Quick Sourdough Discard Waffles Recipe - Thyme For The Table (2024)

Published: · Modified: by Jen Talley · This post may contain affiliate links · This blog generates income via ads

Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe

This Quick Sourdough Discard Waffles Recipe will transform your sourdough discard into crispy, flavorful waffles in no time! These are easy sourdough discard waffles not overnight waffles!

Quick Sourdough Discard Waffles Recipe - Thyme For The Table (1)

I grew up eating regular waffles as one of my favorite breakfast foods. When I finally got into making sourdough bread and finding ways to use my ever-growing discard I discovered my love for crispy sourdough waffles.

Waffles with sourdough discard are delicious, flavorful waffles and super easy to make! Follow the recipe and tips to make them too!

Add these waffles to the Ultimate Waffle Charcuterie Board!

Another great way to use leftover sourdough discard is in this New York style sourdough discard bagel recipe. I even have a video tutorial. Making bagels is easier than you think!

Why You’ll Love Sourdough Discard Waffles

  • Using leftover sourdough starter in waffles is a great way to put your discard to good use and help reduce food waste.
  • Unfed sourdough starter gives the crispy waffles a delicious flavor!
  • These are quicksourdough discard waffles.The batter doesn't need an overnight rest, it is ready in just a few minutes!
  • They have a very mild sourdough flavor because they are not overnight waffles.

Ingredients for Waffles Made with Sourdough Discard

To begin on your sourdough waffle journey, gather the following ingredients. Don't forget to check out the substitutions listed below!

Quick Sourdough Discard Waffles Recipe - Thyme For The Table (2)

Sourdough discard (or active starter) adds tanginess and depth of flavor to the waffles while also contributing to their leavening.

Milk provides moisture and richness to the batter, resulting in a tender texture.

Egg acts as a binding agent, contributing to the structure and texture of the waffles.

White Sugar adds sweetness to thesourdough starter discard waffles.

All-Purpose Flour provides structure and stability to the batter, ensuring thesourdough starter waffleshave the right texture.

Salt enhances the flavor of the waffles.

Baking soda acts as a leavening agent, helping the waffles rise and become fluffy.

​Melted butter enhances the flavor and richness of the homemade waffles while also contributing to their crispiness.

Substitutions

  • Active Sourdough starter can replace the discard.
  • Buttermilk can replace the milk. I've also made these with oat milk before.
  • Honey can substitute for white sugar.
  • Bread flour can be used in place of all-purpose flour.
  • Coconut oil or vegetable oil can replace the butter. I've even used a mild tasting olive oil.

How to Make Sourdough Discard Waffles

In a medium bowl, combine the wet ingredients of sourdough discard, milk, and egg. Whisk it together. Add the dry ingredients of sugar, flour, salt, and baking soda to the bowl.

Quick Sourdough Discard Waffles Recipe - Thyme For The Table (3)

Mix until a smooth waffle batter forms.Add the melted butter to the mixed batter and mix it again.

Quick Sourdough Discard Waffles Recipe - Thyme For The Table (4)

Let the batter rest while you preheat your waffle iron according to its instructions.

Spray it with oil if necessary (I don't need to with my iron). Pour a little batter onto the hot waffle iron depending on the size of your waffle iron.

Quick Sourdough Discard Waffles Recipe - Thyme For The Table (5)

Close the waffle iron and cook until the waffles are golden brown and crispy.

Quick Sourdough Discard Waffles Recipe - Thyme For The Table (6)

Repeat until you've used up all the batter.

Quick Sourdough Discard Waffles Recipe - Thyme For The Table (7)

Top the crisp sourdough waffles with maple syrup or your favorite toppings. Waffles from sourdough starter discard are so flavorful!

