When you are getting ready to make some sourdough bread, don't throw out your sourdough discard! These sourdough discard recipes all make amazing use of your leftover starter! From muffins, to pasta, to quick breads, to pita bread, this is the ultimate guide to sourdough discard recipes!
Baking with your leftover sourdough starter is a great way to reduce waste but also to add a lot of flavor and rise to your baked goods. This list has a great recipe that is ready for anyone to put their starter to good use!
What is Sourdough Discard?
Sourdough discard is the portion of sourdough starter that you are not feeding. When you are "feeding" your starter to make bread with, you add equal parts flour, water, and starter to a mason jar and let it rise.
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! If you are new to sourdough, be sure to check out how to keep a sourdough starter post all about how to keep your sourdough starter happy.
Sourdough Starter vs. Sourdough Discard
Active sourdough starter has been fed with water and flour and is bubbly and active. The wild yeast has formed and is ready to make a loaf of bread rise. You do not need any other leavening agents when you use active sourdough starter.
Sourdough discard is the portion of your starter that you are not feeding. The unfed sourdough starter should be kept in an airtight container or a large mason jar.
How Long Can You Keep Sourdough Discard?
You can keep your sourdough starter at room temperature on the counter for a day or two, and then you either need to feed it, or keep it in a mason jar in the refrigerator. Once it is in the refrigerator, you can keep it for weeks. There will likely be a thin layer of liquid on the top of the sourdough starter after a few weeks, and that is ok. Just drain the liquid and continue to keep it in the refrigerator.
FAQs
I like King Arthur unbleached all purpose flour or bread flour. You want a high quality flour for best results.
Yes! If there is mold growing on the sourdough starter, throw it out and start again.
What Can You Make With Sourdough Starter?
You can add sourdough starter to most of your baked goods. It can be added to any delicious dessert and add a little bit of tang and a little more rise. Here are some of the best ways to add part of your starter to some delicious baked goods!
- Sourdough Pizza Crust
- Sourdough Pie Crust
- Cheesy Sourdough Discard Crackers
- Lemon and Poppy seed Sourdough Muffins
- Blueberry Sourdough Muffins
- Sourdough Snickerdoodles
55 Amazing Sourdough Discard Recipes
Decadent Sourdough Blondies
Full of chocolate chips and a great use for your sourdough discard, these Sourdough Blondies are so easy and so decadent!
Chewy Sourdough Peanut Butter Cookies
Chewy and full of peanut butter flavor, these Sourdough Peanut Butter Cookies are the perfect use for leftover sourdough discard!
Bakery Style Sourdough Blueberry Muffins
Bursting with sweet blueberries, these Sourdough Blueberry Muffins are the perfect use for that leftover sourdough discard! Make a big batch on the weekend and enjoy them throughout the week!
Classic Sourdough Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
A delicious way to use your sourdough discard, these Sourdough Oatmeal Raisin Cookies are sweet, chewy, and so easy to make! If you have some extra sourdough starter in your fridge, make cookies!
Simple Sourdough Zucchini Bread
When Summer comes around and zucchini is abundant, put it to good use in this simple Sourdough Zucchini Bread recipe! Loaded with warm spices, sourdough discard, and ripe zucchini, you can't beat this zucchini bread!
Soft Sourdough Pumpkin Spice Cookies
When Autumn comes around, there's nothing quite like enjoying soft Sourdough Pumpkin Cookies. Melt in your mouth and full of Fall spices, these cookies are a must make when the air starts to get crisp!
Perfect Cut Out Sourdough Sugar Cookies
Soft and sweet, these soft Sourdough Sugar Cookies are easy to make and perfect to cut with your favorite cookie cutters! Don't waste your sourdough starter discard, make sugar cookies with it!
Soft Sourdough Snickerdoodles
Soft and full of cinnamon and sugar, these Sourdough Snickerdoodles are they perfect way to use some of your sourdough discard. No need to chill the dough either, these cookies are ready in less than an hour!
Brown Butter Sourdough Chocolate Chip Cookies
Chewy, chocolatey, and a great use for your leftover sourdough starter, these Brown Butter Sourdough Chocolate Chip Cookies are so delicious! These cookies have crisp edges and the brown butter give them a caramel nuttiness that is hard to resist!
Skillet Sourdough Discard Cornbread
When soup season comes around, it's time to make this Sourdough Discard Cornbread recipe to serve with it! Light, fluffy, and a great use for your leftover sourdough starter, this recipe is a keeper throughout the year!
Simple Sourdough Pie Crust
Your sourdough starter is the secret ingredient to making the most delicious Sourdough Pie Crust for all your pies! This recipe makes two pie crusts, perfect for an apple pie or your favorite savory pies!
