Updated June 2025: These recipes have been rewritten and retested by Chef Cory using real ingredients. Photos are currently being updated with real kitchen photography as part of our full site refresh.
Don’t Toss It! 11 Best Sourdough Discard Recipes to Try
Got leftover sourdough starter? Don’t throw it out—bake it into something amazing! This roundup of the 11 best sourdough discard recipes features everything from chocolate chip cookies and banana bread to Muffins and chewy bagels. These ideas will help you turn every batch of discard into a crave-worthy success.
Last Updated: June 2025
Photography and recipe notes are currently being retested and updated.
📢 Note from Chef Cory: We’re actively updating this post and many others across Dealiciousness to improve visual quality, rewrite content in my own voice, and reflect real-life kitchen testing. Thank you for being part of this journey as we make every post the best it can be — with photos, stories, and flavors that truly reflect my 30+ years in the kitchen.
What to Make With Sourdough Discard: 11 Easy Recipes That Taste Amazing
After 30+ years in the kitchen — from restaurant service to Sunday mornings at home — I’ve learned to never waste a good sourdough discard. It’s not just leftovers… it’s flavor.
Every one of these 11 recipes comes straight from my kitchen on Long Island, tested and re-tested until they earned a spot on this list.
My daughters have their favorites (the pancakes never last more than 10 minutes), and I’ve got mine (the pretzels with grainy mustard, hands down).
Whether you’re new to sourdough or you’ve been nurturing your starter longer than some houseplants survive, there’s something here to help you use up that discard without wasting a drop.
Welcome to your new favorite sourdough collection — curated by a chef, inspired by home.
Table of Contents
🍪 1. Sourdough Discard Chocolate Chip Cookies
These cookies have a crispy golden edge, a soft gooey center, and a flavor boost from that tangy discard that keeps you coming back for “just one more.”
I make these with my daughters on baking days — they love tossing in the chocolate chips (and sneak a few, of course).
Pro tip: chill the dough 20 minutes before baking for thick, bakery-style results.
➤ Get the full recipe for these Sourdough Discard Chocolate Chip Cookies
🍌 2. Sourdough Discard Banana Bread
This one’s the kind of banana bread you wrap in foil and guard with your life. The discard adds a slight tang that balances the sweet, ripe bananas — and keeps the crumb super moist.
I like mine warm with a smear of salted butter and a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar.
Bonus: it’s a great way to use up those forgotten bananas on the counter.
➤ Get the full recipe for this Sourdough Discard Banana Bread
🎃 3. Sourdough Discard Pumpkin Muffins
These muffins scream cozy. They’re packed with real pumpkin, warm spices, and a touch of sourdough that gives each bite depth without being overpowering.
I make a batch every fall weekend — and they disappear fast.
Pro move: top them with a few pumpkin seeds before baking for that bakery-style look and crunch.
➤ Get the full recipe for these Sourdough Discard Pumpkin Muffins
🥞 4. Sourdough Discard Pancakes
These pancakes are light, fluffy, and slightly tangy in the best way. Perfect for lazy Saturday mornings when you’ve got a little discard to spare and a lot of hungry mouths to feed.
I usually make a double batch — one for breakfast and one for freezing (because my kids ask for these mid-week, too).
Add a drizzle of real maple syrup and you’re golden.
➤ Get the full recipe for these Sourdough Pancakes
🍫 5. Sourdough Discard Brownies
These are rich, fudgy, and straight-up dangerous. The discard adds this deep, almost brownie-batter-like complexity that regular brownies just can’t touch.
I bake them until the edges are chewy and the center still has a little give, just how we like ’em around here. They never last more than 24 hours in my kitchen.
➤ Get the full recipe for these Sourdough Discard Brownies
🧇 6. Sourdough Discard Waffles
These waffles are crisp on the outside, pillowy inside, and packed with sourdough tang.
I make these in a cast iron waffle maker and let them go a little longer for that extra golden crunch.
We love them loaded with butter and berries, but they’re also great for savory waffle sandwiches (trust me on that one).
➤ Get the full recipe for these Sourdough Discard Waffles
🥯 7. Sourdough Bagels
These bagels are legit. Chewy on the outside, soft in the center, and packed with that signature sourdough tang.