Quick Sourdough Discard Waffles Recipe - Thyme For The Table (8)

Tips for Making the Best Sourdough Discard Waffles

  • Let the sourdough waffle batter rest for about 5 minutes before cooking. This allows the leavening agent to work its magic, resulting in fluffy waffles.
  • Adding too much batter will cause the waffles to be a little on the dense side and the batter may overflow from the sides of the waffle iron.
  • This recipe works with all waffle irons. I use the Dash Mini Waffle Iron for waffles that are the perfect size to reheat in the toaster. Use a deep Belgian waffle maker forsourdough discard Belgian waffles.

Storing and Freezing Waffles

My kids love reheating frozen waffles for a quick breakfast during the school week!

How to Store Waffles

Allow the cooked​waffles to fully cool before storing them. Store any leftover sourdough waffles in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

How to Freeze Waffles

For a quick breakfast option, freeze your waffles in freezer bags. Place small pieces of parchment paper between each waffle to prevent them from sticking together. Then, transfer the frozen waffles to freezer bags, remove as much air as possible before sealing, and store them in the freezer for up to several weeks.

How to Reheat Waffles

Pop your waffles into a toaster, toaster oven, or on a baking sheet in a regular oven for a few minutes until they're heated through and crisp. Youcan microwave leftover waffles, but they won't crisp back up in the microwave.

Quick Sourdough Discard Waffles Recipe - Thyme For The Table (9)

Flavor Variations for Sourdough Waffles with Discard

​Get creative with your waffle flavors!

  • Sweet Flavor Options:Try Adding mini chocolate chips, vanilla extract, blueberries, or chopped nuts to the waffle batter for a sweet twist.
  • Savory Options:Mix in shredded cheddar cheese, cooked bacon bits, or herbs like rosemary and thyme.

Toppings for Waffles

Top your delicious sourdough waffles with your favorite toppings, such as maple syrup, fresh fruit, or a dollop of whipped cream.

Or try some savory toppings such as peanut butter or other nut butters.

This Waffle Charcuterie Board is perfect for guests to pick their favorite waffle toppings.

Quick Sourdough Discard Waffles Recipe - Thyme For The Table (10)

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I store leftover batter in the fridge?

Yes, leftover waffle batter can be stored in the fridge for up to 2 days. You may notice the sourdough flavor becomes stronger the longer it stays in the fridge.

More From Thyme for the Table

Follow on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok. Let's cook together on YouTube! See you there! Don't forget to tag me so I can see what you are making!

Rate This Recipe! I love hearing from you!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Don't want to make waffles from scratch? Try this Aunt Jemima Waffle Recipe.

Check out a few other sourdough discard recipes you might like.

  • New York Style Sourdough Starter Discard Bagels
  • The Best Chewy Pizza Crust Recipe
  • Death By Chocolate Zucchini Bread Recipe
  • Cinnamon Rolls Without Eggs

📖 Recipe

Quick Sourdough Discard Waffles Recipe - Thyme For The Table (15)

Quick Sourdough Discard Waffles Recipe

This Quick Sourdough Discard Waffles Recipe will change your discard into crispy, flavorful waffles in no time! Try these easy discard waffles!

4.96 from 44 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Breakfast

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes minutes

Servings: 12 small waffles

Author: Jen Talley

Cost: $2

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 1 cup sourdough discard (or active starter) (230 grams)
  • 1 cup milk (230 grams)
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 tablespoons sugar (25 grams)
  • 1 cup flour (130 grams)
  • ½ teaspoon salt (2 grams)
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda (5 grams)
  • 3 tablespoons melted butter (or oil) (43 grams)

Instructions

  • Add the sourdough discard, milk, and egg to a medium mixing bowl. Use a whisk to mix thoroughly.

  • Add the sugar, flour, salt, and baking soda to the bowl. Use the whisk to mix it until it is mostly smooth. Add the melted butter to the batter and again whisk it until it is smooth.

  • Let the batter rest while you preheat the waffle iron.

  • Spray your waffle iron with non-stick cooking spray (if needed). You may need to add anywhere between ¼ cup to 1 cup of batter to your waffle iron depending how large it is.

    Adding too much batter will cause the waffles to be a little on the dense side and the batter may overflow from the sides of the waffle iron.

