10+ Recipes to Make with Sourdough Starter for Delicious Treats
Sourdough starter is a versatile ingredient that can transform your baking. It can create delicious dishes beyond just bread, including waffles, pancakes, and even muffins. Using a sourdough starter not only adds unique flavors but also boosts the nutritional value of your recipes.
With a bit of creativity, you can explore many options for using your sourdough starter. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced baker, there are numerous recipes that can help you make the most of this starter and impress your family and friends.
Sourdough Pancakes
Sourdough pancakes are a delightful way to start your day. They are fluffy and made using your sourdough starter. You can use leftover starter, which cuts down on waste.
To make these pancakes, mix your dry ingredients first. Combine flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt. Then, add in your sourdough starter, milk, an egg, and some oil.
Gently mix until combined; it’s okay if there are a few lumps.
Let the batter rest for about 30 minutes to improve texture. Then, heat your skillet on medium heat (about 350°F or 175°C).
Pour the batter onto the skillet and cook until bubbles form. Flip and cook until golden brown.
Enjoy these pancakes with maple syrup or your favorite toppings!
Ingredients:
- 1 cup (120g) all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (240ml) sourdough starter
- 1/2 cup (120ml) milk
- 1 egg
- 2 tablespoons oil
Cooking Instructions:
- In a bowl, mix flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
- Add sourdough starter, milk, egg, and oil to the dry mix.
- Stir gently until just combined.
- Let the batter rest for 30 minutes.
- Heat skillet to medium (350°F / 175°C).
- Pour batter onto skillet and cook until bubbles form.
- Flip and cook until golden.
Sourdough Focaccia
Sourdough focaccia is a delicious way to use your starter. It has a soft, chewy texture and a nice crust. You can top it with various ingredients for extra flavor.
To make the dough, mix your sourdough starter with water and olive oil. Add flour and salt, and knead until you have a sticky dough. Let it rise for a few hours until it’s doubled in size.
When ready, press the dough into a baking pan. Use your fingers to make dimples all over the surface.
Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt. You can also add herbs or garlic for more taste.
Bake in a preheated oven at 425°F (220°C) for about 20-25 minutes. Let it cool slightly before serving. Enjoy it warm with spreads or as a side dish.
Ingredients
- 1 cup sourdough starter
- 1 cup water
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 3 cups flour
- 2 teaspoons salt
Cooking Instructions
- Mix sourdough starter, water, and olive oil.
- Add flour and salt, then knead the dough.
- Let the dough rise until doubled in size.
- Press the dough into a baking pan.
- Make dimples on the surface and add olive oil and salt.
- Bake at 425°F (220°C) for 20-25 minutes.
3) Chocolate Sourdough Bread
Chocolate sourdough bread is a delicious twist on traditional sourdough. It’s soft, chocolaty, and perfect for breakfast or a sweet snack.
To make it, you need an active sourdough starter. This helps the bread rise and adds a tangy flavor. You’ll mix cocoa powder, chocolate chips, and brown sugar into the dough for that rich chocolate taste.
The key is letting the dough rest overnight. This allows the flavors to develop and the texture to improve. Then, bake it at 375°F (190°C) until it’s golden brown.
Slice it up and enjoy a warm piece with butter or honey for a special treat!
Ingredients:
- 1 cup active sourdough starter
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup cocoa powder
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips
- 1 cup warm water
- 1 teaspoon salt
Cooking Instructions:
- In a bowl, combine the sourdough starter, flour, cocoa powder, brown sugar, and salt.
- Add warm water and mix until combined.
- Fold in chocolate chips.
- Cover and let it sit overnight.
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Shape the dough and place it in a greased loaf pan.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes until golden.
- Let cool before slicing.
4) Sourdough Cinnamon Rolls
Sourdough cinnamon rolls are a delightful treat for any morning. They have a soft and fluffy texture, enhanced by the sourdough starter, which adds a unique flavor.
To make these rolls, you’ll start with a simple dough that includes flour, sugar, butter, and your active sourdough starter. The cinnamon-sugar filling brings a sweet contrast to the dough.
Let your dough rise for about 1 to 1.5 hours. Once it’s ready, roll it out, spread the filling, and cut into rolls. Place them in a skillet to rise again before baking.
Bake the rolls at 375°F (190°C) until golden brown. After baking, a drizzle of powdered sugar glaze takes these rolls to the next level.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup butter, softened
- 1 cup active sourdough starter
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar (for glaze)
- 1/4 cup milk (for glaze)
Cooking Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix flour, sugar, and softened butter.
- Add your active sourdough starter and knead until smooth.
- Let the dough rise for 1 to 1.5 hours.
- Roll out the dough and spread with cinnamon and sugar.
- Cut the rolled dough into slices and place them in a skillet.
- Let the rolls rise again.
- Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20-25 minutes.
- Prepare a glaze with powdered sugar and milk, then drizzle on top.
5) Sourdough Pizza Crust
Making sourdough pizza crust is a fun and tasty way to use your starter. It brings a unique flavor and a crisp texture to your pizza.
Start by feeding your sourdough starter 6-8 hours before you plan to make the dough. This helps it become active and bubbly. Then, mix your starter with flour, water, and salt in a large bowl.
After mixing, let the dough rest for a couple of hours. You can chill it in the fridge for up to two days for even better flavor. When you’re ready, shape the dough into your desired pizza size.
Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C). Bake the crust for about 10 minutes until it is lightly browned. Then, add your favorite sauce and toppings before baking again until everything is hot and bubbly.
Ingredients
- 1 cup active sourdough starter
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup water
- 1 teaspoon salt
Cooking Instructions
- Feed your sourdough starter 6-8 hours before use.
- Mix starter, flour, water, and salt in a bowl.
