Simple Sourdough Discard Pancake Recipe

This simple sourdough discard pancake recipe is one of the best ways to use up that unfed sourdough starter. Reminiscent of buttermilk, sourdough discard gives these pancakes an extra special something that makes them irresistible.

Weekend mornings are for sit down breakfasts filled with all of the deliciousness that breakfast brings. Eggs, breakfast meats, fried potatoes, but most of all pancakes.

We love a butter covered stack of steamy hot pancakes dripping with syrup. Add in a handful of plump blueberries while you are cooking them and we are in heaven.

While pancakes in their own right are special, this recipe has a little extra something.

Sourdough discard gives this recipe a slight tang and extra lift similar to what you may expect with buttermilk and baking soda in a buttermilk pancake recipe.

What is Sourdough Discard

Sourdough discard is the portion of the sourdough starter that is thrown away or discarded before feeding the base starter.

This really seems wasteful to me and I hate to waste, especially food.

So instead of wasting food, we come up with ways to use the “scraps”

I do this all the time. Think back to that recipe for Refrigerator Soup, I literally will throw whatever is in the fridge to use it up into that soup.

I know that sourdough discard is just a little flour and water, but flour costs money!

Plus, using sourdough discard in your baked goods is a great way to not only use up your discard, but to add flavor!

Sourdough Discard has a slight tangy or sour flavor to it that reminds me of using buttermilk in baked good. Ya’ll should know my enough by now to know that I do not like to buy things I won’t use every day. Buttermilk is one of those things. So this is a great alternative for me. There is always a jar of discard on my counter!

Choosing the Right Pan for Pancakes

I am pretty particular about what I cook in. I am a cast iron skillet kind of girl all the way, and pancakes are no exception.

If you are looking for a great multipurpose pan, cast iron is the way to go.

Not only is a well seasoned cast iron skillet the best non-stick cookware you can have, but it will also last you and your family a lifetime.

They are simple to clean and take care of.

Cast iron can go from stove top to oven in seconds and are great conductors of heat. This means even cooking!

They can also take high heat making them great for searing.

All around cast iron is the way to go.

For pancakes we recommend a cast iron griddle if you are doing a lot of pancakes or a medium sized skillet.

How to Make Sourdough Discard Pancakes- Step by Step

This sourdough discard recipe is a simple and delicious recipe that comes together in minutes with just a few ingredients.

Ingredients for sourdough discard pancakes

• Sourdough Discard- This is pretty essential given that they are sourdough discard pancakes. The discard gives them a slight tang and helps make a nice fluffy pancake.
• Egg
• Sugar
• Milk
• Self Rising Flour- I love using self rising flour in quick breads like these pancakes or biscuits as it cuts down on measuring all those other ingredients like baking powder.

That’s it!

Step by Step

Whisk first four ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Stir in the flour, the mixture will be a little lumpy and that is okay!

Let the mixture set while you heat your pan over medium heat. Heat 1 to 2 tablespoons of butter or a little oil in the bottom of the pan.

When the pan is up to temperature, pour about a 1/4 cup of batter into the hot pan. Allow to cook until bubbles start to appear and the cake is golden brown. Flip and cook another minute or two until golden brown.

Serve hot!

Best Toppings for Pancakes

Pancakes are delicious on their own, but are elevated to next level deliciousness with toppings. Our favorite toppings for pancakes don’t just stop with butter and maple syrup (although we love simplicity too)

• Jelly! Don’t have fresh fruit, don’t worry! Top with your favorite jelly, preserves, or fruit butters like our Crockpot Applebutter
• Chocolate Chips- this is one of my sisters favorites. It is like eating a giant cookie for breakfast
• Nutella- another chocolaty favorite!
• Fresh Fruits- Blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, even bananas or sweet and tart cooked cinnamon apples!
• Cinnamon sugar- the marriage of French toast and pancakes
• Honey
• Stir shredded cheddar cheese and chives right into the batter for a savory twist

These are just a few of our favorites, but get creative! Pancakes are a great whiteboard for flavor combinations!

What to Serve with Pancakes

Now when serving pancakes, it is easy to steer towards the familiar and expected sometimes you need to think outside of the box. We have ideas for both!

• Fruit Salad
• Spam Skillet
• The Trifecta (crispy bacon, meaty sausage, gooey fried eggs)
• Yogurt Parfait
• Fried Apples
• Hashbrown casserole
• Fruit Smoothy
• Fried Chicken (a spin off of chicken and waffles)

Enjoy!

We hope you love this pancake recipe and come back to try more of our breakfast favorites!

Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram and Pinterest for more inspiration!

Sourdough Discard Recipe

Sweet and Tangy pancakes made from sourdough discard are reminiscent of buttermilk pancakes!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 2 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Course Breakfast, Brunch, Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 4 people

Equipment

• Cast Iron Skillet or Griddle

Ingredients

  

• 1 Cup Sourdough Discard
• 1 lg egg
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1 Cup Milk
• 1 Cup Self Rising Flour

Instructions

 

• Whisk together first 4 ingredients until well combined.
• Stir in flour and allow mixture to sit until pan is heated
• Melt 1 tablespoon of butter in pan over medium heat. When up to temperature, drop ¼ cup measure of batter in the hot pan.
• Cook until golden, flip, and cook until golden on opposite side
• Serve hot with your favorite toppings

Keyword breakfast bread, pancakes, quick bread

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