A full list of baking substitutes for popular, most used baking ingredients if you have ran out during mid-recipe or cannot find them in your pantry
1. Baking Powder
- To replace one teaspoon of baking powder use 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda and 1/2 teaspoon of cream of tartar.
- Or combine 1/2 teaspoon of lemon juice with 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda this works best for lemony baking, like lemon bars.
2. Bread crumbs
For ¼ cup fine, dry bread crumbs, substitute it with ¼ cup crushed cereal or cornflakes or 2/3 cups of regular rolled oats.
3. Butter
To add extra moisture to your bakes without using butter then replace it with Apple Sauce, Avocados and Mashed Bananas for a healthy substitute. Use these in 1:1 ratio. Works best in cookies and quick breads.
To substitute butter with oil then use coconut oil in a 1:1 ratio or neutral flavor oil like olive oil can be used. Add 3/4 cup of olive or vegetable oil for every cup of butter. works best in cakes, brownies, yeast bread and cookies.
4. Buttermilk
Buttermilk can be used in many baked dishes like pancakes, muffins, biscuits, cakes, waffles etc. A simple buttermilk substitute is milk and lemon juice or vinegar. This works best for pancakes, waffles and cakes.
To substitute 1 cup of buttermilk , add 1 tbsp of lemon juice or vinegar to a measuring cup and then add in the milk until it measures 1 cup. Let it sit for 5 mins before using. You can also use plant milk like oat milk, soy or coconut milk for a vegan buttermilk substitute.
You can substitute yogurt for buttermilk, use about ¼ cup water plus ¾ cup yogurt to equal 1 cup of buttermilk. Works best for marinades or fried chicken.
Click below for more buttermilk recipes
6. Cornstarch – for 1 Tbsp., substitute 2 Tbsp. all-purpose flour
7. Cream of tartar – for 1/4 tsp substitute ½ teaspoon lemon juice
8. Corn syrup: For 1 cup corn syrup, substitute 1 cup granulated sugar plus ¼ cup water.
8. Egg
For cookies, pancakes, cakes or waffles, mix 1 tablespoons ground flax meal and 3 tablespoons of water. Let the mixture rest for 10 minutes before adding. You can also use baking powder to replace 1 large egg in baking with 2 tablespoons water + 2 teaspoons baking powder + 1 teaspoon vegetable oil.
Click below for more egg substitutes and ways to use them –
9. Flour
Cake flour for 1 cup, substitute 1 cup minus 2 Tbsp. all-purpose flour
Gluten free flour: To make a gluten-free flour mix, whisk together 1 1/2 cups brown rice flour, 1/2 cup potato starch, 1/4 cup white rice flour, and 1/4 cup tapioca flour. For 1 cup all-purpose flour, substitute 1 cup gluten-free flour mix in cookies, bars, and cakes.
Self-rising Flour: for 1 cup, substitute 1 cup all-purpose flour plus 1 tsp. baking powder, ½ tsp. salt, and ¼ tsp. baking soda.
10. Honey – Substitute it with Corn syrup, molasses, maple syrup, or agave nectar
11. Milk
You can equally swap whole milk for evaporated milk.
Nut milk could be the optimum choice to use in place of dairy milk. soy, coconut or even rice milk works best.
12. Oil
Replace oil with Greek yogurt when baking muffins, cakes and even waffles.
13. Dairy substitutes
- Half-and-half or light cream: for 1 cup, substitute 1 Tbsp. melted butter plus enough whole milk to make 1 cup
- Heavy cream: for 1 cup, Melt ¼ cup unsalted butter and slowly whisk in ¾ cup whole milk or half-and-half
Click below to make dairy products at home to use in baking –
14. Vegan baking substitutes
Milk, butter, eggs, and honey are everywhere in traditional baking recipes. Luckily, vegan swaps abound, and you probably have the ingredients you need to make your favorite baking recipes to a plant-based diet. Click below for vegan alternatives to use in baking –
15. Spices and Herbs Substitutes
If you still find yourself missing on few of the herbs and spices while baking, here are a few smart substitutions for spices and herbs you can try in a pinch.
16. Sour cream, dairy: for 1 cup, substitute 1 cup plain yogurt
17. Vinegar, balsamic: For 1 Tbsp., substitute 1 Tbsp. cider vinegar or red wine vinegar plus ½ tsp. sugar
18. Vinegar, white: For 1 tsp., substitute 1 tsp of lemon/lime juice or 2 tsp. white wine.
19. Yeast
You can substitute yeast with lemon juice and baking soda. If a recipe calls for 1 teaspoon of yeast, you can use half a teaspoon of lemon juice and half a teaspoon of baking soda.
You can also use sour dough starter in place of yest, For one 2-teaspoon package of yeast, use 1 cup of sourdough starter.