18 Brilliant Sourdough Recipes That Make Your Starter the Star

If you love sourdough or always seem to have extra starter on hand, this roundup is packed with delicious ways to put it to good use. From soft breads and fluffy muffins to savory snacks and easy breakfast ideas, these recipes prove that sourdough is much more versatile than you think. Whether you are baking from scratch or just looking for a simple discard recipe to whip up on a busy day, these creative ideas will help you turn your starter into something tasty every time.

Old-Fashioned Sourdough Pretzels Recipe

Three salted soft pretzels are arranged on a white plate next to a blue and white striped napkin. — Old-Fashioned Sourdough Pretzels Recipe. Photo credit: An Off Grid Life..

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Soft, chewy, and full of classic sourdough flavor, these homemade pretzels are surprisingly simple to make. The recipe walks you through each step, so even beginner bakers can enjoy a batch of warm, golden pretzels straight from the oven.
Get the Recipe: Old-Fashioned Sourdough Pretzels Recipe

Rosemary Sourdough Bread

A loaf of rustic, golden-brown bread with a dusting of flour, scored on top, is placed on a wooden board with sprigs of fresh rosemary nearby. — Rosemary Sourdough Bread. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

This loaf brings together tangy sourdough and fragrant rosemary for a homemade bread that tastes bakery fresh. It bakes up with a crusty exterior and a soft, aromatic center that pairs perfectly with soups, salads, and spreads.
Get the Recipe: Rosemary Sourdough Bread

Sourdough Breadsticks

A basket of breadsticks on a blue and white checkered cloth, next to a bowl of salad with croutons and a dish of marinara sauce. — Sourdough Breadsticks. Photo credit: The Dinner Bell.

Turn your sourdough discard into buttery, soft breadsticks that are perfect for dipping or serving with dinner. They have a light tang and tender texture that upgrades any meal in minutes.
Get the Recipe: Sourdough Breadsticks

Sourdough Cinnamon Muffins

A plate of five cinnamon muffins with crumbly tops; one muffin partially unwrapped and cut in half. — Sourdough Cinnamon Muffins. Photo credit: Mama’s on a Budget .

Warm, fluffy, and topped with a sweet cinnamon streusel, these muffins make mornings a little brighter. They are easy to mix together and bake up with the perfect sourdough tang.
Get the Recipe: Sourdough Cinnamon Muffins

Sourdough Discard Banana Muffins

These tender banana muffins get an extra layer of flavor from sourdough discard. They bake up soft, sweet, and lightly tangy, making them a great grab and go breakfast.
Get the Recipe: Sourdough Discard Banana Muffins

Sourdough Discard Biscuits

These flaky biscuits come together fast and deliver a buttery bite with a mild sourdough flavor. They work well with breakfast or paired with your favorite dinner dishes.
Get the Recipe: Sourdough Discard Biscuits

Sourdough Discard Cheese Crackers – Goldfish Copycat

A glass jar filled with fish-shaped cheese crackers on a wooden table, surrounded by scattered crackers and cheese shreds. — Sourdough Discard Cheese Crackers – Goldfish Copycat. Photo credit: Mama’s on a Budget .

Crispy, cheesy, and fun to snack on, these homemade crackers are a tasty way to use leftover discard. Kids love them, and they taste even better than store-bought versions.
Get the Recipe: Sourdough Discard Cheese Crackers – Goldfish Copycat

Sourdough Discard Chocolate Chip Muffins

A plate of chocolate chip muffins, stacked in a pyramid with one muffin cut open to show the chocolate chips inside. — Sourdough Discard Chocolate Chip Muffins. Photo credit: Mama’s on a Budget .

Soft and studded with chocolate chips, these muffins are an easy mix and bake recipe. The sourdough adds a subtle tang that balances the sweetness perfectly.
Get the Recipe: Sourdough Discard Chocolate Chip Muffins

Sourdough Discard Cinnamon Rolls

These cinnamon rolls are pillowy and flavorful with a sourdough twist that makes them extra special. They rise beautifully and deliver a sweet cinnamon swirl in every bite.
Get the Recipe: Sourdough Discard Cinnamon Rolls

Sourdough Discard Graham Crackers

A bowl filled with rectangular graham crackers, surrounded by more crackers and a blue striped cloth. — Sourdough Discard Graham Crackers. Photo credit: Mama’s on a Budget .

Crisp, lightly sweet, and a little tangy, these homemade graham crackers are a fun project and a clever way to use your discard. They are perfect for snacking or making s’mores.
Get the Recipe: Sourdough Discard Graham Crackers

Sourdough Discard Pancakes

Fluffy and lightly tangy, these pancakes cook up golden and delicious. They are a great way to start the day and an easy recipe for using leftover starter.
Get the Recipe: Sourdough Discard Pancakes

Sourdough Donuts Recipe

Soft, airy, and full of sourdough flavor, these donuts feel like a bakery treat. They are fried to golden perfection and have a light chew that sets them apart.
Get the Recipe: Sourdough Donuts Recipe

Sourdough Dutch Oven Bread

Two slices of rustic bread on a white plate, next to a checkered cloth and a butter container on a wooden surface. — Sourdough Dutch Oven Bread. Photo credit: Mama’s on a Budget .

This classic sourdough loaf has a crusty exterior and a soft, open crumb inside. The Dutch oven helps it bake evenly, making it a reliable recipe for beginners and seasoned bakers.
Get the Recipe: Sourdough Dutch Oven Bread

Sourdough Pizza Dough

This pizza dough bakes up crisp on the outside and chewy inside. The sourdough adds great flavor and makes homemade pizza night even better.
Get the Recipe: Sourdough Pizza Dough

Sourdough Sandwich Bread

Loaf of bread with two slices cut on a white plate. — Sourdough Sandwich Bread. Photo credit: Mama’s on a Budget .

Light, fluffy, and perfect for everyday lunches, this sandwich bread has a soft texture and just the right amount of sourdough flavor. It slices beautifully and toasts well.
Get the Recipe: Sourdough Sandwich Bread

Sourdough Soft Pretzels

Soft inside with a golden crust outside, these pretzels are fun to shape and even better to eat. The sourdough adds great depth of flavor while keeping the texture chewy and tender.
Get the Recipe: Sourdough Soft Pretzels

Sourdough Starter Cinnamon Rolls

These rolls bake up soft and sweet with spirals of cinnamon sugar and a warm aroma that fills the kitchen. The sourdough starter gives them a slight tang that balances the sweetness.
Get the Recipe: Sourdough Starter Cinnamon Rolls

Stovetop Sourdough English Muffins

Toasted sourdough english muffin on a white plate with a stack of muffins in the background, set against a blue cloth. — Stovetop Sourdough English Muffins. Photo credit: An Off Grid Life..

These homemade English muffins cook right on the stovetop and come out soft and chewy with the perfect little nooks for butter or jam. They are great for breakfast sandwiches or toasting.
Get the Recipe: Stovetop Sourdough English Muffins