20+ well-tested sourdough recipes ranging in skill level and spanning all meals (yes, even dessert!). Includes recipes for using up sourdough discard and active sourdough starter.
Tried & True Sourdough Recipes
Since creating my sourdough starter years ago (RIP Scotty Sr.), I’ve taken a deep dive into the world of baking with sourdough. From fluffy muffins to chewy, restaurant-worthy pizza crust, my list of sourdough recipes has evolved into quite the collection (and I have even more I haven’t shared yet!).
I know not everyone has hopped on the sourdough bandwagon yet, but for those of you who have, this post is meant to be a resource for you! Whether you’re itching to try something new with your trusty starter or want to repurpose your sourdough discard instead of tossing it, you’ll find everything you need here!
My top recommended sourdough recipe here today is my sourdough starter recipe. It’s the foundation of all of today’s recipes (even the sourdough discard recipes!), so it’s essential that you get it right. I have a detailed tutorial on how to make it and maintain it, but if you have more questions, check out my secondary guide on the care and keeping of your sourdough starter.
If you already have an established starter, there’s no need to start over and make a new one. In that case, I’d recommend my sourdough chocolate chip cookies or sourdough donuts–both are incredible and can be found below!
First Thing’s First: Sourdough Starter
A great place to start (pun intended!). If you don’t already have an active starter on hand, this recipe will guide you through the process of growing, feeding, and maintaining one.
Sourdough Recipes With Active Sourdough Starter
1. Sourdough Bread
Low-maintenance and perfect for sandwiches, homemade croutons, or as bread cubes for stuffing! My recipe is beginner-friendly and highly rated.
2. Sourdough Pizza Crust
We use this for everything from buffalo chicken pizza to garlic knots. It’s incredible!
3. Sourdough Dinner Rolls
The sourdough version of my make-ahead dinner rolls, these are so soft and fluffy.
4. Sourdough Soft Pretzels
These aren’t your average soft pretzels! The sourdough flavor shines through, and I include instructions to make them with or without a lye bath.
5. Sourdough English Muffins
Classic English muffins are great, but ferment them with sourdough and they’re fantastic!
6. Sourdough Donuts
Ready for the most incredible homemade donuts you’ve ever tried? Perfect texture, flavor, and rise!
7. Cheddar Jalapeno Sourdough Bread
Can you imagine the grilled cheeses made with this bread?! Sublime.
Sourdough Recipes That Use Sourdough Discard
Discard is the part of your sourdough starter that is usually, well, discarded each day. Instead of tossing it in the trash, use it to make one of my favorite sourdough discard recipes:
8. Sourdough Chocolate Cake
One of my all-time favorite sourdough recipes! This one takes its cues from my classic chocolate cake, but the flavor is even more complex and delicious.
9. Sourdough Chocolate Chip Cookies
One of my most raved about recipes. “Amazing! Best chocolate chip cookies I’ve ever had. Browning the butter is key!”
10. Sourdough Blueberry Muffins
Another fan favorite among my sourdough recipes! If you’ve tried my classic blueberry muffins, you’ll love this sourdough version.
11. Sourdough Banana Bread
One of my go-to sourdough recipes for using up sourdough discard! This is very similar to my popular banana bread recipe.
12. Sourdough Oatmeal Cookies
If you like my classic oatmeal cookies, you’ll love this sourdough version.
13. Sourdough Brownies
“These are by far the best brownies I’ve ever made! They are fudgy and delicious. I’m new to sourdough and I’ve just started baking with my discard. The recipe was really easy to follow and they turned out perfect.”
14. Sourdough Peanut Butter Cookies
Soft and chewy, these peanut butter cookies are a hit with everyone who tries them!
15. Sourdough Crackers
Feel free to get creative with the seasoning here–everything bagel seasoning or taco seasoning would be tasty!
16. Sourdough Pancakes
“Best pancakes ever!! I’m not really a big fan of them typically…but these are so fluffy and tasty and even better made with sourdough!!! Everyone in my family raved about them!”
Sourdough Recipes With either Discard or Active Starter
These recipes work no matter what stage your starter is in:
17. Sourdough Pie Crust
Perfect for any of my pie recipes! It’s also makes an incredible chicken pot pie.
18. Sourdough Biscuits
It’s hard to beat my classic homemade biscuits, but these sourdough biscuits might just take the prize.
19. Sourdough Scones
These can be transformed into your favorite flavor; we especially like lemon poppy seed scones and chocolate chip scones!
20. Sourdough Chocolate Chip Muffins
I’ve got a thing for bakery-style muffins, and this recipe fits the bill!
21. Sourdough Banana Muffins
I’m a bit of a banana muffin expert, so you can expect great things from this recipe!
22. Chocolate Sourdough Muffins
My double chocolate muffins inspired this super tender and chocolatey recipe.
Frequently Asked Questions
While there are certainly some health benefits of sourdough, sourdough cookies, cakes, and muffins are still cookies, cakes, and muffins. Sourdough or not, we can probably agree they should still be consumed in moderation as part of a balanced diet.
Many of my sourdough discard recipes like my sourdough cookies, sourdough muffins, sourdough scones or biscuits, sourdough brownies, sourdough chocolate cake, sourdough banana bread, and sourdough pancakes are all beginner-friendly.
Any recipe that uses active starter and requires a rise or streching/folding is usually a bit more complicated (but still doable if you follow my instructions!).
Generally yes, though you may have some extra lift from the active sourdough starter that you wouldn’t get from the discard, so keep that in mind. When doing this, it’s best to weigh the sourdough with a scale rather than using a measuring cup to make surer you use theh proper amount (if you don’t have a scale, stir the starter down before using).
Conversely, sourdough discard cannot be swapped for active starter unless are using supplemental yeast in the recipe OR if you reactivate your discard by taking some time to feed it. There are some exceptions to this depending on the recipe and the age of the starter you got your discard from, but generally, you don’t want to swap sourdough discard in for starter in sourdough recipes.
Love baking with sourdough? I’ll keep updating this list as I add more sourdough recipes to my collection. Save this post so you can come back to it!
Also, if there’s a sourdough recipe that isn’t in this list you’d like to see from me, please leave me a comment below. I love reader requests!
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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