What Is Self-Rising Flour?

Self-rising flour is a flour that has been pre-mixed with baking powder and salt, which makes it an easy and convenient option for home bakers. 

But what makes self-rising flour different from all-purpose flour or other types of flour? And when should you use it in your baking? Let’s explore what self-rising flour is and why it’s a valuable addition to your pantry.

What is self-rising flour?

Essentially, self-rising flour is a type of flour that already contains a leavening agent (usually baking powder) and salt, which means that you don’t need to add these ingredients separately when baking. It is designed to be an all-in-one flour that can be used for a variety of baking recipes without needing to add baking powder or baking soda.

Commercially, self-rising flour is made by combining all-purpose flour with baking powder and salt in specific ratios. The mixture is then thoroughly blended together before being packaged and sold. The exact ratios of ingredients may vary depending on the manufacturer, but the typical ratio is about 1 and 1/2 teaspoons of baking powder and 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of salt per cup of all-purpose flour.

The baking powder in self-rising flour is responsible for making the dough or batter rise, while the salt helps to enhance the flavor.

What’s the difference between self-rising flour and all-purpose flour?

The main difference between self-rising flour and all-purpose flour is that self-rising flour has baking powder and salt already mixed in, while all-purpose flour doesn’t.

This means that if a recipe calls for self-rising flour, you can just use it as is without having to add extra leavening agents. But if a recipe calls for all-purpose flour, you’ll need to add baking powder or baking soda and salt separately to get the same effect.

Benefits of self-rising flour

The main benefit of using self-rising flour is that it’s convenient and consistent.

With self-rising flour, you don’t have to measure out baking powder and salt separately, so it’s a great ingredient to have on hand for quick and easy baking! And since it’s pre-mixed, you can be sure that your baked goods will turn out consistently every time. 

Self-rising flour can be used in a wide variety of recipes, from biscuits and pancakes to cakes and muffins, so you don’t have to keep different types of flour on hand. 

Self-rising nutrition facts

Flour (¼ cup)	Calories	Carbs	Fiber	Sugar	Fat	Protein	Glycemic Index
Self-rising flour	110	22 g	<1 g	0 g	0 g	3 g	Likely high
All-purpose flour	120	24 g	1 g	0 g	0.5 g	4 g	85

How to bake and cook with self-rising flour

Self-rising flour is typically used in baking recipes to provide leavening (i.e. rising) without the need for additional baking powder or baking soda. It’s best for biscuits, pancakes, muffins, quick breads, and some cakes and cookies.

When it comes to substituting self-rising flour for all-purpose flour, it’s pretty simple. For every cup of all-purpose flour, you can use 1 cup of self-rising flour, and eliminate the baking powder or soda from the recipe.

It’s important to note that self-rising flour may not be suitable for recipes that require precise measurements or when using other leavening agents, such as yeast. In these cases, it’s best to use all-purpose flour and add the leavening agents separately, according to the recipe instructions.

Self-rising flour can also be used to make tempura batter as it already contains baking powder which is used to create a light and crispy texture. Simply mix the self-rising flour with cold water and you have a batter for frying shrimp or vegetables!

Popular self-rising flour baked goods and dishes

As I mentioned, self-rising flour is super versatile!

Here’s what you can make with it:

• Biscuits
• Pancakes and waffles
• Scones
• Muffins
• Quick breads (such as banana bread or zucchini bread)
• Dumplings
• Thin pizza crusts
• Donuts
• Churros
• Coating for fried chicken and onion rings
• Hushpuppies (a type of fried cornbread)
• Fritters (such as apple fritters or corn fritters)
• Tempura batter (for frying vegetables or shrimp)

How to make self-rising flour at home

If a recipe calls for self-rising flour and you don’t have any, you can easily make your own by adding baking powder and salt to all-purpose flour!

Here’s how to make self-rising flour:

1. Measure out the desired amount of all-purpose flour and place it in a mixing bowl.
2. Add baking powder to the flour using a ratio of 1-1/2 to 2 teaspoons per cup of flour, depending on how much leavening is desired. For example, for 1 cup of flour, use 1 1/2 teaspoons of baking powder.
3. Add salt to the mixture, using a ratio of 1/4 teaspoon per cup of flour. For example, for 1 cup of flour, use 1/4 teaspoon of salt.
4. Whisk all the ingredients together until well combined and no clumps remain.

How to store self-rising flour

Both store-bought and homemade self-rising flour should be stored in an airtight container at room temperature. This will help to prevent moisture and humidity from affecting the flour, which can cause it to clump or spoil.

It can also be helpful to label the container with the date it was made or purchased to help ensure that it is used within a reasonable timeframe. 

Remember, self-rising flour typically lasts up to a few months before it begins to lose its leavening power.

What are the best substitutes for self-rising flour?

You can make all-purpose flour into self-rising flour by combing it with a little baking powder, using 1 1/2 teaspoons of baking powder with every 1 cup of all-purpose flour. You can do the same with whole wheat flour.

For gluten-free baking, I recommend mixing gluten-free all-purpose flour, baking powder, and xanthan gum to get the same effect.

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