Transform your sourdough starter discard into incredibly light, fluffy, and tangy pancakes. This easy recipe is the best way to use up your discard and create a delicious, zero-waste breakfast in minutes.
Author:sophia collins
Prep Time:10 min
Cook Time:15 min
Total Time:25 min
Yield:8 pancakes 1x
Category:Breakfast
Method:Griddling
Cuisine:American
Diet:Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
1 cup sourdough starter discard (unfed)
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 large egg
1 cup buttermilk (or milk mixed with 1 teaspoon vinegar)
2 tablespoons melted butter or oil, plus more for the griddle
Instructions
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. This dry mix is key for fluffy pancakes.
In a separate bowl, whisk the sourdough discard, egg, and buttermilk until just combined.
Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Gently fold them together until barely mixed. Do not overmix; a few lumps are fine. Overmixing develops gluten and makes pancakes tough.
Stir in the 2 tablespoons of melted butter or oil. If time allows, let the batter rest for 5 minutes.
Heat a lightly oiled griddle or non-stick pan over medium heat. The pan is ready when a drop of water sizzles immediately.
Pour 1/4 cup of batter onto the hot griddle for each pancake. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes until bubbles appear on the surface and the edges look set.
Flip the pancakes and cook for another 1 to 2 minutes until golden brown and cooked through.
Serve immediately with your favorite toppings. This recipe makes the best sourdough discard recipe for a quick breakfast!
Notes
For extra light and airy pancakes, gently separate the egg yolk and white. Whisk the yolk into the wet ingredients, then whip the egg white to soft peaks and fold it into the final batter.
If your discard is very cold, let the batter sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before cooking.
Top these tangy pancakes with warm maple syrup, fresh berries, or a dusting of powdered sugar for a perfect weekend brunch idea.
This is a fantastic zero waste baking application for your starter!