20 + Quick Sourdough Discard Recipes

There's no hard and fast rule saying that keeping a sourdough starter means dealing with an endless amount of discard waste.

In fact, not only are there great methods for keeping a zero-discard sourdough starter; but sourdough discard itself is a wonderful ingredient to bake with.

It not only adds a delicious sourdough flavor to savory baked goods, but it builds a subtle and seriously rounded out base in sweets.

You'll find that baked goods made with sourdough discard are usually extra tender and soft, too.

If you're just getting started on your sourdough journey, definitely check out these ten amazing sourdough cookbooks, covering everything from keeping your starter to scoring your bread.

Without further ado, here's a list of over 20 inspiring baked goodies to get you going on your no-waste sourdough journey:

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Crackers
Donuts, muffins & scones
Cookies & Cakes
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Crackers

Crackers are probably the simplest, quickest way to use up sourdough discard. Here are a handful of seriously delicious variations.

Sesame Sourdough Discard Crackers

sesame crackers from the top down with goat cheese dip in a small bowl

Sesame Sourdough Discard Crackers

There are tons of ways to make crackers with sourdough discard, but this flavor combination is one of my favorites. They're full of comfy herbs like garlic, thyme, parsley and tons of delicious sesame.

Sesame Sourdough Crackers - Kitchen Verve

Herbed Sourdough Discard Crackers

Herbed Sourdough Crackers

Moreish sourdough crackers with a satisfying snap. Salty, herby & slightly sour, these are a great alternative to crisps!

Herby Sourdough Crackers - Somebody Feed Seb

Rosemary Sourdough Crackers

Rosemary Sourdough Crackers

These Rosemary Sourdough Crackers are a perfect way to use sourdough starter discard! A flavorful addition to charcuterie meat and cheese boards for party entertaining. #charcutterieboards #sourdough

Rosemary Sourdough Crackers - Three Olives Branch

Cheddar Sourdough Crackers

Sourdough Discard Cheddar Cheese Crackers

Crispy, crunchy, sharp with mature Cheddar and with a signature sourdough tang, these Sourdough Cheese Crackers are great for snacking!

Cheddar Cheese Sourdough Crackers - Somebody Feed Seb

Sourdough Discard Cheddar Cheese Crackers

Donuts, muffins & scones

Using discard in your sweets is a downright simple and affordable hack to amp up the flavor of your baked goods. These muffins, donuts and scones do just that:

Cinnamon Raisin Sourdough Discard Muffins

Naturally Sweetened Sourdough Cinnamon Raisin Muffins

These naturally sweetened sourdough cinnamon raisin muffins are a delicious, healthy, and filling snack or breakfast.

Cinnamon Raisin Discard Muffins - Wisconsin Homesteader

Sourdough Discard Apple Muffins

Sourdough Apple Muffins

These sourdough apple muffins are packed with apples. Cinnamon, buttermilk, and brown butter all add a second punch of flavors.

Cinnamon Apple Discard Muffins - Ugly Duckling Bakery

Sourdough Discard Donut Holes

Sourdough Discard Donuts Recipe

Make the softest glazed donuts and use your sourdough discard with this delicious sourdough discard donuts recipe! Make the same day, or rest the donuts overnight to prepare in the morning.

Sourdough Discard Donuts - Goodie God Mother

Chocolate Sourdough Discard Donuts

Chocolate Sourdough Discard Donuts

Light, fluffy, and perfectly chocolaty, these chocolate sourdough discard donuts taste like they came from a corner bakery! This is a great, unique, recipe to use sourdough discard *and* get your chocolate doughnut fix.

Chocolate Sourdough Donuts - Goodie God Mother

Sourdough Discard Scones

Sourdough Discard Scones

Soft and flaky sourdough scone recipe. This is a great way to use that leftover discard. They are easy to make and are best when served warm with some butter and raspberry jam.

Sourdough Discard Scones - Dirt and Dough

Lemon Blueberry Sourdough Discard Scones

Lemon & Blueberry Sourdough Scones

Our Lemon & Blueberry Sourdough Scones are light and fluffy, generously studded with blueberries and flavoured with lemon zest!

