If you are all out of baking soda but your pancake recipe calls for it, no need to worry! There are a number of substitutes you can use to make fluffy, homemade pancakes no matter what recipe you are using.
Baking soda is a leavening agent, and that means it is an important ingredient for making light and fluffy pancakes.
Without a leavening agent, your pancakes will be flat and likely crunchy. So it’s important to use the right replacement when you are making pancakes without baking soda.
Luckily, there are a number of options you can use, and you probably already have one or two of them stocked in your kitchen.
So what are the best substitutes for baking soda when making pancakes?
The top baking soda alternatives are baking powder, egg, heavy cream, self rising flour, potassium bicarbonate, and baking ammonia.
Learn how to use each of these ingredients in your recipe below.
Related Recipe: Dairy free pancakes
Baking Soda Alternatives when Making Pancakes
There are few better ways to start the day than with a stack of fluffy homemade pancakes. And in my home we make pancakes almost every week.
But on more than one occasion I’ve started to make them only to find I was all out of baking soda.
And because it’s essential to have a leavening agent if you want light and fluffy pancakes, I’ve had use a number of substitutes for baking soda.
Fortunately, there are more than one ingredient you can replace baking soda with, the key is to know how to use each of them in your pancake recipe. And that’s exactly what you will find below.
Related: Egg alternatives in pancakes
Baking Powder
Baking powder is a kitchen staple that is an excellent substitute for baking soda. And it can be used in any recipe while producing light and fluffy pancakes.
Baking powder is comprised of both baking soda and cream of tartar. And it is a common leavening agent used in all sorts of recipes that need to rise.
And when used for making pancakes, it does exactly that. It produces a wonderfully fluffy stack of flapjacks.
Note: Baking powder does impart a slightly salty or tangy flavor, but this pairs well with sweet pancake toppings.
Related: Milk replacements in pancakes
Equivalent
3 teaspoons of baking powder equals 1 teaspoon of baking soda
Egg
Egg whites are another kitchen staple that can be used instead of baking soda in pancakes. It will provide structure and some rise to your pancakes.
And egg whites can even be used if your recipe already calls for eggs. The key to using eggs as a leavening agent is to separate the whites from the yolks and then to whip the whites before adding it to your other ingredients.
If your recipe already calls for eggs, simply use the number of eggs your recipe calls for while separating and whipping the whites from the yolks.
If your recipe does not call for egg, use the ratio below for replacing baking soda.
Related: Sub for eggs in French toast
Equivalent
2 whipped egg whites equals 1 teaspoon of baking soda
Heavy Cream
While your pancakes won’t be quite as fluffy as when using baking soda, heavy cream can be used in a pinch.
Heavy cream will add structure and some rich flavor to your pancakes. Use a hand mixed to whip your heavy cream before adding it to your pancake batter ingredients.
Note: You can reduce the other liquids in your recipe by the amount of heavy cream used.
Related: Heavy cream substitutions
Equivalent
1/2 cup of heavy cream equals 1 teaspoon of baking soda
Self Rising Flour
If you bake frequently, you may already have this baking soda replacement on hand, and it works well for making homemade pancakes.
Comprised of flour, baking soda, and salt, you can actually replace all these ingredients in your pancake recipe. And it will result in delicious, fluffy pancakes.
Because self rising flour has all the ingredients needed for the structure of your pancakes, you can use it to replace flour, salt, and baking soda all in one convenient ingredient.
Related Recipe: Microwave pancakes
Equivalent
Use equal parts self rising flour for amount of flour and baking soda called for in your recipe
Potassium Bicarbonate
While not as commonly stocked in the kitchen, if you have potassium bicarbonate on hand it is a great baking soda replacement.
It can be used in any pancake recipe and will produce a light and fluffy batch of pancakes. But keep in mind that it does not contain sodium so you may want to add a dash of salt if your recipe doesn’t already call for it.
Related Recipe: Pancakes with muffin mix
Equivalent
1 teaspoon of potassium bicarbonate equals 1 teaspoon of baking soda
Baking Ammonia
Baking ammonia is a classic leavening agent that can be used instead of baking soda in any pancake recipe.
While not as popular as other ingredients on the list, if you have it on hand it’s a solid substitution option. And if you are looking for a classic, crispier pancake texture this may be your best option.
Note: Some people won’t like the slight ammonia flavor this imparts. Therefore, it’s a good idea to make a test batch and see what you think of it’s flavor.
Equivalent
1 teaspoon of baking ammonia equals 1 teaspoon of baking soda
Bottom Line
While baking soda is the most commonly used leavening agent found in pancake recipe, it is by no means your only option.
You can still make light and fluffy pancakes without baking soda as long as you use one of the above ingredients instead.