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Delicious Sourdough Recipes That Are Not Bread

Published: · Updated: by · This post may contain affiliate links · 8 Comments

Let's make your sourdough journey a lot more exciting and make some delicious sourdough recipes that are not bread! I am sure we can all agree that sourdough makes great bread, but we urge you to step out of your comfort zone and try something new this time! Sourdough, active starter or discard, is a perfect way to enhance many baking recipes. Picture buttery French pastries, cookies, cakes and tasty sourdough breakfast treats.

Collage of photos of sourdough recipes that are not bread.
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Why You Should Add Sourdough To Recipes?

If you've been making sourdough bread for a while, you are probably already in love with the delicious tang that sourdough bakes all have to offer. But we are here to give you even more reasons to incorporate your sourdough starter into more recipes:

  • Wild yeast in sourdough starter can replace commercial yeast in pretty much any recipe!
  • Baking with discard sourdough starter is a great way to reduce food waste. 
  • Sourdough products that undergo the bulk fermentation process can be easier to digest as the effects of phytic acid are neutralised in the digestive tract. 
  • The good bacteria in sourdough keep the bakes fresher for longer. 
  • Dough and pastry made with sourdough starter are a lot easier to work with - it extends better, it rolls easier and doesn't contract as much! 

Active Sourdough Starter vs Sourdough Discard

An active sourdough starter is a live culture of wild yeast and bacteria, maintained by regularly feeding it flour and water. It's a bubbly concoction that is a powerhouse behind sourdough bread, providing both leavening and flavour.

It's ready for use when it at least doubles in volume within 4 hours at room temperature (or passes the float test in most cases), meaning small amounts float when dropped in water (this is not the case with sourdough discard).

Sourdough discard, on the other hand, is the portion of the starter removed before feeding. While it doesn't have the same leavening power as an active starter, it's still rich in flavour. It's often used in quick sourdough recipes like sourdough waffles and sourdough pancakes where the tangy taste adds depth, but the bakes depend on other leavening agents like baking powder, baking soda, or commercial yeast. Head to our Sourdough Discard Breakfast Recipes for more!

Below, we separated the scrumptious non-bread recipes into two categories: recipes that use active and bubbly sourdough starter, and those recipes that require unfed sourdough discard. 

Sourdough Recipes Using Active Starter

So you already make amazing sourdough bread, right? What else can you use active sourdough starter for? The answer lies in these delicious recipes below! Most of these have step-by-step instructions and will require an overnight rise and use of kitchen scales for precise measurements, but they will be totally worth it!

1. Sourdough Croissants

Sourdough croissant cut in half showing airy flaky interior.

Wake up to the irresistible aroma of freshly baked overnight sourdough croissants - flaky, buttery, and naturally leavened for the perfect start to your day.

Get Recipe Here: Sourdough Croissants

2. Sourdough Hot Cross Buns

12 sourdough hot cross buns with crosses piped across them glazed with sugar syrup.

Soft, spiced, and slightly tangy, these sourdough hot cross buns are a delicious twist on a classic favorite.

Get Recipe Here: Sourdough Hot Cross Buns

Fancy an Easter Bake with a Black Forest Gateau twist? Try our Sourdough Chocolate Hot Cross Buns with Cherries!

3. Sourdough Pain Au Chocolat

Sourdough Pain Au Chocolat on a hte table, two of them cut in half.

Rich, buttery layers wrapped around dark chocolate - these sourdough pain au chocolate (or sourdough chocolate croissants) bring a bakery-worthy treat to your own kitchen.

Get Recipe Here: Sourdough Pain Au Chocolat

4. Sourdough Pretzels

Sourdough Pretzels with seeds on top.

Golden, chewy, and perfectly salty, these soft sourdough pretzels are a fun and flavorful homemade snack.

Get Recipe Here: Sourdough Pretzels

5. Sourdough Bagels

Sourdough Bagels in a basket lined with pink tea towel.

Boiled then baked for a chewy crust and rich flavour, these sourdough bagels are a hearty, homemade classic.

Get Recipe Here: Sourdough Bagels

6. Sourdough Cruffins

Sourdough cruffins on a black board with a checked yellow teatowel next to them.

Buttery, flaky, and rolled in cinnamon sugar, these sourdough cruffins are a delightful swirl of croissant and muffin magic.

