24 Easy Sourdough Discard Recipes
We’ve compiled a list of the best, easiest sourdough discard recipes readers love, both sweet and savory. Take a look and find your next favorite!
If you have a sourdough starter in your kitchen, you'll likely have sourdough discard leftover from time to time. Sourdough discard is the portion of the sourdough starter that is removed before feeding.
This discarded portion can be thrown away or used in a sourdough discard recipe to avoid wasting food.
Whether you're looking for a sweet or savory discard recipe, something for breakfast, or a delicious dessert, this list has it all!
Jump to:
1. Sourdough Pasta
Learn how to make easy homemade sourdough pasta and whole wheat sourdough pasta using minimal ingredients and without the need for special equipment
SEE THE RECIPE
Elise says
"Loved how this came together and now it's the only pasta my family wants to have! Simple, less finicky than I expected and fun to make!"
2. Sourdough Pizza Crust
This no-fuss sourdough pizza crust is crispy, chewy, and perfectly charred. With an easy overnight rise, it's ready to hold all your favorite toppings and bakes to perfection every time!
SEE THE RECIPE
Janet says
"Simply the best! Our go to pizza crust! I make ahead the crust and freeze. These are simple and delicious! Family preferred!"
3. Sourdough Chocolate Chip Cookies
Make bakery-style sourdough chocolate chip cookies with your sourdough discard! These soft, thick, and chewy cookies are loaded with chocolate chips in every bite and are so easy to make.
SEE THE RECIPE
Linda says
"Another home run! One of my family’s favorites! Between your pie crust, banana bread, and these cookies, I always have a use for my discard!"
4. Condensed Cream of Chicken Soup
This homemade Cream of Chicken Soup recipe, made with sourdough starter, is a perfect substitute for any recipe that calls for a can of cream of chicken soup. It's rich, creamy, and packed with flavor!
SEE THE RECIPE
Rosie says
"I don't think I would have ever thought to use starter to make roux. Absolutely love the idea. Your recipes are the best, thank you so much!"
5. Double Chocolate Sourdough Muffins
These double chocolate sourdough muffins are a chocolate lover's dream, made with sourdough starter discard and loaded with chocolate chips in every bite. They’re rich, moist, and melt-in-your-mouth delicious!
SEE THE RECIPE
Melissa says
"Hello Amy as soon as you posted this recipe well I decided to try them . The recipe is amazing and every one loved them. Ive tried many recipes in the last week and every single one of them was so delicious. I want to print out every recipe you have. I'll probably run out of ink!!! lol. Thank you for sharing your amazing recipes it makes me really happy to have found your website!!!!!"
6. Sourdough Discard Crackers
Sourdough discard crackers are irresistibly thin and crispy with a tangy sourdough flavor. After trying these, you’ll never want to toss your sourdough discard again!
SEE THE RECIPE
Catherine says
"These are absolutely delicious, endlessly variable, and incredibly easy to make! I like to sprinkle the dough with black sesame or poppy seeds before baking for some visual interest. I might try a sweet version with a cinnamon sugar topping next. Thank you for sharing this recipe; your site is truly inspiring."
7. Sourdough Waffles or Pancakes
This easy recipe makes light, fluffy sourdough pancakes or waffles—perfect for using up your sourdough discard!
SEE THE RECIPE
Zoe says
"This recipe makes the best pancakes ever! Super fluffy and soft pancakes for Saturday morning. I love this recipe! I did have to adjust the recipe a little to get the right consistency but it was no big deal."
8. Sourdough Pie Crust
Sourdough Pie Crust
This flaky, buttery sourdough pie crust is a great way to use up sourdough discard, perfect for sweet or savory pies.
SEE THE RECIPE
Carolyne says
"I love this pie crust recipe. It’s easy, consistently flaky and buttery, and the sourdough adds a good depth. Made savory pies with it tonight!"
9. Sourdough Blueberry Muffins
These sourdough blueberry muffins are tender, moist, and bakery-style, with a sweet, crunchy crumb topping that makes them completely irresistible!
SEE THE RECIPE
Cheryl says
"I made these for Christmas morning and the family loved them so much that they asked me to make the for New Year’s Day and then again for a birthday cake today!"
10. Sourdough Pop Tarts
Sourdough Pop Tarts are a breeze to make using sourdough pie crust. Fill them with your favorite fillings like strawberry jam or homemade Nutella, and finish with a sweet glaze!