- Let dough rest for 2 hours or chill it for up to 2 days.
- Preheat oven to 475°F (245°C).
- Shape the dough, then bake for 10 minutes.
- Add toppings and bake until hot.
6) Sourdough Banana Bread
Sourdough banana bread is a delightful way to use your sourdough starter. Its soft texture and rich banana flavor make it a favorite for breakfast or snacks.
To start, you will need ripe bananas. They add natural sweetness and moisture to the bread. You can also customize your loaf with nuts or chocolate chips for extra flavor.
Preheat your oven to 350°F (176°C) and prepare your pan. Mix your ingredients, including butter, sugar, and your sourdough starter.
Once blended, pour the batter into your pan and bake until golden brown.
Enjoy the warmth of freshly baked banana bread with a cup of coffee or tea. It’s a simple and enjoyable treat!
Ingredients
- 1 cup ripe bananas, mashed
- 1/2 cup sourdough starter
- 1/2 cup butter, melted
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 cups flour
- Optional: nuts or chocolate chips
Cooking Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (176°C).
- In a large bowl, mix the melted butter and sugar.
- Add the mashed bananas, eggs, and vanilla. Mix well.
- Stir in the sourdough starter.
- Add the baking soda, salt, and flour. Combine until smooth.
- Fold in nuts or chocolate chips if desired.
- Pour the batter into a greased loaf pan.
- Bake for 50-60 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
Sourdough Crackers
Making sourdough crackers is a simple and tasty way to use your sourdough starter. They are crispy, savory, and perfect for snacking.
You will need just a few ingredients: sourdough starter, flour, salt, and butter or oil. Feel free to add herbs or spices for extra flavor.
Start by mixing the ingredients until you form a smooth dough. Then, divide the dough and shape it into small slabs. Let it rest in the refrigerator for 30 minutes. This step helps the dough firm up and makes it easier to roll out.
Next, roll the dough thin and cut it into your desired shapes. Bake the crackers in a preheated oven at 325°F (163°C) for about 20 minutes, watching for a nice golden color.
Once baked, let them cool. Enjoy your crispy sourdough crackers on their own or with your favorite dip!
Ingredients:
- 1 cup sourdough starter
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup butter or olive oil
Cooking Instructions:
- Mix together sourdough starter, flour, salt, and butter or oil.
- Divide the dough in half and shape each half into a slab.
- Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- Roll out the dough thin and cut into shapes.
- Preheat the oven to 325°F (163°C).
- Bake for about 20 minutes, or until golden brown.
- Let them cool before serving.
8) Sourdough Waffles
Sourdough waffles are a tasty way to use your sourdough starter. They have a unique flavor and a nice texture that makes breakfast special. You can whip these up quickly, even in the morning.
Start by mixing your sourdough starter with some flour, milk, and eggs. This gives the waffles a fluffy interior. You can also add a little sugar for sweetness and baking powder for a nice rise.
Once everything is combined, cook the batter in a preheated waffle maker until golden brown. For the best results, aim for a temperature of 375°F (190°C).
These waffles are delicious with maple syrup, fresh fruit, or yogurt. They are perfect for a cozy breakfast or brunch.
Ingredients
- 1 cup sourdough starter
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup milk
- 2 eggs
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Cooking Instructions
- In a bowl, mix sourdough starter, flour, milk, and eggs.
- Stir in sugar, baking powder, and salt.
- Preheat your waffle maker.
- Pour the batter into the waffle maker and cook until golden.
- Serve with your favorite toppings.
9) Sourdough Discard Crepes
Sourdough discard crepes are a tasty way to use up extra starter. They are thin, flexible, and perfect for sweet or savory fillings. Plus, they are easy to make!
To get started, combine your sourdough discard with eggs, milk, and a little melted butter. This mixture creates a smooth batter. You can add some vanilla and sugar for sweet crepes or keep it simple for savory ones.
Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Pour in a small amount of batter, swirling it around to form a thin layer. Cook until golden brown, about 60-90 seconds per side.
These crepes are delicious with fruits, yogurt, or your favorite spreads. Enjoy them for breakfast, lunch, or a delightful snack!
Ingredients
- 1 cup sourdough discard (285g)
- 1/4 cup milk (65g)
- 1/4 cup melted butter (57g)
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla (3g) – optional
- 1 tbsp sugar (15g) – optional
- Pinch of salt
Cooking Instructions
- In a bowl, mix sourdough discard, milk, melted butter, eggs, vanilla, sugar, and salt.
- Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat.
- Pour 1/4 cup of batter into the skillet and swirl to spread.
- Cook until golden brown, about 60-90 seconds.
- Flip and cook for another 30-60 seconds.
- Repeat with the remaining batter.
10) Sourdough Bagels
Making sourdough bagels is a fun way to use your starter. They turn out soft and chewy, perfect for breakfast or snacks.
To start, you’ll need to mix your sourdough starter with some water, honey, and salt. Add flour and stir until the dough comes together. You can use a stand mixer or mix by hand.
After mixing, let your dough rest for about 8-12 hours at room temperature. This overnight rise helps develop flavor.
Once the dough is ready, shape it into bagels. Boil them in water for about a minute before baking. This step gives them that classic bagel texture.
Bake your bagels at 425°F (220°C) for about 20 minutes until golden brown. Enjoy them fresh with cream cheese, butter, or your favorite toppings!
Ingredients
- 1 cup sourdough starter
- 1 cup water
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 4 cups bread flour
Cooking Instructions
- In a bowl, mix sourdough starter, water, honey, and salt.
- Then, add flour and stir until combined.
- Let the dough rest covered for 8-12 hours.
- Afterward, shape the dough into bagels.
- Boil the bagels for 1 minute in water.
- Finally, bake at 425°F (220°C) for 20 minutes.