26 Sourdough Discard Recipes That’ll Make You Feel Like a Zero-Waste Pro

Save this

Throwing out sourdough discard feels like a waste, but it doesn’t have to be. With the right sourdough discard recipes, that extra starter can turn into something useful instead of going down the drain. These ideas make the most of every last bit, whether you’re after something quick, hearty, or just a little different. No complicated steps, no special ingredients—just practical ways to use what you already have. If cutting waste and making good food sounds like a win, this list has you covered.

Easy Sourdough Pumpkin Muffins

Pumpkin muffins on a rustic wooden table with a small pumpkin and cinnamon stick nearby.
Easy Sourdough Pumpkin Muffins. Photo credit: Milk Glass Home & Kitchen.

These pumpkin muffins use sourdough discard for an extra tender crumb. They’re just the thing when you need a cozy breakfast but don’t want to waste that starter.
Get the Recipe: Easy Sourdough Pumpkin Muffins

Sourdough Snickerdoodle Cookies

A stack of three cookies with the top one partially eaten, set against a blurred background with a cloth and a milk bottle.
Sourdough Snickerdoodle Cookies. Photo credit: Andee’s Apron.

These snickerdoodles get a little tang from sourdough discard, making them even better than the classic. Cinnamon sugar and a chewy center keep things interesting.
Get the Recipe: Sourdough Snickerdoodle Cookies

Sourdough Discard Chocolate Chip Muffins

Bowl of chocolate chip muffins, one with a bite taken out, on a wooden table next to a blue and white cloth.
Sourdough Discard Chocolate Chip Muffins. Photo credit: An Off Grid Life.

These muffins take a classic and give it a subtle sourdough spin. They’re soft, packed with chocolate, and a great excuse to use up extra starter.
Get the Recipe: Sourdough Discard Chocolate Chip Muffins

Sourdough Graham Crackers

Six bear-shaped cookies on crumpled white parchment paper.
Sourdough Graham Crackers. Photo credit: Two Pink Peonies.

Who knew sourdough discard could turn into crisp, honey-kissed graham crackers? These are perfect for s’mores, snacking, or just proving you can bake better than the store-bought stuff.
Get the Recipe: Sourdough Graham Crackers

Sourdough Apple Coffee Cake

A slice of crumb cake with a crumbly, nutty topping on a plate, next to a fork.
Sourdough Apple Coffee Cake. Photo credit: Milk and Pop.

A soft, spiced cake loaded with apples and a crumbly topping—what’s not to love? This is one of those sourdough discard recipes that feels fancy but couldn’t be easier.
Get the Recipe: Sourdough Apple Coffee Cake

Sourdough Fruit and Nut Gourmet Crackers

Close-up of a slice of multigrain bread with nuts and seeds, topped with a smear of butter.
Sourdough Fruit and Nut Gourmet Crackers. Photo credit: Milk and Pop.

These crispy crackers are loaded with nuts, dried fruit, and just enough tang from the sourdough. They’re fancy enough for a cheese board but just as good straight from the container.
Get the Recipe: Sourdough Fruit and Nut Gourmet Crackers

Sourdough Discard Molasses Cookie Recipe with Fresh Milled Flour

A plate with six round, cracked cookies sitting on a bright blue rimmed plate, placed on a light-colored surface.
Sourdough Discard Molasses Cookie Recipe with Fresh Milled Flour. Photo credit: A Hint of Homestead.

Soft, spiced, and slightly chewy, these molasses cookies get a little extra depth from sourdough discard. They’re perfect for chilly days or whenever you need a little nostalgia.
Get the Recipe: Sourdough Discard Molasses Cookie Recipe with Fresh Milled Flour

Sourdough Discard Chocolate Chip Cookies

A cookie with chocolate chips and a green candy, partially eaten, on a cooling rack.
Sourdough Discard Chocolate Chip Cookies. Photo credit: Stretch and Folds.

