10+ Sourdough Discard Recipes to Use Up Your Starter Creatively

When you bake sourdough bread, you often end up with extra starter called discard. Instead of throwing it away, you can use this discard to make many tasty recipes.

Sourdough discard recipes help you reduce waste and enjoy delicious treats using what you already have.

Using your sourdough discard is simple and fun. You can make sweet or savory dishes that bring new flavors to your kitchen while saving money.

These recipes show you how to turn your discard into something special.

1) Sourdough Discard Pancakes

Make pancakes with your sourdough discard to avoid waste. These pancakes are light and fluffy with a mild tang from the starter.

Mix the discard with a few simple ingredients and cook them on a griddle. You can make the batter quickly or let it rest overnight for extra fluffiness.

These pancakes cook up golden brown and taste buttery and delicious. They are a simple breakfast that helps you use leftover sourdough starter.

Ingredients

• 1 cup sourdough discard
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup milk
• 1 large egg
• 2 tablespoons melted butter or oil

Cooking Instructions

1. In a large bowl, mix sourdough discard, flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
2. Add milk, egg, and melted butter. Stir until combined but don’t overmix.
3. Heat a non-stick griddle or pan over medium heat (about 350°F / 175°C).
4. Pour 1/4 cup batter for each pancake onto the griddle.
5. Cook until bubbles form on the surface, about 2-3 minutes.
6. Flip and cook another 2 minutes until golden brown.
7. Serve warm with your favorite toppings.

You can find more details on making these pancakes at Sugar Geek Show.

2) Sourdough Chocolate Chip Cookies

Use your sourdough discard to make soft, chewy chocolate chip cookies. These cookies have a nice tang from the sourdough that balances the sweetness.

They are thick and bakery-style, perfect for a homemade treat. Mix the discard with butter, sugar, eggs, and vanilla before adding flour and baking ingredients.

Brown butter adds a richer taste if you like. Drop spoonfuls of dough onto a baking sheet and bake until golden.

The cookies turn out chewy with gooey chocolate chips and a little crunch on the edges.

Ingredients

• 1 cup sourdough discard
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened or browned
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 ½ cups chocolate chips

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a bowl, beat butter with white and brown sugars until creamy.
3. Add eggs, sourdough discard, and vanilla; mix well.
4. In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
5. Gradually add dry ingredients to wet, mixing until just combined.
6. Stir in chocolate chips.
7. Drop dough by spoonfuls onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
8. Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges are golden.
9. Let cool for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack.

For a detailed recipe and tips, check sourdough chocolate chip cookies on Little Spoon Farm.

3) Sourdough Banana Bread

Sourdough banana bread is a tasty way to use your sourdough discard. It adds a mild tangy flavor while making your bread moist and soft.

You can easily make it with ripe bananas and common baking ingredients. Add nuts or lemon zest if you like a little extra flavor.

It’s a great treat for breakfast or a snack.

Ingredients

• 1 cup sourdough discard
• 3 ripe bananas, mashed
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup butter (softened)
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• Optional: 1/2 cup walnuts, chopped
• Optional: 1 teaspoon lemon zest

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Grease a loaf pan or line it with parchment paper.
3. In a bowl, mix mashed bananas, sourdough discard, eggs, butter, and brown sugar.
4. In another bowl, combine flour, baking soda, and salt.
5. Fold dry ingredients into wet until just mixed. Add nuts or zest if using.
6. Pour the batter into the pan and smooth the top.
7. Bake for 50-60 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.
8. Let cool before slicing. Enjoy!

4) Sourdough Pizza Crust

Make a simple pizza crust with sourdough discard for great flavor. This dough is chewy and flavorful and usually needs little to no kneading.

Mix discard with flour, water, salt, and a little olive oil. You don’t always need yeast since the discard has some natural leavening power.

Roll it out right away or let it rest briefly for better texture. Bake at 475°F (245°C) for a crisp outside and soft inside.

Add your favorite toppings after shaping the dough.

Ingredients

• 1 cup sourdough discard
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• ½ cup warm water
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• ½ teaspoon salt

Cooking Instructions

1. Mix all ingredients in a bowl until combined.
2. Shape the dough into a ball and flatten it on a floured surface.
3. Preheat oven to 475°F (245°C).
4. Place dough on a baking sheet or pizza stone.
5. Add toppings as you like.
6. Bake for 10–15 minutes until the crust is golden and toppings are cooked.

Try this easy sourdough pizza crust for your next pizza night. For more details, see this quick sourdough discard pizza dough recipe.

5) Sourdough Cinnamon Rolls

Make cinnamon rolls with your sourdough discard for a soft, slightly tangy dough. Inside, you’ll find swirls of cinnamon sugar that add sweetness and spice.

You can make these rolls quickly or let them rise overnight for more flavor. After baking, top them with a creamy icing.

These rolls are perfect for breakfast or a snack.

Ingredients

• 1 cup sourdough discard
• 1 cup warm milk
• 3 tablespoons sugar
• 3 tablespoons melted butter
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons cinnamon
• 1/4 cup softened butter (for filling)
• Icing: powdered sugar and milk

Cooking Instructions

1. Mix sourdough discard, warm milk, sugar, and melted butter.
2. Add flour, salt, and baking powder; knead into a soft dough.
3. Roll dough into a rectangle and spread softened butter on top.
4. Sprinkle brown sugar and cinnamon evenly over dough.
5. Roll tightly and cut into 12 slices.
6. Place rolls in a greased pan and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 25-30 minutes.
7. Mix powdered sugar with milk for icing and drizzle on warm rolls.

