Looking for the easiest, most fool-proof sourdough pancake recipe that can also be used to make sourdough waffles? This is it!
You'll love how easy it is to use your sourdough discard in this overnight, one bowl recipe for light and fluffy sourdough pancakes! And waffles!
I'm always looking to create easy, beginner's sourdough recipes to share with you!
The kind of recipes that have the fewest steps with the biggest results. Like our everyday sourdough biscuits and our sourdough cinnamon rolls!
This recipe for pancakes and waffles, using your sourdough discard, packs a big punch because it's actually TWO recipes in ONE!
This is a pancake batter that can be mixed together and cooked right away or allowed to ferment overnight and really get that delicious sourdough taste in every bite!
Jump to:
If you don't have your sourdough starter yet, make sure you head over to our how to make a sourdough starter recipe! You'll be able to start making sourdough recipes within a week!
Instructions for making the batter
Because this recipe is so simple, let's dive straight into the details of how to make the batter. Then we will break down the steps for pancakes and waffles separately!
1. Before you go to bed, whisk together the sourdough starter discard, eggs, buttermilk, honey, vanilla extract, melted butter and flour in a large bowl.
2. Cover the bowl and let rest on the counter overnight.
3. In the morning when you're ready to cook, add the salt, baking powder and baking soda to the batter and stir to incorporate.
TIP - This batter can be mixed and cooked right away if you don't care that the batter is not fermented or if you're running short on time. Simply combine ALL of the ingredients into a bowl and let the batter rest for about 30 minutes before cooking!
Instructions for making pancakes
1. Preheat your griddle until it's smoking hot. Lightly grease with butter or oil.
2. Pour ¼ cup portions of the batter onto the griddle.
3. Cook on the first side until bubbles form all over the tops of the pancakes and the bottoms are golden brown.
4. Flip the pancakes and continue to cook until throughly done. They will be golden brown on each side.
5. Stack the pancakes on a plate and serve with homemade butter and maple syrup!
Instructions for waffles
1. Preheat your waffle iron and lightly grease it with cooking oil spray.
2. Pour ¾ cup of batter onto the center, gently spreading it out before closing the iron.
3. Cook according to your waffle iron's manufacturer's directions. (Typically about 5-6 minutes or until the steam is barely coming out.)
4. Once the waffle is fully cooked, use a fork or tongs to carefully remove it from the iron and serve hot!
Tips for success
Letting the pancake/waffle batter rest overnight gives you the benefit of fermentation and the added flavor of sourdough. However, this recipe does not have to be made the night before in order to be successful.
This recipe can be made with sourdough starter discard as well as active, bubbly sourdough starter.
Don't have a kitchen scale to measure flour?
Use the scoop and level technique to measure your flour if you do not have a kitchen scale. To do this, use a spoon to fluff up the flour in the bag. Use a spoon to scoop the flour into a measuring cup until it is heaped on top. Take a butterknife and level off the top. This should give you the most accurate measurement for flour.
Because flour is measured by weight in these recipes, if the flour is scooped straight out of the bag with the measuring cup, there will be more flour than called for in the recipe.
How to store and freeze
Store cooked pancakes/waffles in the fridge in an air-tight container for up to 7 days. The pancake batter can stay in the fridge for up to 2 days.
Store cooked pancakes/waffles inside a freezer-safe container and freeze up to 3 months.
Reheat them in the microwave for 20-60 seconds or in the oven at 375 degrees for 10-15 minutes or until heated through.
Other sourdough discard recipes you may like:
If you have any questions, please ask in the comment section below! And don't forget to save this recipe to your phone's home screen or Pinterest boards for easy access!
Sourdough Pancakes or Waffles Recipe
Equipment
- Mixing Bowl
- Whisk
- Griddle
- Waffle Iron
Ingredients
Overnight Batter Ingredients
- ¾ cup (200 g) sourdough starter discard (stirred down)
- 1 cup (240 g) buttermilk (or milk)
- 2 large eggs (lightly beaten)
- 3 tablespoons (50 g) white sugar (or honey)
- 1 teaspoon (5 g) vanilla extract
- 4 tablespoons (56 g) butter (melted)
- 2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour
Additional ingredients to add just before cooking
- 1 teaspoon (5 g) baking soda
- 1 teaspoon (5 g) baking powder
- 1 teaspoon (5 g) fine sea salt
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the sourdough starter, eggs, buttermilk, honey, vanilla extract, melted butter and flour until well combined. Cover the bowl and let rest on a counter top at room temperature overnight or up to 12 hours.
