk doesn’t have any butter. 

Since buttermilk is fermented milk and acidic, you can mix it with baking soda to leaven foods. Combine 1/2 cup of buttermilk and 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda to substitute for one teaspoon of baking powder. Depending on your preference,  you can reduce other liquids in the recipe by 1/2 cup.

Replacement of 1 teaspoon of baking powder: 

1. Combine ½ cup buttermilk with ¼ teaspoon baking soda.
2. If you do not have buttermilk, you can make your own! Stir one tablespoon of fresh lemon juice or vinegar into 1 cup of milk. Let the milk stand for around 10 minutes. Afterward, it is ready for use! 

Substitute 3: Baking Soda and Sour Milk

Have you got bad milk? Don’t throw it yet.  If your milk has turned sour but hasn’t curdled yet, it has started to undergo the process of fermentation. Sour milk contains lactic acid, which, believe it or not, will activate baking soda.

Use ½ cup of sour milk and ¼ teaspoon baking soda to substitute a teaspoon of baking powder. Just be sure you’re using sour milk, not lumpy or curdled milk.  

Here is the replacement of 1 teaspoon of baking powder: 

1. Combine ¼ teaspoon of baking soda with ⅝ teaspoon of cream of tartar.  

Substitute 4: Baking Soda and Lemon Juice

Lemon juice isn’t only for a refreshing lemonade drink. It is commonly used for cooking, as a salad dressing, or as a skincare remedy. Lemon juice, when combined with baking soda, makes a great baking powder alternative! High in citric acid, lemon juice can activate baking soda. Though when using lemon juice, 

Here is the replacement of 1 teaspoon of baking powder: 

1. Combine ¼ teaspoon of baking soda with ⅝ teaspoon of cream of tartar.  

Substitute 5: Baking Soda and Vinegar

Another popular and classic baking powder substitute is baking soda and vinegar. Similar to lemon juice or molasses,  vinegar is highly acidic. Vinegar can be found in every household in America. It is widely used in cooking,  baking, and salad dressing.

In addition, vinegar is used in home remedies. It has antimicrobial qualities and antioxidants and can contribute to your heart health. As vinegar has different types,  white vinegar is preferred for its neutral flavor as a baking powder substitute. 

Here is the replacement of 1 teaspoon of baking powder: 

1. Combine ¼ teaspoon of baking soda with one teaspoon of vinegar

Conclusion

Bakers and cooks are resourceful and creative. For those who love to bake, it’s always a good thing to learn – new ways to cook and bake and new baking powder hacks. We are optimistic that any baking powder substitutes will help you bake up a storm or whip up a  fancy recipe.