23 Easy Sourdough Discard Recipes (2024)

If you’re looking to reduce waste, these creative and easy sourdough discard recipes are here to help.

From cookies and biscuits to cake and muffins, you won’t be disappointed.

23 Easy Sourdough Discard Recipes (1)

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Fresh, homemade bread is one of my favorite things in life. Food waste, however, is not.

Luckily, sourdough has so many delightful applications.

So next time you feed your starter, be sure to save the excess and make something fun for breakfast, like pancakes or waffles.

Ready to get started? I know I am!

How to Use Sourdough Discard

1. Sourdough Oatmeal Cookies Recipe

Though these are great year-round, I think the thick oatmeal and slight tang of the starter make them ideal for a platter full of spiced winter cookies.

Be sure the starter is at room temperature to ensure your cookies turn out with a gorgeous cake-like texture.

And try to be patient. They need to be totally cool to glaze!

Once they’re cold, pour on the vanilla frosting and grab a glass of milk because these are fun to dunk.

2. Sourdough Biscuits

Flaky, buttery sourdough biscuits are perfect for a morning treat or warm afternoon delight.

Sour cream enhances the bite of the discard while the scallions add a fresh pop of oniony goodness.

If you don’t have sour cream, Greek yogurt or buttermilk will work just fine.

Also, be sure to use an unfed starter so these biscuits get the right rise.

When it comes to serving, you have so many tasty options. A slab of butter or sprinkle of cheddar cheese is a quick fix.

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Or they work great for your favorite breakfast sandwiches recipes. I like mine with eggs and bacon.

3. Sourdough Crescent Rolls

These tender crescent rolls will melt in your mouth! The inside is soft and chewy while the butter brushed outside has a subtle crunch.

I can gobble up a handful of these all by their lonesome.Of course, I wouldn’t say no to some fresh fruit jelly!

4. Sourdough Bread with Discard

Okay, I know this is probably a no-brainer, but it has to be said: the best thing you can make with sourdough discard is sourdough bread.

For the best results, you’ll want to use instant yeast and proof the dough with a final rise.

Like all sourdough bread, the longer you’ve had your initial starter, the better it gets.

5. Sourdough Pancakes

If you’ve never made sourdough pancakes before, prepare to be wowed. Trust me, these taste so much better than any boxed mix you get from the store.

Plus, you can have a sky-high, fluffy stack hot and ready in less than 30 minutes.

All you have to decide is if you want to top them with classic maple syrup and butter or use them as part of a savory breakfast feast.

6. Sourdough Chocolate Cake

Sourdough discard is your secret to turning a simple one-bowl chocolate cake into a decadent treat.

The discard adds a plush texture and keeps the cake from drying out. The flavor, however, is the best part!

To give you a sneak peek, there’s a ton of chocolate and even some brewed coffee in the mix.

7. Sourdough Discard Crackers

Sourdough discard crackers are the perfect little nibbles for munching.

They’re razor-thin and crisp, which is great for dipping or simply plopping into your mouth one by one.

What’s crazy is they have a pleasantly cheesy flavor, but it’s all from the discard.

8. Sourdough Blueberry Muffins

Everyone in my household loves it when I bake a batch of these scrumptious muffins.

The crumb topping is just like you’d expect from a coffee cake recipe, and it adds a sweet crunch too.

I tend to use fresh blueberries, but you can use frozen ones if that’s all you have. Just be sure they don’t defrost, otherwise, the juices will turn everything blue.

9. Sourdough Discard Waffles

Like pancakes, you can turn sourdough discard into a yummy batch of waffles. They have the perfect texture and buttery flavor.

This will use up a good amount of discard, making it a fantastic option if you’ve got a lot to spare.

10. Sourdough Discard Cinnamon Sugar Cake Donuts

I love tackling baking projects on the weekend when I have some spare time. If you do too, you’ll want to try this recipe.

Sourdough discard gives the donuts a cake-like consistency, which is scrumptiously paired with cinnamon and sugar.

These babies taste just like your favorite old-fashioned donut recipe, and they’re so tender, you don’t need any glaze.

11. Sourdough Soft Pretzels

I can’t resist the urge to sink my teeth into one of these warm, soft pretzels.

The dough will have to sit for a couple of days so prepare to wait. But I assure you, the final result is beyond worthy of a little patience.

Oh, and if you prefer your pretzels salted, use sea salt or kosher salt.

