Baking Soda (Bicarb) Substitutes

Out of baking soda (bicarb)? 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 soda (bicarb) between cups, grams, or ounces first? Open the baking soda (bicarb) converter.

What to use instead of baking soda (bicarb)

  • Baking Powder

    Ingredient swap

    1 tsp baking soda = 3 tsp baking powder

    Baking powder is milder, so you need roughly three times the volume. Drop any other acid (vinegar, lemon juice, buttermilk) from the recipe or the rise turns into a slump.

    See baking powder substitutes →

  • Self-raising flour (use the calculator)

    Calculator

    Skip the soda altogether: blend plain flour with baking powder and salt for a single self-raising flour swap. The calculator works out the exact ratios.

Frequently Asked Questions

What can I substitute for baking soda (bicarb)?
There are 2 workable substitutes for baking soda (bicarb), depending on what you have on hand and which property of baking soda (bicarb) matters most for your recipe. The closest swap is usually 1 tsp baking soda = 3 tsp baking powder. 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 soda (bicarb) 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 soda (bicarb) converter
How do I measure baking soda (bicarb) 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 soda (bicarb) 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 soda (bicarb) converter

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