  • Let the waffles cook according to the directions on your waffle iron.

  • Carefully remove the crispy, golden brown waffles and enjoy!

Notes

Tips:

    • Let the sourdough waffle batter rest for about 5 minutes before cooking. This allows the leavening agent to work its magic, resulting in fluffy waffles.
    • This recipe works with all waffle irons. I use the Dash Mini Waffle Iron for waffles that are the perfect size to reheat in the toaster. You can also use a Belgian waffle maker.

Storage: Allow the cooked ​waffles to fully cool before storing them. Store any leftover sourdough waffles in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

Freezing: Place small pieces of parchment paper between each waffle to prevent them from sticking together. Then, transfer the frozen waffles to freezer bags, remove as much air as possible before sealing, and store them in the freezer for up to several weeks.

Reheating: Pop your waffles into a toaster, toaster oven, or on a baking sheet in a regular oven for a few minutes until they're heated through and crisp. You can microwave leftover waffles, but they won't crisp back up in the microwave.

Waffles with sourdough starter discardare the perfect way to transform excess sourdough starter into a delightful breakfast. Experiment with flavors, freeze for convenience, and savor the crispy goodness of these easy sourdough waffles.

Join the sourdough train and indulge in the world of yummy waffles with this easy sourdough waffle recipe. Whether you have a Belgian waffle maker or a classic iron, this recipe is sure to satisfy your waffle cravings. I promise these are better than Sam's sourdough waffles!

More Delicious Breakfast Recipes

  • The Ultimate Waffle Charcuterie Board
  • Original Aunt Jemima Waffle Recipe
  • The Best Onion Bagel Recipe and Video
  • Sesame Seed Bagel Recipe and Video

Reader Interactions

Comments

    Leave a Comment or Question

  1. Rebecca says

    Quick Sourdough Discard Waffles Recipe - Thyme For The Table (20)
    These waffles have a nice mild sourdough flavor that my whole family enjoyed. I love that it is a easy and quick recipe for busy mornings.

    Reply

    • Jen Talley says

      I'm so happy you enjoyed them!

      Reply

Quick Sourdough Discard Waffles Recipe - Thyme For The Table (2024)

FAQs

How long is sourdough discard good for in the fridge? ›

You can store mature sourdough discard in the refrigerator indefinitely. As long as there is no mold, it is good to use. It may develop a grayish liquid on top called “hooch” which can be poured off before use or stirred in. If you stir it in, the flavor will become more sour.

What to do with a small amount of sourdough discard? ›

Sourdough discard works well in many baked goods that don't require lively yeast—flat foods like crackers, tortillas and pancakes. Or you can use it to flavor recipes that rely on leavening from other sources, such as active dry yeast, baking soda and baking powder.

Why did my waffles turn out tough? ›

Not waiting until the iron heats up properly means your waffles will cook, but never achieve that satisfyingly crisp exterior. Overworking the batter will leave your waffles dense and chewy instead of light and airy.

When can you start using sourdough discard? ›

Remember, you can't use the discard from your homemade sourdough starter for the first 7 days. You can use sourdough discard in all kinds of sourdough discard recipes, including these no wait sourdough recipes, overnight sourdough discard recipes and sourdough discard recipes that use up a lot of discard.

How to tell if sourdough discard is bad? ›

Visible Mold Any mold regardless of color indicates that the starter is contaminated and should be discarded. Consistently Poor Performance If the starter doesn't rise bubble or double in size after feeding it may have weakened yeast or a microbial imbalance.

Do I need to feed my discard in the fridge? ›

If you're going away for a bit or if you don't use it that often (once a month or less), store it in the fridge. You'll just need to take it out a few days before you plan to use it and feed it a few times to wake it up again.

Can you use sourdough discard the next day? ›

At room temperature (70 F), sourdough discard should last about 1-2 days. Beyond that, it won't go bad necessarily, it will just become more acidic as time goes on (especially in warm weather). Not ideal for sweet recipes. In the fridge, it will keep for about a week or so, and in the freezer it will last indefinitely.

