This easy Sourdough Discard Bread is the loaf I bake when I want fresh sourdough bread but don't have all day to make it. The crust is crispy and golden, the inside is soft and chewy, and it's ready in just 3 hours from start to finish.
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Want more ways to use your sourdough starter? You'll love my Sourdough Discard Banana Bread, Sourdough Chocolate Chip Cookies, and Sourdough Discard Pancakes.
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This easy sourdough discard bread recipe is based on my easy No Knead Sourdough Bread, but it's ready in just 3 hours (just like my super popular Air Buns).
Instead of feeding the starter the night before and letting it rise the next day, as in traditional sourdough, this bread is ready in only 3 hours. This makes it easy to get a fresh loaf of bread on the table in time for dinner.
You can even slice it while it's still warm, slather it with butter, and try not to eat half the loaf right then and there. I love how the steam rolls out when you cut that first slice.
Ingredients you'll need
- Sourdough discard. You can use it cold straight from the fridge. Older discard will make the bread tangier, while fresher starter will give it a milder flavor. If you have an active sourdough starter, you can use that too, and your bread will rise quicker.
- Warm water. You want to use warm water (about 90°F-95°F), not hot. If it is too hot it will kill the yeast and the bacteria in the starter.
- Flour. I prefer to use white bread flour for the lightest, fluffiest bread. I was recently out of bread flour, so I used all-purpose flour, and nobody in my family noticed a difference. So use whatever you have on hand. You can even use whole wheat flour, but you may need a tablespoon or two of extra water.
- Yeast. Instant yeast speeds up the rise time without losing the sourdough flavor.
- Salt. I use sea salt for flavor. Don't skip it or your bread will taste flat.
How to make Sourdough Discard Bread
This loaf comes together in a few simple steps and gives you a bakery-worthy crust without a long sourdough schedule. If you learn better by watching, scroll down to see the step-by-step video in the recipe card below.
Mix the dough: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and instant yeast. Add the sourdough discard and warm water. Stir with a wooden spoon until a rough, shaggy dough forms. I then use my hands to combine it all together. It should feel a little sticky but hold together. Tip: Don't overmix. The dough doesn't need to be perfectly smooth at this stage. You can also use a dough hook and mix everything in the bowl of a stand mixer. Drizzle olive oil over the top of the dough and turn the dough over until it is fully coated.
First rise: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel. Let the dough rise in a warm place until doubled in size. Depending on how warm your kitchen is, this will usually take 1 to 2 hours. If your kitchen is cool, set the bowl in the oven with the light on or use the PROOF setting if your oven has one.
Shape the dough: Lightly flour your counter and hands. Turn the dough out gently (try not to deflate it too much). Fold the sides into the center like an envelope, then pinch the seam together and flip the dough seam side down. Cup your hands around the loaf and gently pull it toward you, turning it a quarter turn. This creates surface tension, which helps the bread keep its shape as it bakes. The goal is to create a smooth, tight surface on top without squishing the air out of the dough.
Score the dough: Place the shaped loaf on parchment paper and score the top with a bread lame or sharp knife (about ¼-inch deep). You can do a single long slash down the center for a classic look or a few shallow angled cuts if you want to do something fancier.
Second rise: Preheat your oven to 425°F. While it's preheating, use the parchment paper to lift the bread into a Dutch oven. Cover with a lid and let the bread rise in a warm place for 30 minutes while the oven preheats. (I put it directly on top of my stove).
Bake: Place the Dutch oven on the middle rack in the oven and bake, covered, for 40 minutes. Then remove the lid and bake another 5-10 minutes until the crust is crispy and golden brown. To check for doneness, insert a digital meat thermometer into the center. The internal temperature should be at least 200°F.
Cool: Lift the loaf out using the parchment paper and place the bread on a wire rack. Let it cool for at least 30 minutes before slicing. (I know it's hard, but cutting too soon can make the crumb gummy.)
Quick tips for the best loaf
- Don't worry if your dough looks a little rough at first; it will smooth out as it rises.
- I use a 5.5 qt Dutch oven, but even a cast iron skillet with another skillet inverted on top will work.
- A warm place to rise can be as simple as the oven with the light on.
Variations
There are endless options that you can add to this homemade bread recipe. Add some shredded (or cubed) cheddar cheese, cinnamon, honey, or even diced olives.
You can even make mini loaves by using mini Dutch ovens; these are perfect for serving with Soups and Stews.
How to store your bread
Once cooled, store the loaf in a paper bag at room temperature for 2-3 days. For longer storage, slice the bread and freeze it in a Ziploc bag. You can pop frozen slices right into your toaster.
Make-ahead option
If you want fresh bread in the morning without waking up at dawn, you can mix the dough the night before, let it rise once, then cover it with cling wrap and refrigerate it overnight. The next day, shape, rest, and bake.
Serving ideas
This bread is perfect for making Sourdough French Toast, Sourdough Stuffing, Smoked Grilled Cheese, or Air Fryer Reuben Sandwiches.
And because it is quite sturdy, one of my favorite ways to use it is to dunk it in my One Pot Lasagna Soup, Roasted Buttercup Squash Soup, Marry Me Chicken Soup, and Roasted Tomato Soup.
More easy sourdough recipes
- Easy No Knead Sourdough Bread - a reader favorite
- Sourdough Pizza Dough - a family favorite on pizza night
- Smoked Sourdough Bread - sourdough flavor with a smoky twist
- Sourdough Discard Waffles - crisp on the outside, soft on the inside
Printable Recipe
Sourdough Discard Bread
Ingredients
- 2½ cups bread flour or all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon instant yeast (or active dry yeast, proofed)
- ½ cup sourdough discard (unfed)
- 1 cup warm water (90-95°F)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Mix the dough: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and instant yeast. Add the sourdough discard and warm water. Mix with a wooden spoon or a dough hook until a shaggy dough forms. I usually use my hands to finish mixing it all together. It will be soft and slightly sticky. Lightly rub olive on on the dough to prevent sticking. Turn the dough until it is completely covered in oil.Note: If using active dry yeast, dissolve it in the warm water with ½ teaspoon of sugar and let it sit for 5-10 minutes before adding the remaining ingredients.
- First rise: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a towel and let rise in a warm spot until doubled, 1-2 hours.
- Shape: Lightly flour your counter and hands. Gently turn the dough out, fold the sides toward the center, and flip it seam-side down. Pull it toward you while rotating to create surface tension. Place on parchment paper. Score the top ¼-inch deep with a lame or sharp knife.
- Second rise: Preheat oven to 425°F. Place the loaf (on the parchment) in a Dutch oven, cover, and let rise for 30 minutes while the oven preheats.
- Bake: Bake covered for 40 minutes. Remove the lid and bake 5-10 minutes more, until golden and crusty. Internal temperature should reach 200°F.
- Cool: Transfer to a wire rack. Cool at least 30 minutes before slicing and serving. Enjoy!
Video
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Notes
- Bread flour gives a slightly lighter, airier crumb, but all-purpose flour works too.
- If your kitchen is cool, place the dough in the oven with the light on for a steady proofing environment.
- Scoring the dough isn't just for looks - it helps the loaf expand properly as it bakes.
- Store in a paper bag at room temperature for 2-3 days. Freeze sliced bread in a zip-top bag for longer storage. Toast straight from frozen.
Nutrition
The provided nutrition information is automatically calculated. Accuracy is not guaranteed.
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