Chocolate chip cookies with a hint of sourdough tang? Absolutely. These are crisp at the edges, chewy in the center, and disappear way too fast.
Get the Recipe: Sourdough Discard Chocolate Chip Cookies

Za’atar Sourdough Discard Crackers

A bowl filled with mixed seeds, surrounded by square, seed-topped crackers resting on the bowl and scattered around on a white surface.
Za’atar Sourdough Discard Crackers. Photo credit: Hilda’s Kitchen Blog.

These crackers bring bold za’atar flavor with just the right crunch. If you’re looking for sourdough discard recipes that go beyond bread, this one’s a winner.
Get the Recipe: Za’atar Sourdough Discard Crackers

Sourdough Whole Wheat Blueberry Muffins

A blueberry muffin broken in half on a white surface, revealing a moist interior with visible blueberries.
Sourdough Whole Wheat Blueberry Muffins. Photo credit: Served From Scratch.

Whole wheat flour and sourdough discard give these muffins extra flavor and a hearty texture. Juicy blueberries keep them from being anything but boring.
Get the Recipe: Sourdough Whole Wheat Blueberry Muffins

Easy Sourdough Discard Focaccia Recipe

Sliced bread with seeds on a wooden board, surrounded by a striped cloth, a jar of spices, and a glass jar with a lid.
Easy Sourdough Discard Focaccia Recipe. Photo credit: An Off Grid Life.

This golden, airy focaccia proves that sourdough discard belongs in more than just pancakes. A drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of salt take it to the next level.
Get the Recipe: Easy Sourdough Discard Focaccia Recipe

Simple Sourdough Pretzel Bites Made with Fresh Milled Flour

Pretzel bites topped with salt on a cooling rack.
Simple Sourdough Pretzel Bites Made with Fresh Milled Flour. Photo credit: A Hint of Homestead.

Soft, chewy, and perfect for dipping, these pretzel bites put extra starter to good use. You’ll probably want to double the batch.
Get the Recipe: Simple Sourdough Pretzel Bites Made with Fresh Milled Flour

Rosemary Sourdough Crackers

A white bowl filled with square crackers topped with salt and herbs, surrounded by sliced apricots and a sprig of rosemary on a wooden surface.
Rosemary Sourdough Crackers. Photo credit: Three Olives Branch.

These crisp, herby crackers are an easy way to turn sourdough discard into something worth snacking on. Pair them with cheese, or just eat them straight off the pan.
Get the Recipe: Rosemary Sourdough Crackers

Sourdough Discard Crackers

A glass jar filled with thin, crispy crackers, some with visible seeds.
Sourdough Discard Crackers. Photo credit: An Off Grid Life.

Sometimes simple is best. These no-fuss crackers are light, crunchy, and a great way to make sure not a drop of starter goes to waste.
Get the Recipe: Sourdough Discard Crackers

Sourdough Discard Banana Muffins

Four muffins on a wooden board with parchment paper, a blue and white striped cloth, and a bunch of bananas on the side.
Sourdough Discard Banana Muffins. Photo credit: An Off Grid Life.

Bananas and sourdough discard team up for muffins that are soft, flavorful, and anything but dry. A great option for breakfast or an afternoon snack.
Get the Recipe: Sourdough Discard Banana Muffins

Old-Fashioned Easy Sourdough Discard Biscuits Recipe

A plate with three golden biscuits stacked on a wooden surface. Nearby are a stick of butter, a dark jar, and a blue striped cloth.
Old-Fashioned Easy Sourdough Discard Biscuits Recipe. Photo credit: An Off Grid Life.

Flaky, buttery biscuits with just a hint of sourdough tang—perfect for slathering with butter or piling high with jam. This is one of those sourdough discard recipes you’ll keep coming back to.
Get the Recipe: Old-Fashioned Easy Sourdough Discard Biscuits Recipe

Soft Sourdough Chocolate Chip Cookies Made with Fresh Milled Flour

A batch of freshly baked chocolate chip cookies cools on a black wire rack.
Soft Sourdough Chocolate Chip Cookies Made with Fresh Milled Flour. Photo credit: A Hint of Homestead.

