If you love baking with a sourdough starter and are looking for some new recipes to try, you're in the right place. I've put together a list of the best recipes using active sourdough starter that will take your baking to the next level. Whether you're in the mood for a classic loaf, a flavorful flatbread, or a delightful French pastry, these active sourdough starter recipes will help you create something amazing without any commercial yeast in sight!
Where do you want to begin? Have a look at the recipe below or learn more in our article about how to replace yeast with sourdough starter in almost any recipe!
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Christmas Sourdough ebook
Celebrate the holiday season with a unique twist this year with our 24 Christmas Sourdough recipes! Discover the magic of using active sourdough starter, sourdough discard, and leftover baked sourdough bread to create a memorable and flavoursome Christmas feast.
Bread: From Basic Sourdough To Italian Sourdough Breads
Wondering what to make with active sourdough starter (and no added leavening agents)? Start with a classic sourdough loaf (made without the Dutch Oven), then explore various delicious mix-ins and finally explore more impressive options like Italian sourdough ciabatta and sourdough focaccia or French Fougasse.
Let's jump into our best bread recipes!
Coffee and Date Sourdough Bread
One of the fan favourites, this unusual sourdough loaf is a must-try! The colonies of wild yeast in the sourdough starter love the sugars from the sweet dates and the dough rises beautifully during the fermentation process (also known as bulk rise). This sourdough bread pairs beautifully with sweet and savoury things, but we love it most with cheese and charcuterie boards! Try it when you are bored of your regular recipes!
RECIPE: Coffee and Date Sourdough Bread
Walnut & Cranberry Sourdough Bread
Our favourite sourdough bread recipe! Yes, that's right! Generously studded with walnuts and cranberries, this bread is perfection when slathered in butter for breakfast or to go with a mid-morning coffee!
RECIPE: Walnut and Cranberry Sourdough Bread
Roasted Garlic & Green Olive Sourdough
Looking for a truly savoury loaf of bread? Look no further than our Roasted Garlic Olive Sourdough Bread! It is perfect with hearty stews and soups, but we've been known to enjoy it with a drizzle of honey (don't judge until you try it!).
RECIPE: Roasted Garlic & Green Olive Sourdough Bread
Soft Crust Sourdough Sandwich Bread
Our simple sourdough bread recipe that has a soft crust and less open crumb has impressed many of our readers. Perfect for sandwiches, breakfast toast or for French toast, this recipe walks you through basic steps that require minimal effort!
RECIPE: Soft Crust Sourdough Bread Recipe (Sourdough Sandwich Bread)
You can find more enriched sourdough recipes in our dedicated article about soft-crust sourdough recipes!
Sourdough Baguettes
A great bread from Franche that is known for its long shape and extra crusty crust! With a little (a lot) of sourdough tang. This baguette recipe uses a lot of active sourdough starter, so put it to good use and make a large batch. For best results, ease of the final rise and even crust, use a perforated baguette pan!
RECIPE: Overnight Sourdough Baguettes
Flavoured Sourdough: How, When and What Mix-Ins To Add To Your Sourdough?
Discover a variety of mix-ins and learn how they affect hydration and bulk fermentation, master the art of substituting water with coffee and tea, and explore a plethora of creative mix-in ideas. Plus, get 2 exclusive bonuses that will inspire you to create the most flavoursome and unique sourdough!
Sourdough Focaccia With Olives
This sourdough focaccia has never failed me - it is a sticky dough, but there is very little shaping involved. It is baked in a dark baking pan or cast iron skillet, ensuring a crispy exterior and soft and airy interior every time. Sourdough Focaccia is best enjoyed warm or at room temperature. Hint: experiment with different flavours as toppings. Oh, and sourdough focaccia is great as a pizza dough too!
RECIPE: Overnight Sourdough Focaccia Bread with Olives
Oh, and if you fancy a fun twist, try our Overnight Sourdough Focaccia With Potatoes and Rosemary.
Crusty Sourdough Ciabatta
Sourdough Ciabatta makes a great sandwich for lunch! Be prepared for a sticky and wet bread dough, but you will be rewarded with a chewy crust and extra airy crumb!
RECIPE: Sourdough Ciabatta
Strawberry Sourdough Bread
A delicious summer loaf of sourdough features fresh strawberry pieces and lemon zest! Slather it with cream cheese and enjoy it for breakfast!
RECIPE: Strawberry Sourdough Bread Loaf
Einkorn Sourdough Bread
Give yourself another challenge and try baking with this ancient wheat - einkorn! This recipe is beginner-friendly and uses 25% of Einkorn flour.