Get Recipe Here: Sourdough Cruffins

7. Sourdough Pizza Crust

Our Best Pizza Topping + Sourdough Pizza Base
The thick and slightly chewy sourdough pizza base is for the deep dish and traditional pan pizza crust lovers. Paired with a lovely goat's cheese and piquant pepper topping, we think it's an absolute winner!
Sourdough Pizza Dough Recipe Here
best pizza toppings

8. Sourdough Kouign Amann 

Sourdough Kouign Amann on a cooling rack.

Caramelised on the outside, tender and tangy within, these sourdough kouign amann are a melt-in-your-mouth masterpiece of buttery layers.

Get Recipe Here: Sourdough Kouign Amann 

9. Sourdough Apple and Cinnamon Rolls

Sourdough apple cinnamon rolls with icing being torn apart.

Filled with tender apples and warm cinnamon, these soft sourdough cinnamon rolls are a cozy, naturally leavened treat perfect for any morning.

Get Recipe Here: Sourdough Apple and Cinnamon Rolls

Or if you're looking for a more traditional recipe, try our Sourdough Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting. They feature enriched dough with fluffy texture and buttery cinnamon filling!

10. Sourdough Stollen

sourdough stollen cut in half exposing marzipan swirl in the middle.

Packed with dried fruit, almonds, and a hint of spice, this sourdough stollen is a festive, naturally leavened twist on the classic holiday loaf.

Get Recipe Here: Sourdough Stollen

11. Sourdough Cheese Sticks

Sourdough Cheese Straws on a baking parchment-lined baking tray with smoked paprika jar in the background.

Crisp, cheesy, and irresistibly flaky, these sourdough cheese straws made with laminated pastry are the perfect savoury snack.

Get Recipe Here: Sourdough Cheese Sticks

12. Sourdough Apple Doughnuts

Sourdough Apple Fritters on a white square plate. One of the is cut in half exposing the chunky apple filling.

Light, fluffy, and bursting with apple filling, these sourdough apple doughnuts are a deliciously tangy twist on a sweet classic.

Get Recipe Here: Sourdough Apple Doughnuts

13. Sourdough Panettone

Half of sourdough panettone on a wooden board showing off airy crumb and domed top.

Airy, fragrant, and studded with dried fruit, this sourdough panettone is a naturally leavened holiday classic you'll love to share.

Get Recipe Here: Sourdough Panettone

14. Various Flatbreads

15. Sourdough Pain Aux Raisins

Sourdough Pain Au Raisins drizzled with icing.

Buttery, tender spirals filled with sweet raisins and a hint of cinnamon-these sourdough pain aux raisins are a perfect morning treat.

Get Recipe Here: Sourdough Pain Aux Raisins

16. Sourdough Cardamom Knots

Swedish Sourdough Cardamom Buns on a piece of parchment paper.

Soft, fragrant, and warmly spiced, these sourdough cardamom buns are a cozy twist on a beloved Scandinavian treat.

Get Recipe Here: Sourdough Cardamom Knots

17. Sourdough Pretzel Bites

Sourdough Pretzel bites on a black slate board with one pretzel bite bitten into.

Golden, with chewy interior, and perfectly seasoned, these sourdough pretzel bites are the ultimate bite-sized snack.

Get Recipe Here: Sourdough Pretzel Bites

And if you have a bit of a sweet tooth, try our Cinnamon Sugar Sourdough Pretzel Bites!

18. Sourdough Stollen Bites (German Christmas Recipe)

Small sourdough stollen bites on a decorative wooden board.

Bite-sized, very giftable Christmas Treat based on a Sourdough Stollen recipe!

Get Recipe Here: Sourdough Stollen Bites

19. Sourdough Belgian Buns (Classic Iced British Buns)

Sourdough Belgian Buns with icing and cherry on top on a wooden board.

Made with simple enriched sourdough, rolled with lemon curd and raisin filling, and topped with icing and a cherry!

