How to Use Up Extra Sourdough Starter: A Recipe Round-Up & Preservation Tips
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If you’re an avid sourdough baker, chances are you’ve found yourself with excess sourdough starter more often than you’d like to admit. Whether you’ve been baking up a storm or simply didn’t have time to feed it, there’s no need to toss that leftover sourdough discard.
Instead, there are so many great ways to turn that discard into delicious treats and meals. From savory options like pizza dough and dumplings, to sweet baked goods like zucchini bread and cookies, the possibilities are endless!
Plus, I’ll share some tips on how to preserve your sourdough starter by freezing and dehydrating it, so you can avoid waste and always have some on hand when you’re ready to bake.
1
Easy Sourdough Pizza Crust
One of the easiest ways to use up your sourdough discard is with a Sourdough Pizza Crust. This recipe combines the tang of sourdough with a touch of yeast for a rapid rise time, so you can have fresh pizza in under two hours. The result is a crispy, chewy crust with the distinct flavor that only comes from wild yeast. If you're craving pizza tonight and have some leftover sourdough discard, this is the best thing you can do with it!Pro Tip: Don’t have time to wait? The yeast helps speed up the process, so it’s the easiest way to enjoy sourdough pizza without the long rise times.
Fluffy, flaky, and full of flavor, these Sourdough Biscuits are an excellent way to use up that excess starter. Whether you serve them with gravy, alongside soup, or as a quick breakfast, these biscuits have a subtle tang from the sourdough starter that pairs perfectly with butter. You can even add a little olive oil for extra richness. The easiest way to elevate a meal is with a batch of these biscuits!Pro Tip: These biscuits are best enjoyed the next day—just pop them in the oven for a warm, crispy bite.
Sourdough starter isn’t just for baked goods—it can be used in savory dishes too! These Sourdough Dumplings are a fantastic addition to soups and stews. They soak up the flavors while providing a hearty, satisfying bite. The tang from the sourdough adds a nice balance to rich broths.Tip: If you’ve got excess starter hanging around, this is an excellent way to use it up quickly.
Bagels made with sourdough are seriously next-level. These Sourdough Bagels have a chewy, flavorful texture that’s perfect for slathering with cream cheese or your favorite toppings. Not only can you make full-size bagels, but these can also be made into mini Sourdough Bagel Bites for a fun snack or appetizer. Sourdough baking has never been this tasty!Quick Tip: Boil the bagels before baking to achieve the classic chewy texture. It’s part of what makes them so delicious!
If you’re a fan of sourdough and bagels, you’re going to love these Sourdough Bagel Bites! Perfect for snacking, breakfast, or even as a party appetizer, these bite-sized bagels are made from your trusty sourdough starter, giving them that tangy, chewy texture we all crave. Get creative with toppings like sesame seeds, chives, Everything Bagel Seasoning or stuffed with cream cheese or smoked salmon, these little bagel bites pack big flavor in every bite.Pro Tip- Serve sliced and toasted with hummus or dip for a great party appetizer!
If you're baking a pie and want a buttery, flaky crust, why not make it a Sourdough Pie Crust? The tangy flavor of sourdough adds complexity to your crust and balances perfectly with sweet or savory fillings. It’s a great way to use up that leftover starter and create a pie that's far more interesting than your typical store-bought version.Idea: This crust works great with a classic apple pie or even a savory chicken pot pie.
Making homemade tortillas is surprisingly easy, and using sourdough starter adds extra flavor and tenderness. These Sourdough Tortillas are soft and pliable, with just a hint of tang from the starter. Perfect for tacos, wraps, or quesadillas, these tortillas are a must-try.Quick Tip: Roll the dough thin for the best texture, and make sure to use fresh flour for the smoothest results.
These homemade Sourdough Poptarts are fun, nostalgic, and utterly delicious. They’re the perfect treat for both breakfast or dessert! The sourdough starter adds a depth of flavor to the crust, making these pop-tarts a decadent treat.Note: If you have much starter left over, this is a great way to transform it into a fun, sweet snack that both kids and adults will love.
These homemade treats are the perfect fall-inspired twist on the classic pop-tart, using your sourdough discard to create a flaky, buttery crust with a sweet and spiced pumpkin filling. Whether you enjoy them as a breakfast pastry or a cozy snack, these sourdough pumpkin pop-tarts are sure to become a seasonal favorite.
Craving something sweet and spicy? These Sourdough Ginger Cookies are packed with the warm flavors of molasses, cinnamon, and ginger, with the added depth of wild yeast from your sourdough starter. They’re chewy, flavorful, and the perfect cookie for pairing with a hot cup of tea.Pro Tip: These cookies are a hit around the holidays, but you’ll enjoy them year-round!
There are many creative ways to use up extra starter outside of this list, but this should give you a good starting point.
Some of my other favorite sourdough discard recipes include things like sourdough crackers, sourdough muffins, sourdough brownies, sourdough granola, sourdough cinnamon rolls and other quick breads.
How to Preserve Sourdough Starter: Freezing & Dehydrating
While there are a ton of different ways you can use up discarded sourdough starter in recipes, you can also preserve a portion of the starter by freezing or dehydrating at room temperature so that you always have a back up if something happens to your original starter.
If you want a longer-term storage solution, dehydrating sourdough starter is a great option. Dehydrated starter can be stored for months or even years. When you’re ready to bake again, just rehydrate it, feed it, and you’re good to go.
Now that you have a whole list of sourdough discard recipes to try, the next time you find yourself with excess sourdough starter, you’ll know exactly what to do with it.
From savory pizza dough and tortillas to sweet banana bread and cookies, there’s a recipe here for every occasion. And if you’re not ready to use it up right away, freezing or dehydrating your starter are the best ways to preserve it for future baking.
Whether you’re making a loaf of bread, sourdough pancakes, or a batch of cookies, you’ll always have something delicious to look forward to!