Get Recipe Here: Einkorn Sourdough Bread
Pickle Sourdough Bread
Dill pickles are on trend right now! So is sourdough! So why not combine the two in this dill pickle sourdough recipe?
Get Recipe Here: Pickle Sourdough Bread
Almond Croissant Sourdough Focaccia
Ah, my guilty pleasure combining the decadence of an almond croissant and an airy sourdough focaccia! This sweet sourdough focaccia is a must-try!
Get Recipe Here: Almond Croissant Sourdough Focaccia
Matcha Swirl Sourdough Bread
Introduce a little vibrant colour into your sourdough bread by using matcha powder! The taste isn't strong, but it's oh-so-pretty.
Get Recipe Here: Matcha Swirl Sourdough Bread
Flatbreads: From Indian Naan To Mexican Tortillas
Ready to expand your flatbread repertoire? Try making soft and fluffy Indian naan or versatile Mexican tortillas using your active sourdough starter.
Sourdough Pita Pockets
So much fun to make, and see them puff up in the oven! Plus, Sourdough Pita Pockets are a great way to switch up your ordinary lunch. Fill them with Beetroot Falafel or make them into Salmon and Avocado Pockets.
RECIPE: Sourdough Pita Bread | Overnight Recipe
Sourdough Naan
If Friday night is a Takeaway night, we encourage you to try cooking Indian Fakeaway in your own kitchen - trust me, you will never go back! And there is no Indian feast without delicious Sourdough Naan Breads. Soft and pillowy, dripping in garlic butter - honestly, it does not get much better!
RECIPE: Sourdough Naan Flatbread
Sourdough Tortilla (With Active Starter or Sourdough Discard)
Sourdough Tortillas is one of the quick sourdough recipes that you will fall in love with! Quick to make, and head and shoulders above the shop-bought version, these tortillas can be made with either active starter or sourdough starter discard. And there are numerous fun ways to use them: picture fajitas, enchiladas, tuna melt wraps and more...
RECIPE: Homemade Sourdough Tortillas (With Discard or Active Starter)
Savoury Bakes To Win Hearts Over
Looking to impress with something savoury? These active sourdough starter recipes for savoury bakes are sure to win hearts and taste buds alike! The recipes below are perfect for summer BBQs or simply a weekend lunch!
Sourdough Burger Buns
Elevate your burgers with homemade sourdough hamburger buns. They're soft, flavorful, and the perfect way to use your active sourdough starter for something truly special.
RECIPE: Soft Sourdough Burger Buns
Chilli and Cheese Pull Apart Bread
Love pizza? Can't say no to melting cheese? Fancy a little chilli kick? This Sourdough Tear And Share bread with chilli and cheese is for you!
RECIPE: Chilli & Cheese Sourdough Pull-Apart Bread
Sourdough Bagels
Why settle for store-bought when you can make your own sourdough bagels? They're chewy, flavorful, and a super fun way to use your active sourdough starter! And when it comes to toppings, the world is your oyster!
RECIPE: Easy Chewy Sourdough Bagels
Sourdough Pesto Rolls With Cheese
Milk and butter enriched dough rolled with fragrant basil pesto and cheese is the perfect way to enjoy bread for any occasion! If you can, make your own pesto for the most amazing pull-apart bread you've ever had!
RECIPE: Pesto Sourdough Pull-Apart Bread
Sourdough Garlic Knots
Fluffy, soft and covered in garlic butter, these overnight Sourdough Garlic Knots are perfect for a summer BBQ spread, Thanksgiving table or simply a pizza night!
RECIPE: Sourdough Garlic Knots
Sourdough Pretzel Bites
We have taken everything you love about a pretzel and make it into small bite-sized pieces that are impossible to resist! Who knew such simple ingredients could create something truly special?
Get Recipe Here: Sourdough Pretzel Bites (or try our Cinnamon Sugar Sourdough Pretzel Bites if you have a sweet tooth)
Sweet Breads and Sourdough Rolls
Indulge your sweet tooth with these delightful creations! From cinnamon swirl bread to the pinnacle of sourdough baking (at least for me) - Sourdough Panettone, these recipes are guaranteed to satisfy your cravings and elevate your baking game!
Apple and Cinnamon Sourdough Buns
Cosy up with the flavours of autumn in every bite! Juicy apples and warm cinnamon make these sourdough buns the ultimate treat for starting your day or indulging in a sweet snack.
