Looking for an easy recipe to use up that sourdough starter discard? Here are my absolute favorite quick and easy discard recipes. If you are new to sourdough and looking for more good recipes, check out my sourdough sandwich bread and sourdough cinnamon rolls.
When you’re starter is strong and you are feeding it on the regular, it can feel like such a waste to just dump tons of it out. I have searched through so many sourdough discard recipes to find the best and easiest ones to whip up on the fly with as few ingredients as possible.
They also happen to be LOVED by my kids. So that is a plus! None of these are my own recipes from start to finish, they are all adopted from my most loved blogs. I will add some of my tips and links to the original recipes in the headings.
1. Sourdough Starter Discard Pop Tart Recipe
Courtesy of Amy at Little Spoon Farm, this recipe does not disappoint.
This one is number one for a reason. IT IS THE BOMB.
Honestly they are so good I often omit the icing because they all get eaten before I can even make it!
What You’ll Love
- They can be made with the same-day sourdough starter discard or discard that has been sitting in the fridge for a week.
This is awesome because you can flex it to your schedule. And the result is the same amazing tasting sourdough discard pop tart.
- They are quick. Like 15 minutes to throw together.
- You don’t have to do it in one day. You can leave the dough in the fridge for up to 24 hours!
- They only require 6 ingredients.
Clutch. The fewer ingredients, the less stress and the simpler everything is.
- It’s a great way to use up that extra jam you have around the house.
My kids are not fans of blueberry jam, but people keep giving it to us. I put it in these and SURPRISE they’ll eat it!
Potential Changes
- Double or triple the recipe.
These are so good that they will fly off your counter in one hour if you’ve got kids.
There is a plan to freeze some, but they never seem to last long enough.
That’s it. Her recipe is so awesome, and I have no other changes!
2. Sourdough Starter Discard Tortillas Recipe
By Alexandracooks.com
I don’t know why, but these seemed very daunting to me at first. Just the idea of making my tortillas sounded like an all-day affair.
I’m not going to lie, these are not quick (unless you have 4 cast irons going at the same time).
BUT OH MY GOSH they are the absolute best tortillas and will be such a treat for you and your family.
What You’ll Love
- They can be mixed and cooked within the hour, or you can proof them in the fridge overnight. This is probably one of my favorite parts of a recipe because it allows more flexibilty with cooking.
- You don’t need a fancy tortilla press. While this is debatable that it would make it easier, it’s simply not necessary when you’re first starting out.
- They freeze very well.
Potential Changes
- I have let it ferment in the fridge overnight for more health benefits. This allows to the gluten to break down more so it is more easily digested.
3. Sourdough Starter Discard Pizza Crust Recipe
Also by Alexandracooks.com
So this one doesn’t technically fit in this list, BUT I needed to include it for reasons you will understand once you make it!
What You’ll Love
- It can be done with fed sourdough starter or sourdough discard. The recipe calls for fed starter. I will admit it is a puffier crust and less chewy this way.
However, you can totally do it with discard. Honestly it’s still pretty good if your discard is just a day or two old. I have done it with weeks old discard and it still produced pizza crust. Albeit a little bit chewy but still good in my book!
- The crust stays crispy and does not get slimy when you add the sauce. Just make sure you’re oven is piping hot.
- You can refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze for a month or more. I really enjoy this, as I’ve mentioned above. It makes everything easier knowing I don’t have to use it right away.
Potential Changes
- I do not do the stretch and folds. I’m sure this strengthens the dough and gives you even more of those airy pockets in the crust, but I simply don’t have time for it. I often do an autolyse (mix to shaggy dough, let rest for 30 min, and knead for a few minutes) just like with bread, and maybe one stretch and fold and call it.
- Preheat oven for only 15-30 minutes. An hour seems like a lot and if you have starving hungry kids like mine often are, you may not have this much time. I have had great results with a shorter preheat.
4. Sourdough Starter Discard Butter Cracker Recipe
By Little Spoon Farm
Finally, a cracker that is not rock hard. These are pretty awesome and something you need to try if you’re looking for a clean substitute for your Ritz addiction.
If you think the Ritz doesn’t need a substitution, just take a look at the ingredients one of these days, they are NOT the Ritz they made 30 years ago.
What You’ll LOVE
- Only 4 ingredients. That is just plain awesome.
- You already have all the ingredients in your kitchen, so no last-minute grocery run.
- This recipe can be done in under an hour OR you have the option of leaving it in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Potential Changes
- Add more salt or seasonings. I personally love flavored crackers. Options are endless but could include: rosemary, thyme, garlic, everything but the bagel, salt and pepper.
