Easy Homemade Baking Powder Recipe (3 Ingredients)

Out of baking powder? This easy homemade baking powder is a pantry staple—learn how to make it in minutes with just 3 simple ingredients!!

easy homemade baking powder in a jar

I never gave baking powder a second thought—until I needed it and didn’t have a speck left.

Cornbread was on the menu, chili simmering on the stove, but my container sat empty. No backup. No way I was driving to town for one ingredient.

So, I searched the internet for a solution. Turns out, I had everything I needed—three simple ingredients, a quick mix, and problem solved.

That cornbread? Fluffy. Perfect. Just like it should be.

woman's hand holding fully piece of cornbread up close

And now that I know how easy it is? Store-bought baking powder might be a thing of the past.

What does Baking Powder do?

homemade baking powder in a tablespoon

Baking powder makes baked goods rise, giving them a light, airy texture—essential for everything from peach cobbler to pumpkin bread and rhubarb muffins.

When mixed with liquid, it triggers a chemical reaction, releasing carbon dioxide gas, which creates air pockets in the dough.

What Happens If You Skip Baking Powder?

No baking powder means short muffins, dense cakes, and lifeless biscuits.

Ever bite into a baked good and feel like it’s just sitting there, heavy as a rock? That’s what happens when you leave out the leavening.

a glass jar and tablespoon of baking powder

Is Homemade Baking Powder Different from Store-Bought?

The key difference is how they react.

Homemade baking powder activates immediately when mixed with liquid (single-acting), while store-bought reacts twice—once when wet and again in the oven (double-acting).

Why You’ll Love this Recipe

Fast & Foolproof – Three ingredients, one-minute mix. No last-minute grocery store trips!

Long-Lasting – Stays fresh for months in an airtight container.

No Junk Ingredients – Free from sodium aluminum sulfate and other fillers.

Always Ready – Keep the basics stocked and never run out again.

Stock your pantry like a homesteader! Download my Homestead Pantry Staples List with 200+ must-have items!

The 3 Key Ingredients

You only need a few ingredients to make your own baking powder substitute at home:

cream of tartar, baking soda, and arrowroot powder in small piles on a counter
  • Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) – The main leavening agent. It reacts with acid to create carbon dioxide bubbles.
  • Cream of tartar – The acid that activates the baking soda, causing that first reaction.
  • Arrowroot powder (or cornstarch) – Prevents clumping by absorbing moisture. Rice flour works, too, if you need a good substitute.

Homemade Baking Powder Recipe

Ingredients

  • 2 tbsp cream of tartar (see substitutions below)
  • 1 tbsp baking soda
  • 1 tbsp arrowroot powder (or cornstarch)

Instructions

Sift all ingredients through a fine mesh strainer into a small bowl.

ingredients to make baking powder in a fine mesh strainer over a bowl

Whisk well until evenly mixed.

homemade baking powder on a spoon over a bowl

Store in an airtight container in a cool, dry place for future use.

woman holding a glass mason jar of homemade baking powder

How to Use Homemade Baking Powder

Use it just as you would store-bought baking powder. Since this is single-acting baking powder, bake your batter or dough immediately for the best results.

ingredients to make cornbread on a counter

What can I use if I don’t have cream of tartar?

No cream of tartar? No problem. Swap it with an acidic ingredient like lemon juice, vinegar, buttermilk, or plain yogurt.

Since these add liquid, you may need to slightly reduce the liquids in your recipe to keep the right consistency.

  • Lemon Juice or Vinegar – Use 1 tsp per 1 tsp of cream of tartar.
  • Buttermilk, Sour Milk, or Plain Yogurt – Use 1 cup per 1 tsp of cream of tartar.

How to Make Sour Milk – Add 1 tbsp lemon juice or vinegar (white or apple cider) to 1 cup of pasteurized or raw milk and let sit for 10–15 minutes.

Recipe Tips

Need more or less? Adjust as needed while keeping the 2:1:1 ratio for perfect results every time!

Test for Freshness: Drop a small amount into warm water. If it fizzes, it’s good to go.

Mix Well Before Using – Homemade baking powder can settle over time, so give it a quick whisk or shake before adding it to your recipe.

Bake Immediately – Since this is single-acting baking powder, it starts working as soon as it gets wet. Mix it in last and bake right away for the best rise.

FAQs

What’s the difference between baking soda and baking powder?

How long does homemade baking powder last?

Can I use homemade baking powder in all recipes?

Why does my homemade baking powder taste bitter?

Can I use this homemade baking powder for self-rising flour?

More From-Scratch Kitchen Staples

Making your own baking powder is just the beginning. Once you start stocking your pantry with homemade staples, you’ll never want to go back!

Try my Homemade Mayonnaise in a Jar – a rich, creamy spread perfect for sandwiches, dressings, and dips.

Mix up a batch of Homemade Italian Dressing – fresher and tastier than anything from the store.

Don’t forget about Homemade Pumpkin Pie Spice – the perfect warm, cozy blend for pies, lattes, and oatmeal.

Keep building your homestead pantry one staple at a time!

Homemade Baking Powder

Out of baking powder? This quick 3-ingredient homemade version is ready in minutes—no additives, no store runs, just a simple pantry staple.
Total Time 5 minutes

Equipment

  • small bowl
  • fine mesh strainer
  • tablespoon
  • small jar or container

Ingredients

  • 2 tbsp cream of tartar (substitutions in notes)
  • 1 tbsp baking soda
  • 1 tbsp arrowroot powder (or cornstarch)

Instructions

  • Sift all ingredients through a fine mesh strainer into a small bowl.
  • Whisk well until evenly mixed.
  • Store in an airtight container in a cool, dry place for future use.

Notes

Need more or less? Adjust as needed while keeping the 2:1:1 ratio for perfect results every time!
Test for Freshness: Drop a small amount into warm water. If it fizzes, it’s good to go.
Mix Well Before Using – Homemade baking powder can settle over time, so give it a quick whisk or shake before adding it to your recipe.
Bake Immediately – Since this is single-acting baking powder, it starts working as soon as it gets wet. Mix it in last and bake right away for the best rise.
No cream of tartar? Swap it with an acidic ingredient like lemon juice, vinegar, buttermilk, or plain yogurt.
Since these add liquid, you may need to slightly reduce the liquids in your recipe to keep the right consistency.
  • Lemon Juice or Vinegar – Use 1 tsp per 1 tsp of cream of tartar.
  • Buttermilk, Sour Milk, or Plain Yogurt – Use 1 cup per 1 tsp of cream of tartar.
How to Make Sour Milk – Add 1 tbsp vinegar or lemon juice to 1 cup of pasteurized or raw milk and let sit for 10–15 minutes.

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