RECIPE: Apple and Cinnamon Sourdough Buns
Sourdough Cinnamon Rolls
If you are looking for a more traditional cinnamon roll recipe, here you go! Perfectly soft and sweet, with an irresistible cream cheese frosting on top! Warning: super messy to eat! But that's part of the fun, right?
RECIPE: Sourdough Cinnamon Rolls (Overnight Recipe) - Soft & Fluffy
Sourdough Cinnamon Babka
This airy, cake-like bread is woven with tangy dough and luscious cinnamon ribbons. Though it takes two days to make, the delicious end result is worth enjoying for breakfast, tea, and dessert!
RECIPE: Sourdough Babka With Cinnamon
If you are making sourdough babka for summer, try our Strawberry Sourdough Babka with Cream Cheese Swirl!
Sourdough Hot Cross Buns
Get ready for a yearly treat with these fluffy Sourdough Hot Cross Buns! This recipe gives you the traditional British Easter Classic without any commercial yeast. Spiced with cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, and a touch of ginger, these buns are loaded with mixed peel, sultanas, and orange zest. You'll love them so much, you'll want to make them all the time!
RECIPE: Sourdough Hot Cross Buns (Step-By-Step Recipe) or try our new favourite variation - Sourdough Chocolate Hot Cross Buns
Sourdough Panettone
Ready for a challenge on your sourdough journey? If you are a pro, and regular sourdough baking is getting somewhat... well, boring, try sourdough panettone to keep you occupied for a few days! This recipe has it all stiff starter, long bulk fermentation, sugar ratios that change EVERYTHING, inverted cooking and the most delicious result you will ever taste! Warning: it's a long time from when you start to when you eat, so make sure you have patience 🙂 Any good thing is worth waiting for, right?
RECIPE: Sourdough Panettone
Flaky Buttery Sourdough Pastries
And here we are... in France! Do you enjoy flaky buttery pastries for breakfast? I sure do. And whilst I love homemade sourdough bread, making laminated pastry recipes using active sourdough starter is where I shine and smile the most!
The recipes below may take a little bit of work and practice if you are a beginner, and the whole process takes two days, but let me tell you - the moment you bite into that freshly baked croissant makes it all worthwhile!
Buttery Sourdough Croissants
Indulge in flaky perfection with these buttery sourdough croissants, a labour of love worth every buttery layer. Whether enjoyed plain or filled, they're sure to elevate your breakfast game. And the best part is, that any stale leftovers can get a second life as Almond Croissants!
RECIPE: Flaky Sourdough Croissants (Overnight Croissant Recipe)
Sourdough Pain Au Chocolat
Treat yourself to a decadent delight with these sourdough pain au chocolat, where rich chocolate meets tangy sourdough for a match made in pastry heaven. Perfect for a luxurious breakfast or a sweet afternoon pick-me-up.
RECIPE: Sourdough Pain Au Chocolat (Chocolate Croissants)
Sourdough Ham & Cheese Croissants
Don't have a sweet tooth? Take your croissant game in a different direction with these savoury delights, where tangy sourdough meets gooey cheese and savoury ham. All baked in! A delicious twist on a classic favourite.
RECIPE: Sourdough Ham & Cheese Croissants (Overnight Recipe)
Cinnamon Cruffins
Nothing can prepare you for this cinnamon-sugar sensation! The flakiness of croissants meets the sweetness of cinnamon rolls in the shape of a muffin! It's a pastry hybrid that's sure to impress. Perfect for brunch or a sweet treat any time of day.
RECIPE: Cinnamon Sourdough Cruffins
Sourdough Kouign Amann
Transport yourself to the streets of Brittany with these indulgent pastries, where layers of buttery dough and caramelized sugar create a heavenly texture and flavour. A delightful balance of sweet and tangy, these sourdough kouign amanns are a true culinary delight. No wonder they are known as the "fattiest pastry in all of Europe"!
RECIPE: Sourdough Kouign Amann
Sourdough Cheese Straws
Elevate your snack game with these crispy, cheesy delights, where tangy sourdough and sharp cheese come together for a savoury treat that's perfect for parties or snacking on the go. Crunchy, flavorful, and oh-so-addictive!
RECIPE: Sourdough Cheese Straws
New To Sourdough? We Have You Covered!
If you don't yet own sourdough starter, we have a simple sourdough starter recipe for you to start with as well as lots of tips on how to feed and maintain a healthy starter!
You can also download our Free Sourdough Starter Guide below.
You are going to love sourdough! And once you start baking, check out our sourdough discard recipes to turn food waste into delicious treats!
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