How to Make Self Rising Flour
This post may contain affiliate links. See my disclosure policy.
Learn how to make self rising flour from scratch using three pantry staples, and have it on hand whenever you need it!
If there is a way for me to make my own baking staples at home, I’ll do it. As someone who works with lots of different flours, there’s something satisfying about making them myself. I never have to worry about running out or not being able to complete a recipe because of it.
This time around, we’re making a truly essential kitchen staple: self-rising flour.
If you go to any grocery store, you’ll notice self-rising flour is almost double the price of standard all-purpose flour. The only difference? It contains baking powder and salt. While convenient, it does NOT justify the higher price tag, which is why I’m sharing my foolproof homemade recipe for it.
What is self rising flour?
Self-rising flour is a combination of white flour, baking powder, and salt. It’s often used in recipes without leavening agents (such as baking powder or baking soda) and reduces the number of ingredients required.
Table of Contents
Why make my self rising flour recipe
- Takes seconds to make. Mix everything together, and voila!
- It works with everything. You can use this for any recipe that calls for flour and baking powder, including quick breads, yeast breads, pastries, and more!
- You can make it in small batches. I’ll provide the ingredient ratios so you can make as much or as little as you want.
Key Ingredients
Here’s what goes into homemade self-rising flour, along with my kitchen notes. Full measurements are in the recipe card below.
- All-purpose flour. The bulk of the recipe. Use regular white all-purpose flour or whole wheat. To make gluten-free self-rising flour, use gluten-free AP flour with xanthan gum added.
- Baking powder. The leavening agent. Avoid using baking soda; it requires additional ingredients to work (namely, cornstarch or cream of tartar).
- Fine salt. Adds flavor. If you can’t find fine salt, use kosher salt instead.
How to make self-rising flour
Step 1- Combine ingredients. Combine all of the ingredients in a large mixing bowl and whisk to combine. Transfer to an airtight container and store for up to 6 months.
Handy conversions
How do I convert plain flour to self-raising?
If you have all-purpose flour and want to make a small batch of self-rising flour, here’s a formula for getting it done:
1 cup homemade self-rising flour = 1 cup all-purpose flour + 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder + 1/4 teaspoon salt.
How do I substitute self-raising flour for plain flour?
If you want to use self-rising flour but your recipe calls for plain flour, ensure it includes at least ½ tsp of baking powder per cup of flour. If it does, use equal portions of self-rising flour and omit the baking powder in the recipe.
Arman’s tips
- Make sure you thoroughly mix the ingredients. It’s very important to ensure the baking powder and salt are evenly distributed, which is why I use an extra-large bowl to mix.
- Make self-rising cake flour. Swap all-purpose flour for cake flour.
- Measuring correctly. Sift the flour, then spoon it into your measuring cup to ensure accurate measurements.
Storage instructions
To store: Leftover flour should be stored at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 6 months.
Frequently Asked Questions
Oat flour and almond flour cannot be used instead of all-purpose flour. They do not have the consistency or rising properties when mixed with baking powder. However, almond flour can be used in recipes that call for self-rising flour, but it won’t rise as well.
I’ve had many readers ask if this will work with gluten-free flour. I tested this with Bob’s Red Mill, King Arthur, and also Anthony’s Kitchen. None of the three could replicate what traditional self-rising flour does, and when I baked with it, it resulted in gummy, brittle breads. I have had success with Dove Darm gluten-free self-rising flour, which is easily available on Amazon and health food stores.
How To Make Self Rising Flour
Ingredients
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoon baking powder
Instructions
- Combine all your ingredients in a large mixing bowl, and whisk together, until fully combined. Transfer to an airtight container.
Notes
Nutrition
My favorite recipes using self-rising flour
- 2 ingredient biscuits– Classic, American-style biscuits that use just flour and butter!
- Donut holes– Cakey, fluffy, and coated in a simple sugar glaze.
- 4-ingredient banana muffins– These turn out so moist and fluffy and FAST!
- Cottage cheese pizza crust– Cottage cheese mixed with this flour equals the most chewy, fluffy crust ever.
- 2-ingredient bagels– Yes, you can make two-ingredient bagels that taste like the real thing.
Originally published April 2022
Has anyone successfully converted King Arthur’s Gluten-Free Measure-for-Measure All Purpose Flour to self-rising flour using this recipe? Baking for my child who has celiac disease. Ty so much!
Hi C.Frank. Sorry for the late response, I wanted to test it out myself before replying. It won’t work, sorry. I tested this one, Bob’s Red Mill, and also Anthony’s kitchen, and none of them had the texture we wanted. I can recommend Dove Darm gluten-free self-rising flour which works really well 🙂
Can I use Carbquik baking mix? It already has the baking soda in it.
Hi Patti- I haven’t tried carbquik but having a quick look at the ingredients, i don’t see it working for this. It will turn out like almond flour- you can use it in recipes that calls for self-rising flour but it just won’t rise at all.
I’m so glad to find this recipe as I always just overlook the recipes that call for it. NOW, I can make some new things. Thank you.
Are the donuts with self rising flour gluten free ?
You can use gluten-free self-rising flour to make them gluten-free 🙂
The perfect flour. I can count on this every time.
Can I use gluten free flour to make self rising flour?
That won’t work, Eva. I’ve tested the three most mainstream brands, and they don’t replicate traditional self-rising flour. I do recommend Dove Farm for a store-bought brand 🙂
This recipe worked perfectly for the 3 ingredient biscuits – thank you
Can this be made with gluten free flour?
Hi Elaine- I’ve addressed this is my FAQs– I didn’t have success with it. I recommend Dove Farm brand for a store-bought one I’ve had success with.
Great recipe This is a keeper!