- When you are ready to cook, add the baking soda, baking powder and salt to the batter, stir and cover the bowl. Let the batter rest while the griddle or waffle iron is preheating.
Sourdough Pancakes
- Preheat a griddle until it's smoking hot. Lightly grease the griddle and pour ¼ cup of batter in a round shape on the griddle. Cook until the bottom is golden brown and bubbles are covering the top of the pancake. Flip and cook until the pancake is cooked through and golden brown on each side. (about 3 minutes per side)
Sourdough Waffles
- Preheat waffle iron and lightly grease with cooking oil spray. Pour ¾ cup of batter into the center of the iron, gently spread the batter and cook until the waffle is golden brown or according to manufacturers directions. ( 3-6 minutes)
Notes
- To prepare the batter the same morning, mix all ingredients in a large mixing bowl, cover with a towel and let rest for 30 minutes before cooking.
- Use the scoop and level technique to measure your flour if you do not have a kitchen scale. To do this, use a spoon to fluff up the flour in the bag. Use a spoon to scoop the flour into a measuring cup until it is heaped on top. Take a butterknife and level off the top. This should give you the most accurate measurement for flour.
- Active sourdough starter can be used.
- The batter can be stored in the fridge for up to 2 days.
- Store cooked pancakes/waffles in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to a week and in the freezer up to 3 months.
- Reheat pancakes/waffles in the microwave for 20-60 seconds. In the oven at 375 degrees for 10-15 minutes or until heated through.
- This recipe makes 4 standard-sized waffles.
Sandi says
First time making waffles with my discard. I’m a converter! Light and tasty. This is a keeper.
Eloise says
Love this recipe! I used powdered buttermilk and added jumbo blueberries and the pancakes were fluffy and delicious.My only advice would be to sieve the baking soda and powder when adding.
Susan says
Hi,
I doubled the recipe for pancakes and made 9 pancakes.
I have a TON of batter left.😬
Can I freeze the batter or is it best to make it in to pancakes & freeze?
Amy Duska says
I would make the pancakes and then freeze them!
Alexis Gallagher says
I absolutely love this recipe and have used it a lot. I wanted to make a pumpkin spice version. Do you think I should omit the eggs when I add in the pumpkin? Or just add the can of pumpkin and follow the rest of the instructions as is? Thanks!
Amy Duska says
Hi Alexis, I haven't tried it but I would add the pumpkin and adjust the liquid to get the right consistency!
Lesia says
My mix is thick and not bubbly. Can it still be used? My starter was bubbly, but not much growth and from a starter only 5 days old.
Amy Duska says
Hi Lesia! Yes it can still be used.
Felishia says
Really flavorful! My mixture wasn’t as bubbly as hers was in the video but it started to bubble up one I added the salt, baking powder and baking soda. The pancake batter was really goopy, like cake batter almost, so I worried that they were going to taste funny but they didn’t. I smoothed them out with my rubber spatula once I put them on the pan to spread them out a little. Will definitely make more to freeze! Really tasty.
Patricia says
Leaving the batter out overnight will it get you sick.
Amy Duska says
If you use pasteurized eggs, it should be fine. If you are concerned, add the eggs in the morning 🙂
Giselle says
These waffles are so easy. My family prefers their waffles savoury instead of sweet so I add bacon, green onions and cheese. I’ve also made them with fresh berries. Both are delicious!
Amy Duska says
That sounds amazing, will have to try!
CAbaker010 says
I use a gluten-free flour blend and dairy-free buttermilk. Love how easy it is to make and it’s a great use of sourdough discard. I often double the recipe and store them in the freezer. Thanks for a great recipe!
Devon Pavan says
So easy when you're already experimenting with sourdough starter. A little heavy, so one waffle per person is more than enough. Will make again!