Sourdough Discard Bread is probably the best thing to come out of my kitchen on a busy weeknight… or hey, any night I forgot about dinner rolls (which is, honestly, a lot). Maybe you’ve been feeding your sourdough starter and feel slightly guilty dumping the discard down the sink, right? I totally get it.

That stuff feels like liquid gold. With this simple method, not only do you get fresh bread, but you cut back on waste too. If you’re new to baking, check out this super approachable artisan bread recipe to get some extra confidence before jumping in.

Make This Sourdough Discard Bread In Under 2 Hours!

So here’s the real appeal—speed. I’m all about fast fixes, and this bread delivers. Forget waiting all day for dough to rise. With just a little kneading and the magic of baking powder or yeast (depending on what’s in your pantry), you’ll be eating warm, crusty slices in no time. Not gonna lie, my family has eaten half a loaf before it even cooled off.

Don’t be surprised if you end up doing the same. It’s honestly just too easy, and… really, there’s nothing more satisfying than a loaf that goes from bowl to table in about the time it takes to watch a movie.

I’d given up hope on homemade bread until I tried this recipe. Even my toddler begs for ‘discard bread’ now (who knew?) — Megan T.

Tips For Making Sourdough Discard Bread:

Want some bread that hits the mark every time? Let me share a few things I’ve learned the hard way. For real:

Use discard that’s about a day old for the best “tang”—anything older and it might taste weirdly funky.
If your dough feels sticky, don’t panic. Just dust your hands and the board with flour. Seriously, stickiness is normal.
Give your loaf a quick brush of olive oil right before baking for a knockout crust, crisp but not jaw-breaking.
Try mix-ins like shredded cheddar or fresh rosemary—don’t overthink it, play around. That’s half the fun.

What is Sourdough Discard?

Okay, quick explainer for anyone still confused: sourdough discard is just the extra starter you take out before feeding your sourdough. It’s a little tangy, mildly bubbly, but not strong enough to raise bread by itself. Think of it as a happy mistake. Instead of tossing it, use it in recipes like pancakes, crackers, or—my favorite—sourdough discard bread. I used to feel guilty about all that waste, then I realized it’s basically a secret ingredient. If you’re curious about all things yeasty and homemade, seriously just browse the “bread baking” tips out there. Life-changing stuff.

How to Make Sourdough Discard Bread

You’re here to bake, so let’s get everyone’s hands dirty—literally. The most basic way I do it:

Mix equal parts sourdough discard and flour (I usually do a cup of each). Then sprinkle in some salt. A dash of baking powder or just a tiny bit of yeast helps it puff up quick. Add a slosh of water—you’re shooting for a shaggy dough, nothing precise here. Squish it into a rough loaf, plop it on a baking sheet, and bake at 400°F until golden. Sounds a little vague? That’s because it leaves room for your own tweaks (flat bread, mini buns, whatever madness you like).

It’s honestly shocking how forgiving sourdough discard bread is. Overbaked it? Just dunk it in soup. Under-baked? Slice thin, toast, and call it “rustic.” Nobody will judge you.

Variations

Now for the fun part. You can turn this bread into basically whatever your craving is that day. If you like it a bit sweeter, add a dollop of honey and toss in walnuts. Or, if you need it more savory, try mixing in roasted garlic or sun-dried tomatoes. Sometimes I sprinkle everything bagel seasoning over the top before baking for… let’s call it brunch bread (fancy, right?).

Going gluten-free? You can swap out all-purpose flour for a hearty blend of oat or buckwheat, just don’t expect it to puff quite as much—but it’ll still taste amazing toasted. I’ve made this bread so many ways I’ve lost track, and honestly, it always disappears before the day’s over.

Before you run off to make Sourdough Discard Bread, there’s one more place you might want to check out for some creative ideas or just a little confidence boost—honestly, The Easiest Sourdough Discard Bread You’ll Ever Make! – The … has a couple of helpful comparisons and extra tips if you want to experiment more. Give it a try, and remember—no one ever regretted making fresh bread at home.