◆Cooking Reference Wiki
🌾

Best Substitutes for Yeast (active dry) — What to Use Instead

Must Knowflour sub
🔄

Instant (rapid-rise) Yeast: 1:1 (skip proofing step) — Most common swap. Add directly to dry ingredients — no proofing needed. Slightly faster rise.

Baking Powder: 1 tsp baking powder per 1/4 tsp yeast (for quick breads) — For non-yeasted quick breads only. Different texture — no fermentation flavor.

Overview

Top substitute for yeast (active dry): Instant (rapid-rise) Yeast (1:1 (skip proofing step)). Most common swap. Add directly to dry ingredients — no proofing needed. Slightly faster rise. Plus 3 more alternatives.

Key Details

  • Instant (rapid-rise) Yeast: 1:1 (skip proofing step) — Most common swap. Add directly to dry ingredients — no proofing needed. Slightly faster rise.
  • Baking Powder: 1 tsp baking powder per 1/4 tsp yeast (for quick breads) — For non-yeasted quick breads only. Different texture — no fermentation flavor.
  • Sourdough Starter: 1 cup active starter per 1 packet yeast (reduce flour/water in recipe) — Natural leavening. Slower rise (4-12 hours). Adds tangy, complex flavor.
  • Fresh (cake) Yeast: 1 cake (0.6 oz) per 1 packet (2.25 tsp) active dry — Dissolve in warm liquid. Highly perishable — refrigerate and use within 2 weeks.

Why This Matters

  • Yeast (active dry) may need substituting due to dietary restrictions
  • Running out of an ingredient mid-recipe is common
  • Allergies or preferences may require alternatives

How To

  1. 1Best overall substitute: Instant (rapid-rise) Yeast at 1:1 (skip proofing step)
  2. 2Consider what role the ingredient plays in the recipe
  3. 3Test substitutes in small batches first
  4. 4Adjust other ingredients as noted for best results

Tags

substitutesflour-subyeast-active-dryingredient-swapcooking-tips

Related Items

potassium-bicarbonate-instead-of-baking-sodapsyllium-husk-powder-instead-of-xanthan-gumbaking-powder-instead-of-baking-sodabaking-soda-lemon-juice-instead-of-baking-powdercake-flour-baking-powder-salt-instead-of-self-rising-flour-make-your-own

More in Flour Sub

substitute-for-all-purpose-flourBest Substitutes for All-Purpose Flour — What to Use Instead
Must Know
almond-flour-instead-of-all-purpose-flourCan I Use Almond Flour Instead of All-Purpose Flour?
Useful
oat-flour-instead-of-all-purpose-flourCan I Use Oat Flour Instead of All-Purpose Flour?
Useful
coconut-flour-instead-of-all-purpose-flourCan I Use Coconut Flour Instead of All-Purpose Flour?
Useful
substitute-for-bread-flourBest Substitutes for Bread Flour — What to Use Instead
Useful
substitute-for-cake-flourBest Substitutes for Cake Flour — What to Use Instead
Must Know

Frequently Asked Questions

The best substitute is Instant (rapid-rise) Yeast at 1:1 (skip proofing step). Most common swap. Add directly to dry ingredients — no proofing needed. Slightly faster rise.