Easy Sourdough Gingerbread Cookies
A classic cookie during the holidays, these Sourdough Gingerbread Cookies are the perfect cookie for cookie cutters. It's also a great use for the sourdough starter you have left in the refrigerator!
One Bowl Sourdough Discard Irish Soda Bread
When March comes around, it's time to make Sourdough Irish Soda Bread! It's simple to make, and a great way to use your leftover sourdough starter! Serve this bread with delicious Irish butter and a green beer on St. Patrick's Day!
Tangy Sourdough Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins
Full of zesty lemon and crunchy poppy seeds, these Sourdough Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins are the perfect muffin to make! It's also a great use for your sourdough starter that is hanging out in your refrigerator!
Easy Sourdough Discard Bread (No-Knead!)
When you are looking for a crusty loaf of sourdough bread but don't want to wait forever, this Sourdough Discard Bread is for you! It's ready in just a few hours and so easy to make!
Light and Crisp Sourdough Waffles
These Light and Crisp Sourdough Waffles are another great way to use up some extra sourdough discard. They are light and airy on the inside while also being crisp and golden on the outside.
Sourdough Lime Drizzle Cake
If you are a fan of a lemon drizzle cake, try our double twist on the British family favourite – a Sourdough Lime Drizzle Cake! A brilliantly zingy cake that makes great use of sourdough discard.
The BEST Sourdough Corn Muffins
A great way to use up some extra sourdough discard you have, these sourdough corn muffins are fluffy, sweet, and so easy to make! Bake up a big batch of these on the weekend and enjoy them throughout the week!
Sourdough Discard Pita Bread Recipe
This sourdough discard pita bread recipe is so easy to make and requires just a few basic ingredients that you probably already have on hand.
Sourdough Chocolate Chip Muffins
Moist, tender, and full of chocolate chips, Sourdough Chocolate Chip Muffins are a great way to use up the extra sourdough starter you have in the refrigerator.
Sourdough Pasta
Homemade sourdough pasta is incredible. The tang of the sourdough starter discard adds a depth of flavor that the average noodle can't match!
Simple Sourdough Discard Pancakes
Light and fluffy, sourdough discard pancakes are a great way to use your extra sourdough starter. You won't go back to the boxed pancake mix after you've had homemade pancakes with sourdough!
Easy Whole Wheat Vegan Sourdough Banana Bread
This easy whole wheat vegan sourdough banana bread is an upgrade to your regular banana bread. Imagine a banana bread having a crispy finish outside yet, soft, moist and delicious inside with a taste of cinnamon flavor too.
Fruit & Seed Sourdough Crackers
Double-baked, crunchy, generously studded with seeds and dried fruit, these crackers are both luxurious and humble. Using leftover sourdough discard and any chewy dried fruit you have in your cupboard, you will make your very own Fruit & Seed Sourdough Crackers to serve with your cheeseboard!
Sourdough Discard Dutch Baby or German Pancake
This Sourdough Discard Dutch Baby or German Pancake has a crispy outer crust and a soft custardy middle with a slight sourdough tang.
Cheese Crackers- Using Sourdough Discard!
Cheesy, crispy, and a great way to use up that extra sourdough discard, these sourdough discard cheese crackers are full of flavor and easy to make! You won't go back to the store bought stuff after you make your own at home!
Easy Sourdough Chocolate Banana Bread
This easy sourdough chocolate banana bread is a great way to use up ripe bananas, sourdough discard, and get your chocolate fix.
Sourdough Apple Cider Donuts (Baked!)
Ready in 15 minutes, Sourdough Apple Cider Donuts scream Fall! They are full of cinnamon, brown sugar, and fresh apple cider! These donuts will transport you to the apple orchard without leaving your home!
Lavender Sourdough Discard Scones with Lemon Glaze
Lavender Sourdough Scones are easy to make and delicious! The floral lavender flavor and lemon glaze make them perfect for a party or an everyday treat! You can also make these Lavender scones without a sourdough starter and they are just as delicious!
Sourdough Discard Banana Muffins
Have some extra bananas laying around that are starting to go brown? No problem! These Sourdough Discard Banana Muffins are a perfect way to use up those bananas and some extra sourdough discard. Easy to make and delicious!
Rosemary Sourdough Crackers
These Rosemary Sourdough Crackers are a perfect way to use sourdough starter discard! A flavorful addition to charcuterie meat and cheese boards for party entertaining.
Baked Sourdough Donuts (3 Ways!)
Don't throw out that extra sourdough discard! ½ cup and 15 minutes will get you the most delicious and easy baked sourdough donuts! Top them with chocolate icing, roll them in powdered sugar, or cover them is spiced cinnamon sugar for an extra special treat!
Sourdough Brownies
Sourdough brownies are rich, fudgy and delicious! They are made with sourdough discard, 2 types of chocolate and 2 types of sugar for a totally indulgent treat!
