When you’re feeding your sourdough starter regularly, the discard starts to pile up fast. But here’s the great news: instead of throwing it away, you can turn that tangy, fermented goodness into all kinds of tasty creations.
From savoury snacks to sweet treats, sourdough discard is the secret ingredient you didn’t know you needed. Let’s explore what discard is, how to store it, and all the delicious ways to use it.
What Is Sourdough Discard?
Sourdough discard is the portion of your starter that you remove before feeding it fresh flour and water. It's called “discard,” but that doesn’t mean it’s bad or useless, it’s just unfed starter that’s ready to be repurposed.
Even though it’s not at peak activity (so it won’t give bread a strong rise), discard is still packed with flavour, mild acidity, and fermented character. It’s perfect for adding depth to recipes that don’t rely on yeast or lift.
💡 Beginner Tip: Discard is totally safe to use as long as it doesn’t have mould or a foul smell. If it smells sour or yeasty, you’re good to go.
Can You Save It for Later?
Absolutely! If you’re not ready to bake right away, you can store your discard in the fridge for up to a week. Here’s how:
- Spoon it into a clean, sealed container
- Label it with the date
- Add new discard to the same jar across several days
- Use within 5-7 days for the best flavour and performance
Stored properly, discard can become your go-to base for quick snacks and family favourites.
💡 Beginner Tip: Keep a dedicated jar in the fridge labelled “discard” so it’s easy to find when the baking urge hits. It’s also handy to build up enough discard for larger recipes like muffins or waffles.
Savoury Ideas for Sourdough Discard
Discard isn’t just for sweet bakes, some of the most addictive savoury recipes start with this fermented flour goldmine. Here are a few of our favourites:
🔸 Crackers
Crispy, golden, and endlessly customisable. Add rosemary, garlic, sesame, or poppy seeds to mix it up. Discard crackers are a favourite snack among sourdough bakers for good reason. They’re easy, waste-free, and seriously delicious.
🔸 Crumpets
Soft, chewy, and full of nooks and crannies. Just mix discard with a little baking soda and cook in rings on a hot pan. They’re perfect toasted with butter and honey, or served savoury with eggs and avocado.
🔸 Pizza Dough
Add discard to your pizza dough recipe for a tangy depth of flavour. It gives the crust more complexity and a chewy texture that rivals wood-fired pizza shops.
🔸 Flatbreads, Bagels & Fritters
Discard can give a twist to flatbreads, flavour to bagels, and even act as a base for veggie fritters or savoury pancakes. It’s endlessly versatile!
Sweet Treats with Sourdough Discard
If you’ve got a sweet tooth, discard has your back. It adds a subtle tang to balance the sweetness and the fermentation gives an extra fluffy texture.
🔸 Pancakes & Waffles
These are often the first thing new bakers try with discard and for good reason. Discard gives pancakes and waffles lift, moisture, and just enough tang to cut through the maple syrup.
🔸 Muffins & Banana Bread
Moist, tender, and flavour-packed. Add discard to your usual muffin or banana bread mix for better texture and a slight sourdough note that makes the flavour even deeper.
🔸 Cinnamon Scrolls & Cakes
Elevate your scrolls or cakes with a spoonful of discard. It boosts the moisture content and gives your bakes that unique homemade edge.
👉 Beginner tip: Most discard recipes don’t need any extra rising time, and they can be baked right away. Just swap part of your flour/liquid with discard and start experimenting!
Where to Find Recipes
We’ve collected a bunch of our favourite sourdough discard recipes on our website (free to use, no signup needed). They’re grouped into categories so you can find what you’re craving, fast:
✅ Breakfasts (pancakes, waffles, crumpets)
✅ Savoury snacks (crackers, flatbreads)
✅ Sweet bakes (muffins, banana bread, cakes)
✅ Pizza and other fun meals
👉 Visit our sourdough discard recipe library to explore!
Final Thoughts
Sourdough discard isn’t waste, it’s opportunity. It’s your shortcut to crispy crackers, golden pancakes, chewy crusts, and more. So next time you’re feeding your starter, don’t toss what you remove; store it, save it, and get creative.
From savoury snacks to sweet breakfasts, your fridge discard jar is about to become your favourite ingredient.