Ingredient substitution guide

Best substitutes for Baking Powder

Best swap for baking powder: Baking Soda Plus Cream Of Tartar, for 1 teaspoon baking powder, use 1/4 teaspoon baking soda plus 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar; it is single-acting, so mix and bake right away.

All alternatives

  1. Baking Soda Plus Cream Of Tartar

    Cooking substitute

    for 1 teaspoon baking powder, use 1/4 teaspoon baking soda plus 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar; it is single-acting, so mix and bake right away

  2. Baking Soda Plus Buttermilk Or Yogurt

    Cooking substitute

    for 1 teaspoon baking powder, use 1/4 teaspoon baking soda plus 1/2 cup buttermilk or yogurt, and cut the other liquid in the recipe by 1/2 cup

  3. Baking Soda Plus Lemon Juice Or Vinegar

    Cooking substitute

    for 1 teaspoon baking powder, use 1/4 teaspoon baking soda plus 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice or white vinegar; lemon adds tang, so it suits lemony or tart bakes best

  4. Self-rising Flour

    Cooking substitute

    use it 1 for 1 in place of the all-purpose flour and leave out the baking powder and salt; it only works where the recipe calls for 1/2 to 1 teaspoon baking powder per cup of flour

Source and limits

These swaps come from the substitution list Well Stockd uses to match recipes to your kitchen, last updated July 12, 2026. We remove swaps known to be unsafe, but not every swap has been tested in a kitchen. A listed swap is practical cooking guidance, not an allergen, medical, or nutrition equivalent. Check ingredient labels and what the recipe needs before substituting.

The ratios and usage notes above follow ordinary kitchen practice rather than a single published chart. For the classic swaps, and especially for baking, where an exact ratio decides whether the recipe works at all, these two cooperative-extension substitution tables go further than this list can:

Browse every ingredient and read how these swaps are sourced.