These instructions are based on the quick sourdough cinnamon roll recipes found at Farmhouse on Boone.

6) Sourdough Waffles

Make sourdough discard waffles for a light, fluffy breakfast with a slight tang. You can make these waffles quickly, often without waiting for extra rising time.

Add eggs, milk, and sugar to create a batter that cooks up crispy on the outside. These waffles are great for breakfast or brunch.

Top them with fruit, syrup, or your favorite spreads.

Ingredients

• 1 cup sourdough discard
• 1 cup milk
• 1 large egg
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 2 tablespoons oil or melted butter
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• Pinch of salt
• Optional: cinnamon or vanilla extract

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your waffle iron to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a bowl, mix sourdough discard, milk, egg, sugar, and oil.
3. Stir in baking powder, salt, and any optional spices.
4. Pour batter onto the hot waffle iron and cook until golden brown.
5. Remove waffles and serve warm with toppings you like.

For a quick recipe, see no wait sourdough waffles here.

7) Sourdough Pie Crust

Use your sourdough discard to make pie crust for a slight tangy flavor. The crust turns out flaky and buttery, perfect for sweet or savory pies.

You don’t need to wait for the dough to rise, which makes it quick and easy. Mix flour, butter, and your sourdough discard to create the dough.

This versatile crust works well for pies, galettes, and even pop tarts. It gives you a tender, flaky crust with a bit of character from the sourdough.

If you want to try it yourself, you can find a good detailed recipe for a sourdough pie crust here.

Ingredients

• 1 cup sourdough discard
• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter, diced
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1-2 tablespoons ice water (if needed)

Cooking Instructions

1. Combine flour and salt in a bowl.
2. Cut in cold butter until mixture looks crumbly.
3. Mix in sourdough discard until dough forms. Add ice water if too dry.
4. Shape dough into a disc, wrap, and chill for 30 minutes.
5. Roll out dough and fit into a pie dish.
6. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20-25 minutes, or until golden.

8) Sourdough Blondies

Sourdough blondies are a tasty way to use your sourdough discard. They blend the richness of butter and brown sugar with a little tang from the sourdough.

You get a chewy, gooey treat that’s easy to make. These blondies have a crackly top and a soft center.

You can add chocolate chips or toffee bits for extra flavor. Baking them is simple and quick.

Using sourdough discard adds a mild tang and helps reduce waste.

Ingredients

• 100g sourdough discard
• 1 cup (200g) light brown sugar
• 8 tablespoons (113g) butter, melted
• 1 cup (120g) all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup chocolate chips or toffee bits (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Mix melted butter and brown sugar until smooth.
3. Stir in sourdough discard until combined.
4. Add flour, baking powder, and salt. Mix well.
5. Fold in chocolate chips or toffee bits if using.
6. Pour batter into a greased 8×8 inch pan.
7. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until top is crackly.
8. Let cool before cutting into squares.

Try this sourdough blondies recipe for more ideas.

9) Sourdough Granola

You can make delicious granola using your sourdough discard. It adds a nice tang and helps reduce waste.

This granola is simple to prepare with oats, nuts, sweeteners like honey or maple syrup, and a bit of oil. Mix everything well, spread it on a baking sheet, and bake until golden and crunchy.

You can add dried fruit after baking for extra flavor. It’s great on yogurt or as a snack.

Ingredients:

• 1/3 cup (76g) sourdough discard
• 2 cups (180g) rolled oats
• 1/4 cup (60ml) maple syrup or honey
• 2 tbsp (27g) coconut oil or vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup (60g) mixed nuts
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon (optional)
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup dried fruit (optional, added after baking)

Cooking Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 325°F (163°C).
2. In a bowl, mix oats, nuts, cinnamon, and salt.
3. In another bowl, combine sourdough discard, maple syrup, oil, and vanilla.
4. Stir wet ingredients into dry ingredients until coated.
5. Spread mixture evenly on a lined baking sheet.
6. Bake for 20-25 minutes, stirring halfway.
7. Let cool completely, then add dried fruit if desired.
8. Store in an airtight container.

10) Sourdough Pretzels

Sourdough pretzels are a tasty way to use your sourdough discard. They are soft, chewy, and perfect for snacks or appetizers.

You can make pretzel bites by rolling the dough into ropes and cutting them into small pieces before baking. Your pretzels will have a nice golden crust when you briefly boil them in baking soda water.

This step creates the classic pretzel flavor and texture. After boiling, brush them with butter for extra softness.

You can enjoy these warm with mustard or cheese dip.

Ingredients

• 1 cup sourdough discard
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1 tsp yeast
• 3/4 cup warm water
• Baking soda (for boiling)
• Butter (for brushing)

Cooking Instructions

1. Mix sourdough discard, warm water, sugar, salt, yeast, and flour to form dough.

2. Let the dough rise for 1-2 hours until it looks slightly puffy.

3. Roll the dough into 24-inch ropes.

4. Cut the ropes into 1-inch pieces.

5. Boil the pieces in baking soda water for 30 seconds each.

6. Place them on a baking sheet.

7. Bake at 425°F (220°C) for 12-15 minutes.

8. Brush the baked pieces with melted butter before serving.

For more details, see recipes for Sourdough Discard Pretzel Bites.