Easy and Delicious Sourdough Discard Recipes

Sourdough discard recipes are a delicious and resourceful way to use up leftover starter instead of tossing it. From rich desserts to heart healthy breakfast ideas and even savory pizza crust, these recipes take advantage of the discard’s mild tang and natural fermentation benefits. Whether you’re looking to reduce waste or add a depth of flavor to your baking, sourdough discard is the secret ingredient that transforms everyday recipes into something special!

sourdough discard recipes image

I love to use up sourdough discard in all sorts of recipes. Although I also enjoy making homemade sourdough bread with a bubbly and active starter, sourdough discard recipes are a quick, easy way to make the most of your sourdough starter. You can browse around on the blog to find all sorts of sourdough recipes, but for your convenience, I’ve highlighted some of my favorite discard recipes here in this post.

Let’s dive in!

What is Sourdough Discard?

Discard is the part of the sourdough starter that is removed before feeding the starter. Not true to its name, it is actually a wonderful thing! Although not active enough to rise a loaf of bread, it is still a great ingredient to add to many different recipes for some extra nutrition and flavor.

FAQs

Yes. Sourdough discard still contains some of the fermentation benefits of active sourdough starter.

Active starter has been fed (generally within the last 12 hours) and is at its peak. It can be used in bread recipes to achieve a good rise. Discard has not been fed and will not rise baked goods, although you can still use it in many delicious recipes!

Not at all!

Why You’ll Love These Recipes


  • EASY AND VERSATILE: You can mix discard into so many recipes—think biscuits, brownies, pizza dough, and even pasta!
  • SAVES TIME: Unlike traditional sourdough baking, discard recipes don’t require long fermentation, so you can enjoy quick, homemade treats in a fraction of the time.
  • NO WASTE: Instead of throwing out your extra starter, you can turn it into something delicious! Less waste and more flavor is a win win.
  • PREBIOTIC + GUT HEALTHY: Even though it’s not fully fermented, sourdough discard retains some of the gut-friendly benefits of sourdough.

I’d love to hear from you! If you make any of these recipes, pin them and then tag me on Instagram or Pinterest @ourhandcraftedhome so I can share it with others. It’s so exciting to see when you make my recipes!

Sourdough Discard Dessert Recipes

Sourdough discard dessert recipes are the perfect way to turn leftover starter into something sweet and irresistible. From soft and chewy cookies to moist lemon poppyseed bread, discard adds a unique depth of flavor and moisture to tried and true dessert recipes. I find that the subtle tang enhances sweetness, creating a perfect balance of flavors. Best of all, these recipes help reduce waste while making indulgent, bakery-quality desserts right at home.

Sourdough Lemon Poppyseed Bread

Treat yourself to a slice of heaven with this incredible sourdough lemon poppyseed bread! This quick bread recipe strikes the perfect balance of tangy and sweet notes, with flavors that are accompanied by a soft, crumbly texture and moist interior.

sliced sourdough lemon poppyseed bread drizzled with vanilla icing

Sourdough Discard Chocolate Chip Cookies

Looking for the perfect chocolate chip cookie that is packed with flavor? These sourdough discard chocolate chip cookies are the ultimate treat! Soft and chewy and packed with chocolate chunks, they are an absolute must try.

Three sourdough chocolate chip cookies laying on a wooden cutting board

Sourdough Discard Toffee Cookies

Soft, bakery-style sourdough discard cookies are given given a fun, gut-healthy twist with the addition of sourdough discard! These brown sugar toffee cookies are buttery, chewy, and topped with a buttered maple icing to make them over the top delicious.

brown sugar toffee sourdough discard cookies drizzled with a maple icing

Sourdough Discard Pie Crust

The easiest sourdough pie crust you will ever make! This sourdough pie crust recipe is featured in my sourdough apple pie recipe, and uses only 5 ingredients to create a buttery, flaky pie crust every time. A must try for any holiday baking!

a baked sourdough apple pie in a round pie dish

Sourdough Discard Breakfast Recipes

Is there any better way to start your day than with a sourdough recipe? Whether you’re making moist coffee cake, heart healthy granola, or tender muffins, sourdough discard adds a unique depth of flavor and light, airy texture to these recipes.

Sourdough Coffee Cake

A simple and classic recipe, this buttery cinnamon sourdough discard coffee cake is delicious! Sour cream ensures a moist cake while sourdough discard packs a gut healthy punch, making it the perfect companion to your morning coffee. This coffee cake gets drizzled with a quick homemade vanilla icing to make it out of this world delicious.

sourdough discard coffee cake on a white dish drizzled with vanilla icing

Sourdough Chocolate Chip Scones

Light, flaky, and sweetened slightly with sugar and chocolate chips, these sourdough scones are a favorite in our household! Baked until golden and then topped with a buttered maple glaze, they are out of this world delicious. This recipe accommodates both active sourdough starter and sourdough discard to create an easy breakfast anytime.

chocolate chip sourdough scones

Sourdough Granola

Healthy, delicious, and packed full of crunchy clusters, this sourdough granola is your new must try breakfast recipe! This granola utilizes sourdough discard and pairs it with the classic flavors of maple and cinnamon for a delicious, hearty breakfast.

a glass jar of homemade sourdough granola sitting on a wooden counter top

Sourdough Banana Muffins

This recipe for sourdough banana muffins yields perfectly fluffy, moist muffins with tall, bakery-style muffin tops. Packed with sweet banana flavor, chopped pecans, and no refined sugar, they make the perfect quick and easy breakfast.

baked sourdough banana muffins slathered with softened butter
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Savory Sourdough Discard Recipes

Sourdough starter can easily accommodate both sweet and savory recipes. Although I tend to lean more to the sweeter side of things, these savory recipes are just as easy and delicious. They are staples in our house!

Sourdough Discard Pizza Crust

Pizza night just got more delicious! Chewy, bubbly (and complete with that signature sourdough tang!) this sourdough discard pizza dough is quick, easy to make, and whipped up using just a few staple ingredients. A guaranteed family favorite, it’s THAT good.

sourdough discard pizza crust

Homemade Sourdough Discard Tortillas

This easy recipe for sourdough tortillas utilizes the power of sourdough discard to create soft and fluffy tortillas that are boosted with gut healthy fermented grains. They require only 6 ingredients and will quickly become a household staple.

a stack of sourdough tortillas on a checkered towel

Pin it For Later!

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If you loved any of these recipes, make sure to come back and leave a comment and a 5 star rating! I would love to hear how they turned out for you.

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Rachael

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