Fresh milled flour and sourdough discard give these cookies a little something extra. They’re soft, rich, and dangerously easy to eat.
Get the Recipe: Soft Sourdough Chocolate Chip Cookies Made with Fresh Milled Flour

Sourdough Discard Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

A plate of powdered sugar-coated cookies on a wooden table, surrounded by red and green Christmas ornaments and a plaid ribbon.
Sourdough Discard Chocolate Crinkle Cookies. Photo credit: Lynn’s Way of Life.

These crinkle cookies bake up with a fudgy center and a slightly crisp, powdered sugar-coated top. The sourdough discard adds just a touch of depth to all that chocolate.
Get the Recipe: Sourdough Discard Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

Sourdough Sesame Rye Crackers From Scratch

A stack of seven square crackers with visible salt granules, placed on a light surface scattered with more crackers in the background.
Sourdough Sesame Rye Crackers From Scratch. Photo credit: Served From Scratch.

Rye flour, sesame seeds, and sourdough discard come together for a cracker with a little nuttiness and a lot of crunch. They’re great with hummus or straight from the tin.
Get the Recipe: Sourdough Sesame Rye Crackers From Scratch

Crispy Sourdough Zucchini Fritters

A plate of golden-brown vegetable fritters stacked on top of each other, resting on a wooden cutting board.
Crispy Sourdough Zucchini Fritters. Photo credit: Lynn’s Way of Life.

These fritters turn sourdough discard into a crispy, golden snack. They’re a great way to use up zucchini and starter at the same time.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Sourdough Zucchini Fritters

Cinnamon Sourdough Discard Muffins

A plate of crumb-topped muffins, with one muffin partially sliced open to show the inside texture. A glass of milk and kitchen items are blurred in the background.
Cinnamon Sourdough Discard Muffins. Photo credit: An Off Grid Life.

Soft, fluffy, and packed with cinnamon, these muffins turn sourdough discard into something worth waking up for. They smell as good as they taste.
Get the Recipe: Cinnamon Sourdough Discard Muffins

Sourdough Oatmeal Toffee Cookies

Oatmeal cookies with chunks of nuts stacked on a surface, one cookie partially broken to show texture.
Sourdough Oatmeal Toffee Cookies. Photo credit: A Hint of Homestead.

These cookies have everything—chewy oats, rich toffee, and just a hint of sourdough tang. A little sweet, a little salty, and completely addictive.
Get the Recipe: Sourdough Oatmeal Toffee Cookies

Sourdough Blueberry Muffins

Blueberry muffins in a tray, with one muffin halved in front. Fresh blueberries are in a compartment, alongside a juiced lemon and a wooden reamer.
Sourdough Blueberry Muffins. Photo credit: Cinnamon Shtick.

Bursting with blueberries and a subtle sourdough flavor, these muffins are perfect for breakfast or whenever you need something homemade. No one will guess they started with discard.
Get the Recipe: Sourdough Blueberry Muffins

Sourdough Brownies

Two strawberries sit next to several chocolate brownies on a white plate. A glass is blurred in the background.
Sourdough Brownies. Photo credit: Growing Dawn.

Rich, fudgy, and slightly tangy, these brownies prove that sourdough discard belongs in more than just bread. If you like deep chocolate flavor, this one’s for you.
Get the Recipe: Sourdough Brownies

Sourdough Discard Tortillas

Stack of homemade flatbreads on a wooden cutting board.
Sourdough Discard Tortillas. Photo credit: An Off Grid Life.

Soft, pliable, and full of flavor, these homemade tortillas make store-bought ones seem like a mistake. The sourdough discard gives them just the right chew.
Get the Recipe: Sourdough Discard Tortillas

Sourdough Lemon Bars

Close-up of lemon bars dusted with powdered sugar on a wire rack.
Sourdough Lemon Bars. Photo credit: Home Grown Happiness.

A buttery shortbread crust and a tangy lemon filling get a little extra complexity from sourdough discard. They’re bright, citrusy, and just the right amount of sweet.
Get the Recipe: Sourdough Lemon Bars

Save this

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *