Aluminum-free Baking Powder–grain free, corn free, AIP
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Looking for a great baking powder substitute or baking powder without aluminum? I’ve got you covered with this super simple aluminum-free baking powder recipe.
It also happens to be a corn-free baking powder so if you’re on a corn-free diet, it will work great for you as well!
If you’re concerned about aluminum in baking powder, you’re not alone.
While there has not been a definitive connection between aluminum in foods like baking powder and Alzheimer’s, many people are still looking to avoid aluminum in their foods, personal care products, and more.
Why Is There Aluminum in Baking Powder?
Some baking powders are made with an aluminum-based salt–sodium aluminum sulfate or sodium aluminum phosphate. These substances become acidic when heated.
Baking soda is basic and it reacts with an acid to make baked goods rise. So these aluminum salts are part of what makes your baking powder containing baked goods rise.
As I mentioned, it’s been debated whether or not this form of aluminum contributes to such diseases as Alzheimer’s, etc., but regardless, many people wish to avoid this ingredient.
Interestingly, some people claim that baking powder that contains sodium aluminum sulfate can result in baked goods having a metallic taste, however from my research, that doesn’t seem to be the case–they appear to be either tasting some kind of residue from their baking pan or what they are tasting is the result of too much baking soda.
What Is Aluminum-free Baking Powder?
Aluminum-free baking powder is simply a baking powder that doesn’t contain sodium aluminum sulfate or any other aluminum-containing ingredient.
Does Baking Soda Contain Aluminum?
Contrary to some sources, baking soda does not contain aluminum, so if you see a product labeled “aluminum-free baking soda”, that is either a marketing ploy, or an uninformed company.
Why Corn-free Baking Powder?
Not only is this homemade baking powder an aluminum-free baking powder, but it’s also a corn-free baking powder. Most baking powder is made with cornstarch, but this one is not.
So it’s perfect for those avoiding corn due to allergies or intolerances, as well as those on a grain-free diet.
As it turns out, this recipe works for many special diets. It’s not only corn-free, but it also works for the paleo, AIP, and grain-free diets.
Why Make Your Own Baking Powder?
- Corn Allergies – almost all baking powder is made with cornstarch
- Avoiding GMOs – most baking powders are made with GMO corn
- Avoiding Additives – as mentioned above, many baking powders contain sodium aluminum sulfate, which some people wish to avoid
- You Ran Out of Baking Powder – having a DIY option for making staples such as baking powder is a huge help for those moments when you run out of an ingredient unexpectedly
- You Are On a Special Diet – This Homemade Baking Powder is whole30, paleo, AIP (autoimmune paleo), gluten-free, THM, and more
Why Is There Arrowroot in This Baking Powder Recipe?
Arrowroot helps absorb moisture and as such will extend the shelf life of the product. So you can make a larger batch and keep your baking powder longer.
If you plan on making smaller batches and using this homemade paleo baking powder up quickly, then you can eliminate the arrowroot or other starches.
Another option, if you’d like to make a larger batch but still address the moisture problem, is to add silica packs to the baking powder after putting it in a container.
Recipe Notes and Substitutions
- Alternative Starches: If need be, you can use organic tapioca flour / starch instead of arrowroot, or, if you are not avoiding corn, organic cornstarch may also be substituted.
Other Homemade Pantry Staples to Try:
– Best Healthier Cinnamon Sugar (3 Ways) – get 3 great recipes for the all time favorite sugary blend, and see which one we liked best! (all sugar-free)
– Vegetable Broth Mix | All Purpose Seasoning – sure to be a huge favorite in your home–tastes great on EVERYTHING!
– Homemade Vanilla Liquid Stevia – save loads of money by making this yourself.
– Homemade Rice Milk – you won’t believe how easy it is to make your own dairy-free milk.
– Powdered Egg Replacer (like Ener-G) – whether you’re avoiding eggs or happened to just run out, this is a great substitute for all your egg-free baking!
– Easiest Coconut Milk – we make this several times each and every week. It’s a super frugal and convenient dairy-free beverage option that works for almost any application.
– Vanilla Extract Substitutes – not a pantry basic you can make, but these 23 substitutes are at-the-ready pantry alternatives you can use anytime!
Aluminum-free Baking Powder (grain free, paleo)
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup baking soda
- 1/2 cup cream of tartar
- 1/4 cup arrowroot powder
Instructions
- Place all ingredients in a small bowl. Blend with a whisk to mix well.
- Store in a tightly-closed container to prevent moisture from entering and causing the ingredients to begin to react.
- Use as you would regular baking powder.
