Baking Powder Substitutes

Out of baking powder? These are the swaps that actually work, with conversion ratios for any recipe size and notes on how each one changes the result.

Need to convert baking powder between cups, grams, or ounces first? Open the baking powder converter.

What to use instead of baking powder

  • Baking soda + cream of tartar

    DIY mix

    1 tsp baking powder = 1/4 tsp baking soda + 1/2 tsp cream of tartar

    Closest DIY swap. Mimics baking powder's acid plus base combo. Use immediately: once wet, the reaction starts and waiting kills the lift.

  • Baking soda + lemon juice

    DIY mix

    1 tsp baking powder = 1/4 tsp baking soda + 1/2 tsp lemon juice

    Quick single-acting swap when cream of tartar is missing. Bake straight away: the acid hits the soda on contact, so no resting in the bowl.

Frequently Asked Questions

What can I substitute for baking powder?
There are 2 workable substitutes for baking powder, depending on what you have on hand and which property of baking powder matters most for your recipe. The closest swap is usually Baking soda + cream of tartar. Each option below lists the conversion ratio for any recipe size, plus notes on how the swap changes the texture, flavour, rise, or browning.
Will substituting baking powder change how my recipe turns out?
Yes, every swap trades one property for another: fat content, moisture, acidity, or protein. The notes on each substitute describe what changes in texture, flavour, rise, or browning, so you can choose the swap that matters least for your recipe. Open the baking powder converter
How do I measure baking powder accurately?
Weighing in grams is more reliable than scooping cups, especially when a substitute has a different density from what the recipe expects. The baking powder converter on this site converts between cups, grams, ounces, tablespoons, and teaspoons, so you can scale a recipe up or down without losing the ratio. Open the baking powder converter

Other ingredient and produce substitutes

Find what to use instead of: