If you’ve had a sourdough starter for any amount of time, you’ve reached a point we all experience…what do I do with all this sourdough discard? It seems so wasteful to simply throw it out, but you also can’t think of any way to use it all up! What’s the solution?
Sourdough discard recipes. Yes, there are indeed many recipes out there that use unfed sourdough…aka recipes that use up all that excess starter you want to utilize somehow! The internet is full of sourdough discard recipes, but I’d like to share my top 5 ways to put it to use!
With feeding a sourdough starter comes discard: excess sourdough starter. Wondering how you can use this discard up instead of simply throwing it out? Continue reading to learn about my top 5 favorite ways to utilize sourdough discard. I haven’t thrown away any excess starter since developing these recipes! Click the link to each one in order to find the full recipe.
How Can I Make My Own Sourdough Starter?
Interested in implementing sourdough into your kitchen? Here’s everything you need to know to get your sourdough starter going.
All it takes is flour, water, and about 7 days time.
I also answer a few of the most frequently asked questions about sourdough over here.
How is Sourdough Healthier than Regular Bread?
Read more in depth about the health benefits of sourdough here. I explain four reasons that sourdough is one of the healthiest breads you can consume, as well as describe how the fermentation process of sourdough works.
Pancakes and waffles are classic breakfast items, but not necessarily the healthiest choices. I set out to find a way to make this yummy staple a little healthier.
One way I achieved healthier pancake and waffle options was through the use of my Sourdough Starter. Learn all you need to know about getting your own starter going right here. These pancakes and waffles are also healthier because they are free from refined sugars. Sweetened with honey, maple syrup, or date syrup!
Looking for other healthy breakfast options? Check out my Sourdough Chocolate Chip Muffins, Rustic Granola, or. Each of the previous items is naturally sweetened, so you can feel better about serving them up first thing in the morning!
2. Blueberry or Chocolate Chip Muffins
I just love breakfast foods. Pancakes, Waffles, Homemade Granola, oatmeal, eggs, Sourdough Drop Biscuits, bacon…it may be one of my love languages.
Muffins are another one of those easy Saturday morning breakfast items in our household. They function as a dessert or a midday snack too (that is…if they last past breakfast).
Wouldn’t it be great if you could pack this not-normally-healthy breakfast item with lots of nutrients and minerals and make it easy for the body to digest?
Well, you can. Just make them sourdough. I love this recipe because it utilizes sourdough discard! Which means less effort thinking about when and if I fed my starter before mixing up the batter.
Around here, slow Saturday mornings often involve a hearty brunch. That almost always means eggs, potatoes, and some form of sourdough bread. We often rotate between sourdough pancakes, waffles, chocolate chip muffins, crepes, or biscuits. I love these bread items because they give us the health benefits of fermentation and they are all naturally sweetened with honey!
Our family went on a huge biscuits and gravy kick last year while we were spending more weekends at home than normal (story of everyone in 2020!), so I figured it was time to create a biscuit recipe that fit my health standards: long fermented and free from refined sugars.
Here’s what I came up with: a recipe that is easy to mix up, healthy for the whole family, delicious, and perfect for breakfast, lunch ,or dinner! Oh yeah, you’ll probably want to top them with some homemade butter too.
4. Pizza Crust
There are times when I don’t plan ahead, so long fermentation isn’t an option. No worries though! Sourdough pizza crust can also me made the same day you plan to serve it. The health benefits of long fermentation just won’t be as prevalent.
Once the dough is mixed up it doesn’t require all of the fussy kneading, making it pretty hands-off until dinner time.
Homemade pizza is usually a once-a-week treat around here, and this sourdough crust makes it that much more delicious!
5. Crackers
Crackers are one of the best ways to use up the over abundance of sourdough starter that happens from time to time. Plus they are quick and easy to make! They are a crunchy snack that everyone in the family will enjoy.
Looking for some other ideas for using up sourdough discard? Try my Sourdough Pancakes | Naturally Sweetened, Honey-Sweetened Sourdough Chocolate Chip Muffins, Sourdough Peanut Butter Crepes, Sourdough Pizza Crust, or Sourdough Drop Biscuits. Each of those recipes is quick to make and simply delicious!
Customize the seasoning of these crackers to your liking, serve with cheese, dip, salsa, hummus, etc. This will be the perfect addition to your next charcuterie board!
Disclaimer: these are extremely addicting, so you should probably make a big batch to satisfy everyone!
More on Sourdough
- Sourdough Cinnamon Rolls | Naturally Sweetened
- Sourdough Peanut Butter Swirl Brownies
- How & Why to Put a Sourdough Starter in the Fridge
- Sourdough Mistakes to Avoid
- How to Convert a Regular Recipe to Sourdough
- How to Start a Sourdough Starter