Sourdough Discard Pancakes Recipe

If you’ve been baking sourdough bread, chances are you’ve got plenty of discard on hand.

Instead of tossing it away, turn that tangy goodness into light, fluffy, and flavorful sourdough discard pancakes.

This simple recipe is a great way to use up your discard while making a breakfast everyone will love.

🥞 Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Sourdough discard pancakes are a wonderful blend of tangy flavor and fluffy texture.

They’re easy to make, ready in under 30 minutes, and a smart way to minimize food waste.

The sourdough adds a unique depth of flavor you just can’t get from regular pancakes.

🧾 Ingredients

• 1 cup all-purpose flour

• 1 cup sourdough discard (unfed starter)

• 2 tablespoons sugar

• 1 teaspoon baking powder

• ½ teaspoon baking soda

• ½ teaspoon salt

• 1 cup milk (or buttermilk for extra tang)

• 1 large egg

• 2 tablespoons melted butter (plus more for cooking)

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)

👩‍🍳 Instructions

Mix the Wet Ingredients – In a large bowl, whisk together the sourdough discard, milk, egg, melted butter, and vanilla extract.

Combine Dry Ingredients – In another bowl, stir together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

Mix Together – Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir until just combined. Don’t overmix; a few lumps are fine.

Rest the Batter – Let the batter sit for 5–10 minutes to allow it to bubble and thicken slightly.

Cook the Pancakes – Heat a lightly buttered skillet or griddle over medium heat. Pour ¼ cup of batter for each pancake. Cook until bubbles form on the surface, then flip and cook until golden brown.

Serve Warm – Stack the pancakes and top with butter, maple syrup, or your favorite fruit.

🍓 Topping Ideas

• Fresh berries and whipped cream

• Sliced bananas and honey

• Nut butter and a sprinkle of cinnamon

• Maple syrup and toasted nuts

🕒 Storage & Reheating

Leftover pancakes can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

To reheat, simply pop them in the toaster or warm them in a skillet.

You can also freeze them for up to 2 months — just stack with parchment paper between each pancake.

❤️ Why This Recipe Works

This sourdough discard pancake recipe brings together the best of both worlds: sustainability and flavor.

It’s an effortless, no-waste breakfast that turns what might have been tossed away into something truly delicious and satisfying.

Sourdough Discard Pancakes Recipe

These Sourdough Discard Pancakes are light, fluffy, and full of tangy flavor — a delicious, zero-waste way to use your sourdough discard for an easy and satisfying breakfast.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 25 minutes mins

Servings: 4

Course: Breakfast

Cuisine: American

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup sourdough discard unfed starter
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup milk or buttermilk
• 1 large egg
• 2 tablespoons melted butter plus more for cooking
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract optional

Method

 

1. In a large bowl, whisk together the sourdough discard, milk, egg, melted butter, and vanilla.
2. In another bowl, mix flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
3. Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and stir until just combined.
4. Let the batter rest for 5–10 minutes to thicken slightly.
5. Heat a greased skillet or griddle over medium heat.
6. Pour about ¼ cup of batter for each pancake. Cook until bubbles form on the surface, then flip and cook until golden brown.
7. Serve warm with butter, syrup, or your favorite toppings.

Notes

• Use discard that smells pleasantly tangy, not overly sour.
• Don’t overmix the batter to keep pancakes light and fluffy.
• Adjust batter thickness with milk if needed.

Also Check: Sourdough foccacia recipe

These Sourdough Discard Pancakes are fluffy, tangy, and easy to make — the perfect way to transform your sourdough discard into a breakfast treat your whole family will love.