Plain sourdough is great, but why stop at a basic sourdough boule when there's a world of flavour-packed possibilities waiting for you? Adding inclusions to your dough is the perfect way to take your loaves from simple to stunning, and we've rounded up 10 of our favourite Sourdough Bread Recipes With Inclusions to get you inspired. Whether you're into seeds, spices, or a touch of something sweet, there's a recipe here that'll make your next bake anything but boring.
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Sourdough Meets Flavours and Textures
Adding sourdough add-ins is the best way to elevate your bread from simple to spectacular. Whether it's the nutty crunch of seeds, the tangy surprise of dried fruit, or the aromatic kick of herbs and spices, the flavour combinations below transform an everyday sourdough loaf into something truly special.
Not only do inclusions add a boost of taste, but they also bring visual appeal, making your sourdough bread with inclusions a feast for both the eyes and the palate.
New to sourdough baking? Start with an easy sourdough bread recipe as your base, like our step-by-step guide to a basic everyday sourdough bread made with strong bread flour and baked in a Dutch oven. Or you can try our Sourdough Bread Without Dutch Oven!
Once you've nailed the plain sourdough dough, inclusions are a great way to experiment and make each loaf uniquely yours.
10 Best Sourdough Recipes With Inclusions
Here are 10 of my favourite sourdough recipes with inclusions, ranked (loosely) in the order I've enjoyed them over the last few years. That said, my preferences change monthly, so trust me when I say they're all equally delicious!
Click on the link for each to get the full recipe and start baking your way through these flavour-packed loaves.
1. Jalapeno and Cheddar Sourdough Bread
This jalapeño-cheddar sourdough bread is the perfect blend of spicy and cheesy, making it impossible to resist. It's by far my favourite sourdough bread recipe for family and friend gatherings, and the one that gets the most requests. One bite of the gooey cheddar pockets with a kick of jalapeño, and you'll understand why!
Get Recipe Here: Jalapeno and Cheddar Sourdough Bread
2. Pumpkin Sourdough Bread
This Pumpkin Sourdough Bread is autumn in a loaf, with its soft crumb, chewy crust, and subtle sweetness. Made with pumpkin puree, it's perfect for toasting or pairing with a creamy spread. Whether it's October or not, this recipe brings cosy vibes year-round!
Get Recipe Here: Pumpkin Sourdough Bread
3. Feta and Sundried Tomato Sourdough
Packed with tangy sun-dried tomatoes and creamy feta, this Feta and Sundried Tomato Sourdough is bursting with Mediterranean flavours. Each slice is savoury, satisfying, and pairs beautifully with a simple salad or a drizzle of olive oil. It's a loaf that feels like summer in every bite!
Get Recipe Here: Feta and Sundried Tomato Sourdough Bread
4. Walnut and Cranberry Sourdough
This Walnut and Cranberry Sourdough is a perfect balance of sweet and savoury, with the crunch of walnuts adding a delightful nutty flavour to every bite. The tart cranberries offer a pop of sweetness, making this loaf an irresistible choice for breakfast or an afternoon snack. It's as beautiful as it is delicious!
Get Recipe Here: Walnut and Cranberry Sourdough
5. Date and Coffee Sourdough Bread
Date and Coffee Sourdough Bread is a unique twist on your traditional sourdough, featuring bold, rich espresso coffee and milk instead of water. The sweet dates and coffee come together to create a loaf that pairs beautifully with both sweet and savoury toppings, making it perfect for your next cheese and charcuterie board. Plus, the milk gives it a softer, slightly sweeter crust that's hard to resist!
Get Recipe Here: Date and Coffee Sourdough Bread
6. Roasted Garlic and Olive Sourdough Bread
Roasted Garlic and Olive Sourdough Bread is the ultimate savoury treat, with the incredible aroma and subtle sweetness of roasted garlic blending perfectly with the briny green olives. Each bite offers a deep, rich flavour that will leave you coming back for more.
Get Recipe Here: Roasted Garlic and Olive Sourdough Bread
7. Oat and Honey Sourdough Loaf
Oat and Honey Sourdough Loaf is the perfect sourdough recipe for beginners looking to experiment with mix-ins. Oats are such a simple addition to the dough, whether you incorporate them during one of the sets of stretch and folds (typically the third fold) or through the sourdough lamination method. They melt into the dough, creating an incredibly soft, creamy crumb that makes this loaf a must-try for anyone craving a comforting, slightly sweet bread!
Get Recipe Here: Honey Oat Sourdough Bread
8. Beer Sourdough Bread
Beer Sourdough Bread takes your standard loaf to the next level by replacing water with beer. While you can't taste the beer directly, the aroma while baking is absolutely irresistible! Plus, it helps with the bulk fermentation process, making for a beautifully textured loaf with a slightly tangy edge. Perfect for beer lovers and sourdough enthusiasts alike!
Get Recipe Here: Beer Sourdough Bread
9. Chocolate Sourdough Bread
Chocolate Sourdough hits the sweet spot between bread and dessert. Made with both cocoa powder and chocolate chips, this homemade bread tastes almost like cake-seriously! Spread a slice with cream cheese and cherry jam, and you'll swear you're indulging in a Black Forest gateau rather than a loaf of sourdough. A must-try for anyone with a sweet tooth!
Get Recipe Here: Chocolate Sourdough Bread or try our Chocolate Cherry Sourdough Bread
10. Seeded Sourdough Bread
Seeded Sourdough Bread is the ultimate crowd-pleaser for anyone who loves a bit of crunch. Packed with a delicious mix of sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, and linseeds, this recipe lets you experiment with your own favourite seed combinations (try poppy seeds, flaxseed, hemp etc). Or you can simply try our Flaxseed Sourdough Bread Recipe. It's a simple way to elevate your sourdough game with added texture and flavour!
