Sourdough Discard Recipes

Sourdough discard brings flavour and moisture to everyday bakes. These recipes use the starter you would normally throw away and turn it into cakes, muffins, cookies and quick breads. This hub gathers all of my discard recipes in one place so you can easily find something to make with your extra starter.

Discard adds a gentle tang but not the lift of active starter. Most of these bakes rely on baking powder or baking soda for rise. You can use cold discard straight from the fridge, which makes these recipes very convenient. If you are new to discard baking, start with banana bread or lemon loaf. Once you know the feel of the batter, cookies, muffins, bars and cobblers are easy next steps.

I often give my discard bakes a short overnight ferment because it makes a noticeable difference to the flavour and texture. The batter becomes smoother, the crumb softens and the sourdough notes round out without becoming sharp. It also fits easily into a home baking routine. You can mix the batter the night before and bake fresh in the morning. Most discard recipes on the site offer both a same day and an overnight option so you can choose whatever suits your schedule.

Sourdough discard Recipes

Cakes and Desserts

Breakfast

Muffins and Quick Breads

Savoury

Cookies and bars

Where to go next

To bake with active starter, visit the Bread hub or the Enriched hub. For simple soft shapes, try Rolls and Buns. Or return to the main sourdough hub.

A sticky toffee pudding topped with caramel sauce sits on a white plate, next to a swirl of whipped cream. A spoon and a small white jug of sauce are in the background.