Get Recipe Here: Sourdough Belgian Buns

Sourdough Discard Recipes

If you have lots of excess sourdough starter from regular feeding, we have a bunch of amazing recipes to help you incorporate sourdough starter discard into baking. We are sure that you'll find a good use for your discard below:

1. Sourdough Banana Bread With Chocolate Chips

Sourdough Chocolate Chip Banana Bread (Made With Sourdough Discard)
Traditional Banana Bread just changed for the better! Whip up a tasty Sourdough Banana Bread, a delightful quick bread recipe that makes the most of your sourdough discard and overripe bananas. With no fermentation process required, it's a simple yet satisfying way to minimise food waste while indulging in a sweet blend of sourdough tang and ripe banana sweetness, further enhanced with chocolate chips for an extra touch of indulgence.
Sourdough Banana Bread Recipe Here
Sliced Sourdough Discard Banana Bread on a black slate board on a white table.
Sliced Sourdough Discard Banana Bread on a black slate board on a white table.

2. Sourdough Blueberry Pancakes

A great recipe that takes our overnight fluffy pancakes to a new level by adding frozen (or fresh) blueberries to the mix!

Sourdough Blueberry Pancakes
A delicious breakfast is the best start to the day! Especially, when it involves delicious pancakes, prepared with love… If you keep a sourdough starter and bake lots of bread, we encourage you to put it to good use and surprise your loved ones with these fluffy Sourdough Blueberry Pancakes that can be made with fresh or frozen blueberries - making them a great breakfast recipe all-year round!
Sourdough Blueberry Pancake Recipe Here
A stack of 5 sourdough blueberry pancakes with maple syrup on top and blueberries around.
A stack of 5 sourdough blueberry pancakes with maple syrup on top and blueberries around.

3. Sourdough Pie Crust

Extra Flaky Sourdough Pie Crust (Sweet or Savoury)
Whether we make sweet or savory pies, one thing is for sure! We always, and I mean, always, make our pie recipes with sourdough pie crust! The reason is simple - our sourdough pie crust recipe makes the flakiest, most delicious and tender pie crust that is sturdy enough to hold pie filling, but is equally melt-in-the-mouth irresistible! Plus, what better way to use up your sourdough discard and add that sourdough flavor to your bakes?
Sourdough Pie Crust Recipe
Sourdough PIe Crust on a enamel pie plate with a grey tea towel next to it.

4. Sourdough Brownies

Fudgy Sourdough Discard Brownies
If you're pondering the best choice for using your sourdough discard, this is it! The incorporation of sourdough discard not only reduces food waste but also adds an extra rich depth of flavour to these fudgy Sourdough Discard Brownies, making them a delightful treat for any occasion.
Sourdough Brownies Recipe
Two pieces of Sourdough discard brownies on a black shiny board.
Two pieces of Sourdough discard brownies on a black shiny board.

5. Sourdough Discard Sugar Cookies

Turn your basic ingredients into delicious cookies, that can be shaped and decorated for any occasion!

Sourdough Sugar Cookies
This Sourdough Sugar Cookie recipe is a treat specifically made for sourdough lovers and those seeking a unique twist on classic sugar cookies! Whether for a special occasion or just to satisfy your sweet tooth, these simple Sourdough Sugar Cookies boast a subtly tangy flavour and can be cut out and iced to suit many different occasions!
Sourdough Discard Sugar Cookies Recipe Here
Heart-shaped sourdough sugar cookies decorated with pink and white icing on a baking parchment lined baking sheet.

6. All Sorts Of Sourdough Crackers

Whether you have a rolling pin to roll a thin layer of dough or not, we have a sourdough cracker recipe for you. Making a big batch of crackers is an easy way to use up lots of discard starter and have a great snack or a sidekick to your cheeseboard any time!

7. Sourdough Lemon Muffins

Easy Sourdough Lemon Muffins
Inspired by a true classic - Lemon Drizzle Cake - these Easy Sourdough Lemon Muffins are a quick and delicious way to use up that sourdough discard to make a wonderful zingy treat! Perfect for a sweet breakfast nibble or a snack to pack for a lunch break at work, these sourdough muffins can also be turned into a decadent cupcake! Simply add icing on top!
Sourdough Lemon Muffin Recipe Here
One sourdough lemon mufin cur in half, with another one in the background on a brown plate.
One sourdough lemon mufin cur in half, with another one in the background on a brown plate.

