How to Make Self-Rising Flour

What is self-rising flour, and how do you make it? Find out here.

Self-rising flour is a staple ingredient in many of our most-loved recipes, including these simple two-ingredient biscuits. But what happens when you’re craving a recipe that calls for self-rising flour, but you don’t have that kind of flour on hand?

Well, you learn how to make self-rising flour yourself—it’s easy!

What Is Self-Rising Flour?

Self-rising flour is a blended mix that combines all-purpose flour, salt and a leavening agent like baking powder. The ingredients are evenly mixed throughout the flour, which results in a consistent product after each use.

Self-rising flour is most commonly used in southern cooking and is a pantry staple among bakers in the South. Thanks to this flour mix, crispy biscuits get their moist, buttery centers while flaky cobbler gets its rich texture.

Editor’s Tip: It’s important to note that self-rising flour is not a substitute for all-purpose flour.

How to Make Self-Rising Flour

When you see a recipe that calls for self-rising flour, know you can make it at home. All you have to do is combine these ingredients together (feel free to double or triple the recipe as needed):

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Be aware that this flour has a shorter shelf life than regular flour, as the baking powder tends to lose potency over time. So make a small batch and save it in an airtight container in a dark, dry place.

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Laura Denby
Laura is a New York-based freelance food writer with a degree in Culinary Arts from the Institute of Culinary Education and a degree in Journalism from Penn State. Her work has appeared in Taste of Home, Chowhound, the Culture Trip and Patch.
Lisa Kaminski
Lisa is an editor at Taste of Home where she gets to embrace her passion for baking. She pours this love of all things sweet (and sometimes savory) into Bakeable, Taste of Home's baking club. Lisa is also dedicated to finding and testing the best ingredients, kitchen gear and home products for our Test Kitchen-Preferred program. At home, you'll find her working on embroidery and other crafts.