- If you have more discarding to use ,I would adjust the recipe as follows:
1 c discard
2 c flour
10 T butter melted
1.5 t salt (more or less for taste)
5. Sourdough Starter Discard Bread Recipe
Courtesy of the Pantry Mama
What You’ll LOVE
- This will come together in just a few hours rather than a few days. Easy to whip together before you head over to your friends house. Who doesn’t love a loaf of freshly baked bread!
- Similar to other recipes in this post, you have the option of putting the dough in the fridge to finish up whenever you’re ready.
Potential Changes
- I never use any type of flour other than all purpose or bread flour. You certainly can experiment but for the purposes of ease and quickness just stick with what you’ve got!
- The 45 minutes to an hour oven preheat is debatable. This really only matters if you are very picky about your crust. I have never had my crust not be crusty, and I’ve never preheated it for more than 15-30 minutes.
6. Sourdough Starter Discard Biscuit Recipe
By Heartbeet Kitchen
These are such a treat to throw together last minute as a dinner treat or to take somewhere. Prior to trying this, I was convinced a flaky biscuit only existed in the tube and had Pilsbury on the label.
What You’ll LOVE
- They taste amazing and you have all the ingredients on hand.
- You can throw them together in less than an hour.
Potential Changes
- Add the cheese as an additional ingredient.
7. Sourdough Starter Discard Picnic Recipe
By Sugar Geek Show
What You’ll LOVE
- These are the perfect psuedo pancake. They are kind of like a cross between a pancake and a crumpet.
- Very easy to throw together and adaptable with different seasonings, so they can be sweet or savory.
- Great go-to breakfast for kids.
Potential Changes
- Fry up multiple at the same time to save you time. A griddle would probably do wonders here.
8. Sourdough Starter Discard Flatbread Recipe
By Farmhouse on Boone
What You’ll Love
- Great for sandwiches or just dipping straight in that homemade hummus. Yumm!
- You can freeze them, just separate them with parchment paper.
- They can be whipped up in a few hours, or you can ferment them and do them the next day.
Potential Changes
- The recipe calls for milk, I always substitute almond mmilk and it turns out just fine. The only one that may compromise flavor is coconut milk.
- Cooking: cast iron MUST be hot, and you will need to do them one at a time. Unlesss, of course, you have a cast-iron griddle or multiple pans.
You could probably try this on a nonstick pan, I just haven’t yet. Let me know if you do!
9. Sourdough Starter Discard Crepe Recipe
By Farmhouse on Boone
What a great alternative to the same old eggs or pancakes for breakfast. I don’t know about you, but we alternate the two, and sometimes we’re all just plain tired of it and want something new.
What You’ll Love
- Only 5 basic ingredients
- Uses a full cup of sourdough starter discard, which is usually what I have left over after a feed.
- You can use either 1 day 1-day-old starter or up to a up-to-a-week-old old, both will work just fine! Just make sure the week-old starter has been kept in the fridge, otherwise, it is definitely no good for this.
- Great way to get your kids the egg protein without them eating a plain old egg.
- They freeze well, or you can keep them on the counter for up to 4 days in an airtight container.
Potential Changes
- I substitute almond or coconut milk for milk in this recipe and have no issues.
10. Sourdough Starter Discard English Muffin Recipe
By Farmhouse on Boone
The satisfaction you feel when you make something that seemed unmakeable. HAHAHAHA. Seriously, though, reproducing an English muffin seems like a very hard task, but it is possible.
What You’ll LOVE
- These are so delicious and also freeze very well. My kids love to top them with just butter or jam.
Potential Changes
- I have mistakenly left out the honey and salt added in after the ferment. They still turned out, but didn’t taste nearly as well.
- Optional baking soda: I never add this because I like to let them rise on their own, it really doesn’t take that long at all.
- Cook time is long. This is a little more time-consuming than the other recipes.
I find I can fit 4 muffins in my cast iron at a time, which means at 12-15 min per batch it takes about 45 minutes.
11. Sourdough Starter Discard Pancake Recipe
By Farmhouse on Boone
What You’ll LOVE
- So fast to throw together and no waiting on a rise or fermentation.
- They freeze so well. I often make a double or triple batch and freeze them for use during the week. It is so awesome to grab these from the freezer rather than that box of frozen waffles. They taste WAY better and not all of the yucky preservatives! My one-year-old loves these for breakfast or just a snack.
Tip for freezing: separate with parchment paper so they don’t stick together.
Potential Changes
- Substitute butter for coconut oil.
I am a fan of clean eating, but sometimes you just need to keep certain things where they belong and I’m sorry but butter belongs in pancakes.
