Can You Have Baking Powder on Paleo? Here's What You Need to Know

January 2, 2026 •

3 min read

Over 90% of commercial baking powders contain cornstarch, which is not permitted on the paleo diet. This critical fact means that standard store-bought baking powder is not paleo-compliant, leaving many bakers to wonder about viable alternatives.

Quick Summary

Most commercial baking powders are not paleo-friendly due to the inclusion of cornstarch and sometimes aluminum compounds. A safe and effective paleo baking powder can be made at home using a simple recipe involving cream of tartar, baking soda, and a compliant starch like arrowroot or tapioca.

Key Points

Standard Baking Powder is Not Paleo: Most commercial baking powders contain cornstarch, a grain that is not permitted on the paleo diet.
Check for Aluminum: Some commercial baking powders also include aluminum-based compounds, which many paleo followers choose to avoid.
Homemade is Best: Creating your own paleo-compliant baking powder is easy and ensures all ingredients are grain-free and clean.
Simple Recipe: A homemade version typically consists of cream of tartar, baking soda, and a paleo-approved starch like arrowroot or tapioca.
Baking Soda is Different: Baking soda requires an additional acid to leaven and is not a direct substitute for baking powder in recipes.
Use Immediately: Homemade baking powder is often single-acting and works best when baked shortly after mixing the batter.

Why Commercial Baking Powder Is Not Paleo Compliant

Commercial baking powder, a common leavening agent, is almost universally non-compliant with the paleo diet. This is primarily due to its standard composition, which includes non-paleo ingredients.

The Problem with Cornstarch

The main issue lies with the inclusion of cornstarch. Corn is a grain, and all grains are excluded from the paleo diet. Cornstarch is added to commercial baking powder as a filler and to absorb moisture, preventing the active ingredients from clumping together. While many brands offer 'gluten-free' versions, they often substitute wheat starch for cornstarch, which still makes them unsuitable for a paleo lifestyle. For individuals with corn sensitivities or allergies, this is an especially important consideration.

The Issue with Aluminum

Another reason for commercial baking powder's non-compliance is the potential presence of aluminum-based acid salts, such as sodium aluminum sulfate or sodium aluminum phosphate. While the paleo diet generally excludes processed foods, some purists also avoid aluminum due to concerns about heavy metals. Though many 'aluminum-free' baking powders are available, they still typically contain cornstarch, so checking the ingredient list is crucial.

Creating Your Own Paleo-Friendly Baking Powder

Fortunately, making a paleo-friendly baking powder at home is both simple and quick, requiring only a few pantry staples. This method ensures all ingredients are compliant with the paleo diet.

Homemade Paleo Baking Powder Recipe

Ingredients:
- 4 Tbsp cream of tartar
- 2 Tbsp baking soda
- 2 Tbsp arrowroot flour or tapioca starch (as a corn-free stabilizer)
Instructions:
1. Combine the cream of tartar, baking soda, and arrowroot/tapioca starch in a small bowl or jar.
2. Whisk the ingredients together thoroughly until they are uniformly combined.
3. Store in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. For maximum potency, use immediately or within a few weeks.

This mixture can be substituted 1:1 for standard baking powder in most recipes.

Comparison of Baking Powder Options


Feature	Commercial Baking Powder	Homemade Paleo Baking Powder
Paleo Compliant?	No	Yes
Common Starch	Cornstarch	Arrowroot or Tapioca Starch
Aluminum Content	May contain aluminum salts	Aluminum-free
Cost	Relatively inexpensive	Slightly more expensive per batch
Freshness	Longer shelf life	Best used fresh (within a few weeks)
Control	No control over ingredients	Full control over ingredients
Availability	Readily available at stores	Made at home with specific ingredients

Using Your Homemade Paleo Baking Powder Effectively

When using your homemade alternative, it's important to understand its properties. Unlike some double-acting commercial versions, homemade baking powder is typically single-acting, meaning it reacts fully upon contact with liquid. This means you should mix your batter and bake it immediately to prevent losing leavening power.

Can I just use baking soda? The difference between baking powder and baking soda

Baking powder and baking soda are not interchangeable. Baking soda is a pure base and requires an acidic ingredient (like vinegar, lemon juice, or cream of tartar) to create the leavening reaction. Baking powder, by contrast, is a complete leavening system, containing both the base (baking soda) and an acid. Using baking soda alone without sufficient acid will result in flat, dense baked goods. This is why many paleo recipes, especially those relying on nut flours, specifically call for baking powder to achieve the desired texture.

Conclusion

In conclusion, you cannot use standard commercial baking powder on the paleo diet because it contains non-compliant ingredients like cornstarch and sometimes aluminum. However, the solution is straightforward and accessible. By creating your own paleo-friendly version with simple, compliant ingredients, you can continue to enjoy baked goods while adhering strictly to your dietary principles. This homemade alternative is not only compliant but also guarantees a clean, grain-free product for all your paleo baking needs. For an in-depth guide on homemade baking powders, you can visit resources like Bake It Paleo.

Frequently Asked Questions

Commercial baking powder is generally not compliant because it typically contains cornstarch, a grain-based ingredient that is excluded from the paleo diet. Some brands also contain aluminum compounds, which many paleo followers prefer to avoid.

No, baking soda is not a direct substitute for baking powder. Baking soda is a base and requires an acidic ingredient to activate, while baking powder contains both a base and an acid. Substituting one for the other can lead to poor leavening and a dense texture in your baked goods.

Not necessarily. While some paleo followers choose to avoid aluminum, the main concern with commercial baking powder is the inclusion of cornstarch. Many aluminum-free brands still use cornstarch, so it is essential to check the ingredients list to ensure it's also grain-free.

To make paleo baking powder, simply combine two parts cream of tartar with one part baking soda and one part arrowroot or tapioca starch. Whisk the ingredients together well and store them in an airtight container for use in your paleo recipes.

Arrowroot flour or tapioca starch are the best paleo-compliant starches to use in homemade baking powder. They serve the same purpose as cornstarch—absorbing moisture and preventing clumping—but are derived from paleo-approved sources.

For best results, homemade paleo baking powder should be used immediately after mixing. It is single-acting and can lose its potency over time. For this reason, it's best to prepare small batches as needed for baking.

Yes, some paleo recipes suggest using potato starch as a substitute for cornstarch in homemade baking powder. However, it's less common than arrowroot or tapioca, and you should ensure it is a plain, paleo-compliant variety.