Cost of ingredients stops Brits baking: Expert shares easy £1 food swaps so you can enjoy baking your favourite recipes for less

As a study finds costly ingredients are stopping Brits from baking, a leading baking expert has shared simple substitutes to keep costs down – from making your own self raising flour to using milk and yoghurt instead of eggs.

AO.com’s Kitchen Culture Index found Brits aren’t baking as much anymore, with pricey ingredients being the main reason Gen Z aren’t baking as often as their elders.

Despite 2024 marking the 15th series of The Great British Bake Off, new data shows that baking traditions in the UK are facing modern-day challenges. Rising food costs are causing a generational shift in baking habits, with only one in five Gen Zers (20%) baking regularly compared to one in three across the UK overall, according to a new survey commissioned by AO.com.  

Katy Roberts, Baking Appliance Expert at AO.com, shares that there are a number of simple ways Brits can get the cost of baking down even further.

1. Use bananas instead of eggs as a binding agent – save £1 per bake*

“Typical household leftovers, such as overripe bananas or stale bread can often find a home in baking. The internet and social media are your friends when it comes to finding recipes that help you use up unwanted leftovers!

“Our top tip is to use up bananas in baking, as they can act as a great, plant-based alternative to eggs, which are often quite expensive.

2. Buy baking staples in bulk 

“With baking, there’s lots of ingredients that crop up in multiple recipes, so investing in your staples is important. Buying flour, sugar and baking powder in bulk will save you having to make a new purchase every time and reduce costs – especially if you plan to bake regularly!

“We also advise starting with recipes and bakes that need key, versatile ingredients, such as butter or baking spread and vanilla extract, as this removes the need to buy specialised items which can increase costs – especially if you’re only experimenting!

3. Make your own self raising flour and binding agents – save £1-2 per bake*

“We also recommend some more quirky tips to keep costs down, such as making your own self raising flour. Just add two teaspoons of baking powder to every 150g of plain flour. It’s a simple and cheaper way to get the same result.

“You can also use water, a bit of diluted yoghurt or a plant based milk alternative for any cakes or bakes that call for milk – whichever is most cost-effective for you.”

4. Bake in batches

“If you’re going to the trouble of getting the scales out and switching the oven on, consider making the most of your oven’s head and freeze any extra portions. Or, if you don’t fancy baking in batches, think about when you’ll be using your oven or other appliance to cook a meal at the same temperature, and try to time your bakes so you’re getting the most of your energy expenditure.

5. Save 50% on your energy costs by baking with the right appliance 

“Our recent analysis revealed that air fryers are the most popular kitchen appliance in the UK, and these are often more energy efficient to run, using up to 50% less energy than a typical oven on average.

“Many people don’t realise that lots of cake recipes can be cooked in the air fryer, meaning you use less energy to make your favourite bakes.”

Katy concluded:

“Baking is a key part of British culture, connecting generations and communities. It shouldn’t be missed out on due to costs. With a few simple ingredients and tweaks, you can create something delicious without spending a fortune. We hope these tips inspire more people to bake, as it’s about more than cooking—it’s about preserving tradition and creating shared experiences.”

Which are the cheapest cakes to bake?

1. Battenberg Cake – £0.45 per portion – Recipe link
   Despite the 11 ingredients needed, this marzipan-covered cake is the cheapest on the list, costing just £0.45 per portion.
2. Lemon Drizzle Cake – £0.61 per portion – Recipe link
   This zesty favourite costs £6.05 to make, or £0.61 per slice, making ten slices of this refreshing treat.
3. Dundee Cake – £0.79 per portion – Recipe link
   For just £12.66, this traditional fruitcake yields 16 slices at £0.79 per portion and can be kept for longer than your average sponge.
4. Victoria Sponge Sandwich Cake – £0.94 per slice – Recipe link
   A UK staple, Brits can produce their own Vicky sponge for just £0.94 per slice using lots of baking stapes that can be reused for other recipes.
5. Madeira Cake – £0.98 per slice – Recipe link
   Simple but satisfying, this cake costs £7.83 to make, with each of its 8 slices coming in at just £0.98

For more information visit AO.com.