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Home » Recipes » Recipe Roundups

By Kaleigh McMordie - June 22, 2020, Updated March 7, 2022

Delicious Recipes Using Sourdough Discard

delicious recipes using sourdough discard

Don't waste precious flour by throwing out your sourdough starter discard! Put it to good use with one of these delicious recipes using sourdough discard!

delicious recipes using sourdough discard

If you've recently ventured into the world of sourdough baking, you've probably noticed that you end up with a LOT of starter discard, or the portion that you pour off each time you feed your starter. It can feel like such a waste to throw out that much flour, especially when it's a little harder to come by lately. So instead of throwing out your sourdough starter discard, put it to good use by baking one of these delicious sourdough discard recipes!

Why These Recipes Work

Sourdough discard is just a mix of flour and water. So pretty much any baking recipe that calls for a mix of four and liquid can use sourdough starter discard as one of the ingredients. Most of these recipes don't require fed or active discard, so it doesn't act as the leavener. It's just a portion of the flour and liquid ingredients. Depending on how mature your starter is, the discard will give your baked goods a nice slight tang, but not overwhelming or super noticeable in most cases, since you don't have extended rise times to develop more sour flavor.

How To Save Sourdough Discard

To save my sourdough discard, I just pour it into a jar when I'm pouring it off of my starter at feeding time. I store it, sealed, in the refrigerator and keep adding to it until I have enough to use for a recipe. 

What Is That Liquid At The Top?

Just like sourdough starter, the discard may develop a liquid at the top. That liquid is called 'hooch' and it's a sign that the starter needs to be fed. But since you're not feeding the discard, you can ignore it, stir it back in, or pour it off the top. 

What If I Don't Have Enough Discard For The Recipe?

Most sourdough discard recipes are designed to use a lot of discard because you end up with a lot in the process of sourdough baking! But if you don't quite have enough to bake with, just mix equal weights of flour and water to make up the remaining portion of discard that you need for the recipe.

Delicious Recipes Using Sourdough Discard

overhead view of three sourdough waffle triangles on a white plate topped with berries and syrup with a gold fork beside them.

Whole Grain Sourdough Waffles

These light, crispy sourdough waffles made with sourdough starter discard are a delicious weekend breakfast or brunch that is perfect for using extra starter!

chocolate chip sourdough scones

Chocolate Chip Sourdough Scones

These delicious chocolate chip sourdough scones are tender and buttery on the inside and have crumbly, golden brown edges on the outside. You will fall in love instantly.

Leftover Sourdough Starter Muffins with Zucchini (made with spelt flour)

Leftover Sourdough Starter Zucchini Muffins

Do you have speckled bananas sitting on the counter? Do you have zucchini spilling out of your summer garden? And how about leftover sourdough starter you just really want to find a good use for? Together, these ingredients make some soft and fluffy muffins that tastes delicious. 

sourdough biscuits on a cooling rack.

Easy Sourdough Biscuits

Use your sourdough starter discard in these delicious, buttery sourdough biscuits. Nothing beats these easy homemade biscuits with a slight sourdough tang!

Piled up scones on a white cake stand with jar of rhubarb and strawberry compote. Teapot and milk jug in background.

Sourdough scones with rhubarb and strawberry compote 

Light and fluffy scones with a twist - using sourdough discard to add flavor.

A closeup photograph of a plate of sourdough blueberry muffins.

Sourdough Blueberry Muffins

These blueberry muffins are tender and moist with a thick crumb topping that is crunchy and delicious! They are perfect for breakfast, snack, or a dessert!

sourdough discard granola in a white bowl on top of a plate with granola clusters all around it.

Sourdough Discard Granola

Sourdough discard is the secret ingredient to creating chunky clusters in this tangy, lower sugar granola!

A stack of sourdough morning glory muffins on a platter.

Sourdough Morning Glory Muffins

These sourdough morning glory muffins have a long list of ingredients, but most, if not all, are basic pantry and kitchen staples! These are wonderful for meal prep!

Sourdough Banana Bread

Sourdough banana bread recipe is an easy and delicious way to use up a sourdough starter. Topped with cinnamon sugar, this would make a wonderful breakfast, snack, or dessert!

Whole Wheat Sourdough Pancakes

Overnight Whole Wheat Sourdough Pancakes

If you’re looking for more ways to spruce up your mornings while also putting your sourdough discard to good use, look no further than these overnight whole wheat sourdough pancakes!

Sourdough Discard Scallion Pancakes

These scallion pancakes are so easy to make and are incredibly delicious that you might find yourself feeding your starter more often just so you have a reason to eat them.

cinnamon rolls in a white baking dish with a black fork in the background.

Sourdough Discard Cinnamon Rolls

Soft, pillowy, whole wheat sourdough cinnamon rolls with sweet cinnamon filling and cream cheese frosting are a delicious morning breakfast. Make the dough the night before for easy work the next morning!

A slice of sourdough coffee cake on a plate with a fork.

Sourdough Coffee Cake

This sourdough coffee cake has a perfectly sweetened ribbon of cinnamon sugar between layers of moist vanilla cake. It's topped with a nutty pecan crumble that get's better with every bite!

Sourdough Blueberry Crumb Cake Squares on parchment.

Sourdough Blueberry Crumb Cake

This sourdough blueberry crumb cake is the perfect treat to make for breakfast, brunch or dessert! With an easy, make-ahead topping browned butter, and a rich sour cream base you will be coming back for more.

syrup being poured over a stack of sourdough discard pancakes on a white plate.

Sourdough Discard Pancakes

Sourdough pancakes are the best way to use sourdough starter discard! With whole grain flour and tangy sourdough discard, these one-bowl pancakes are healthy, delicious, and great for reducing food waste!

overhead view of sourdough banana bread in a loaf pan.

Sourdough Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

Don’t discard your extra sourdough starter! It makes a great addition to easy baking recipes, including this banana bread recipe.

Homemade sourdough cracker recipe with olive oil and herbs stacked in a bowl.

Sourdough Crackers with Olive Oil Herbs

These ultra-thin and crispy olive oil crackers, are seasoned with herbs and finished with sea salt. Enjoy them as an appetizer, snack, or a side with a sandwich!

sourdough cheese crackers in a white bowl.

Sourdough Cheese Crackers

If you love Cheez-Its or Cheese Nips, you’ll LOVE this homemade version. The sourdough adds depth to the cheese crackers, they're delicious. You can change up the flavors by using different spices, herbs, or changing the cheese.

close up of sourdough croissants

Easy Sourdough Croissants

Sourdough croissants are deliciously buttery and flaky. Making croissants with the sourdough starter does take some time, but after you feel so proud of the product!  

closeup of sourdough chocolate bundt cake with icing being drizzled over it.

Sourdough Discard Chocolate Bundt Cake

If you’re looking for the best sourdough discard chocolate cake recipe, this is it! There’s no better way to use sourdough discard.

Sourdough Popovers

These sourdough popovers are a perfect way to use your sourdough discard. The sourdough gives you a light and fluffy roll, just the perfect texture you would want. They are made with just a few simple ingredients, so they are wonderful to whip up and enjoy anytime! 

Sourdough Naan on a white plate with a linen towel underneath.

Sourdough Naan

This sourdough naan is surprisingly easy to make! They are quite satisfying to eat alongside a bowl of Indian curry. This naan is so flavorful and does not disappoint. 

sourdough discard pasta noodles uncooked.

Sourdough Discard Pasta

Just like baking bread, it can be intimidating to make fresh pasta. It seems really difficult until you try it yourself, then you will never want to eat the boxed stuff. The sourdough discard in this pasta adds so much flavor to any dish you eat this with.

A cooked sourdough pizza on a piece of parchment paper.

Sourdough Pizza Crust

Have you tried sourdough pizza crust? After you do, you won't want regular plain crusts anymore. This crust is crispy, chewy, and perfectly charrs on the top and bottom!

sourdough discard brownies with pecans and chocolate chips on top cut into squares.

Sourdough Discard Brownies

Add your sourdough discard to these brownies to make them ultra-tender with an irresistible tang. With pecans folded into the batter and sprinkled on top halfway through baking, the pecans add an addictive crunch and nuttiness to every bite. You’ll come for the sourdough but stay for the crunchy pecans!

overhead view of sourdough chocolate chip cookies on a cooking tray.

Sourdough Chocolate Chip Cookies

Add these sourdough chocolate chip cookies to your cookie rotation. Instead of plain chocolate chip cookies, use your sourdough discard for an extra depth of flavor. 

two dozen sourdough peanut butter cookies scattered on a grey striped tea towel

Sourdough Peanut Butter Cookies

These sourdough peanut butter cookies are a fun and delicious recipe to add to your cookie collection! You don't taste the sourdough in the cookies, but instead, it adds depth to the cookie. 

Cut Sourdough Chocolate Cake with Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting in a metal baking pan.

Sourdough Chocolate Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Next time you want chocolate cake, try this sourdough chocolate cake with cream cheese frosting. The sourdough adds to the flavor of the chocolate cake and has a delicious crunch from the pecans. 

« Orange Juice Strawberry Coconut Chia Pudding
Easy Grilled Chicken Fajitas »

About Kaleigh McMordie

Kaleigh McMordie, MCN, RDN, LD, is a Registered Dietitian and Licensed Dietitian in Abilene, Texas, as well as a member of the Baby Led Weaning Dietitians Network. Kaleigh can be found at kaleighmcmordie.com.

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