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

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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.

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Repeat until you've used up all the batter.

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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

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Rate This Recipe! I love hearing from you!

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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 to make waffles ahead of time for a party? ›

Can Waffles Be Made The Night Before? Yes! You can make homemade or mix waffles the night before. Keep them stored covered in the refrigerator and heat in the oven before serving.

Why are my homemade waffles 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. And stacking even the most perfect waffles will cause them to become soggy and limp in minutes.

How do you use a lot of sourdough starter? ›

10 ways to use up sourdough starter
  1. Sourdough crumpets. Add your sourdough starter to crumpet batter for a super light and airy texture. ...
  2. Sourdough crackers. ...
  3. Sourdough pancakes. ...
  4. Sourdough pizza.
  5. Sourdough scones. ...
  6. Sourdough focaccia. ...
  7. Sourdough toad-in-the-hole. ...
  8. Sourdough hot cross buns.

What is sourdough discard? ›

Sourdough discard is the unfed portion of your sourdough starter that you remove before you add fresh flour and water. Because of it's unfed state, it's not used to bake the delicious bread you know as sourdough, but more often than not, used in sourdough discard recipes.

Can you make waffles ahead of time and reheat overnight? ›

Yes, it is quite easy to make waffles that are perfect for eating on another day. By purposefully undercooking them a bit, you can then allow them to cool before wrapping them in pairs with plastic wrap and then placing them in an airtight plastic bag. (Cook them until they are still pale in color, but cooked through).

How do you keep waffles crispy for a party? ›

In the clip, Martha removes a cooked waffle from the iron and gently tosses it between her hands to let steam escape before setting it on top of another waffle on her plate, thereby preventing a soggy stack. “It helps make sure that the crispiness of those edges is retained,” she says.

What is the secret to good waffles? ›

Add cornstarch.

If you're making waffles with baking powder and baking soda, adding cornstarch to the mix will get you waffles that are crisp on the outside and soft and flaky on the inside. Because waffle recipes vary, start with ¼ cup and work in as much as ½ cup to get the desired effect.

Which flour is best for waffles? ›

Key Ingredients

Flour: I use all-purpose flour in this recipe. It keeps the waffles light on their feet.

Should you separate eggs for waffles? ›

Always be sure to separate your egg whites and yolks when making waffles.” As a rule, egg yolks are an essential part of any proper waffle. However, it's still a good idea to separate the yolks and the eggs. You can beat the egg yolks and then add them to the rest of your wet ingredients (butter, milk, etc.)

What can I use my sourdough discard for? ›

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.

Do you discard sourdough starter each time you feed it? ›

It would be best if you discarded some portion of your starter each time you feed it unless you want to continue to let it grow. Eventually, you need to discard the used “food” (flour and water) that's been used to sustain your starter during the last fermentation period.

How much of your sourdough starter should you discard? ›

Experts recommend feeding a starter twice daily. And at each feeding, you hold onto 1/2 cup of your original starter, discard the rest, and then add its same weight in water and flour. With this schedule, you'd discard almost a cup of sourdough starter every day.

What happens if I forgot to discard starter before feeding? ›

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.

Can I use sourdough discard straight from fridge? ›

Yes you can use sourdough discard straight from the fridge, you don't need to let it come to room temperature if you don't want to. What is this? If you are using it straight from the fridge it may be a little stiff or thick, so you'll need to ensure you mix it really well.

Can you use cold sourdough discard? ›

You can utilize a cold starter in any sourdough discard recipe. These recipes don't require a sourdough starter for leavening, so you can use your starter directly from the fridge. These recipes offer a fantastic solution for using excess sourdough.

Can waffles be made ahead of time? ›

If you're working ahead, cool the waffles and store in the fridge or freezer. When it's breakfast time you can reheat your waffles toaster oven, cut into dippable pieces, and serve with maple syrup on the side. A make-ahead breakfast your kids will love.

How do you reheat waffles for a crowd? ›

To reheat, simply take out as many as you need and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper in a 350°F oven for 10 to 15 minutes, or until heated through. Loosely cover pancakes with foil so they don't dry out, but waffles will benefit from crisping up a little.

Is it better to make waffle mix the night before? ›

Waffles are easy – same ingredients as pancakes, just different ratios so they're crispy outside, soft and fluffy inside. You can make this waffle recipe right now, though if you make the batter the night before they're even better!

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