by Lisa Bass | Leave a Comment
When you think of sourdough, bread is likely the first thing that comes to mind. While there are many wonderful sourdough bread recipes, this post zooms out to include the many non-bread amazing sourdough recipes.
Sourdough is one of my favorite things, but an important realization I’ve had on this sourdough journey of mine is how extensive the world of fermented grains truly is.
If sourdough is so valuable, it would follow that it might alsoimpact more than just the bread that we enjoy. While we love great bread, there are so many other ways to enjoy sourdough for its unique flavor and health benefits.
Why I Love Sourdough
Sourdough baking is an age-old practice. With the advent of commercial yeast, we moved away from the healthy practice of sourdough baking that had once been commonplace.
Instant yeasts replaced wild yeasts, which was seen as a great way to fit more into the day and satisfy our desires for quick results.
What we lost amid this change were the health benefits of the fermentation, the delicious tang of sourdough flavors, and the skillful use and efficiency of using our natural resources, like wild yeasts and good bacteria.
Sourdough starter is an active relationship between wild yeast and beneficial bacteria feeding off the sugars from the flour and water that we provide.
This activity produces little bubbles of carbon dioxide that naturally rise our breads, while the fermentation process is essentially a form of predigestion.
Fermentation breaks down the phytic acid that is present in grains, which is a type of anti-nutrient that blocks our bodies’ ability to absorb nutrients.
With this breakdown, so goes the gluten. As a result, those who are gluten-sensitive often find they can tolerate fermented grains.
Typically, the longer the fermentation period, the more the gluten breaks down, significantly reducing the gluten content.
This leaves us with a product that is more easily digested and far more nutritious.
Additionally, sourdough products contain a measure of prebiotics. Prebiotics differ from probiotics in the sense that they are helpful little fibers and starches that nourish the probiotics and help you build a healthy gut.
We find prebiotics in many of the foods we eat, particularly fruits, vegetables, and grains.
Sourdough is amazing!
And while sourdough bread is wonderful, delicious, and highly nutritious, there are so many other ways to put sourdough starter and discard to good use! Here are some other delicious recipes by category. I hope you find many to enjoy.
Sourdough Tips
- Are you intrigued but not yet involved in sourdough? Now is the perfect time to hop on board. Learn how to make asourdough starter here, with more information onmaintaining your starter here.
- Pay attention to the long-fermented recipes versus the quick sourdough recipes that use discard. The longer ferments do require more planning, and when you just can’t wait until the next day for a dish, discard recipes are very handy.
- Rather than throwing out your discard if you can’t use it right away, store it in a jar in the fridge. It’ll be ready when you are, though you’ll need to feed it every 7-10 days or so to keep it happy.
40+ Sourdough Recipes That Are Not Bread
Sourdough-Inspired Main Dishes & Sides
1
Fried chicken
Who doesn't love fried chicken? This fried chicken is crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside and made using sourdough breadcrumbs. So while it isn't a bread recipe, it is a main dish that provides a use for stale sourdough and less food waste.
Check out this recipe
2
Sourdough tortillas
A soft, thin flatbread, these tortillas are long-fermented and are the perfect carrier for beef carnitas or cheese quesadillas.
Check out this recipe
3
Sourdough Skillet
Filled with your choice of meat and veggies, this one-pot meal uses sourdough starter or discard in a delicious topping that brings all the ingredients together in one cohesive, satisfying dish.
Check out this recipe
4
Chicken Pot Pie
Who doesn't love a creamy, classic pot pie full of veggies and tender chicken? It's made even better with a topping of fermented biscuits which can be made right away or long-fermented.
Check out this recipe
5
Pizza Crust
Family pizza night just got better with this tangy pizza crust! It ferments all day and is ready for toppings just in time for dinner. Make it a meat lover's pizza, plain cheese, fresh sausage and pepperoni, or mix things up by using pesto and chicken.
Check out this recipe
6
Spinach Pie
This creamy, savory dish is wrapped up in a sourdough puff pastry and serves as a satisfying entree.
Check out this recipe
7
Easy Sourdough Dumplings
Add these pillowy, savory dumplings to your favorite soup for a filling, nutritious dinner.
Check out this recipe
8
Homemade Pasta
This simple pasta recipe is made with the most basic ingredients, can be long-fermented or made right away, and is the starting point for some of our favorite recipes.
Check out this recipe
9
Sourdough Cheddar Waffles
Cooked extra crisp and full of sourdough and cheddar flavor, these waffles make the best sandwiches!
Check out this recipe
10
Homemade Stuffing
This delectable side dish combines butter-toasted sourdough bread and sautéed herbs, veggies, and broth. The ultimate comfort dish for the holidays or any day!
Check out this recipe
Sourdough Breakfast Ideas
11
Pancakes
Fluffy, lightly sweetened, crisp at the edges, and quick, these pancakes are made with a fed and active sourdough starter but require no wait time. Drizzle them with maple syrup or fruit topping and enjoy!
Check out this recipe
12
English Muffins
This is a long-ferment recipe that puts the delicious tang in these English muffins, perfect for holding a fried egg, melty cheese, sliced tomato and a drizzle of healthy avocado mayo.
Check out this recipe
13
Fluffy Waffles
Puffy, crisp, and tangy, these waffles are an exciting breakfast and quick to whip up with active starter and no fermentation time needed.