I boil mine in honey water before baking for that classic NYC crust — it’s a trick I picked up years ago and never let go.
Add your favorite toppings (mine’s everything + a smear of chive cream cheese), and you’ve got bakery-level bagels at home.
➤ Get the full recipe for these Sourdough Bagels
While most of the recipes in this post use sourdough discard, the next few do require a fully active and bubbly starter to get the best results.
They’re still absolutely worth making if you’ve got an established starter on hand—just be sure it’s fed and active before you dive in!
🥨 8. Sourdough Pretzels
These pretzels are soft, salty, and better than anything from the mall — trust me.
The discard gives them a deep, yeasty flavor, and a quick dip in baking soda water gives you that signature chewy skin.
is Serve them with spicy mustard or warm cheese dip, and watch how fast they disappear. Beer optional but highly recommended.
➤ Get the full recipe for these Sourdough Pretzels
🧈 9. Sourdough English Muffins
These cook low and slow on a griddle for that perfect crust and soft, nooks-and-crannies interior.
The discard gives them a tangy kick that makes even plain butter taste elevated. We make a bunch and freeze them — they toast up beautifully and make the ultimate breakfast sandwich base.
➤ Get the full recipe for these Sourdough English Muffins
🍔 10. Sourdough Hamburger Buns
These are sturdy enough to handle a juicy burger and soft enough to bite through without a mess.
The discard gives the buns depth of flavor and just a touch of chew.
I brush the tops with melted butter and a sprinkle of sesame seeds — it’s a small detail, but it makes these feel gourmet every time.
➤ Get the full recipe for these Sourdough Hamburger Buns
🍩 11. Sourdough Donuts
Slightly tangy, super fluffy, and rolled in cinnamon sugar while they’re still warm — these are my daughters’ favorite.
I fry them in small batches and let them cool on a wire rack (the hardest part is not eating them all hot).
They’re way better than anything store-bought and a great use for discard that feels totally indulgent.
➤ Get the full recipe for these Sourdough Donuts
🍽️ Final Thoughts: From Waste to Wow
So, the next time you feed your starter and hold that jar of discard wondering what to do with it—remember this list. These aren’t just ways to avoid waste.
They’re genuinely delicious recipes that just happen to be sustainable too.
Every one of these recipes has earned a spot in my kitchen rotation, and I hope they’ll find a home in yours too.
Whether you’re baking for breakfast, dessert, or just for fun, these sourdough discard recipes are here to make it easier, tastier, and a little more resourceful.
If you loved this post, don’t forget to Pin it for later and follow me on Pinterest at @Dealiciousness for even more sourdough goodness, quick dinners, and seasonal favorites.
And if you try any of these recipes, tag me on Instagram @Dealiciousness — I’d love to see your creations and share them with our foodie family!
👉 Want more? Browse the full Sourdough Recipe Collection for even more ways to use your starter year-round.
💾 Love this recipe? Don’t lose it!
Just click the “Pin Recipe” button right on the recipe card, or use the Pinterest share button down in the bottom right corner of your screen.
One quick click, and it’s on your board for next time—easy, right?
❓ Sourdough Discard FAQ
What exactly is sourdough discard?
Sourdough discard is the portion of starter you remove before feeding the rest.
It’s made up of flour and water that’s gone through fermentation—so it’s full of flavor, but not quite active enough to rise bread on its own.
Can I store discard to use later?
Yes! Keep it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.
If you don’t have time to use it right away, freeze it in portions and thaw when needed.
Do I have to use it in sweet recipes?
Not at all. Discard works beautifully in savory dishes too—like crackers, pizza dough, flatbreads, and even savory muffins. It’s a great way to add flavor and cut food waste.
Will using discard make my food sour?
It depends on how mature your starter is and how much you use. Most discard gives a mild tang—nothing overpowering.
If you want a stronger flavor, you can increase the amount in recipes gradually.
👨🍳 About the Author
Cory is a professional chef with over 30 years of experience, a father of two, and the creator of Dealiciousness. Every recipe on this site is tested in his Long Island kitchen with fresh, seasonal ingredients — and sometimes with a little help from two hungry daughters.
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