10 sourdough discard recipes (2024)

If you find yourself short on supplies for another loaf, put your sourdough starter to work with our recipes and tips. Wondering what to do with your sourdough discard? Discover creative ways to use up starter leftovers with pancakes, crumpets, and more.

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Alternatively, consider packaging it up as a thoughtful gift for a friend, complete with a copy of our sourdough bread recipe.

See our sourdough recipes for more ideas, and read our guide on sourdough for a detailed overview.

What is sourdough discard?

As the name implies, sourdough discard refers to a portion of the sourdough starter that is set aside. This step is undertaken prior to feeding – adding fresh flour and water – to regulate its growth and rejuvenate the acidity levels.

Sourdough discard is a blend of flour and water – essential components in numerous baked goods. While it may not possess the activity necessary to leaven sourdough bread, it boasts versatility. If additional rising power is needed, baking powder can be added.

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Explore savoury options such as crumpets, pretzels and pizza dough. Indulge your sweet tooth with delights like pancakes, muffins and cakes.

Dive into our favourite sourdough discard recipes below.

10 ways to use up sourdough starter

1. Sourdough crumpets

Add your sourdough starter to crumpet batter for a super light and airy texture. Try using our crumpet recipe for a fluffy, golden brown result.

See our crumpet recipes for more inspiration.

2. Sourdough crackers

Mix starter excess with seeds and toasted, raw quinoa then pour onto a non-stick baking sheet. The mix should be the consistency of porridge. Spread evenly, sprinkle with salt and then bake at 200C/180C fan/gas 6 for 10-15 mins until browned and crisp. Cool and snap into pieces.

3. Sourdough pancakes

Add your starter leftovers into pancake batter for a tangy flavour and added fluffiness. Try our simple sourdough pancakes recipe to use up your discard and make a delicious breakfast treat.

Find heaps of pancake inspiration with our pancake recipes.

4. Sourdough pizza

Take your pizza to the next level by incorporating sourdough starter into the dough base. When pan-fried or baked, this results in a wonderfully crispy and chewy crust. Try our margarita-style sourdough pizza recipe and switch it up if you like with your own choice of toppings.

Discover more pizza recipes to bring a taste of Italy to your kitchen.

5. Sourdough scones

Mix your sourdough starter into a batch of scones for some added texture and flavour. It goes well with our easy fluffy scones or these savoury classic cheese scones.

Find more scones recipes perfect for any afternoon tea.

6. Sourdough focaccia

The act of making focaccia is often every bit as joyful as the eating, and comes as no exception to this sourdough version. The delightfully soft and squidgy dough is given its characteristic dimpled appearance by softly poking the surface with your fingers before baking. Make sure your starter is fully active for this – it should be bubbly and a teaspoon of it will be able to float in water.

Rustle up one of our rustic focaccia recipes.

7. Sourdough toad-in-the-hole

Take a classic childhood favourite to the next level with the addition of sourdough starter. The starter will ensure it rises and becomes super light. Try a classic toad-in-the-hole recipe or our luxurious easy cheesy mustard toad-in-the-hole with broccoli.

Find more family favourites with our toad-in-the-hole recipes.

8. Sourdough hot cross buns

Give this classic Easter bake a tangy flavour twist with your leftover starter. Although these sourdough hot cross buns take a little more effort in terms of stretching and proving the dough, they are well worth it for the end result. Reserve some of your starter to pipe the signature cross on each of the buns before baking. They are glorious served warm slathered with butter.

Try more of our hot cross bun recipes ready for Easter.

9. Dusting powder

10 sourdough discard recipes (8)

Use up your sourdough starter with this versatile dusting powder. Dry out the starter in a thin layer, then grind into a powder using a pestle and mortar. Use the powder to dust bread baskets or bread dough before scoring.

10. Sourdough cinnamon buns

These sourdough cinnamon buns are utterly irresistibly drizzled with a layer of creamy soft cheese icing. The subtle tang of sourdough starter forms a perfect balance to the characteristically sweet and sticky flavours in this Nordic bake.

Discover more of our cinnamon recipes for exciting new ways to use this storecupboard staple.

Enjoyed these suggestions? See more recipes and guides...

How to make sourdough bread
Best bread-making equipment
Sourdough recipes
Health benefits of sourdough
Bread recipes

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How will you use up your sourdough starter? Leave a comment below...

10 sourdough discard recipes (2024)

FAQs

Can you use 2 day old sourdough discard? ›

Can I Use 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. It's better to use "fresh" discard in a sweet sourdough discard recipe.

Can you use day 1 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.

How long is sourdough discard usable? ›

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.

Is eating sourdough discard healthy? ›

Sourdough discard is rich in probiotics, which can help promote a healthy gut microbiome and improve digestion. It's also a good source of fiber, which can help regulate blood sugar levels, lower cholesterol, and promote feelings of fullness.

Does sourdough discard still have health benefits? ›

I don't because I love using it in sourdough discard specific recipes. Does the discard still have health benefits? The discard itself does. But if you add it into a recipe, the recipe won't have those health benefits unless you give it a long time to ferment.

Can I feed my sourdough starter without discarding? ›

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.

Do you have to discard starter every time you feed it? ›

It would be best if you discarded some portion of your starter each time you feed it unless you want to continue to let it grow.

Does sourdough discard have to be active to use? ›

It can be at room temperature or come directly from the fridge. The texture is less bubbly (if bubbly at all) when compared to fluffy active starter. Sourdough discard is not active enough to make bread dough rise, and despite its name the “discard” does not have to be thrown away.

Can I use sourdough discard straight from the fridge? ›

Absolutely! A jar of sourdough discard serves as an insurance policy against starter death. If you have some discard on hand, remove a spoonful of it and feed it fresh flour and water in a clean jar. You should have a bubbly starter ready to bake with after a couple of feedings, depending on the discard's condition.

Should I stir my sourdough starter before feeding? ›

No you do not have to stir sourdough starter before you use it.

Can I refrigerate sourdough starter discard? ›

Store it for future baking: You can store sourdough discard in an airtight container in the refrigerator for future baking with sourdough discard recipes. When you're ready to use it, let the discard come to room temperature before using it to bake. I will keep sourdough discard in the fridge for about one week.

What can I do with day 3 sourdough discard? ›

Use your sourdough starter discard in sourdough pancakes, waffles, and banana bread.

When can I bake with my sourdough discard? ›

The longer the discard sits in your refrigerator, the more fermented and “sour” it gets. I don't like to use discard that is more than one week old in discard recipes . After about a week, the discard can become very sour and impact the flavor of the discard recipe.

Do you feed discard before putting in fridge? ›

After you use it, feed it, put it back in the fridge. Try that once or twice and see how your bread tastes. If you like it better, it's another way to go about things, otherwise, sticking with what works for you now is not a bad thing! I keep my discard in the refrigerator.

Can you freeze sourdough discard? ›

Can you freeze sourdough discard? Technically, yes. But for the best results, you are better off freezing an active and healthy sourdough starter. Because some of the yeast dies when frozen, you want the starter to have as much healthy yeast as possible prior to freezing.

Can you make more sourdough starter from discard? ›

Yes. Take a little bit of discard from your jar. Feed it as you would a sourdough starter. Continue this process for a couple of days until the starter is rising and falling predictably again.

Do you have to discard every time you feed sourdough? ›

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.

Can I put all my sourdough discard together? ›

Can you add sourdough discards together in the same jar? Yes you can add sourdough discards from different days together in the same jar. You just need to make sure you stir it well and you don't leave it sitting in the fridge for too long. Sourdough discard should be used within two weeks.

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