What can be made from discarded sourdough starter? A lot more than you probably think!
We've compiled a list of the best and easiest sourdough discard recipes you'll want to make. See what our readers are saying!

If you've got a sourdough starter in your kitchen, more than likely you'll have sourdough discard leftover from time to time. Sourdough discard is the portion of the sourdough starter that is removed before a feeding.
This discarded portion can be thrown away or used in a discard recipe to avoid wasting food.
Whether you're looking for a sweet or savory discard recipe, something for breakfast or a delicious dessert, you'll find what you're looking for on this list!

Helen says
"I have made hundreds of banana breads. This is the absolute best in taste and texture."

Janet says
"Simply the best! Our go to pizza crust! I make ahead the crust and freeze. These are simple and delicious! Family preferred!"

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!"

Carrie says
"Delicious!! Omg so easy to make and so tasty! Thank you for another great 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!!!!!"

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."

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."

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!"

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!"

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."

Angela Earl says
"These were delicious and easy to make. I used chilled batter and they turned out beautiful, they freeze very well also. Thank you for 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."

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."

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."

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 😍

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!"

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!"

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!"

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!!"

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!"

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! 🙂"

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!"

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!"

Leslie says
"Thank you so much for this recipe!!! Just made these and they are sooooo delicious! My 4 & 7 year old devoured them.
My favorite part of your recipe was the time frame you gave with the 8pm and 6am...I'm new to sourdough and that helped me so much. Definitely eating these for Thanksgiving breakfast and possibly Christmas ♥️"
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JoJo says
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?
Amy says
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!
Linda C says
So glad I found you post of what to do with disguard sourdough, I’m going to make the pumpkin cinnamon rolls tomorrow.
Kileen says
Just wondering where your sourdough bagel recipe has gone
Amy says
Here you go! sourdough bagel recipe
Mickey says
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 🙂
Allison says
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!
Amy says
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.