• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Our Country Life

From scratch, from the garden, from our Idaho homestead — one skill at a time.

  • Recipes
  • Canning
  • Gardening
  • Animals
  • Country Life
  • Sourdough
  • First Batch — A Beginner’s Guide to Safe & Simple Water Bath Canning

How To Make Homemade Self-Rising Flour: A Kitchen Hack

This page may contain affiliate links. Learn More.

February 6, 2025 by Yvonne Gallia Leave a Comment

Jump to Instructions

Self-rising flour has a mysterious ability to vanish just when you’re halfway through a recipe and already covered in flour and butter and in a mild panic. But don’t worry—you can make your own with ingredients you probably already have on hand in just a few minutes. Whether making a batch of scones, biscuits, cakes, or a quick bread recipe, homemade self-rising flour is a lifesaver. Plus, making it yourself means you can control the freshness and quality of your ingredients.

self rising flour in a glass container

I appreciate keeping things simple and homemade, and this one of those kitchen shortcuts that makes life easier.  There’s something truly satisfying about having a well-stocked pantry, which I pride myself in—it’s like having a secret weapon for when dinner time hits.  

But….. there are times in the past when I have gone to the pantry and realized that I forgot to add something to my shopping list and found an empty container!😧 Since we live in the country, there are no quick trips to the grocery store. Once I discovered how easy to was to make this flour, I have never purchased it at the grocery store again. I love kitchen hacks like this!

There’s something so satisfying about having pantry staples on hand — the kind that save the day when you’re halfway through a recipe. That’s why I love knowing how to make things like homemade sweetened condensed milk when I’m out. It’s one of those simple, from-scratch basics that makes baking feel effortless instead of stressful.

Try my soda scone biscuit recipe using this flour; you will have biscuits on the table in under 20 minutes!!

3 soda scones (biscuits) on a small cake stand

What is Self-Rising Flour?

It is simply all-purpose flour with baking powder and salt already mixed in. This pre-mixed combination helps baked goods rise without the need for additional leavening agents. It is very common in southern recipes like biscuits, quick breads, and even in some cake mixes.

Self-Rising Flour Easy Recipe

Ingredients

self rising flour ingredients

You only need three common ingredients:

  • All-purpose flour
  • Baking Powder
  • Salt

That’s it! There are no fancy ingredients or a trip to the store.

How to Make Self-Rising Flour

  1. Measure the Ingredients: Start by grabbing a large mixing bowl, a measuring cup and spoons to measure the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt.
  2. Mix Well: Use a whisk or flour sifter to ensure even distribution, especially if making a large batch. This step is important because you want the baking powder and salt to be evenly incorporated throughout the flour.
  3. Store Properly: When making a big batch of self-rising flour, keep it in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. Because of the baking powder, this flour should stay fresh for about six months; therefore, I prefer having smaller batches on hand to ensure freshness.

Tips for the Best Result

  • Use fresh baking powder. Since baking powder loses its potency over time, make sure yours isn’t expired for the best rise in your baked goods.
  • Adjust for larger batches. If you bake often, you can multiply the recipe to have self rising flour ready when needed.
  • Label your container. If you store homemade self-rising flour in a jar or container, label it so you don’t accidentally use it in a recipe that calls for regular flour.
self rising flour in a bowl

Common Questions FAQs

Can I use self-rising flour in place of all-purpose flour?
Not always. If a recipe calls for plain flour and a leavening agent (like baking powder or baking soda), you may need to adjust the recipe if you’re using self-rising flour. Otherwise, you risk over-leavening your baked goods. 

Is self-rising flour the same as cake flour?
Nope! This type of flour has a lower protein content, making it lighter and better for delicate cakes.

Can I use whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose?
Yes, but the texture and taste may be slightly different. Whole wheat flour is denser, so your baked goods may be heavier than all-purpose flour.

So, next time you’re in a pinch, skip the store-bought version and mix up your own—because homemade always tastes better. Making it is incredibly easy and ensures that you always have some on hand when a recipe calls for it. With just three simple ingredients, you can whip up a batch quickly and return to your baking recipes for delicious homemade treats. No last-minute grocery runs are required.  In fact, you may never have store-bought self-rising flour again as one of your pantry staples! Happy baking!

More recipes you might enjoy

  • The Best Tasting Homemade Mayonnaise – 2 Easy Methods
  • Homemade Brown Sugar
  • Simple Syrup Recipe – Ridiculously Easy To Make
  • Cake Pan Release – The Best Magic Pan Coating
  • DIY Buttermilk Substitutes
  • The Best Cake Flour Substitute
self rising flour in a glass container

Self-Rising Flour

Yvonne – Our Country Life
Make your own self-rising flour in minutes with just three simple ingredients! This easy DIY recipe is perfect for biscuits, cakes, and quick breads.
No ratings yet
Print Pin Recipe

Ingredients
  

  • 1 Cup All-purpose Flour
  • 1 1/2 Teaspoons Baking Powder
  • 1/2 Teaspoon Salt

Instructions
 

  • Start by grabbing a large mixing bowl, a measuring cup and spoons to measure the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt.
  • Use a whisk or flour sifter to ensure even distribution, especially if making a large batch. This step is important because you want the baking powder and salt to be evenly incorporated throughout the flour.
  • When making a big batch of self-rising flour, keep it in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. Because of the baking powder, this flour should stay fresh for about six months; therefore, I prefer having smaller batches on hand to ensure freshness.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Pin and Save for Later!

self rising flour in a glass canister with text that reads self-rising flour only 3 ingredients
Image of Yvonne with text that reads I hope you enjoyed reading this post I appreciate your support by following and liking my post on social media

Yvonne Gallia

Hi, I’m Yvonne — the voice behind Our Country Life. I share from-scratch recipes, garden know-how, and simple living inspiration rooted in real farmhouse life. Thanks for being here ❤️

 

Filed Under: All Blog Posts, Country Life, Recipes Tagged With: Baking Recipes, Food Hacks, Substitutes

Previous Post: « Easy Soda Scones (Biscuits) Recipe – Made with Soda!
Next Post: Fast And Easy Ground Beef Chili Mix – 30 Minute Dinner »

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Search

Follow Us!

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
Yvonne from our country life

Hi, I am Yvonne, the blogger of Our Country Life.

I am dedicated to sharing my passions:

  • Home cooking
  • Gardening
  • Raising animals
  • Country Living

Together, let’s embrace the charm of old-fashioned living. You’ll be amazed at how fulfilling it can be!

Learn more about Our Country Life here!

  • About Me
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy and Disclosures
  • Home – Our Country Life
  • Subscriber Printable Library
  • Canning & Preserving: Safe, Tested Methods for a Well-Stocked Pantry
  • Recipe Index
  • Comfort Food From Scratch
  • Pantry Staples & From-Scratch Basics
  • Garden Problems & Fixes: Straight Answers for Real Gardens
  • Sourdough for Real Life: Simple, Reliable Methods for Home Bakers
  • First Batch — A Beginner’s Guide to Safe & Simple Water Bath Canning

Copyright © 2026 · Niche Theme

Rate This Recipe

Your vote:




Tried this recipe? Leave a quick rating and review — it helps other readers and means so much!

A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required