Check out this recipe
14
Dutch Baby
If you haven't tried Dutch babies yet, you should! They're sweet and buttery, perfect with fresh fruit or maple syrup.
Check out this recipe
15
Easy Baked Donuts
Baked, cake-like and scrumptious, sourdough donuts can be made right away or long-fermented.
Check out this recipe
16
The best Cinnamon Rolls
Everything you expect in a cinnamon roll! They are tender and sweet with a rich layer of cream cheese frosting, long-fermented for the tangy flavor and health benefits.
Check out this recipe
17
Breakfast Strata
This is a breakfast dish that combines savory sausage and onions, farm fresh eggs, chunks of sourdough bread, fresh herbs, and gooey cheese. It's a great use of extra eggs and sourdough bread.
Check out this recipe
18
Sourdough Crepes
Crepes are quick and easy, full of eggy goodness and sourdough flavor, wrapped around your favorite fillings, like almond butter and strawberries, whipped cream and blueberries, or a squeeze of lemon and a sprinkle of sugar.
Check out this recipe
19
Blueberry Sourdough Bagels
These bagels have the most beautiful color from the blueberries. They are long-fermented, tangy, and delightfully chewy.
Check out this recipe
20
Mascarpone Stuffed French Toast Casserole
Begin the day before for a long-fermented, decadent, custardy breakfast treat.
Check out this recipe
21
Biscuits And Gravy
Sourdough biscuits from scratch, topped with a savory, sausage-filled gravy.
Check out this recipe
Sourdough-Inspired Appetizers and Savory Snacks
22
Pretzel Bites
These soft but chewy, bite-sized pretzels are long-fermented, seasoned with sea salt, and are absolutely addicting. Try sprinkling them with coarse salt or bagel seasoning, or toss them in cinnamon sugar!
Check out this recipe
23
Galette With Sage, Leek, And Goat Cheese
This appetizer is guaranteed to impress your dinner guests – even if they are just family. It's built upon my favorite pie crust recipe for the perfect bite of buttery, crisp pastry.
Check out this recipe
24
Buffalo Cauliflower Wings
This mock wing recipe is flavorful and satisfying, easily made more or less spicy by preference. It's made using discard, a quick and easy way to use extra starter while maintaining the sour flavor and gut-healthy benefits of sourdough.
Check out this recipe
25
Soft Sourdough Pretzels
Like the pretzel bites, these sourdough pretzels have a tender, chewy interior. They are lightly sweetened and perfectly salty, and they make the best snack. Top them with melted cheese or dip them in Mexican ranch dressing!
Check out this recipe
26
Or Favorite Discard Crackers
This discard recipe is super quick and yields thin, crispy, salty crackers perfect for serving with fresh tomato and sliced cheese, dipped in hummus, spread with pesto, or tossed in a bowl for the perfect toddler snack.
Check out this recipe
Sourdough Desserts And Sweets
27
Chocolate Chip Cookies
Made quick or long-fermented, these classic cookies are next level with sourdough tang and chocolate chunks instead of chocolate chips
Check out this recipe
28
Sourdough Brownies
Rich, fudge-like brownies made quickly or long-fermented for more health benefits. Pair with a scoop or two of raw milk ice cream!
Check out this recipe
29
Strawberry Cream Cheese Cobbler
This fermented cobbler crust holds a gooey, buttery, fresh strawberry filling, sprinkled with pockets of cream cheese.
Check out this recipe
30
Sourdough Discard Scones
This master recipe is quick and adaptable! I love to fold in fresh blueberries and drizzle with lemon glaze.
Check out this recipe
31
Danish Pastries
Whether dessert or a sweet breakfast, these pastries are full of flavor and sticky sweetness! A series of folds and lots of delicious butter in the dough results in rich layers, with a generous portion of cream cheese filling and fruit preserves baked into the center.
Check out this recipe
32
Shortbread Cookies
Shortbread cookies are melt-in-your-mouth buttery and crisp. Made with sourdough discard, these cookies are tangy, but quick! Try the peanut butter version, as well!
Check out this recipe
33
Snickerdoodle Cookies
Your classic snickerdoodle cookie with a sourdough twist! These cookies are a sourdough starter discard recipe, bursting with cinnamon flavor.
Check out this recipe
34
Chocolate Cake
This one is for the upcoming birthdays on your calendar. It's a light and fluffy cake with wonderful chocolate and sourdough flavors. Or try the vanilla version.
Check out this recipe
35
Biscotti
It's the super crunchy, chocolate-dipped, coffee-pairing cookie you expect – but with a tangy kick!
Check out this recipe
36
Cherry Cobbler
Sweet, tangy, and tart, it's your new favorite cobbler that brings summer right to your table!
Check out this recipe
37
Banana Muffins
A great way to use up overripe bananas and treat your family at the same time, this banana muffin recipe can be made right away or long-fermented.
Check out this recipe
38
Sugar Cookies
These cut out sugar cookies are perfect for Christmas or any holiday. They can be made quick or long-fermented.
Check out this recipe
39
Pumpkin Muffins
A delicious and soft sourdough pumpkin muffin is the perfect snack packed with fall flavors.
Check out this recipe
40
Double Chocolate Rolls
A decadent dessert. A rich chocolate dough is rolled up with a chocolate filling, sprinkled with chocolate chips, and baked. Top it with some delicious icing for the ultimate treat.
Check out this recipe