8. Sourdough Gingerbread Cookies

Sourdough Gingerbread Cookies
Thicker and softer Sourdough Gingerbread Cookies are how we love our ultimate Christmas treats to be! Full of warming spices and treacly flavours from the brown sugar, gingerbread cookies are not only delicious but certainly a fun cookie to make! This is an overnight recipe though, so it will require some patience, but all good things are worth waiting for, right? Make the sourdough discard cookie dough in the evening, then chill it in the fridge overnight. Bake, ice and enjoy the next day!
Sourdough Gingerbread Cookie Recipe Here
Sourdough gingerbread cookies decorated with icing sugar on a baking parchment sheet.
Sourdough gingerbread cookies decorated with icing sugar on a baking parhcment sheet.

9. Sourdough Biscotti With Cocoa & Hazelnuts

Chocolate Sourdough Biscotti with Hazelnuts
Biscotti or Cantucci in Italy, Croquette in France, Mandelbrot in Germany - a crunchy double-baked biscuit with nuts is enjoyed all over Europe. We make our Sourdough Biscotti with Hazelnuts and Cocoa Powder and love them dunked in black coffee, but these are also great with tea or dessert wine!
Sourdough Biscotti Recipe Here
Sourdough Biscotti being dunked into an espresso with the rest of the biscotti surrounding the cup.
Sourdough Biscotti being dunked into an espresso with the rest of the biscotti surrounding the cup.

10. Sourdough Yorkshire Puddings

Sourdough Yorkshire Puddings
If you keep a sourdough starter, making Yorkshire Puddings is a great way to use up some of it! No Sunday dinner is complete without a puffy Yorkshire Pudding that soaks up all the beautiful gravy! Our Sourdough Yorkshire Pudding recipe is as simple as it gets, and they puff up, crisp up and brown like a dream!
Sourdough Yorkshire Pudding Recipe Here
Three Sourdough Yorkshire puddings on a white parchment paper.
Three Sourdough Yorkshire pudding on a white parchment paper sheet.

11. Sourdough 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! A brilliantly zingy cake that makes great use of sourdough discard.
Sourdough Lime Drizzle Recipe Here
A slice of sourdough discard lime drizzle cake with the rest of the cake in the background.

Alternatively, try our favourite Sourdough Lemon Cake. It is super zingy with lemon zest inside the cake, drizzled with lemon syrup (simple white sugar and lime juice mix), and glazed with lemon icing! Making a cake is a great use of sourdough discard - so here's a couple more cakes to try:

12. Sourdough Puff Pastry

Sourdough Puff Pastry
If you like making your own pastry for those delicious homemade tarts and pies, maybe we can tempt you to try making Sourdough Puff Pastry! Buttery and flaky, just like your usual pastry, this recipe contains sourdough starter discard, giving your pastry an extra layer of flavour! Yes, we are talking that signature sourdough tang! Our Sourdough Puff pastry is great to use in both savoury and sweet dishes.
Sourdough Puff Pastry Recipe Here
Sourdough PUff Pastry Cross section.

13. Sourdough Lemon and Blueberry Scones

Lemon Blueberry Sourdough Scones
It doesn't get much better than tea and scones on a Saturday afternoon! This weekend, we've made lovely Lemon & Blueberry Sourdough Scones! Light and fluffy, with a slight sourdough bite, our scones are generously studded with blueberries and flavoured with lemon zest. Soft and buttery, Sourdough Scones never last longer than 24 hours in our house, no matter how many we make! Serve with some butter (no jam needed!) and a strong cup of tea!
Sourdough Blueberry Scones Recipe Here
Lemon blueberry sourdough scones cooling on a wire rack.

Alternatively, try our Sourdough Cherry Scones With White Chocolate Chips!

14. Sourdough Grissini

Sourdough Grissini
Another great way to use up your sourdough discard is to make lovely Sourdough Grissini! Delicious with a hint of honey, lots of seeds and a perfectly sharp snap, these breadsticks are a great simple mid-afternoon snack! Furthermore, you can add them next to your crudités to be used as a scoop for hummus and other dips.
Sourdough Grissini Recipe Here
Sourodugh grissini in a tall glass.