Lemon Blueberry Sourdough Scones -Somebody Feed Seb

Cookies & Cakes

Want to take that discard baking up a notch? try out one of these mouth-watering recipes:

Sourdough Discard Lime Drizzle Cake

Sourdough Lime Drizzle Cake

If you are a fan of a lemon drizzle cake, try our double twist on the British family favourite - a Sourdough Lime Drizzle Cake!

Discard Lime Drizzle Cake - Somebody Feed Seb

Sourdough Discard Coffee Cake

Sourdough Discard Coffee Cake Recipe

This sourdough discard coffee cake is so easy to make. It is sweet, delicious, and the perfect way to use your discard!

Sourdough Coffee Cake - Two Pink Peonies

Sourdough Chocolate Brownie Cookies

Sourdough Discard Chocolate Brownie Cookies

These sourdough discard cookies are incredibly soft, filled with chocolate, and perfectly balanced with flaky sea salt. Need a good cookie recipe to use your sourdough discard with? Look no further!

Chocolate Sourdough Cookies - Dirt and Dough

Sourdough Discard Chocolate Brownie Cookies

Sourdough Discard Oatmeal Cookies

Sourdough Discard Oatmeal Cookies Recipe

Looking for a delicious way to use your sourdough discard? Try these sourdough discard oatmeal cookies. Use chocolate chips or raisins!

Sourdough Oatmeal Cookies - Two Pink Peonies

Sourdough Discard Oatmeal Cookies Recipe

Brown Butter Sourdough Discard Cookies

Brown Butter Sourdough Discard Cookies

Or try my brown butter and butterscotch variation! This might be my new absolute favorite way to use up sourdough discard. These cookies are so soft, so chewy, and blow-your-mind level delicious.

Brown Butter Discard Cookies - Kitchen Verve

There are countless ways to use discard, from breakfast til dessert, your starter has you covered. Here are a few seriously creative and simple recipes for inspiration:

Discard Breakfast Bites

Sourdough Breakfast Bites

Sourdough starter breakfast bites are the perfect way to start your day. Made with eggs, peppers, mushrooms, spinach and of course some sourdough starter.

Discard Breakfast Bites - Dirt and Dough

Sourdough Discard Pancakes

Sourdough Discard Pancakes

Pancakes made with a sourdough starter for a light and fluffy texture. Cooked on a cast iron skillet with butter gives these pancakes a golden brown exterior.

Discard Pancakes - Dirt and Dough

Sourdough Discard Banana Bread

Sourdough Discard Banana Bread

Sourdough discard banana bread is so incredibly soft and bursting with banana flavor. The discard gives this iconic bread the perfect rise and texture.

Sourdough Banana Bread - Dirt and Dough

Sourdough Discard Naan

Sourdough Naan

Not sure what to do with all your discard from your sourdough starter? This recipe for Sourdough Naan is here to save the day! Rich in flavor with a hint of tang from your homegrown miracle, each piec

Discard Naan Recipe - Smells Like Delish

Sourdough Discard Almond Biscotti

Sourdough Discard Toasted Almond Biscotti

Sourdough discard toasted almond biscotti is the perfect companion to your morning coffee. The classic flavors of an almond biscotti but made with a sourdough discard.

Sourdough Almond Biscotti - Dirt and Dough

Chocolate Hazelnut Sourdough Biscotti

Chocolate Sourdough Biscotti with Hazelnuts

Wonderful crunchy twice-baked Italian cookies with a twist! Chocolate Sourdough Biscotti with Hazelnuts are made with orange & sourdough!

Chocolate Hazelnut Sourdough Biscotti - Somebody Feed Seb

And there you have it! 20 simple and delicious ways to get you started on your journey using sourdough discard that don't involve the trash can, garbage disposal, or compost bin.

Shout out to the inspiring bloggers who contributed their delicious recipes and beautiful photos to this list.

Have any great discard ideas that didn't make the list? Join in on the conversation below!