Find creative (and incredibly tasty!) ways to repurpose your sourdough discard with this collection of sourdough discard recipes! You’ll find everything from the most amazing sourdough cookies and cakes to the BEST biscuits of your life.
Sourdough Discard Recipes
Don’t let the name fool you; sourdough discard does NOT need to be discarded! Okay, yes, you do need to pour it off before feeding your starter, but don’t throw it away! Instead, stir it right into one of my many sourdough discard recipes. It still has some of the nutritional benefits, and even better, it can impart a wonderful flavor into some of your favorite foods.
If I had to pick just one recipe for you to try from this list, it would be my sourdough chocolate chip cookies. Chocolate chip cookies are kind of my thing around here (if you’ve tried my worst chocolate chip cookies or best chocolate chip cookie recipe, you’d know that!), and this recipe ranks right up at the top. I have had SO many reviewers tell me these cookies are the BEST cookies they’ve ever tried–I don’t think there’s much more I need to say than that!
1. Sourdough Chocolate Chip Cookies
“I’m a cookie snob and these are the best chocolate chip cookies I’ve ever had. They ruin every other cookie for me.” – Jessica
2. Sourdough Blueberry Muffins
I thought my blueberry muffin recipe couldn’t get any better, until I tried this sourdough version. This is one of my top sourdough discard recipes!
3. Sourdough Biscuits
This recipe takes a few notes from my incredibly popular homemade biscuits for buttery, fluffy results!
4. Sourdough Peanut Butter Cookies
“These cookies were a HUGE hit! They came together easily, baked exactly as expected, and were all but gone in a day.” – Barbara, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
5. Sourdough Chocolate Cake
This might just be the BEST chocolate cake you’ll ever try in your life–seriously! It’s fudgy, decadent, and absolutely one of my favorite sourdough discard recipes.
6. Sourdough Pumpkin Muffins
A fan favorite! Feel free to add a streusel topping, if you like.
7. Sourdough Scones
Feel free to customize these scones with your favorite fruit, nuts, chocolate, etc.
8. Sourdough Brownies
So simple, yet so gourmet! This will become your new go-to brownie recipe.
9. Sourdough Oatmeal Cookies
“Omg! This oatmeal recipe is the best sourdough discard recipe out there. I’ve made different batches some raisins and some with chocolate chips. They come out awesome every time.”
– Annie, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
10. Sourdough Pancakes
Much like buttermilk in buttermilk pancakes, sourdough discard adds a delightful tang to pancakes.
11. Sourdough Chocolate Chip Muffins
This recipe takes its cues from my bakery-style chocolate chip muffins. You’ll get the same fluffy texture!
12. Sourdough Waffles
Crisp and fluffy sourdough waffles are the perfect way to start your morning ☀️ This recipe has become a fast favorite in my house.
13. Sourdough Coffee Cake
Perfect for breakfast or dessert, this coffee cake recipe incorporates sourdough discard, and it has an incredible flavor as a result!
14. Sourdough Banana Bread
“Ooh, this was so yummy! It was easy to make and the result was a perfectly moist, delicious banana bread. This was the very first recipe I used my sourdough for and I loved it. Thank you!” – Faith, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
15. Chocolate Sourdough Muffins
Perfect for mornings when you need a little chocolate for breakfast 😉
16. Sourdough Pie Crust
This recipe can be used for sweet pies (like my easy apple pie) or savory pies, like my classic chicken pot pie.
17. Sourdough Banana Muffins
Fans of my popular banana muffin recipe will love this sourdough version. This is one of my go-to sourdough discard recipes!
18. Sourdough Crackers
“Baked these today for the first time, using a sprinkling of everything bagel seasoning in addition to the kosher salt. Absolutely fantastic! I’ve been looking for a homemade cracker recipe, and I think I’ve found it. Delicious with soups and salads.” – Tracey, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Frequently Asked Questions
No, in fact, if you keep it in the fridge it can last for weeks (I don’t personally use mine after a week). Keep in mind that as discard sits, it often becomes more thin and can have a stronger flavor. With some of my sourdough discard recipes I specifically recommend fresh discard, like my sourdough oatmeal cookies or sourdough peanut butter cookies.
If you’re still in the beginning stages of growing a new sourdough starter, remember that you shouldn’t use discard from a sourdough starter that is less than a week old (you do actually want to discard any discard prior to that point!). I talk more about this in my post on how to make a sourdough starter.
Sourdough discard still has many of the nutritional benefits of sourdough starter. Here’s a good resource on the health benefits of sourdough.
That being said, keep in mind many of these recipes are still desserts or indulgent breakfasts, so enjoy them in moderation as part of a balanced diet.
You sure can! Simply transfer it to a new clean jar and feed it like you would a sourdough starter. Within a few days it should start growing all the same. Pretty neat, right?
Pssst…this would make a wonderful homemade gift for the baker in your life (alongside a bottle of homemade vanilla extract!).
Looking for more? Click the link below for my full collection of sourdough recipes using both active starter (like my sourdough pizza crust!) and sourdough discard. The list just keeps growing!
Enjoy!
If you try any of these recipes, be sure to tag me on Instagram, and you can also find me on YouTube and Facebook
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