These Light and Crisp Sourdough Waffles are a good use for your leftover sourdough starter. They are light and airy on the inside while also being crisp and golden on the outside.
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These easy sourdough waffles are so delicious to make on the weekend and then serve them throughout the week! Top them with your favorite toppings and enjoy a hearty, delicious breakfast any day of the week!
If you have some leftover sourdough starter, you will love these sourdough discard recipes!
- Banana Bread- with sourdough discard
- Sourdough Discard Cornbread
- Sourdough Pancakes
- Sourdough Discard Scones
- Sourdough Discard Pizza Dough
What is Sourdough Discard?
Sourdough starter discard is the portion of your sourdough starter that you are not feeding. When you are "feeding" your starter to make bread with, you feed it equal parts water, flour, and starter. You can't feed your entire starter, as it doubles and sometimes triples in size, and that's a lot of starter to have on hand! Keep your excess sourdough starter in a mason jar in the refrigerator. If you are new to sourdough, be sure to check out this post all about how to keep your sourdough starter happy.
What's in these Waffles?
Sourdough Starter- To make this recipe you'll need some unfed sourdough starter. That means when you are going to feed your starter, keep the extra to use in recipes like this.
Baking soda- Because the sourdough starter has some acid in it from the yeast and bacteria, the baking soda reacts to create the leavening agent in these waffles. Baking soda rises when it reacts with acid, baking powder rises when it is introduced to a liquid.
Butter- The butter is the necessary fat in this recipe. It helps to crisp up the outside while also keeping the inside light and fluffy.
Let's Make these Waffles!
Preheat your waffle maker according to manufacturers instructions.
In a medium bowl, mix together the all purpose flour, sugar, salt, and baking soda. Mix to combine and set that aside.
In a large bowl, mix together the milk, melted butter, and sourdough starter. Add the vanilla extract and eggs. Mix everything well to combine.
Spray your waffle iron. Add some waffle batter to the hot waffle iron and close it. Depending on the size of your waffle maker will depend how much batter you put in. I use ½ cup of batter to my waffle maker and it works perfectly. You might need to use the first waffle as a test waffle to see if you need more or less batter.
Storage Tips
- To make the batter ahead of time- Make the batter completely and place it in an airtight container. This will also let the batter ferment to give these waffles a more sour flavor.
- To make the waffles ahead of time- If you were going to make them ahead of time, but eat them the same day, simply make them as you normally would and reheat them in the oven at 300 degrees. You can hold them in that oven as well so they stay warm as people eat them.
- To freeze the waffles- You can make all the waffles and then wrap the leftover waffles in plastic wrap and aluminum foil once they come to room temperature. Place them in freezer bags and in the freezer for 3-4 months. When you are ready to use them, pop them right into the toaster or oven on a baking sheet in a single layer to crisp them up.
FAQ about these waffles
Yes! The starter will give the waffles a lighter texture and a little more rise that will likely not be very noticeable.
The possibilities are endless! Add blueberries in the summer, or chocolate chips any time of the year! Add pumpkin spice to the batter in the Fall and cinnamon in the winter. Top these waffles with fresh fruit, maple syrup, and lots of butter!
Sure! Use your favorite non dairy milk as a replacement and use coconut oil instead of butter. Both of those options are amazing and will result in perfect waffles!
Other Recipes to Try
Did you give this Sourdough Waffle Recipe a try? I’d love to hear from you! Give me a shout on Instagram or Facebook and let me know! Join our Facebook group all about sourdough!
- More Sourdough Recipes
- Salsa Verde Chicken Bake
- Sourdough Bread- In the Instant Pot
- Easy Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas
- Taco Stuffed Peppers
- Quinoa Stuffed Zucchini
📖 Recipe
Light and Crisp Sourdough Waffles
Ingredients
- 1 cup All Purpose Flour
- ½ teaspoon Baking Soda
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- 2 tablespoon Sugar
- 1 cup Sourdough Starter Active or unfed
- ¾ cup Milk 2% or whole milk
- 3 tablespoon Melted Butter
- 2 Large Eggs
- 2 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
Instructions
- Set up waffle iron according to manufacturers instructions.
- In a medium bowl mix the dry ingredients together. Set that aside.
- In another medium bowl, mix all the wet ingredients together. Mix well to make sure everything is thoroughly combined.
- Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix until just combined. Do not overmix. If there are some lumps still that is ok.
- Spray the waffle iron to make sure the waffles do not stick. Add enough batter to the waffle iron and cook according to your waffle irons instructions. Serve with maple syrup and butter if you wish. Enjoy!
Notes
- Depending on the size of your waffle iron will depend on how many waffles you will be able to make out of this batter.
- Whole milk, 2%, or your favorite non dairy milk will work in this recipe.
Kaity
The only waffle recipe we use in our house. I double the batch and freeze for quick breakfasts and my girls love them.
Patricia
A you long ferment these, if so, how long. Thank you
Lynn Polito
Sure! Mix the flour, starter, sugar, and milk together. Cover it and let it hang on the counter for up to 12 hours. Then you can add the rest of the ingredients in the morning, mix, and cook the waffles. Let me know how it comes out!
Sarah
I'm plant based would flax eggs work instead of eggs?
Lynn Polito
I haven't tried, but I don't see why it wouldn't work. Let me know how it goes!
VW
Turned out light, fluffy & tasty 😋
Lynn Polito
So happy you enjoyed them!
Kelly
How many waffle sets did this make for you?
Lynn Polito
I have a really larger waffle maker and it made 4 waffles.
Angela
Our waffle maker bit the dust while heating up to make these! We made pancakes instead and they were equally as delicious! Thank you for the recipe 🙂
Lynn Polito
Oh I love that idea! Thank you for making my recipe!
Christie
Huge family favorite here!!! I feed my starter all the time just so I have plenty of discard for these!!! 4 teenage boys in the house I quadruple this recipe and freeze for easy breakfasts!
Lynn Polito
I am so happy to hear that! Thank you for making my recipe!
Maggie
We loved these! I made a double batch to freeze for my girls to be able to make their own breakfasts some mornings. They think it’s such a treat!
Pat
We LOVE these and they are quick and easy. I used active starter because I needed to use some of what I had but also have plenty of discard and will use it next time.
Grace
Delicious!!! Perfect crispy outside and soft, airy center. So yummy and easy!
Lynn Polito
I am so happy you enjoyed it!
Margie
Family loves this recipe, I like it because it uses large amount of sour dough starter. I would double the salt though
Keith
This is becoming a Sunday morning tradition.
lynnswayoflife
I am so happy to hear that!
Alyssa
Just made these this morning, and all I can say is, "Wow!". They were so freaking good! I'm new to the world of sourdough and this is definitely gonna be a regularly used recipe.
Jackie
These waffles were delicious and fluffy without a strong sourdough taste. My husband asked me to save the recipe so I can make them again. This is a great way to use sourdough discard.
lynnswayoflife
I am so happy to hear that! Thanks for making my recipe!
Rebecca
Waffles are amazing!! The only recipe I use! Shared !
lynnswayoflife
So glad you enjoy them! Thanks for sharing!
Shannon
Family loved this! I was going to make them the night before and forgot to mix it and looked for a quick sourdough waffle recipe. I found yours! So good and so much quicker being able to make them the day of! This will be in our rotation for breakfast! Thanks!
lynnswayoflife
I love to hear that! Thank you so much for making my recipe! I'm so happy your family enjoyed them!
Joyce Slaymaker
They were delicious!! I will make them again.
lynnswayoflife
Thank you for making my recipe! I'm so glad you enjoyed them!