I just boil my bagels for 1 min ( until they rise) And cook them at 375 12 mins ( turn the pan cooked another 10 -12 mins
Then again at 375 for about 5-8 mins
They come out perfectly
That sounds delicious, Francine! 🙂
I saw many of your recipes that include self raising flour. I didnt know how to make it. Now I know!
Are the donuts with self rising flour gluten free ?
Only if you use a gluten-free flour blend 🙂
turned out excellent. I only had approx 2 tablespoons of yoghurt but had some buttermilk so used that and added a tsp of avacado oil and they turned out beautifully
Can you do this with a gluten free blend flour? I have celiac and struggle with finding GF self rising flour.
Thank you!
Hi Michelle- it won’t work sorry. I updated this recipe to reflect my kitchen tests- I used the three most popular gluten-free flours on the market and none of them replicated what self rising flour does. I can recommend a store-bought brand that will work- Dove Farm gluten-free self-rising flour. I find it bakes really well and with no strange aftertastes or changing ratios.
Thank you so much.
I read many times that in recipes ingredient is “self raising flour”. Never understood what that is. So now I know and definitely will make it.
Please do, Mario!
Wow so now I can have self raising flour.
Do we need to adjust flour measurement for Almond Flour?
Hi Elizabeth- you don’t need to, but this won’t make self rising almond flour. Almond flour will work, but it just won’t have the same rise or fluffiness that traditional self-rising flour would have.
Hi,do you have homemade all purpose flour?
That is just plain flour!
Can this self rising flour be made using Gluten Free flour?
(Bob’s Red Mill 1 to 1 Baking Flour)
Hi Wendy- I’ve addressed this in my updated FAQ’s- but i tested it with Bob’s Red Mill (and 2 other brands) and it unfortunately did not work. I can recommend Dove Farm which do a really great gluten-free self rising flour (I’ve baked with it regularly and its great).
How do you measure all purpose flour in your recipes? Do you spoon to fluff flour , then lightly spoon it into your measuring cup or do you scoop it from the container? I don’t want to over flour when following your recipes. Thank You!
LOVE the spoon and fluff method then I scrape it out of the cup.
This Naan is totally delightful, and I thank you so much!
As a rule, for all bread products, I cut down the salt to half or less due to blood pressure issues. For instance, if something calls for a tsp of salt, I’ll usually use 1/4 or 1/3 tsp. How important is the salt for this? Would 1/2 tsp work instead of 2 without changing much?
You say not to freeze flour and yet I freeze it all the time all my flours, doesn’t matter what kind it is. And I use it straight from the freezer and it absolutely affects no flavor. It doesn’t affect the way it mixes with my whatever I’m making. the only time I take it out and let it warm up a little is if I am using coconut oil in my flour and I don’t wish for it to get hard again right away. So tell me your reasoning to not freeze flour you seem pretty sure about saying that.
Hi Lauranne- because this is homemade, it hasn’t undergone all the processing and packaging that store-bought flour has. In testing, it resulted in gritty flour that separated.
I make the air fryer bagels using the SR flour but I find them salty. Can the amount of salt be reduced without affecting the “rise”?
Yes that is fine!
Can the all purpose flour being used to make the self rising flour come from the freezer or will the cold flour somehow impact the recipe?
Hi Lola- I did a test batch that was stored in the freezer and I really don’t recommend it for my homemade recipe. Store-bought flours are fine-milled and heavy processed, so aren’t affected by freezing. Because we’re adding the salt and baking agents, I found that it clumped together and didn’t have the best texture.
Does it matter if you use an aluminum-free baking powder?
I don’t see why not
Why shouldn’t I should never freeze flour I found that by freezing it I can hold on to it a little longer and the freshness will always be there thank you
Hi.There are other recipes available online to make self-raising almo d flour, wondering why you say it is not recommended?
I think making your own is great especially if you need it and don’t have any so knowing exactly how much of other ingress to use is very helpful. Also you can make it as you rather than have a bad sitting there not being used for ages. Flour does loose its freshness. I never ever buy SR now as I always have all the other stuff in my pantry anyway. Each to their own I guess, but I know heaps of people who never buy it now just make their own as needed.
Why bother making self rising flour when you can must add extra baking powder and a bit of salt?
Can I make this self-rising flour with my gluten-free all-purpose flour?
Thank you.
Can this flour be used immediately or do we have to wait some time?
Immediately 🙂
HI:) I love your blog and recipes!!! I can’t use Dove’s Farm because my kid is allergic to buckwheat. I was wondering if there are any other GF self-rising flours that you could point me to?
Hi Amy- That’s the only brand I’ve tried 🙂
To Laura who asked about GF self raising flour, may I share that ive had success making my own by adding 1tsp baking powder and 1/2tsp salt to my Homemade GF flour mix. Id say just experiment and see for ursef. Sometimes that’s the only way to learn what works and what doesn’t. Good luck.
Can you use a keto flour like almond or coconut flour?
Not for this.
Could I know 1 cup= 240ml or 250ml? ☺️Thank you
240 mls 🙂
Thank you
What gluten free self rising flour do you recommend. The link did not work for me.
Doves farm.
so u can make this self rising flour with whole wheat flour?? thx
Sure can!
Darn. Okay thanks. Saved me some ingredients!!!😊
When using whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose four, is the ration the same….
Example…1 cup of all-purpose = 1 cup of whole wheat flour?
Yes that is fine!
Could this essentially work the same for gluten free flours? Like rice or oat? I don’t care to buy premade GF flours. Appreciate it thanks!
Nope, it must be all-purpose flour!
This is excellent Thanks! Would it work with whole wheat flour? Bleached or Unbleached best?
Hi! Unbleached is best 🙂 And yes!