Substitutions

What can I use instead of instant yeast?

Q: Can I use active dry yeast instead of instant yeast?

1 tsp instant yeast = 1 1/4 tsp active dry yeast. Active dry carries fewer live cells per spoonful, so it takes about 25% more to match — the reverse of the instant-for-active conversion. Rises a little more slowly. Add roughly 15 minutes to the expected proof.

Q: Can I use fresh yeast instead of instant yeast?

1 tsp instant yeast = 9 g fresh cake yeast. Fresh yeast is largely water, so it takes roughly three times the weight of instant to deliver the same active culture.

Finely milled yeast with a higher live-cell count than active dry, formulated to be mixed straight into flour without proofing.

What it does in a recipe: Fast biological leavening with no dissolving step. Pick the swap that covers that job — the ratios below are written so you can act on them without doing any arithmetic.

Also called: Rapid-rise yeast, Bread machine yeast

2substitutes

2close matches

Baking staplescategory

Quick answer

Active dry yeast

1 tsp instant yeast = 1 1/4 tsp active dry yeast

All substitutes, best first

2 ways to replace instant yeast

Active dry yeast

Closest match

1 tsp instant yeast = 1 1/4 tsp active dry yeast

Active dry carries fewer live cells per spoonful, so it takes about 25% more to match — the reverse of the instant-for-active conversion.

MethodDissolve it in some of the recipe's warm liquid with a pinch of sugar and wait for it to foam before mixing, rather than adding it dry.

Trade-offRises a little more slowly. Add roughly 15 minutes to the expected proof.

BakingVeganVegetarianGluten-freeDairy-freeEgg-freeNut-freeSoy-free

Fresh yeast

Closest match

1 tsp instant yeast = 9 g fresh cake yeast

Fresh yeast is largely water, so it takes roughly three times the weight of instant to deliver the same active culture.

MethodDissolve in warm liquid first.

BakingVeganVegetarianGluten-freeDairy-freeEgg-freeNut-freeSoy-free

At a glance

Instant yeast in summary

Category	Baking staples
Job in a recipe	Fast biological leavening with no dissolving step
Suits	Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-free, Dairy-free, Egg-free, Nut-free, Soy-free
Swaps available for	Dairy-free Egg-free Gluten-free Nut-free Soy-free Vegan Vegetarian
Number of substitutes	2

More baking staples

Active dry yeast3 substitutes Baking powder3 substitutes Baking soda3 substitutes Cocoa powder (natural)3 substitutes Dutch-process cocoa powder2 substitutes Espresso powder2 substitutes

Cooking around an allergy? Diet tags here describe the ingredient itself, not any particular brand. Processed products change formulation without notice and shared production lines are common, so read the label on everything you use. A severe allergy is a medical matter — confirm with the manufacturer or your clinician rather than relying on a substitution chart.