12. Sourdough Crumpets

So you’ve probably heard the phrase “tea and crumpets” before, but have you actually tried them? Well, now you’ve got the perfect chance.

These crumpets are both light and buttery which is the best of both worlds.

I like to serve these warm with a dollop of salted butter.

13. Cheesy Sourdough Popovers

Cheese and carbs are two of my favorite food groups. So you can imagine how ecstatic I am about these popovers!

Each delicious morsel is full of shredded cheese both inside and out.

Soft on the inside and crunchy on the outside, everything about these popovers is completely irresistible.

Better still, you probably already have all six ingredients on hand.

14. Ultimate Sourdough Banana Bread

I can’t believe I never thought about using a starter discard in banana bread until I came across this recipe.

Not only is it a terrific way to reduce food waste, but it’s a double whammy if you’ve got overripe bananas too.

The real question is: should you add nuts or chocolate? I think I’ll leave that up to you.

15. Sourdough Pizza Crust

Want to know my secret to the ultimate pizza crust? It’s this recipe.

The taste and texture are superior to anything you can make with a mere instant yeast packet or buy from the store.

Also, this is another recipe that uses up a good amount of stater, so double-check you have enough before you get your hopes up.

16. Sourdough Brownies

Now this one takes the cake! Or more appropriately – the brownies.

These brownies are super fudgy with a top-notch crackle on the top.They’re also crazy-rich and loaded with deep chocolatey goodness.

If you’re feeling extra indulgent, serve these warm with a scoop of homemade no-churn ice cream.

17. Sourdough Crepes

This recipe reminds me that I don’t make crepes enough. The airy texture is so heavenly and they’re great with sweet or savory toppings.

They’re also a fantastic way to use sourdough discard.

They do take some time to perfect, but it’s nothing any beginner can’t handle.

18. Sourdough Pumpkin Bread

Pumpkin bread lovers, you’re in for a real treat! This recipe has all the fall flavors you crave, plus a wonderfully moist and tender crumb.

And it’s got a little secret, aside from the discard.

There’s a hint of fresh orange juice in the mix to create a sensational flavor that’s unlike any sweet bread you’ve ever had.

19. Sourdough Naan

Be warned: this recipe will cause some serious naan cravings!

If you thought sourdough bread was good, just wait until you take a bite of this sourdough naan.

Don’t be alarmed when you make the dough and it’s a bit sticky at first. It’s supposed to be like this.

After a few hours of rising, you’ll be ready to roll out the dough and cook it on a hot skillet.

I suggest you use the proofing time to figure out what to serve these with.

I’d probably choose an effortless Indian dinner recipe. But naan can also be used in sandwiches or to make a super easy, cheesy flatbread.

20. Rustic Sourdough Pasta

The simplest step you can take to elevate your pasta is to use homemade noodles. And I’ve got just the recipe.

All you need is some sourdough discard, water, and flour.

If you want more of a sourdough flavor, let the pasta rest for a couple of hours before cutting the noodles.

A manual pasta maker will certainly come in handy, but you don’t necessarily need one. A sharp knife will do the trick.

21. Sourdough Sugar Cut Out Cookies

Next Christmas, put your discard to good use with a platter of these festive sweets.

These are super fun to make and the kids will love decorating them for the holidays.

Before starting, make sure your discard is at 100 percent hydration for the best results.

Oh, and pay attention to the butter. If you only have salted, you’ll want to adjust how much salt you add to the cookie dough.

22. Sourdough Discard Dumpling

When you have dumpling wrappers this good, it’s hard to go back to eating the frozen stuff.

The chewy texture is spot on and it only calls for three ingredients. That means you’re saving on food waste and cutting out any unwanted preservatives to boot.

23. Sourdough Granola

Did you know you can use sourdough discard to make granola? The discard acts as a binder to keep all the ingredients together.

Add some oats, honey, and coconut oil and you have one terrific base.

From there, add in some other fun things like dried fruit or nuts. You can even try using different extracts like almond or hazelnut.

Either way, this makes one fine breakfast to start your day off right.

23 Easy Sourdough Discard Recipes (2)

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If you’re looking to reduce waste, these creative and easy sourdough discard recipes are here to help. From cookies and biscuits to cake and muffins, you won’t be disappointed.

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23 Easy Sourdough Discard Recipes (3)

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23 Easy Sourdough Discard Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What to do with a lot of sourdough discard? ›

What to do with sourdough discard? Don't throw it away! Instead, use it to make delicious and nutritious treats like pancakes, waffles, muffins, and bread. Sourdough discard is a great source of natural yeast and flavor, and can add a unique tangy taste to your baked goods.