15. Sourdough Granola With Maple Syrup and Pecans

Sourdough Granola
Sourdough discard pouring out your ears? This irresistible homemade Sourdough Granola recipe is definitely one to add to your regular rotation! Packed with our favourite nuts and featuring big clusters of oat mixture, this maple and pecan granola is everything you want in a chunky sourdough granola, that's perfect for breakfast or simply as a delicious snack! Plus, it stands head and shoulders above any shop-bought granola we've ever tried!
Sourdough Granola With Pecans and Maple Syrup
Sourdough granola with maple and pecans spilling put of a glass jar on its side.
Sourdough granola with maple and pecans spilling put of a glass jar on its side.

16. All Sorts of Sourdough Discard Cookies

17. Sourdough Blondies

Sourdough Blondies
Sourdough Blondies are a brilliant way to put your discard to delicious use. These sourdough discard blondies bake up with a wonderfully chewy texture, packed with sweet pockets of white chocolate and crunchy pecans - everything you want in a perfect gooey blondie. Simple to make, and even easier to eat!
Sourdough Blondie Recipe
Sourdough blondies with pecans and white chocolate chips cut into squares on a piece of parchment paper.
Sourdough blondies with pecans and white chocolate chips cut into squares on a piece of parchment paper.

18. Sourdough Fried Pickles

Sourdough Fried Pickles (With Discard or Active Starter)
Sourdough Fried Pickles are what happens when tangy, salty, and crunchy meet crispy, golden batter with a sourdough twist. They're wildly snackable, slightly outrageous, and exactly what your dip bowl's been missing.
Sourdough Fried Pickles Recipe
Fried pickles in sourdough discard batter stacked on a small decorative wooden board.
Fried pickles in sourdough discard batter stacked on a small decorative wooden board.

19. Sourdough Courgette Fritters

Sourdough Courgette Fritters stacked on a white plate.

Get Recipe Here: Sourdough Courgette Fritters

Sourdough Apple Fritters (Made With Discard)

Made with sourdough discard, full of juicy apple pockets, and totally delicious, this sourdough apple fritter recipe comes with two irresistible options - vanilla sugar glaze or cinnamon sugar coating.

Sourdough Apple Fritters on a plate and wire rack in the background.

Get Recipe Here: Sourdough Apple Fritters

Almond and Orange Sourdough Biscotti (Made With Discard)

Deliciously crunchy, twice-baked Italian cookies - these Sourdough Biscotti feature almonds and lots of citrus zest! Perfect for Christmas gifting!

Orange and Almond Sourdough Biscotti stacked on a wooden board.

Get Recipe Here: Sourdough Biscotti

Sourdough Snowball Cookies (Made With Discard)

Melt-in-the-mouth, buttery, crumbly and super fun and messy to eat (hello, powdered sugar everywhere!)!

Sourdough snowball cookie sin a decorative wooden board.

Get Recipe Here: Sourdough Snowball Cookies

What are some of your favourite recipes using a sourdough starter? I would love to add some new recipes to my repertoire. Leave a comment or email me at ieva@somebodyfeedseb.com - I'd love to try some new sourdough treats!

A cover of The Sourdough Christmas ebook.

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.

Want to Make Better Sourdough?

Speaking from experience, the best way to take your sourdough to the next level is to practice and find what works for you. After all, different types of flour, different hydration levels and different methods for kneading and filling the dough may work in different climates and altitudes.

But here are some valuable resources to help you get started with an experiment in your own kitchen: 

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Comments

  1. Paula says

    I'm in my sourdough era, and excited to try some of these!

    Reply

    • Ieva Greber says

      Sourdough era is great! I have a feeling my sourdough era will last a lifetime 😀

      Reply

  2. Ned says

    Woah! These are all looking really delicious!! Can't wait to make each one of them! Thank you for putting them all in one place.

    Reply

    • Ieva Greber says

      You're most welcome, Ned!

      Reply

  3. MacKenzie Bennetts says

    I’m saving this! All this sourdough recipes look amazing.

    Reply

  4. Shashi at Savory Spin says

    Wow - what a fab collection! I used to have a sourdough starter and made sourdough often and have been contemplating doing it again, but I was thinking of bread - your post has opened my mind up to so many possibilities - bookmarking this to try soon - that sourdough lime cake - wow!

    Reply

    • Ieva Greber says

      Thanks, Shashi! Hope you enjoy these recipes! 🙂

      Reply

  5. Mahy says

    Oh wow! So many amazing recipes... Where do I even start?! I think I will probably try sugar cookies first...

    Reply

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