ByRachaelUpdated
If you have a sourdough starter, it’s inevitable that you’ll end up with extra discard. Use your leftover sourdough starter to make these easysourdough discard recipesand find a new family favorite!
For most sourdough bakers, we typically have a short handful of recipes we like to make with our excess starter. Personally, I really focused on that classic artisan-style sourdough bread. But, there are so many different ways to use your sourdough starter discard! These 40 recipes for sourdough discard will help you put that leftover starter to good use and try some new flavors while you’re at it!
Why you’ll love these sourdough discard recipes
- Delicious:Sourdough naturally adds a tangy flavor to recipes, which can really elevate the flavor of your favorite bakes.
- Reduce food waste:Your starter needs to be fed, so it’s natural to have excess sourdough starter laying around. Put it to good use with these sourdough recipes!
- More sourdough in your life:Isn’t this a good enough reason? I love the flavor of sourdough and it’s fun to infuse different recipes with this unique ingredient!
What is sourdough discard?
If you’re new to your sourdough journey, you’re probably still feeling a little confused about exactly what sourdough discard is. Your little jar of sourdough contains wild yeast, which must be fed. This typically looks like taking a small portion of the starter, then adding equal parts water and fresh flour.
The little yeasties in the unfed sourdough starter that you carried over will eat and digest the sugars from the flour. During that process, you’ll see the starter rise, doubling where it was when it began. When it’s fully doubled, this is called active starter. The active sourdough starter is usually what you use when you bake breads that need a robust, vigorous yeast.
After this peak, the starter will fall and collapse, becoming softer and looser. This is the discard. It isn’t quite as strong enough to make bread rise on its own but it is still full of a lovely tangy flavor and can be used in a wide variety of bakes!
Sourdough Discard Bread Recipes
Think you can’t bake homemade bread with discarded sourdough starter? Think again! Although you’ll usually need to add yeast, these faster bakes are a great way to serve more bread without the long wait times.
Honey Wheat Sourdough Bread
Milk Glass Home
After you bake this sourdough bread recipe you are going to want to make this all of the time! It has the best, light flavor and a perfect balance of whole wheat flour and all purpose flour. You can make an unforgettable sandwich with this slightly sweet bread!
Dutch Oven Sourdough Bread
In Fine Taste
This dutch oven bread is simple, yet so good! Pop this loaf into a dutch oven for a crusty, tangy bread that pairs well with so many meals. (This recipe calls for active starter but also includes instructions to use instant yeast so you can use your sourdough discard to make a crusty loaf of sourdough bread!)
Sourdough Olive Bread
Three Olives Branch
Make this olive bread with your sourdough for the best homemade loaf! This is unique and so delicious and surprisingly easy! You can either use discard or active starter for this loaf, too.
Sourdough Discard Soda Bread
Milk Glass Home
Make soda bread for your St. Patrick’s Day celebration with this 100% whole wheat version. Great with butter and a drizzle of honey!
Sourdough Discard Sandwich Loaf
Pantry Mama
Slice up a perfect loaf of fluffy white bread using your unfed sourdough starter or discard!
Rosemary Focaccia
Gastronotherapy
This rosemary focaccia is chewy and soft with a delicious complexity that I think you’ll love.
Jalapeno Cheddar Sourdough Bread
The Feathered Nester
Spice up your next batch of sourdough bread with this cheesy recipe. It adds jalapeno peppers with plenty of cheese mixed into a tangy loaf that goes well with chili, sandwiches, or enjoyed on its own with butter.
Best Sourdough Discard Recipes for Breakfast
Start your day off right with these creative sourdough discard breakfast recipes! From waffles to pancakes and more, these will make your Sunday brunch so much more fun.
Overnight Sourdough Waffles
House of Nash Eats
Let this waffle batter rest overnight for such a tasty treat in the morning. These crispy on the outside, and fluffy on the inside waffles make the ultimate hot breakfast!
Sourdough Discard Donuts
Season and Thyme
These donuts start with sourdough discard and end up as a better than the bakery option. Your family will love these for a weekend breakfast.
These breakfast bites are just the place to put your sourdough discard to work. Make a batch of these for a grab and go option that is even better than egg bites from Starbucks.
Sourdough Crepes
Barley and Sage
Crepes are always a welcome sight at breakfast or brunch. This recipe uses your discard to make a slightly tangy and totally delicious start to the day!
Sourdough Banana Pancakes
Sprig and Spoon
You are going to love the flavor of these sourdough discard pancakes that put brown bananas to work for a healthy breakfast.
Sourdough Discard Cinnamon Rolls
Little Spoon Farm
This crowd-favorite cinnamon roll recipe has such a delectable flavor. It is made with sourdough and plenty of cinnamon to make a flaky breakfast option that your family will love from the first smell!
Glazed Sourdough Donuts
Goodie Godmother
These glazed sourdough donuts are so soft and delicious. They have a slight tang to them with you are going to love, paired with the sweet glaze.
Chocolate Hazelnut Biscotti
Somebody Feed Seb
Add sourdough discard to a batch of nutty biscotti for the ultimate snack. These are yummy with coffee, or nibbled on with tea. They are also so chocolatey!
Baked Cinnamon Sugar Donuts
Homegrown Happiness
These donuts start with sourdough discard and are baked to perfection. Toss them in cinnamon sugar for a sweet start to the day.
Sourdough Bagels
Barley and Sage
This bagel recipe is so good! Make them with discard and then roll them in seeds, coat them in cheese, or add in your favorite fruits for the best homemade bagels!
Sourdough Ricotta Pancakes
Savor the Best
Make these ricotta pancakes with your discard for the best ever breakfast. These pancakes are so rich and tasty that you are going to want to save the recipe so you can make them every time you crave a stack of pancakes.
Sourdough Granola
The Gingered Whisk
Your starter is a great way to bind your granola ingredients together! Make a bunch and have breakfast ready togo.
Sourdough Maple Pecan Scones
Good to Gather
These scones are amazing. They have the best maple pecan flavor with a tasty tang from the addition of sourdough discard. Serve these for breakfast, brunch or as an afternoon pick-me-up.
Sourdough English Muffins
The Home Intent
This vegan muffin recipe is so tasty! Use your discard for homemade English muffins. You can enjoy them with butter and jam, use them as a mini pizza crust, or turn them into an epic homemade breakfast sandwich!
Sourdough Muffins & Quickbreads
These recipes typically use a portion of your starter and add baking soda or baking powder to help them rise without yeast. They’re perfect for a quick treat to serve as a snackor for company.
Sourdough Pumpkin Muffins
Milk Glass Home
Pumpkin muffins are always a good idea, but this recipe is so tender and soft! You are going to love these buttery muffins with breakfast or as dessert. They’re made with homemade pumpkin puree, too!
Sourdough Strawberry Muffins
Homegrown Happiness
With a fluffy berry-packed interior and a crumbly streusel topping on top, you’ll have a hard time eating just one of these!
Spiced Sourdough Banana Bread
Sourdough Brandon
Have you ever used discard in banana bread? This recipe is nothing short of yummy! Make it for breakfast, brunch or dessert.
Sourdough Banana Muffins
The Feathered Nester
Light and fluffy with rich banana flavor, these tender sourdough banana muffins are such a great snack!
Sourdough Corn Muffins
Little Home in the Making
If you want a muffin that is different and not overly sweet, check out this sourdough corn muffin recipe. It is easy, yummy and goes well with a variety of main courses.
Skillet Sourdough Cornbread
Milk Glass Home
Did you know you can make cornbread with your sourdough discard? This recipe is so tasty and so easy! Make a skillet to go with beans, chili, or anything you like!
Sourdough Cakes, Cookies, & Brownies
Looking for something a little sweeter? These cakes, cookies, and brownies all include sourdough discard, which adds a mild, tangy flavor that takes them to the next level!
Vegan Sourdough Chocolate Chip Cookies
Foragers of Happiness
These vegan sourdough chocolate chip cookies are sure to be a favorite. They have the best flavor and are so easy to make for an afternoon snack.
Sourdough Chocolate Cake
Milk and Pop
Put your discard to work in the most decadent way possible! This chocolate cake is easy to make and tastes like an absolute dream!
Sourdough Brownies
Growing Dawn
If you like brownies, you are going to LOVE this recipe that uses discard. It is delicious, decadent, and, best of all, easy!
Sourdough Coffee Cake
Two Pink Peonies
This sourdough coffee cake is so tasty! Make this to share after dinner, or serve this with weekend brunch for a sweet addition everyone will enjoy.