Get Recipe Here: Seeded Sourdough Bread
11. Lemon Blueberry Sourdough Bread
Lemon Blueberry Sourdough Bread combines the tang of a classic sourdough loaf with bursts of juicy blueberries and the zesty brightness of lemon. It's the kind of loaf that feels like summer in every slice-go on, give your starter a reason to shine!
Get Recipe Here: Lemon Blueberry Sourdough Bread
12. Dill Pickle Sourdough Bread
A fun and trendy twist on your sourdough loaf! Add dill and pickles (canned gherkins) and enjoy double the tang in your bread!
Get Recipe Here: Dill Pickle Sourdough Bread Recipe
13. Parmesan Sourdough Bread
Golden crusted, extremely cheesy, and not difficult to make, this Parmesan Sourdough Bread is for all cheese lovers!
Get Recipe Here: Parmesan Sourdough Bread
14. Caramelised Onion and Cheddar Sourdough Bread
If you've ever been tempted by the idea of baking a cheesy Caramelised Onion Sourdough Bread but weren't sure how to work mix-ins into a loaf, this recipe is for you.
Get Recipe Here: Caramelised Onion and Cheddar Sourdough Bread
15. Matcha Swirl Sourdough Bread
If you're into experimenting with flavour and love a loaf that looks as good as it tastes, this Matcha Sourdough Bread is absolutely worth a go. Swirled with earthy green tones and made with simple ingredients, it's a fun little twist that's just different enough to keep things interesting, without messing with the fundamentals.
Get Recipe Here: Matcha Swirl Sourdough Bread
We'd love to hear your favourite ways to add extra flavour to your sourdough! Share your examples of inclusions or tell us which recipe you like best. We're excited to hear what delicious combinations you've come up with!
17. Sesame Sourdough Bread With Sesame Seed Crust
Sesame seeds in the dough, sesame seeds on the crust - super nutty and delicious (let alone, very pretty) sourdough with a little character!
Get Recipe Here: Sesame Sourdough Bread With Sesame Seed Crust
18. Cranberry Orange Sourdough Bread
Perfect for the festive period, this sourdough bread is packed with orange juice-soaked cranberries and oranze zest!
Get Recipe Here: Cranberry Orange Sourdough Bread
19. Three Cheese Sourdough Bread
Made with Cheddar, Parmesan and Gruyere cheese, this Three Cheese Sourdough Bread is our cheesiest creation yet!
Get Recipe Here: Three Cheese Sourdough Bread
20. Marmite Sourdough Bread With Cheddar Cheese
Bold, cheesy and making a real statement, Marmite Sourdough bread will divide families - just like Marmite (or Vegemite) itself!
Get Recipe Here: Marmite Sourdough Bread
21. Honey and Lavender Sourdough Bread
Floral but not soapy, subtly sweet, but equally good with sweet and savoury toppings, this Lavender Sourdough Bread instantly takes you to lavender fields in Provance...
Get Recipe Here: Honey and Lavender Sourdough Bread
Things To Consider Before Adding Mix-Ins
- Hydration (Water Content): Certain mix-ins, like vegetable puree or cheese, can introduce a lot of moisture into your dough. Be mindful of the amount of water you add to compensate for the water content of your chosen inclusion, or your dough may become too sticky or loose. On the other hand, dried herbs and dried fruit will absorb more moisture, so sourdough hydration should be increased.
- Bulk Fermentation Time: Some inclusions, such as dried fruits or sweeteners like honey or maple syrup contain sugars. As a general rule, added sugar speeds up fermentation, so keep an eye on the dough to avoid over-fermenting. Other ingredients (like caffeine) can slow down the bulk fermentation process, so you will need to allow for enough time for proper fermentation.
- Dough Structure: Adding nuts, seeds, or other solid inclusions can impact your dough's structure and how the gluten strands form. Be sure to incorporate your inclusions gently to avoid disrupting the bread dough's natural rise.
- Salt Content: Many ingredients, such as olives or cheese, can add extra salt to your dough. Adjust the salt content in your recipe to account for these additions, or the final loaf may taste too salty.
For a more in-depth guide on how, when, and what mix-ins to add to sourdough, check out my eBook Flavoured Sourdough: How, When and What Mix-Ins To Add To Sourdough, available for purchase below.
Mix It Up: Turn Your Sourdough into a Flavour Adventure.
Make Better Sourdough With These Techniques
Your sourdough starter should be active and well-fed for the best results, as it directly influences both the flavour and rise of your bread, so head to our dedicated article on how to feed sourdough starter.
To make better sourdough, focus on key techniques like bulk fermentation, which allows the dough to develop flavour and rise. Coil folds are a great way to strengthen the dough while preserving its airy texture, improving both structure and crumb. Alternatively, the stretch and fold process is essential for building gluten strength, giving your sourdough its signature chewy texture and rise.
- Reading Your Sourdough Starter: What Bubbles, Smell and Rise Actually Tell You
- Best Flour For Sourdough Beginners: Starter Feeding & Bread
- How To Know When Sourdough Starter Is Ready And At Its Peak
- Sourdough Glossary For Beginners
- Sourdough Equipment For Beginners: The Tools I Actually Use
- Flour for Sourdough Baking: How to Choose The Right Type
- Why Bake Sourdough? A Great Hobby To Start In The New Year
- Falling Number In Flour: Why It Matters For Sourdough?
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