Sourdough Waffles (or Pancakes)
Learn how to make sourdough waffles and pancakes with this easy sourdough discard recipe.
Cook them up right after mixing the ingredients together OR let the batter ferment overnight for light and fluffy results every time!
The best thing about this discard recipe is that it's really two recipes in one. Whether you're in the mood for pancakes, waffles, or both, you only need one batter.
This is a simple sourdough 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!
The pancakes turn out light and fluffy while the waffles are crispy on the outside with a chewy center.
Serve them with melted butter, fresh berries, maple syrup and a side of maple turkey sausage for a Saturday morning breakfast the whole family will look forward to!
More sourdough breakfast recipes: sourdough dutch baby / sourdough english muffins / sourdough cinnamon rolls / sourdough biscuits / sourdough pop tarts
If you don't have your sourdough starter yet, make sure you head over to our sourdough starter recipe. Collect the sourdough starter that you discard during the week in a separate container in your fridge.
When you have enough collected, go ahead and make these discard pancakes and waffles!
Ingredients needed
- sourdough discard
- flour
- buttermilk
- eggs
- sugar
- butter
- vanilla extract
- salt
- baking soda
- baking powder
Equipment needed
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Step by step instructions
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!
How to make sourdough waffle and pancake batter
Step 1: Before you go to bed, whisk together the sourdough starter discard, buttermilk, honey, vanilla extract, melted butter and flour in a large bowl. Cover the bowl and allow the batter to sit at room temperature overnight.
NOTE: The video shows the eggs mixed in the initial batter but we have updated the recipe to add the eggs in the second step.
Step 2: In the morning, add the eggs, salt, baking powder and baking soda to the batter and stir to incorporate. Let the batter rest for about 20 minutes before cooking.
The pancake batter can stay in the fridge for up to 2 days before using it to make the waffles and pancakes.
NOTE: The batter doesn't have to ferment overnight if you'd like to cook these the same day. Mix ALL of the ingredients together, let the batter sit for 20 minutes and then proceed with cooking.
Instructions for making waffles
1. Preheat your waffle iron and lightly grease it with cooking oil spray. Pour ¾ cup of batter onto the center, gently spreading it out before closing the iron.
2. Cook according to your waffle iron's manufacturer's directions. (Typically about 5-6 minutes or until the steam is barely coming out.)
3. Once the waffle is fully cooked, use a fork or tongs to carefully remove it from the iron and serve hot!
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. Cook on the first side until bubbles form all over the tops of the pancakes and the bottoms are golden brown.
3. Flip the pancakes and continue to cook until throughly done. They should be nice golden brown on each side.
4. Stack the pancakes on a plate and serve with homemade butter and maple syrup!
Tips for success
Letting the batter rest overnight gives you the benefit of fermentation and the added flavor from the sourdough starter discard. However, I know some of you are looking for a quick way to use your discard or to avoid food waste.
Be assured that this recipe can be mixed and cooked the same morning with great results if you are looking for a quick and easy sourdough discard recipe!
This recipe can be made with sourdough starter discard or active bubbly sourdough starter.
How to store and freeze
After cooking, store any leftovers in the fridge for up to 7 days. They can be put into a container with a lid or in a plastic bag.
The pancakes and waffles can also be frozen for up to 3 months. Separate them with parchment or wax paper and insert them into a freezer safe container.
When you are ready to serve, reheat the pancakes in the microwave for 20-30 second intervals until heated through.
The waffles are best reheated in a toaster oven to help crisp the outside and give it some crunch.
Easy sourdough discard recipes
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Sourdough Waffles or Pancakes
EQUIPMENT
- Mixing Bowl
- Whisk
- Griddle
INGREDIENTS
Overnight Batter Ingredients
- ¾ cup (200 g) sourdough starter discard (stirred down)
- 1 cup (240 g) buttermilk (or milk)
- 3 tablespoons (50 g) white sugar (or honey)
- 1 teaspoon (5 g) vanilla extract
- 4 tablespoons (56 g) butter (melted)
- 2 cups (240 g) all-purpose flour
Additional ingredients to add just before cooking
- 2 large eggs (lightly beaten)
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon (5 g) fine sea salt
INSTRUCTIONS
To cook the batter the same day
- Add all of the ingredients to a large bowl and mix until well combined. Allow the batter to rest for 20 minutes at room temperature while the griddle or waffle iron is preheating.
To ferment batter overnight
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the sourdough starter, 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 eggs, baking soda, baking powder and salt to the batter, stir and cover the bowl. Let the batter rest 20 minutes while the griddle or waffle iron is preheating.
Sourdough Pancake instructions
- 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. This recipe makes about 12 pancakes.
Sourdough Waffles instructions
- 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) This recipe makes 4 standard-sized waffles.
NOTES
Nutrition
This post was originally posted in January 2020 and updated in September 2022 with new photos and a small change to the recipe. Eggs are added right before cooking instead of the night before. This change was made to avoid any problems from using unpasteurized eggs in a batter left at room temperature for more than a couple of hours.
We made the "same day" version and they were just too dense for our liking. The sourdough flavor was not very pronounced either. I wouldn't make them again.
I'm sorry to hear that Vanessa.
Okay I’ve actually posted a review for these before after they were the only pancakes I made for a long time and I thought I loved them then… let me tell you I made non sourdough pancakes twice within the last couple weeks because I had let my starter go real sleepy. Both recipes called for 4 tsp of baking powder and they fell flat compared to these. So dense and you could taste the baking powder. I’m ruined by this amazing fluffy recipe lol!!
if I make it with active start the night before does it need the baking soda and baking powder?
Yes you do.
I didn't like how dark the pancakes and waffles turned out. The flavor was ok but not as good as my usual waffle and pancake recipes (not sourdough). If I try it again I'll leave out the baking soda and see if that helps me get a more golden brown rather than dark brown/almost burnt looking.
Made these for my family this morning and they LOVED them!! Thank you for sharing this awesome recipe!💖
I unearthed a waffle iron recently while cleaning kitchen cabinets. It must have been a hand me down because I didn't realize I had it. I've never made waffles in my life! Anyway I have just started working with sourdough and have been trying recipes using my discard. This is a winner for sure! I made the batter and let it rest 20 minutes and made the waffles. Delicious!! Hubby was pretty impressed. Married 35 years and he has never been served home made waffles, but he will definitely be having them again! Thank you for the great recipe.
Hi, I experimented with this and make a pancake muffin... with cinnamon. they turned out treat.
I left it out over night and then put the baking soda, baking powder skipped the eggs. mixed it up and put it in muffin tins. put cinnamon in the middle... baked for 18 mins 350. awesome
I’ve made these recently and they were some of the best pancakes i’ve ever made! i have some leftover canned pumpkin in the fridge to use up, is there a way i could add that to make pumpkin pancakes?
Yes you can! I would add some cinnamon too 🙂
Best pancakes I’ve ever made! And definitely the best sourdough pancake recipe! My kids love them-even the ones who don't love sourdough flavor!
Thank you Tricia 🙂
Can you substitute milk for the buttermilk?
Yes you can!