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 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 – 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're On a Special Diet – This Homemade Baking Powder is whole30, paleo, AIP (autoimmune paleo), gluten-free, THM, 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.
So this 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 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.
Keto Baking Powder Option
To make this baking powder starch-free and completely keto, just omit the starch. The recipe will likely not keep as long but it will work in recipes.
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 is another option.
- Starch-free Recipe: If you can't have any starches, you can use this recipe without it. As mentioned above, the starch primarily helps to keep the other ingredients from reacting and so it prolongs the life of the baking powder.
More Homemade Pantry Staples
- 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 an estimate only. It may vary depending on ingredient brands, substitutions, and preparation methods. Optional ingredients are not included. Net carbs are typically calculated by subtracting fiber and sugar alcohols (such as erythritol) from total carbohydrates. This information should not be relied upon for medical or nutritional purposes.
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 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.)
Can this be made this without tartar? I found another recipe for baking soda that was like yours except it had no arrowroot in it. I have arrowroot, but no tartar. Also, I have no idea how to store this away from moisture. Guess I could try to divide the amounts to make less at a time.
Thank you,
Actually no b/c the cream of tartar is the acid. You would need to have another acidic ingredient to make it work.
An excerpt from my February 25, 2018, letter to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Re: “Corn Allergy: A Possible Death Sentence? Hospitals are not mandated to stock corn-free foods, liquids, or medications.”
“Due to the false and dangerous claims published on the American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI), “Ask the Expert,” and American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (ACAAI), “Ask the Allergist,” websites related to corn allergies, I also contacted the majority of world-wide pharmaceutical companies after a compounding pharmacist actually told a corn-allergic patient that “cornstarch is not really corn.” As a result, I have been challenging their “expert” opinion articles; and was successful in having one “expert” paper removed from the AAAAI, “Ask the Expert” website. I went so far as to personally contact each contributing “expert.” I am now challenging an extremely dangerous statement on the ACAAI website that can endanger the lives of the corn allergy population:
“Most corn-derived products, like cornstarch and high-fructose corn syrup, do not contain corn protein. If you have a corn allergy, you do not need to avoid these products.”
Please join me in signing the petition demanding the ACAAI remove their potentially life-threatening claims from their website. Thank you!
Petition to Demand that the ACAAI Remove False Statement Re: Cornstarch/High Fructose Corn Syrup
https://cornallergyadvocacyresources.blogspot.com/2018/02/petition-to-demand-that-acaai-remove.html
My February 25, 2018, letter to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Re: mandate that hospitals stock corn-free foods, fluids, & drugs for the safety of corn-allergic patients.
https://cornallergyadvocacyresources.blogspot.com/2018/02/my-february-25-2018-letter-to-us.html
This is VERY interesting. So my kids and I were just talking about this the other day…..if food allergies are due to protein then how is this possible? I think it is but what is going on here?
Thank you so much for being an advocate! I am allergic to corn and ANY corn product makes me itch including corn syrup, corn starch, maltodextrin, etc. I’m alarmed that a compound pharmacist had said corn starch isn’t corn!
I have recently developed an intolerance to corn. Did your sensitivity clear up after avoiding it for the 3 months?
Hi there. I’m not sure b/c I don’t know what tests to use to determine that but I try to really limit my intake b/c I don’t think it’s the best thing to eat. I personally only eat organic corn.
Nope! Corn is a bad one! If I eat corn I get diabetes and sores in my mouth.
If I quite corn all signs of diabetes completely disappear.
Doctor has no answers so … I read labels and avoid corn.
It is in everything!!!
I replaced baking powder in a recipe for whole wheat biscuits. I used a ratio of 1 part baking soda to 2 parts cream of tartar without any fillers such as the starches you mention, and there was quite a bitter or chemical taste to my whole wheat biscuits. Could it have been caused by the baking soda and/or cream of tartar? I’m kind of scared to try this again. (I have a daughter with a potato intolerance and we’ve been told to avoid baking powder, though I hear Rumford Non Aluminum GMO free baking powder is not sourced from potatoes…)
Hi there. I’m sorry but I have never used just cream of tartar and baking soda in a recipe. Baking soda can be very strong. You would have to reduce the amount of what you use I would think to have that work out. Rumford is from corn I think?
Hello. I’m allergic to corn, arrowroot, tapioca and potatoes. Can lemon juice and apple cider vinegar be added to the baking soda instead? If so, what would the revised recipe be?
Thank you!
I have done this – try 3/4 tsp b soda and 1 T vinegar or lemon juice!
Do you store this in the fridge or pantry?
Pantry is fine.
What is the importance of adding the arrowroot or tapioca flour? Other recipes that I have seen online only include baking soda and cream of tartar. Please advise. Tks!
Good question. I read that the purpose of the starch is to absorb any liquid to prevent a reaction between the acid and the base. I am thinking this over and not totally sure how that works since when you add them altogether it would start reacting, so maybe in reality it’s just for heft to make measuring more easy.
Thanks for posting this and I would love if you know a good substitute for cream of tartart bc I can’t eat that, but baking soda and arrowroot are fine.
Hi there. They won’t work b/c they aren’t acids, whereas cream of tartar is. You can use apple cider vinegar or lemon juice with baking soda.
Hi again. Try 1/4 the amt of citric acid.
Citric acid is made from corn
Hi there – sorry for the delay – inundated with a bunch of things. It can be made from sugar cane as well so there’s that option.
what would be a safe starting point for a cake that calls for 1 tsp baking soda. 1/2 cup buttermilk. two eggs
1 cup coca cola. allergies, wheat, corn, soy, oats.
I’m sorry but I’m not sure what you are asking? A sub for baking soda?
Yea! So happy I stumbled upon this! Corn popped up on my recent allergy test, so this is a great thing! Awesome! Thanks so much! Plus, when I clicked on the arrowroot link I noticed that you can use it in place of cornstarch. You just made my life easier. I love baking too and the thought of not being able to make something breaks my heart. You made my day with this 🙂
So happy to hear this! I know how hard allergies can be! Hope to see you around again. 🙂