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I love baking with sourdough, but feeding my starter means I often end up with extra discard. Instead of throwing it away, I’ve found lots of tasty ways to use it. Sourdough discard can add great flavor and texture to many recipes beyond just bread.
From pancakes to crackers to cakes, there are so many options for using sourdough discard. I’m excited to share some of my favorite easy recipes that help reduce waste and make delicious treats.
These recipes are simple enough for bakers of all skill levels to try.
1. Sourdough Pancakes
I love making sourdough pancakes with my leftover starter. They’re fluffy, tangy, and so easy to whip up. I mix the discard with flour, milk, eggs, and a bit of sugar. Then I cook them on a hot griddle until golden brown.
Get the sourdough pancake recipe.
2. Discard Crackers
I love making discarded crackers. They’re crispy, tangy, and easy to prepare. I mix sourdough discard with flour, oil, and seasonings. Then I roll out the dough, cut it into shapes, and bake until golden.
These crackers are perfect for snacking or serving with dips. I can customize the flavors to my liking. They’re a tasty way to use up extra starters.
Get the discarded crackers recipe.
3. Sourdough Pizza Crust
I love making pizza crust with my sourdough discard. It’s super easy and tastes amazing. I just mix my discard with olive oil, flour, and salt. No kneading or rising is needed!
The crust comes out chewy and flavorful. I can add any toppings I want. It’s a great way to use up an extra starter.
Get the pizza sourdough crust recipe.
4. Banana Sourdough Muffins
I love making banana sourdough muffins with my leftover starter. They’re easy to whip up and taste great. The sourdough adds a nice tang that goes well with the sweet bananas.
To make them, I mix ripe bananas, sugar, eggs, and sourdough discard. Then I fold in flour and other dry ingredients. I bake them until golden brown.
Get the banana sourdough muffins recipe.
5. Sourdough English Muffins
I love making sourdough English muffins with my discard. They’re soft, fluffy, and easy to prepare. I mix the ingredients in a bowl, let the dough rest, then shape and cook the muffins on a griddle. They turn out perfect every time.
Get the sourdough English muffins recipe.
6. Discard Flatbreads
I love making flatbreads with my sourdough discard. They’re quick and easy – ready in just 15 minutes. I mix and discard with flour, salt, and a bit of oil. Then I cook them in a hot pan.
They taste great plain or with toppings. I often add herbs or everything bagel seasoning. These flatbreads are perfect for pizza bases or wraps too.
Get the sourdough discard flatbread recipe.
7. Sourdough Waffles
I love making sourdough waffles with my leftover discard. They’re quick and easy to whip up in just 10 minutes.
The waffles come out crispy on the outside and fluffy inside. They have a subtle tangy flavor from the sourdough.
I often make a big batch and freeze extras for busy mornings. They reheat well in the toaster.
Get the sourdough waffles recipe.
8. Rustic Sourdough Scones
I love making rustic sourdough scones with my extra starter. They’re quick and easy, taking just 30 minutes from start to finish.
These scones turn out tender and flavorful, with a slight tang from the sourdough. I often add mix-ins like dried fruit or chocolate chips for variety.
Get the rustic sourdough scones recipe.
9. Sourdough Banana Bread
I love making sourdough banana bread with my leftover starter. It’s quick and easy to prepare, taking only about 10 minutes.
This recipe uses overripe bananas and sourdough discard. The result is a moist, flavorful bread with a subtle tang from the sourdough.
Get the Sourdough Banana Bread recipe.
10. Cheese and Chive Biscuits
I love making these tasty cheese and chive biscuits with my sourdough discard. They’re quick and easy to whip up in under 30 minutes.
The biscuits come out flaky and fluffy, packed with cheddar cheese and fresh chive flavor. I mix the discard with flour, butter, and buttermilk to create a tender dough.
Get the Cheese and Chive Biscuits recipe.
11. Blueberry Sourdough Coffee Cake
I love making blueberry sourdough coffee cake with my extra starter. It’s a tasty way to use up discard.
The cake is moist and bursting with juicy blueberries. A cinnamon-sugar crumb topping adds a nice crunch.
It’s perfect for breakfast or brunch. I like to bake it in a cast iron skillet for crispy edges.
Get the Blueberry Sourdough Coffee Cake recipe.
12. Savory Discard Scones
I love making savory scones with my sourdough discard. They’re quick, easy, and so tasty. I mix in herbs, cheese, and sometimes bits of bacon for extra flavor.
These scones are great for breakfast or as a side with soup. I find they have a nice tangy taste from the discard.
Get the sourdough discard scones recipe.
13. Sourdough Discard Crepes
I love making sourdough discard crepes. They’re thin, delicate pancakes with a subtle tangy flavor.
I mix sourdough discard with milk, eggs, melted butter, and a pinch of salt. Then I cook the batter in a hot pan until golden.
These crepes work great with sweet or savory fillings. I often serve them with fruit, whipped cream, or cheese and ham.
Get the sourdough discard crepes recipe.
14. Sourdough Discard Pretzels
I love making sourdough discard pretzels. They’re quick, easy, and tasty. I use my leftover starter to create soft, chewy pretzels with a golden crust.
These pretzels are perfect for snacking or as an appetizer. I can shape them into traditional twists or bite-sized pieces.
Get the sourdough discard pretzels recipe.
15. Sourdough Focaccia
I love making sourdough focaccia with my discard. It’s a quick and easy way to use up an extra starter. The bread turns out chewy and flavorful, with a crispy crust from baking in olive oil.
I top mine with herbs and sea salt before baking. It’s great for dipping or sandwiches.
Get the sourdough focaccia recipe.
16. Sourdough Discard Dumplings
I love making sourdough discard dumplings. They’re a tasty way to use up extra starters.
These dumplings are soft and tangy. I drop them into soups or stews for a filling meal.
They’re quick to make with just a few ingredients. Flour, discard, and seasonings are all I need.
Get the sourdough dumplings recipe.
17. Cinnamon Sugar Twist Bread
I love making cinnamon sugar twist bread with my sourdough discard. It’s a tasty treat that’s perfect for breakfast or brunch.
The bread is soft and fluffy, with swirls of cinnamon sugar throughout. I let the dough rise overnight, then shape and bake it fresh in the morning.
