Were you in the middle of cooking your favorite cake when you realized you were out of baking powder? Well, this mishap has also happened to me, and that’s what made me search for a baking powder substitute. So in this article, let’s talk about baking powder substitutes.
Just as its name suggests, baking powder is an integral part of all baking experiments! Just a teaspoon of baking soda can make your cakes or pancakes soft and fluffy! Needless to say, baking powder is the best and most inexpensive leavening agent you can have.
So in case you don’t have baking powder, then cream of tartar and baking soda, buttermilk & baking soda, yogurt & baking soda, sour milk & baking soda, and lemon juice & baking soda are some of the best baking powder substitutes.
If you are wondering why we are adding baking soda with most of its substitutes, it is because baking powder is nothing but baking soda combined with acid! So without wasting much time, let’s dive into the article and learn about each baking powder substitute.
10 Best Baking Powder Substitutes
If your recipe calls for baking powder, even in small amounts, you need it! Skipping it would alter the overall texture and flavor of your recipe. So if you do not have baking powder, then use any of these baking powder substitutes.
1. Cream Of Tartar And Baking Soda
If you manage to get your hands on cream of tartar and some baking soda, then you are good to go! When mixed together, these ingredients create a similar effect to baking powder.
For every 1 teaspoon of baking soda, mix two teaspoons of cream of tartar. If you are making a huge batch, make sure to add some cornstarch into the mixture to avoid any kind of caking. Store it in a bottle and use it just like baking powder.
2. Buttermilk And Baking Soda
Baking soda helps to make the dish soft, but you will need baking powder to make it fluffy. So if you cannot find the cream of tartar, get yourself some buttermilk and baking soda. Buttermilk adds acidity to the baking soda.
While making this mixture, add ¼ teaspoon of baking soda for every 1 teaspoon of buttermilk. However, while making this mixture, ensure that the dish you are making doesn’t turn watery. Adjust the overall water content accordingly.
3. Yogurt And Baking Soda
Baking soda and yogurt are other classic combinations that work well as a baking powder substitute. Yoghurt adds the acidity needed for baking soda, making it an excellent baking powder alternative.
When substituting, for every 1 teaspoon of baking powder in the recipe, add 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda and 1/2 cup of plain yogurt. This mixture will give your baked goods the same texture and will not tamper the taste too much.
4. Sour Milk And Baking Soda
Did you have a packet of milk that turned bad? Well, don’t be disheartened! If you have some sour milk at home, you can mix it with baking soda and use it as a baking powder substitute. Sour milk contains lactic acid needed for acidity.
Thus when blended well with baking powder, it can be turned into a baking powder substitute. You can mix it in the same proportion as that of buttermilk and baking soda.
5. Lemon Juice And Baking Soda
Lemon juice is another great ingredient you can use, along with baking soda. Lime juice is highly citric in nature and can be used to activate baking soda. Baking soda and lime work well as a baking powder substitute when mixed in the right proportion.
While using this as a baking powder substitute, mix ¼ teaspoon of baking soda with dry ingredients and ½ teaspoon of fresh lime juice with wet ingredients for every 1 teaspoon of baking powder. However, ensure that lime’s taste isn’t overpowering your dish.
6. Vinegar And Baking Soda
This is the most convenient baking powder substitute you can have! You must have both of these ingredients in your kitchen. So when you are short of baking powder, mix it and use it as a substitute.
Just like lime juice, vinegar is also highly acidic. But white vinegar has a very neutral taste and won’t affect the overall taste of your dish. So if you are baking some dishes, this will be an ideal baking powder substitute.
For making this substitute, mix ¼ teaspoon of baking powder with ½ teaspoon of white vinegar and add it to your recipe.
7. Molasses And Baking Soda
Molasses isn’t as acidic as other things we discussed above. However, when mixed together with baking soda, it performs very well as a baking powder substitute. Molasses and baking soda perform well as baking powder substitutes.
Molasses is nothing but sugarcane boiled, so molasses is naturally sweet. So while using it as a baking powder substitute, make sure to use it with sweet dishes. Also, reduce the amount of sweetener you add to your dish!
While using molasses and baking soda as baking powder substitutes, use ¼ teaspoon of baking powder for ½ cup of molasses.
8. Whipped Egg White
A whipped egg white will be perfect as a baking powder substitute if you are making a dish that doesn’t require much leavening. But most recipes that ask for baking powder require baking powder.
Whipped white won’t be an excellent baking powder alternative for all dishes. However, the whipped egg white will be enough if you are cooking some pancakes! Just whip the white of an egg and slowly add to your recipe!
9. Self Rising Flour
If you have self-rising flour in your kitchen, think your half problem is solved! Self-rising flour comes with baking powder and has leavening properties. If you make your baking goods with self-rising flour, you won’t have to add another leavening agent.
However, if you are cooking with self-rising flour, make sure that you don’t add extra salt to the recipe, as it already comes with salt in the right proportion!
10. Club Soda
If you have a bottle of club soda in your fridge, use it as a baking powder substitute. This is a highly salted carbonated drink! So use it only if you need just a pinch of baking powder in your recipe.
Short Recap Of Baking Powder Substitutes
Now that we have seen almost 10 baking powder substitutes, you must choose one according to your convenience. If not, here is a little token of help from my side!
Easily Available Baking Powder Substitutes:
- Lemon juice and baking soda
- Self-rising flour
Most Suitable Powdered Sugar Substitutes:
- Cream of tartar and baking soda
Substitute Options To Consider Last:
- Club soda
How To Use Baking Powder Substitutes In A Recipe
10 Best Baking Powder Substitutes You Should Try!
Ingredients
- Club Soda
- Self Rising Flour
- Whipped Egg White
- Molasses and Baking Soda
- Vinegar And Baking Soda
- Lemon Juice And Baking Soda
- Sour Milk And Baking Soda
- Yoghurt and Baking Soda
- Buttermilk and Baking Soda
- Cream Of Tartar And Baking Soda
Instructions
- Go through the substitutes and see which one seems fit for the recipe.
- Collect your ingredients and use your preferred substitute.
- Use the substitute in the required amount and proceed to make the dish according to the recipe.
Final Thoughts
Now that we have reached the end of the article, I hope your search for the best baking powder substitutes ends here! Baking powder is an amazing ingredient that is very much needed for making our favorite dishes soft and fluffy.
But if you do not have baking powder, try using any baking powder substitutes. Most of the substitutes in this article are easy to get and work well, similar to that baking powder. Next time, if you are out of baking powder, try any of these!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What can I use if I don’t have baking powder?
Cream of tartar and baking soda, buttermilk & baking soda, yogurt & baking soda, sour milk & baking soda, and lemon juice & baking soda are some of the best baking powder substitutes.
Can I use baking soda instead of baking powder?
Baking soda when mixed with an acidic compound like cream of tartar or buttermilk can be used as a baking powder substitute.
Is it OK if I forgot baking powder?
No! Skipping baking powder will result in a dense product.
Is Eno safe to use in cooking?
Yes. Eno can be used in cooking.
