How To Test If Baking Soda or Baking Powder Is Expired

Baking soda and baking powder are both essential pantry staples for bakers. They have long shelf lives, but can they go bad? The answer is yes. Both baking soda and baking powder will eventually expire. You’ll know when they won’t give your baked goods the lift that they deserve.

You might ask yourself, “How can I tell if it’s still active before I ruin my next batch of muffins?” To find out if your baking soda or powder is still effective, follow the steps below.

• Baking soda: Add baking soda to hot water with vinegar. If it fizzes, it’s good!
• Baking powder: Add baking powder to hot water (no vinegar needed). Look for the fizz.

Baking soda and baking powder are essentially chemical leaveners that react to temperature and other ingredients, so you are testing to see if the chemicals are still active. If they don’t fizz or bubble when added to the water, or water and vinegar, then they won’t give your baked goods the lift or tender crumb needed. It’s best to toss them out.

This test will help you know if your baking soda or baking powder will help your cakes and muffins rise, or if you should go out and invest in a new package. It’s so easy to do and only takes a minute, so get testing!

• Baking powder or baking soda
• Measuring cup
• Hot tap water
• 1/4 teaspoon measuring spoon
• White or apple cider vinegar (if testing baking soda)

First, fill a measuring cup with 1/2 cup of hot tap water.

If testing baking powder, you do not need to add vinegar and you can skip this step. Baking soda, however, needs an acid to get a reaction, so add 1/4 teaspoon of a vinegar like white or apple cider vinegar to the water if you’re testing baking soda.

Add 1/4 teaspoon of the baking soda or baking powder.

After you add the baking soda or baking powder, look for an immediate bubbling or fizzing reaction. If it happens, your baking soda or baking powder is still good! If you see no bubbling, it’s time to get replacements.