Baking powder is one of those pantry staples you probably use without thinking, especially for fluffy cakes, soft pancakes, or perfectly risen muffins. However, if you’re gluten-free, you may wonder: Is baking powder safe to use?
Here’s what it’s made of, how to spot hidden gluten, and which brands are safe for gluten-free baking.
Quick Answer:
Yes—most baking powders are naturally gluten-free. However, some brands use wheat starch as a filler, so it’s important to always read the label, especially if you have celiac disease or a gluten sensitivity, jus to verify.
Look for brands that are labeled gluten-free, or use starches like cornstarch, rice flour, or potato starch.
What Is Baking Powder?
Baking powder is a leavening agent that helps baked goods rise by creating bubbles of carbon dioxide. It gives your muffins, cakes, pancakes, and cookies their light, fluffy texture.
If you have been baking recipes on my site, you will know I am a huge advocate of using aluminum-free baking powder. The aluminum gives baking powder a metallic after taste, which can ruin baked goods.
Most baking powders contain three ingredients:
- Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate)
- A powdered acid, like cream of tartar or sodium aluminum sulfate
- A starch to prevent clumping and premature reaction
There are two types of baking powder:
- Double-acting: Reacts twice—once with liquid, and again with heat during baking
- Single-acting: Reacts once when combined with wet ingredients
It is important to note that although baking powder has a long shelf life, it can expire. Baking powder is labeled with an expiration date. If your baking powder is expired, your baked goods will not rise. Baking powder should not have cross-contamination issues, but it is always a good idea to verify the ingredients label.
Email This Recipe To Me!
I will email this recipe to you, so you can come back to it later!
Gluten-Free Baking Powder List:
There are many gluten-free baking powder brands to choose from in both aluminum-free and double-acting varieties. You will typically find baking powder in the baking aisle of your grocery store, not in the gluten-free section (if your store has one).
- Clabber Girl Baking Powder
- Bob’s Red Mill
- Thrive Market (aluminum-free)
- Rumford (aluminum-free)
- Hain Baking Powder
- Ener-G
Typical Baking Powder Ingredients:
Gluten-free baking powder typically contains these ingredients. It is important to read the allergen statements on every can of baking powder just to be sure it is labeled gluten free.
- Sodium bicarbonate (baking soda)
- Cream of tartar
- Sodium aluminum sulfate (in double-acting baking sodas)
- Rice flour, corn flour (cornstarch), potato starch, or, in some cases, wheat starch.
What Is Baking Powder Used For?
Baking powder is used in a wide variety of baked goods and quick breads, such as:
- Cakes and Cupcakes
- Muffins
- Scones and Biscuits
- Pancakes and Waffles
- Gluten-free cookies
- Quick breads (like banana bread)
Fun fact: Baking powder can also be used as a household cleaning agent, but (depending on your level of sensitivity) you probably won’t have to worry about the gluten content in that instance.
⚠️ Always double-check product labels and manufacturing practices, since brands can change ingredients or processing methods without warning.
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our Disclosure Policy.
I truly hope you enjoy this recipe. I have been testing and creating gluten-free recipes for over 15 years. Creating gluten-free recipes that do not taste gluten-free is my goal for every recipe. Sometimes I only have to test a new recipe a couple of times, and others it takes multiple times. I do this so you get reliable, delicious results every time!