Old Fashioned Sourdough Apple Cake
The Feathered Nester
This apple cake has such a lovely flavor! It is simple, a great use of sourdough and packs the perfect fall flavor of apples into each bite.
Sourdough Red Velvet Cake
Baking With Butter
This sourdough cake is decadent, delicious and the perfect use for your discard. This recipe adds a depth that you can’t achieve with a box mix.
Sourdough Lemon Loaf
Two Pink Peonies
Make this sourdough lemon loaf for a light and lovely dessert. This is a tangy and sweet bread recipe that makes good use of discard.
Sourdough Blondies
Foragers of Happiness
Everyone loves a blondie! This recipe has a complex and wonderful flavor thanks to the addition of sourdough discard. You are going to love this very tasty treat.
Sourdough Rolls, Biscuits, & More
Whether you need something to hold your buger or sop up a bowl of soup, these recipes are sure to do the trick!
Pretzel Rolls
Art of Natural Living
Make these rolls for a pretzel bun option that puts discard to work in the best way! Pretzel rolls are great for burgers and sandwiches, or hollow out the interior and use as a bread bowl.
Sourdough Discard Dinner Rolls
Small Home Living
These tender dinner rolls come together so quickly thanks to a bread machine! Perfect for serving with a Sunday roast or holiday dinner.
Sourdough Ciabatta Rolls
Recipes Worth Repeating
These herby ciabatta rolls are so good! Pile meat and cheese on these rolls for sandwiches, or just dunk them in olive oil and enjoy!
Hamburger Buns
Bakers Table
This recipe makes the BEST buns! Sourdough discard adds a tangy flavor that is so much tastier than anything from the grocery store shelves!
Sourdough Naan Bread Recipe
The Gingered Whisk
These sourdough flatbreads are absolutely ideal to serve with curries or to make quick flatbread pizzas!
Sourdough Pizza Crust
Farmhouse on Boone
Make this super-quick 4 ingredient sourdough crust pizza for the best homemade pie! Add your favorite toppings and pile this crust high with cheese for a better-than-carry-out option.
Sourdough Pretzels
Eat the Love
Sourdough pretzels are such a treat! This recipe makes the best soft pretzels with simple ingredients. Dip them with mustard or in cheese for the best homemade snack.
Have a recipe you want to add?
Send us a message to add your sourdough discard recipe to the list. We prefer not to repeat different versions of the same general recipe and we like unusual recipes the best.
Sourdough Discard Cracker Recipes
Whip up a tray of homemade crackers to serve at your next party (or when you’re plopped on the couch watching re-runs of the Great British Bake-Off). They’re so crispy and crunchy!
Savory Sourdough Discard Crackers
An Off Grid Life
These crackers are sure to be your favorite snack! Use your discard and some seasonings for a homemade munchie that is so tasty!
Parmesan Crackers
Savor the Best
These parmesan crackers are so easy to make for a snack. They have a great tangy flavor with a yummy crunch. Munch on them or add them to soup if you like.
Raisin and Seed Sourdough Crackers
Homegrown Happiness
Make this seed and raisin cracker with your sourdough discard. This recipe is so delicious, and so much better than you are going to find at the grocery store.
Parmesan Herb Sourdough Crackers
Barley and Sage
Parmesan cheese, fresh herbs and sourdough discard make this cracker recipe a fast favorite for homemade snacks! Who knew that homemade crackers could be so easy to make?
Tips for Using Sourdough Discard
- Store your unfed starter in the fridge for up to 6-8 weeks at a time. Before you bake, take it out of the fridge and feed it 1-2 times before baking.
- Don’t worry about the black liquid on top of your unfed starter. That’s hooch and can either be stirred in or poured off.
- If you ever see any signs of mold, you need to toss your starter and starter over.
- Your starter should never smell sugary or super sweet. That’s a sign there is a different type of bacteria.
- You can easily dehydrate your sourdough starter to keep it on hand just in case you kill your other one.
- With a little care and regular feedings, sourdough can last for decades and decades!
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Related Recipes
If you loved scouring through these sourdough discard recipes, you might also enjoy these 70 Cozy Fall Desserts.
Since you have the patience to baby and care for a sourdough starter, you’d probably do great at fermenting or infusing! Try your hand at these special recipes:
- Lavender Liqueur
- Vanilla Infused Honey
- DIY Vanilla Extract
- Cardamom Extract
- Spicy Garlic Sauerkraut
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