Cut down on waste and get creative with your sourdough rejects by trying out these inventive and simple recipe ideas. You’ll be thrilled to find that there are plenty of delicious options available, from sweet treats like cakes, biscuits, muffins, and cookies to savory dishes that will help you use up every last bit of your sourdough mixture without throwing anything away.
With a total of 26 simple and mouth-watering recipes to choose from, you’ll have no excuse not to give one (or two, or three…) a try the next time you have some leftover sourdough hanging around.
Sourdough Biscuits
Pleasing both young and old alike, sourdough biscuits make for a delightful warm afternoon treat or a satisfying morning indulgence. This is largely due to their flaky, buttery texture, which provides an irresistible contrast of flavors and sensations. The scallions add a pungent, oniony zing that complements the bold kick of the chilies perfectly, while the sour cream expertly intensifies their sharpness.
If you don’t have access to sour cream or prefer not to use it, you can easily substitute it with buttermilk or Greek yogurt – just ensure that you’re using an unfed starter to guarantee that these biscuits rise as they should.
Sourdough Oatmeal Cookies
Sourdough Discard Waffles
Hoping to reduce food waste in your kitchen? You can make delicious waffles out of leftover sourdough, which not only tastes buttery but also has the ideal texture. This clever alternative is perfect for those with a lot of surplus ingredients to utilize, and the best part is that you get to decide how to top these waffles – whether it’s leaving them plain or adding some crispy bacon, fresh fruit, or a drizzle of maple syrup.
Sourdough Crepes
Renowned for their versatility and delicate texture, these treats are equally impressive when paired with either savory or sweet toppings. Besides their excellent taste, they also boast a wonderfully light and airy feel. This recipe offers an innovative way to repurpose leftover sourdough, although it does require a bit more patience and practice to master the process, even for a beginner.
Discarded Sourdough Bread
Making the most of leftover sourdough is a challenge many bakers face. Fortunately, this recipe offers a convenient solution. It’s designed to utilize leftover starter, allowing you to whip up a new loaf without having to wait for the next batch. The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity and speed – it doesn’t require an active, bubbly starter to come together quickly. This results in soft, chewy, and delicious sourdough bread that can be easily sliced for sandwiches or served on its own.
Sourdough Banana Bread
Crafting a quick bread with leftover ingredients not only reduces food waste but also adds an unexpected twist of flavor. The incorporation of acidity from the leftovers beautifully counterbalances the natural sweetness of the honey and bananas, creating a delightful harmony of flavors. This ingenious method allows you to repurpose any extra starter, eliminating the need for it to go to waste. As a bonus, your bread will retain its freshness for an extended period, making it a win-win situation!
Sourdough Crumpets
Eagerly awaiting your morning coffee or afternoon tea time? You can make these delectably light and buttery sourdough crumpets in just 10 to 15 minutes, starting from scratch. This recipe is incredibly easy to follow, resulting in an unbeatable combination of texture and flavor. Once baked, you can top these crumpets with a generous helping of butter for the ultimate comfort food experience.
Sourdough Naan
With its roots in Indian cuisine, wonderful sourdough Naan is a traditional flatbread made from a combination of wheat, yogurt, milk, and a sourdough starter. This unique blend of ingredients gives the bread its distinctive flavor and texture. The dough is then finished with a sprinkle of nigella or garlic seeds, adding an extra layer of depth to each bite.
Sourdough Bagels
Discover a new way to repurpose leftovers with these simple yet delicious sourdough bagels that are easy to customize with your favorite toppings.
Sourdough Chocolate Cake
Flipping the traditional one-bowl chocolate cake on its head, sourdough discard brings an exciting twist. By incorporating this often-discarded ingredient, the cake achieves a sublime velvety texture while preventing it from drying out completely. Moreover, the most thrilling aspect of using sourdough discard is the profound impact it has on the flavor profile.
The addition of a set amount of coffee not only amplifies the chocolatey taste but also infuses an added layer of depth and richness to create an ultra-indulgent treat.
Sourdough Granola
Joining the discard with complementary ingredients is key to creating a cohesive and tasty mixture. A combination of coconut oil, oats, and honey forms a solid base that can be enhanced with various additions. Introducing elements like sliced almonds or dried fruit adds texture and depth, while experimenting with different extracts such as hazelnut or almond provides an extra layer of complexity. This blend makes for a nutritious breakfast option to kick-start your day on a positive note.
Sourdough Brownies
Making the ultimate sourdough brownies is easier than you think, thanks to this recipe. With thick, gooey centers and beautiful, crackly tops, they are sure to satisfy your sweet tooth. Not only do these brownies have a rich, fudgy texture, but using sourdough scrap also gives them a unique twist that will elevate your baking game. And the best part? You get to enjoy them fresh with a dollop of homemade ice cream for an extra-decadent treat if you’re in the mood.
Sourdough Pasta
Having only three ingredients – flour, water, and leftover sourdough – makes this recipe incredibly simple and convenient. If you prefer a stronger sourdough flavor in your pasta, let the dough sit for a few hours before slicing the noodles. While a mechanical pasta maker can be a great asset, it is not essential; a sharp knife will also suffice.
This versatile recipe allows you to create various types of pasta, including fettuccine and pappardelle, spaghetti, or lasagna sheets, as well as being ideal for making ravioli. Whether you’re a seasoned pasta maker or just starting out, this recipe is definitely worth trying.
Sourdough Crescent Rolls
Diving deeper into the characteristics of these sourdough crescent rolls, it becomes clear that their texture is a defining feature. The exterior has a light crunch that’s achieved through the process of butter-brushing, giving them a pleasant mouthfeel. In stark contrast, the interior remains soft and chewy, much like traditional sourdough bread. These basic sourdough crescent rolls are not only flaky but also buttery, making each bite a delight.
To enhance both speed and flavor, this recipe incorporates sourdough starter, which undoubtedly plays a significant role in shaping these rolls. It’s worth noting that the sole ingredient used is sourdough starter itself, indicating that patience is necessary due to the extended preparation time required for fermentation.
Sourdough Discard Dumpling
Surprisingly easy to make, DIY dumpling wrappers with a light tangy flavor for any filling of your choice can be prepared in under 3 hours using just 3 simple ingredients. This innovative approach is perfect for making the most of sourdough discard, adding an extra layer of creativity and deliciousness to this versatile ingredient.
Sourdough Blueberry Muffins
Zestfully adding texture and flavor to this coffee cake recipe are the crumb toppings, which provide a delightful crunch in every bite. Nevertheless, we recommend using fresh blueberries for optimal taste, but if that’s not possible, frozen blueberries can be used as a substitute – just be sure to handle them carefully so they don’t defrost and release their juices, which will stain everything with a blue hue.
Sourdough Garlic Bread Bites
Zeroing in on a delicious variation of traditional garlic bread, sourdough garlic bread bites emerge as a tantalizing alternative. Unlike their knotted counterparts, these bite-sized treats are remarkably straightforward to prepare and demand only a handful of ingredients. The addition of yeast to the sourdough discard proves to be a game-changer, promoting better rising and resulting in an irresistible flavor profile that will leave everyone craving more.
Sourdough Sugar Cut Out Cookies
Just like a festive holiday tradition, making these sugar cookies is sure to bring joy to the kids. It’s essential that your butter is at room temperature and thoroughly mixed with the other ingredients before commencing. Note also that if you’re using salted butter, adjust the amount of salt added to the dough accordingly. These cookies are not only a breeze to prepare, but they’re also ideal for decorating and cutting out intricate shapes without requiring any pre-baking chilling time.
Sourdough Discard Iced Buns
Ditch the complexity of traditional baking with these delightful sourdough discard iced buns that are surprisingly easy to make and impossible to resist. With their soft, cotton candy-like texture and a sweet glaze and sprinkles on top, they’re guaranteed to become an instant favorite among family and friends of all ages. Perfect for morning tea or any other occasion, these treats are sure to bring a smile to everyone’s face.
Sourdough Pancakes
Breaking the mold of store-bought mixes, making sourdough pancakes is an experience that will leave you astounded. The taste difference is remarkable, with these homemade pancakes outshining any box mix by a mile. Within a mere 30 minutes, you can craft a towering stack of hot, fluffy goodness that’s sure to impress. The real question is, how will you choose to serve them?
Will they be the crown jewel of a savory breakfast buffet or topped with traditional maple syrup and butter for a classic treat?
Sourdough Pumpkin Bread
Elevate your baking game this fall with a scrumptious pumpkin-shaped sourdough bread that’s as sweet as it is savory! This delectable treat has a subtle sweetness, a pleasant aroma from spices, and an irresistible flavor that will leave you wanting more. The recipe is not only easy to follow but also customizable to suit your taste buds by incorporating all your favorite spices.
Sourdough Pizza Crust
Creating the perfect pizza crust is a matter of technique, patience, and a touch of passion. The unique flavor and texture that results from this recipe far surpasses what can be achieved using instant yeast or store-bought ingredients. When paired with well-aged cheeses and bold toppings, sourdough’s open crumb and distinct hearty flavor create a culinary experience like no other.
Laura Hauser is a food writer and editor passionate about authentic, approachable home cooking.