Sourdough Discard Pizza Dough
When life hands you extra Sourdough discard, make pizza dough! This dough is light and airy but bakes up golden and crusty. You won't go back to store bought dough when you realize how delicious homemade dough is!
Overnight Sourdough Pancakes
Light and fluffy pancakes sweetened with a hint of honey, vanilla, and subtle sourdough tang. Topped with pure maple syrup- these pancakes are a true weekend treat! Perfect if you have sourdough discard needing to be used.
Sourdough Discard Scones
Tangy and moist, these Sourdough Discard Scones are another great way to use up some of your extra sourdough starter. You can use this base recipe to create dozens of different flavor combinations of these delicious scones!
Sourdough Tortillas
These sourdough tortillas are very simple to make and the perfect way to use your sourdough starter or discard.
Sourdough Lemon Ricotta Cookies
Sourdough Lemon Ricotta Cookies are soft, tender, and melt in your mouth amazing. Using ricotta and discard sourdough starter, results in ultramoist cake-like cookies with the perfect balance of sweet and tart.
Sourdough Crackers with Herbs and Olive Oil
Crisp and full of herbs, these sourdough crackers with herbs and olive oil are the perfect treat to add to your appetizer spread! Dip them in your favorite dip or eat them just like chips! They are easy to make and full of flavor!
Quick and Easy Sourdough Biscuits
These easy Sourdough Biscuits are flakey and buttery and made with sourdough discard. No reason to toss it, make biscuits!
Pumpkin Sourdough Muffins
Full of cozy Autumn flavors, these Pumpkin Sourdough Muffins are an easy, make ahead breakfast for a chilly, Fall morning. Moist and tender, serve them for breakfast with a big bowl of fruit, or have them as a snack to satisfy your mid day hunger!
Sourdough Cinnamon Rolls
Have you ever thought about what to do with your sourdough starter? Try these amazing sourdough starter cinnamon rolls! You will love them!
Long-fermented Sourdough Granola
Sourdough granola is a healthy alternative to the regular granola that is made by fermenting the oats. It is made with unfed or discard sourdough starter which is added to the oats and is fermented.
Sourdough Pumpkin Waffles
Full of warm Fall spices, these sourdough pumpkin waffles are a filling and cozy Saturday morning breakfast idea! Pumpkin spice, cinnamon, and pumpkin puree are added to these light and crispy waffles! A delicious breakfast to enjoy this Fall!
Peach Sourdough Muffins
These fresh peach muffins are perfect for breakfast or brunch! Tinged with the tangy flavor of sourdough and dotted with fresh peaches, quick and easy peach muffins make a great snack, too!
Cinnamon Sugar Sourdough Crackers
A sweet and crunchy snack, these Cinnamon Sugar Sourdough Crackers are ready in under an hour and are a great way to use extra sourdough starter!
Sourdough Pumpkin Pancakes
These sourdough pumpkin pancakes are a fluffy, delicious fall breakfast! They’re made with sourdough discard, milk kefir (or buttermilk), flour and pumpkin purée.
Apple Streusel Sourdough Muffins
Moist and full of apples, these Apple Streusel Sourdough Muffins are a delicious make ahead breakfast idea. Loaded with cinnamon, brown sugar, and homemade applesauce, these muffins are a perfect Fall breakfast!
Sourdough Chocolate Chip Cookies
Sourdough chocolate chip cookies are a delicious way to use discarded sourdough starter. Also a great way to reduce kitchen waste!
Sourdough Pumpkin Bread Recipe
This sourdough pumpkin bread with toasted pumpkin seeds is one of my favorite ways to use up leftover sourdough discard! It's soft, fluffy and has that slight tang from the sourdough starter! It comes together super easily in just one bowl!
Sourdough Discard Banana Bread
A great way to use up those brown bananas and leftover sourdough starter, this sourdough discard banana bread is light, fluffy, and so easy to make! Ready in an hour, this banana bread will become your new favorite recipe!
Everything Sourdough Crackers
Everything sourdough crackers are crunchy, flavorful, and seriously addictive! Once you whip up a batch of these homemade crackers, you’ll be craving them 24/7. Serve them up with slices of cheese or all on their own for the perfect savory snack!
3 Ingredient Sourdough Banana Pancakes
These easy sourdough banana pancakes are your 15 minute breakfast recipe for a busy morning! All you need is 3 simple ingredients and you get your delicious flavorful pancakes on the table for your family to enjoy.
Sourdough Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Muffins
These soft and moist sourdough chocolate chip pumpkin muffins are so good that you will want to make them over and over again to share with your friends and family! It is also a really easy way to use up your sourdough discard.
Did you love these sourdough starter discard recipes? Let me know!
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