Sourdough Discard Recipes: Delicious Ways to Use Your Extra Starter

Sourdough Discard Recipes: Delicious Ways to Use Your Extra Starter

Ever found yourself wondering what to do with that leftover sourdough starter from all your bread baking adventures? That's what we call ‘sourdough discard’. It's the part of the starter you remove to keep your culture healthy and balanced. Instead of throwing it away, we can use it to make all sorts of delicious things. Here we’d like to share two popular sourdough discard recipes that are perfect for using up that extra starter: sweet and fluffy Sourdough Discard Pancakes and crispy, savoury Sourdough Discard Crackers. Trust us, once you get the hang of it, you’ll be making the most of every bit of your starter with these sourdough discard recipes!

What is Sourdough Discard?

Sourdough discard is the portion of your sourdough starter that you remove before feeding the remaining starter with fresh flour and water. This process helps maintain the right balance of yeast and bacteria in your starter. The great news is that sourdough discard is still packed with flavour and can be used in various recipes to add a delightful tang and depth. Sourdough discard recipes are a great way to make use of this leftover starter and reduce waste.

Best Way to Store Sourdough Discard.

The best way to store sourdough discard is in a clean, airtight container in the fridge. It will keep for up to a week, but for the best flavour and texture, try to use it within 3-5 days. You can also freeze sourdough discard for longer storage; just thaw it in the fridge before using it. Now let’s get to our favourite sweet and savoury sourdough discard recipes…

Sourdough Discard Pancakes - For those with a sweet tooth.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup sourdough discard
• 1 cup self-raising flour
• 1 cup milk
• 1 egg
• 2 tbsp caster sugar
• 2 tbsp melted butter
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 tsp baking powder

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, whisk together the sourdough discard, milk, egg, melted butter, and vanilla extract until well combined.
2. In a separate bowl, mix the flour, sugar, salt, and baking powder.
3. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
4. Heat the base of your Skitchen Brisbane Sourdough Pan or non-stick skillet over medium heat and lightly grease it with butter or oil.
5. Pour ¼ cup of batter onto the pan for each pancake. Cook until bubbles form on the surface and the edges look set, then flip and cook until golden brown on the other side.
6. Serve warm with your favourite toppings like maple syrup, fresh berries, banana, Nutella or whipped cream and ice cream.

Sourdough Discard Crackers - A perfect savoury snack and vegan friendly!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup sourdough discard
• 1 cup plain flour
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp dried herbs (such as rosemary, thyme, or oregano)
• Optional: sesame seeds, poppy seeds, or coarse sea salt for topping

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 180°C and line a baking sheet with baking paper or a sheet of reusable bake liner like this one from Skitchen. In a large bowl, combine the sourdough discard, flour, olive oil, salt, and dried herbs. Mix until a dough forms.
2. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead it a few times until smooth.
3. Roll the dough out thinly, about 2-3 mm thick. The thinner the dough, the crispier the crackers.
4. Transfer the rolled dough to the prepared baking sheet. Score into cracker-sized pieces with a knife or pizza cutter.
5. Optionally, sprinkle with sesame seeds, poppy seeds, or coarse sea salt for extra flavour.
6. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the crackers are golden brown and crispy. Rotate the baking sheet halfway through for even baking.
7. Let the crackers cool on a wire rack before breaking them apart. Store in an airtight container to keep them crisp.

Summary:

• Sourdough Discard Pancakes - for those with a sweet tooth.
• Sourdough Discard Crackers - a perfect, healthy savoury snack.

Sourdough discard recipes are a fantastic way to reduce waste and create something delicious. The tangy flavour from the sourdough discard adds a unique twist to traditional recipes. Whether you're making fluffy pancakes or crispy crackers, these sourdough discard recipes are sure to be a hit in your kitchen. So next time you feed your starter, remember these sourdough discard recipes and turn that discard into something amazing.

Happy baking!