How long can you keep sourdough discard before using? ›

You can store mature sourdough discard in the refrigerator indefinitely. As long as there is no mold, it is good to use. It may develop a grayish liquid on top called “hooch” which can be poured off before use or stirred in. If you stir it in, the flavor will become more sour.

Can I use Day 4 sourdough discard? ›

Remember, you can't use the discard from your homemade sourdough starter for the first 7 days. You can use sourdough discard in all kinds of sourdough discard recipes, including these no wait sourdough recipes, overnight sourdough discard recipes and sourdough discard recipes that use up a lot of discard.

Do you discard sourdough every time you feed? ›

With each sourdough starter feeding, you'll be discarding some to avoid it from becoming overly acidic. Most will compost or trash this discard, but you can save it and use it in other recipes!

Can you use 2 day old sourdough discard? ›

You can use old sourdough discard if it's been stored in the fridge, however, you really want to use it up within a week - 2 weeks max.

Can you use day 1 sourdough discard? ›

I recommend keeping sourdough discard for about one week, but I do know others who keep it for much longer. After one week, there is a higher risk of mold or bad bacteria growing on the discard.

What happens if I forgot to discard the starter before feeding? ›

If you don't get rid of the excess, eventually you'll have more starter than your feedings can sustain. After a few days, your daily 1/4 cup flour and water won't be enough to sustain your entire jar of starter, and your starter will be slow and sluggish, not much better than discard itself.

Should sourdough starter jar be open or closed? ›

Should I Cover My Sourdough Starter Jar? I like to keep mine covered loosely to keep anything from falling inside the jar and the starter from drying out. The lid does not have to be airtight.

Does sourdough discard have health benefits? ›

Sourdough discard recipes not only reduce waste but also offer health benefits, making them a wonderful addition to a balanced diet. The fermentation process of the sourdough starter increases the availability of certain nutrients and can help improve digestion.

Can you make a new sourdough starter from Discard? ›

Can I use sourdough discard to make a new sourdough starter? Absolutely! You can take a portion of sourdough discard and add a few grams of flour and a few grams of water to create a healthy active sourdough starter. You may need to feed your revived starter a few more times before its ready to make bread.

What can I do with day 3 sourdough discard? ›

Sourdough discard works well in many baked goods that don't require lively yeast—flat foods like crackers, tortillas and pancakes. Or you can use it to flavor recipes that rely on leavening from other sources, such as active dry yeast, baking soda and baking powder.

What is the difference between sourdough discard and sourdough starter? ›

Only a small portion of the sourdough starter is reserved and fed during each feeding, the rest is referred to as discard, since typically it is thrown away. In efforts to reduce waste, discard is often collected from multiple feedings and stored in the fridge until enough is allotted to be used for discard recipes.

Should I keep my sourdough discard in the fridge? ›

Sourdough Discard is Best Stored in the Fridge

The cold temperature of the fridge also slows yeast activity so that the discard doesn't produce quite as much gas. But you'll still want a lid that lets air escape so those gasses don't build up over time!

Can I leave sourdough discard out overnight? ›

Room temperature sourdough discard should be used, refrigerated, or thrown away after 36-48 hours. Sourdough discard can be kept in the fridge for weeks, BUT it continues to get sourer as time passes.

Can you freeze sourdough discard to use later? ›

Freezing sourdough discard has some benefits that are different than freezing sourdough starter. Sometimes you want to have some discard on hand that has a mild flavor to add to your baked goods. Being able to freeze discard a day or two after it's been fed means that your discard will have a light tang.

Can I give away sourdough discard? ›

You can either split your starter into a new jar for your friend and feed both as normal ( about 100g of starter and 100g each of water and flour) or spilt some off and give them the discard to feed up. Generally, you don't need more than about 50g of starter to pass on to really get a new starter going.

Can you save sourdough discard to use later? ›

Room temperature sourdough discard should be used, refrigerated, or thrown away after 36-48 hours. Sourdough discard can be kept in the fridge for weeks, BUT it continues to get sourer as time passes.

Why do you throw away sourdough discard? ›

If you don't get rid of the excess, eventually you'll have more starter than your feedings can sustain. After a few days, your daily 1/4 cup flour and water won't be enough to sustain your entire jar of starter, and your starter will be slow and sluggish, not much better than discard itself.

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