Notes
- This recipe can easily be doubled or made in whatever quantity you like.
- Alternative Starches: If desired, you can use organic tapioca flour / starch instead of arrowroot, or, if you are not avoiding corn, organic cornstarch may also be substituted.
Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and is merely an approximation. Optional ingredients are not included and when there is an alternative, the primary ingredient is typically used. We cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information given for any recipe on this site. Erythritol carbs are not included in carb counts since they have been shown not to impact blood sugar. Net carbs are the total carbs minus fiber.
Don’t Feel Like DIYing?
Sometimes, you just don’t want to make something. If that’s your situation, this baking powder is a great aluminum-free option, but keep in mind that it does contain non-GMO corn.
I’d love to hear how this works for you!
(Note: This recipe was originally published in 2011. It was republished with new images and new helpful information. For reference, following is an image from an earlier edition of the post.)
I can’t eat corn and definitely try to avoid eating aluminum. Stuff works great, keeps well, and is easy. Just a little expensive but for me well worth the price for health. Dr. Pater.
So glad to hear and yes, it works great. I love having this alternative around :).
Thanks for all that you do to help many with allergy and health problems.
Aww thank you. You made my day. Working on more things – hope to have another helpful post up today. If you haven’t subscribed to updates, you can do so here: https://wholenewmom.com/about-me/
Just a quick heads up, the link on this page that is suppose to go to the egg replacer is actually linked to your coconut milk page.
Hi there – thank you for the heads up! It should be all fixed now. Please do let me know if you still see a problem and thanks again!
OMG, woman where have you been hiding all my life? You’re shaping up to be a real godsend.
I’m a 64 year old woman who suffers from Fibromyalgia, among other things. I made the switch to a mostly plant based diet several years ago and it helped me immensely. Unfortunately I fell off the “healthy wagon” about 5 years ago when my spouse of 15 years bailed on me.
Now I’m trying to climb back on that wagon because I feel awful. I was looking for a plant-based coffee creamer and accidentally landed on your blog. I love your diy replacements for enr-g and baking powder. I’ll be back often. Thank you for this.
Wow hello Joella! I am so glad to connect with you but I’m so sorry that you are going through this. I’m actually currently revamping a lot of things on my site including my main focus and you are exactly the person whom I want to help. I went through 10 years of fatigue and my son was born with 5 life threatening food allergies and ended up with autism. He’s now on the Dean’s List in college and my fatigue is basically gone. I would LOVE to connect with you.
Feel free to connect here where you can join my list and reach out at adrienne at wholenewmom dot com. I hope you will get on my list somehow b/c I will have some things coming that I think you will be interested in, including a list of what we did that helped us feel better! I’m happy to share via email for now if that is of help. I know how terrible this all can be. Take heart – there is hope! ??
Hi Adrienne,
Thanks for sharing! Was wondering how long this lasts for?
Best,
Sarah
It would last as long as the shelf life of the ingredients you use. So check the freshness of those. Hope that helps and thank you!
Hi Adrienne,
Fantastic information. I am inspired. The section about using nut flour drops out before finished….I am left hanging???? Just to let you know.
Thanks so very much for sharing.
Cheers
Sandy
Noosa Hinterlands, Australia.
Hello there! Oh I’m so sorry – I don’t see nut flour in the post. Where did you see that? I will be happy to help! Thanks for reading! I have family Down Under ;).
Since I’m allergic to baking powder, I was hoping your homemade BP recipe would work for my allergies. Alas, two ingredients in your recipe I can’t have either….cream of tartar and arrowroot powder!:( In addition, no corn or soy. So I tend to up the soda in recipes that call for baking powder and add vitamin C powder to activate it. Any other suggestions? Thanks! Sheryl
Hi there. What are you not able to use? I see corn, soy, cream of tartar and arrowroot–Any other foods you are not able to have?
Help! Some homemade recipes only call for baking soda & cream of tartar. Others, like yours, add a starch. Doesn’t the addition of a starch decrease the “rising” power? I would think I’d have to add more of the starch mix to achieve the same result of the mixture without it.
I’m new to your site, so I’m enjoying perusing the recipes.
Thanks very much!
Hi there! Good question! Technically the starch is just for bulking so you would have to adjust the amount you use. Most baking powder on the market has starch hence any equivalent replacement should have it as well if you are going to measure the same way. Hope that helps!
We in the Wheat Belly community even make this without the arrowroot powder or tapioca starch without issue.
Are they doing it with just the other ingredients?
Thank you so much!!! Cant wait to try it.
Hope it works well for you!
Feel like a real pastry chef at home.
You are! 🙂