SEE THE RECIPE
Peggy says
"Operating a B&B, I'm always on the lookout for new and unusual breakfast/brunch ideas, particularly if the recipe can incorporate some of my sourdough discard. This recipe is a keeper! Handy for the table, a solid thumbs up from kids (who don't even know or care they getting something healthier than other, processed, preservative-laden choices) and also perfect for "grab and go" breakfasts for guests in a hurry. These can double as dessert, too! So glad I found your site ... sourdough pie crust is chilling now to try this afternoon for an apple pie."
11. Hashbrown Casserole
An easy hashbrown casserole recipe that's made from scratch. Made with gooey cheddar cheese, sour cream, homemade cream of chicken soup made with sourdough starter, and tender potatoes all baked to golden perfection.
SEE THE RECIPE
Andrej says
"This is hands down the best hashbrown casserole I have ever tasted! It is so flavorful, I couldn't stop going back for more!"
12. Sourdough Tortillas
Homemade sourdough tortillas are soft and chewy, and they’re easy to make with your sourdough discard. Taco night will be even better once you try these fresh tortillas!
SEE THE RECIPE
John says
"I made these many times; they are so good that we don't buy tortillas anymore! Delicious and easy.
Amy makes the instructions simple and fun."
13. Sourdough Brownies
Sourdough brownies are incredibly rich and fudgy, featuring thick, gooey centers and shiny, crackly tops. They are a chocolate lover's dream come true!
SEE THE RECIPE
Jan says
"I have baked a lot of brownies over the years - usually using the same old family recipe. These are by far the best brownies I’ve ever made!!! This will become the ‘new’ family brownie recipe!!! Thank you."
14. Sourdough Banana Nut Muffins
Try this sourdough banana nut muffin recipe, packed with nuts, ripe bananas, and, of course, sourdough discard! You'll love how tender and moist these muffins are, thanks to a bit of sour cream. They’re perfect for making ahead and freezing for busy mornings!
SEE THE RECIPE
Rumraisan says
"An amazing recipe that puts discard to its best use. My family love these muffins. I love making them as it’s so simple, no need for an electric mixer. They can be whipped up in no time. I stuff the mixture into 12 large cupcake cases and they rise up perfectly to give a generously sized, highly addictive, banana muffin. The flavour is rich, texture is fluffy and moist. I don’t put nuts in as my children don’t like them but I’d love to try them with walnuts or pecans, maybe some raisins. I might mix in some different types of flours too. They make a great offering for a bake sale."
15. Sourdough Cut Out Sugar Cookies
These sourdough sugar cookies are soft and tender, holding their shape perfectly when baked. They're easy to decorate for holidays or special occasions!
SEE THE RECIPE
Emily says
"These were delicious! I don't normally like the firm sugar cookies (soft/baked are my fav!), but these were great! I baked for 13 minutes, hence the firmness 😂
Thanks for the recipe, I imagine I'll be doing this one again 😍
16. Sourdough Biscuits
These light and fluffy sourdough biscuits are easy to make with this overnight recipe. They taste amazing topped with homemade butter or strawberry jam, and you'll enjoy the tangy flavor of sourdough in every bite!
SEE THE RECIPE
Tonya says
"Sourdough Biscuits Are Phenominal! Thank You So Much for Sharing! I used My Fed Starter and Followed directions, These Will Be The Biscuits I Make From Now On! Bless You And Thank You Again!"
17. Sourdough Cinnamon Rolls
Learn how to make overnight sourdough cinnamon rolls with very little effort. You won’t need a stand mixer or a second rise, and they bake up fluffy and delicious! This recipe is perfect for beginners and a great way to use sourdough starter discard.
SEE THE RECIPE
Jessie says
"These cinnamon rolls are delicious! Easy to follow recipe and perfect for someone new to working with sourdough. This will be my new staple for holiday breakfast. If I could give it 10 stars, I would!"
18. Sourdough Coffee Cake
This sourdough coffee cake features a sweet layer of cinnamon sugar between moist vanilla cake. It's topped with a crunchy pecan crumble that makes every bite even better!
SEE THE RECIPE
Jeanie says
"Delicious coffee cake! Often coffee cake is very crumbly but this is more cake\bread like so it has a satisfying “chew” to it in the middle and a nice crunch on the top. This is the ONLY website I go to when I have a sour dough craving!"
19. Chocolate Chip Sourdough Scones
Chocolate chip sourdough scones are tender and buttery on the inside. With crumbly golden-brown edges, they're absolutely delicious and perfect for pairing with a glass of milk!
SEE THE RECIPE
Dana says
"I’ve made these probably six times. They always turn out beautifully! Last time I made them I added cinnamon and nutmeg in lieu of chocolate and topped with a pumpkin glaze. This time I added fresh cranberries and zest to the batter and topped with an orange glaze. This recipe never disappoints. My husband loves having scones on the weekends now. Thank you!!"
20. Sourdough Thumbprint Cookies
Sourdough thumbprint cookies are simple to make with your sourdough discard. These soft and tender cookies are filled with your favorite jam and dusted with powdered sugar, making them a perfect treat for the holidays!
SEE THE RECIPE
Diane says
"These are great! Love the texture. I used my sourdough discard, as suggested. My husband and I made pigs of ourselves. These cookies are even better than regular thumbprint cookies. So easy to make, so I will make them often. Thanks so much!"
21. Sourdough Crepes
This sourdough crepe recipe creates delicate, French-style pancakes with crispy edges. You can fill them with sweet or savory ingredients for a tasty breakfast!
SEE THE RECIPE
Traci says
"Wow! Every sourdough recipe I try on your website is better than the previous one!! My husband and I have just recently begun making crepes at home, and your recipe makes the most delicious and flavorful! It's amazing how easy they are to make. Thank you again, for sharing these great recipes and tips! 🙂"
22. Sourdough Zucchini Bread
This sourdough zucchini bread is lightly sweet and super moist. It has a hint of cinnamon and crunchy chopped walnuts, making it an irresistible quick bread!
SEE THE RECIPE
Kristine says
"I made this in a buttered muffin tin, the batter filled a one dozen tray and they were perfectly cooked in 30 minutes sprinkled with multicolor sprinkled even the kids ate them!"
23. Sourdough Pumpkin Bread
This sourdough pumpkin bread is super moist and full of tasty fall flavors! Made with pumpkin puree, sourdough discard, and a splash of orange juice, it’s a fresh twist on the classic pumpkin bread that pumpkin spice lovers will adore!
SEE THE RECIPE
Kristin says
"Made part of this recipe as cupcakes and topped with vanilla buttercream for our Thanksgiving dessert. 10/10 from my husband - everyone loved them! Made two mini loaves with the rest of the batter and those are also delicious. Love all of your recipes and you are one of my go-to sites for sourdough. Thank you!"
24. Loaded Baked Potato Soup
Make the best loaded potato soup with the help of your sourdough starter. Perfect for chilly days, this loaded potato soup is packed with tender potatoes, crispy bacon, cheddar cheese, and topped with sour cream and green onions.
SEE THE RECIPE
Margaret says
"The soup was delicious. I wanted to keep eating after I was full. Enough for another meal. Now I want to try the creamy chicken potato soup."
more sourdough discard recipes
- SUBSCRIBE -
Do you like this recipe?
Subscribe to our newsletter and we'll send you more fresh recipes, valuable troubleshooting advice, useful tips, and other information we believe will be helpful to you!
The cinnamon rolls are delicious! I’m new to sourdough starters and was pretty nervous about the whole thing. Having recipes for the discards helps me feel less wasteful. I’m looking forward to trying the other recipes, thank you!
The sourdough brownies are insanely good! I wanted to diverge from the instructions and do it myown way, but I didnt and Im so glad 😄. Your method os perfectly right. They were the best brownies Ive made in ages ❤️
Thank you, Sue!
The sourdough lemon blueberry muffins are incredible! Thabk you!
So glad I found your site, I have made your pop tarts and cinnamon roll recipes numerous times, they are always a hit. My husband tells people that they aren't any good and shouldn't try them, just so he can have them all to himself. Thank you for sharing your recipes.
I accidently used self rising AP to my starter, will this have bad effects? Do I have to start from scratch with a new SD starter?
I would transfer a few tablespoons to a new jar and feed it with all-purpose flour. Do this a few times and it should be fine!
So glad I found you post of what to do with disguard sourdough, I’m going to make the pumpkin cinnamon rolls tomorrow.
Just wondering where your sourdough bagel recipe has gone
Here you go! sourdough bagel recipe
would love a bagel recipe
I'm just beginning my starter and trying to demystify everything and am glad I ran across your site. I've written a few recipes down to basic things I want to start making. This list of discard recipes would certainly be wonderful in a downloadable form 🙂
This may be a silly question, but I’m new to sourdough. Does it matter what day your starter is on to use the discard for these recipes? Hope that makes sense. I’m only on day 3 but hate to waste the discarded starter.
Thanks in advance for your help!
Hi Allison! You can start using your sourdough discard right away for any of these recipes. Most of them use a leavening agent such as baking soda or baking powder if rising is needed. The pizza crust recipe is the only one I would wait to make until your discard is from a more mature starter for best results.