Can I leave sourdough discard out overnight? ›

Room temperature sourdough discard should be used, refrigerated, or thrown away after 36-48 hours. Sourdough discard can be kept in the fridge for weeks, BUT it continues to get sourer as time passes.

Can you use 2 day old sourdough discard? ›

The simple answer is, you can keep sourdough discard in the fridge indefinitely, however the quality and flavor of the discard will change and even deteriorate over time.

What is the secret to making good waffles? ›

Here are some tips:
  • Strike while the iron's hot. If your waffles come out pale and soft, it could be because the appliance isn't hot enough. ...
  • Whip your whites. ...
  • Opt for oil instead of butter. ...
  • Try a yeasted-waffle recipe. ...
  • Add cornstarch. ...
  • Finish them in the oven.
Apr 9, 2022

What is the secret to making crispy waffles? ›

3 Tips for Making Crispy Waffles
  1. Make Sure Your Waffle Iron Is Hot. A hot waffle iron makes a huge difference when it comes to crispy waffles, even more than brushing the iron with butter (though that is, of course, delicious). ...
  2. Swap Half the Buttermilk for Milk. ...
  3. Bake the Finished Waffles in the Oven.

Which flour is best for waffles? ›

On the flip side, waffles aren't as flaky-delicate as baked goods, making pastry flour too fine for the job. Good old AP, or all-purpose, flour is where it's at. If you want to sprinkle in a tablespoon or two of buckwheat or rye flour for added nutty heft, go for it.

What happens if I forgot to discard sourdough starter? ›

If you didn't discard a portion of your starter each time you feed it, two things would happen: Your starter would grow to an enormous, unmanageable size. Your starter would likely become more and more inhospitable to the bacteria and yeast we want as the mixture would become ever more acidic.

What happens if you don't discard sourdough starter? ›

If you don't get rid of the excess, eventually you'll have more starter than your feedings can sustain. After a few days, your daily 1/4 cup flour and water won't be enough to sustain your entire jar of starter, and your starter will be slow and sluggish, not much better than discard itself.

Does sourdough discard have to be active to use? ›

One note: Don't start using your discard until your starter is really up and running. In other words, if you've just started your starter and it's not yet established, then you shouldn't save that discard. Wait until you have a healthy, active sourdough starter, then keep any discard from routine feedings.

Can you keep sourdough starter discard in the fridge? ›

Store it for future baking: You can store sourdough discard in an airtight container in the refrigerator for future baking with sourdough discard recipes. When you're ready to use it, let the discard come to room temperature before using it to bake. I will keep sourdough discard in the fridge for about one week.

Can sourdough starter go bad in the fridge? ›

Building on the comments above, a home refrigerator can be a very convenient place to store your starter for extended periods. However, I don't like to leave my starter for more than three weeks in the fridge because it usually takes longer to revive with the additional care required.

Can sourdough go bad in the fridge? ›

To maximize the shelf life, keep in original packaging or linen based bread bag and store at room temperature. How long does sourdough bread last in the fridge? Sourdough bread should ideally not be refrigerated, as the bread will dry out and become stale faster than at room temperature.

How often should you feed sourdough discard in the fridge? ›

You can keep it in the fridge like you're saying, give it a feeding once a week, then when you want to use it for bread, take it out the day before and give it two feedings, once in the morning and once in the evening.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Duncan Muller

Last Updated:

Views: 6508

Rating: 4.9 / 5 (79 voted)

Reviews: 86% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Duncan Muller

Birthday: 1997-01-13

Address: Apt. 505 914 Phillip Crossroad, O'Konborough, NV 62411

Phone: +8555305800947

Job: Construction Agent

Hobby: Shopping, Table tennis, Snowboarding, Rafting, Motor sports, Homebrewing, Taxidermy

Introduction: My name is Duncan Muller, I am a enchanting, good, gentle, modern, tasty, nice, elegant person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.